Negril is located on the west coast of Jamaica, about 45 miles from Sangster Airport in Montego Bay, which equates to about an hour and a half bus ride, including a stop for refreshments at the halfway point. However, the hour and half equals worlds away in terms of the pace of life.
Layout of Negril
The tourist areas of Negril are basically divided into three distinct sections, Bloody Bay, 7 Mile Beach on Long Bay, and the cliffs.
Bloody Bay, Negril, Jamaica
The first section of Negril entered when approaching from the airport is the area on Bloody Bay. The bay's name was derived from when whalers would use the bay to butcher their catch. The area was also a popular spot for pirates in the 1700's, and is rumored to be the location where Calico Jack Rackham and his two female consorts were captured.
Today, Bloody Bay is a calm, sandy stretch of beach, host to a few of the resorts for which Negril is famous. Riu Negril is the first resort on the bay, being located on the northernmost point. Other resorts are Sunset at the Palms, Riu Tropical Bay, Couples, Beaches, and Point Village.
A large portion of the beach on Bloody Bay is still undeveloped, and the jungle runs right up to the edge of the sand. Many local vendors set up booths along the beach, and there are some great buys to be had if the would be purchaser is prepared to bargain.
Also on Bloody Bay, just to the north of the Sunset at the Palms area, is the Office of Nature, a popular beachfront open air eatery where fresh lobster is the special, caught offshore during lobster season and cooked over an open fire as you wait. Fresh fish is popular when lobsters aren't in season.
Seven Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica
Really only about 4 miles, this beach has consistently been voted one of the best in the world. Host to many of the mega resorts, the beach starts at Point Village, on the point between Bloody Bay and Long Bay, and continues until the beach ends and the cliffs begin.
The water is calm and warm, and the beach is made of soft, white sand, which has a very gradual slope, perfect for swimmers of any experience and comfort level.
Water sports, both motorized and non-motorized, are available at many locations on the beach as are opportunities to parasail. Vendors wander the beach offering drinks, tropical fruits, hair braiding, and gentle rubdowns with aloe vera for the sunburned. Bootleg CDs and tapes are also offered as are illicit drugs, discussed in more detail later.
Some of the more popular resorts here are the SuperClubs including Spa, formerly the the Grand Lido, and Breezes, as well as the infamous Hedonism II. There are smaller, boutique hotels as well, such as the Firefly Beach Cottages, Charela Inn, Nirvana on the Beach, and the Negril Tree House Resort.
Bars and restaurants abound as well and popular spots are Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Da Bus, and Kuyaba, although there are many, many more. Along the roadway which parallels the beach are a number of small stands selling Jamaican Jerked Chicken, a spicy but popular meal, often washed down with Jamaica's own beer, Red Stripe.
The Cliffs, Negril, Jamaica
West End Road (also called One Love Road) runs along the Negril Cliffs and many resorts are located here that offer more privacy and a different island experience than the beach area.
Resorts here include the Rockhouse, Tensing Pen, The Caves, Xtabi, and Banana Shout, among others. Most of the resorts on the cliffs have swimming pools as well as steps leading down so that swimming and snorkeling are available along the rocks. Diving or jumping into the water from the cliffs is also popular, although may people are injured ever year from this.
There are many restaurants and bars in the cliff area, but three places in particular are must see. Rick's is a popular bar and restaurant for crowds to gather and watch the cliff divers while waiting for the spectacular sunsets. The Pickled Parrot is also a popular bar and grill, and features a rope swing over the water for the daring. Finally, Xtabi is a more upscale restaurant and perfect for an intimate dinner.
Topless Sunbathing and Nude Beaches in Negril
Topless sunbathing is common in Negril, both on the beaches and at the resorts on the cliffs. There are several nude sections of the beaches, although the areas are small. One is at Hedonism (of course), but Spa, Point Village and Beaches also have sections where it is permitted.
Contrary to rumors, marijuana and other drugs are not legal in Jamaica although widely available.
Negril, Jamaica is a great place to visit, relax, and soak up rays with a wide variety of accommodations, restaurants, and bars from which to choose.
References
Negril.com, accessed 5/21/2010
Negril Hotels. accessed 5/21/2010
Negril Notes, accessed 5/21/2010
Robert Bennett - Robert Bennett is a part time traveler, a more than full time dad, and has recently started in the exciting world of freelance writing. In ...
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