Negril boasts gorgeous white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters that are great for all sorts of marine sports.
It also has some of the most dramatic, uninterrupted sunset views in the world. Restaurants and hotels are built into rocky cliffs, with brightly-painted vending stalls and shacks adding to the town’s charisma and laid-back charm.
Holidaymakers are certain to enjoy every minute of exploring the little paradise of Negril, with its delicious food, friendly people and lots of things to do.
Read on for the ultimate guide to vacationing in Negril.
What is Negril Known for?
One of Jamaica’s most beautiful destinations, Negril is known for:
- Beautiful Beaches: Negril is known for having the best beaches in Jamaica. If you love the beach, you will love Negril. A beach-lovers’ paradise, Negril offers miles of white sand beach, calm, crystal-clear waters, soft ocean breezes and amazing snorkeling.
- Seven Mile Beach: The world-famous Seven Mile Beach is a stretch of breathtaking sandy beach that gives way to dramatic sea-facing cliffs. Famous for its soft white sands and clear turquoise waters, the award-winning beach has severally been voted as one of the best in the world.
- Good Snorkeling: Negril also has good snorkeling around a beautiful coral reef that shelters a diversity of colorful marine life. Snorkelers can enjoy great views while swimming in the shallow, crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.
- Dramatic Sunsets: Negril boasts some of the most stunning, uninterrupted sunset views in the world. At Rick’s Café, visitors can sit back and watch the splendid colors of the Jamaican sunset while relaxing with a delicious cocktail.
- Laid-Back Vibe: If you want a laid-back, quiet and relaxed atmosphere, then Negril is your best bet. Negril is very casual with a great island vibe that is perfect for a peaceful and relaxing vacation.
What to Do in Negril
Negril offers visitors a variety of attractions and activities to enjoy.
Seven Mile Beach
Although it’s just 4 miles long, Seven Mile Beach gets its name from the fact that it appears endless, as the clear blue waters gently lap around its white sandy shores.
One of the most beautiful of its kind in Jamaica, Seven Mile Beach has numerous resorts and hotels built right onto the beach. Here, visitors can go snorkeling or enjoy all sorts of watersports including windsurfing and parasailing.
Rick’s Café
Perched on a dramatic rocky sea-facing cliff, Rick’s Café is famous for its great ambiance and entertainment.
The main highlight here is watching professional divers jump from really tall trees alongside the cliff into the Caribbean Sea. Visitors can also sip on delicious cocktails, dance to live reggae music and witness a spectacular sunset.
Scuba Diving
For a more immersive experience in the Caribbean Sea, go on a snorkeling or scuba diving excursion. The clear and calm waters along Jamaica’s west coast offer excellent visibility of the diversity of marine life.
An array of dive shops in Negril offer lessons and licenses.
Deep Sea Fishing
Discover the bounty of Jamaican seawaters during a fishing trip in Negril. Try your luck at catching tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo and possibly a blue marlin.
On your trip, you may also see other marine creatures including sea turtles, dolphins and sharks.
Kool Runnings Adventure Park
The Kool Runnings Adventure Park offers various activities that guarantee fun for the entire family.
The adventure zone has paintball, go-kart racing and a bungee trampoline, while the water park has several swimming pools and slides. There are also cafés, restaurants and gift shops that sell souvenirs.
Bloody Bay
Bloody Bay is a gorgeous public beach lined by hotels along its bay. A lot of vegetation close by provide shade from the heat of the Caribbean sun.
The waters here are always warm, clear and calm, and it tends to have fewer crowds than Seven Mile Beach. There are many shops and restaurants nearby where you can grab lunch, dinner or a quick bite.
Run the Reggae Marathon
Held each year during the first weekend of December, the Reggae Marathon features a Half-Marathon and a 10km run.
Athletes get to run along the gorgeous Jamaican coastline as you watch the sun rise. Along the route, live bands and Djs play reggae music.
At the finishing line, enjoy a cold Red Stripe beer and a refreshing dip in the turquoise sea, before celebrating on Seven Mile Beach.
Roaring River Park and Cave
A thriving estate and sugar plantation in the late 18th century, Roaring River Park is a beautiful park situated in the mountainous region of Petersfield to the east of Negril.
The main highlight of the park is a limestone cave through which the Roaring River flows. Eerie natural pools and dramatic rock formations add to the mystery and allure of the park.
Royal Palm Reserve
Situated within the Negril Great Morass wetlands, the Royal Palm Reserve is a protected park that hosts 114 species of plants and more than 300 animal species, including butterflies, reptiles and birds.
It’s the perfect spot to see the island’s most beautiful birds, such as the swallowtail hummingbird. Some of the park’s Royal Palms are amazingly tall, rising over 80 feet.
Is Negril Nice for Everyone?
Yes, Negril has something for everyone. A relaxing destination, Negril is a great choice for those who want to travel to Jamaica with kids.
The town boasts an array of attractions tailored for both kids and adults that guarantee fun for the whole family. In fact, its gorgeous white sandy beaches alone make Negril a perfect spot for a family vacation.
Is Negril Family Friendly?
Yes, Negril is a good destination choice for family vacations, with its wonderful array of family-friendly activities, attractions and accommodation options. Traveling families can visit various places in Negril that offer fun for the whole family.
Attractions include Seven Mile Beach, Kool Runnings Water Park, many fantastic restaurants and an eclectic mix of shops. Biking trails and lots of watersports are also available in Negril, including boat trips to the coral reef for snorkeling.
What is the Best Time of Year to Go to Negril?
Negril boasts a sublime tropical climate which makes it an ideal sunny destination at any time of the year.
That said, the best time to visit Negril for a beach vacation is at the start of “winter” from November to mid-December when the town’s beautiful weather is at its most pleasant.
Does It Rain a Lot?
Negril receives an average rainfall of 62 inches per year, which is slightly more than other Jamaican hotspots. That said, rain in Negril is usually very brief at any time of year, unless there is a hurricane or tropical storm in the area.
During the rainy season in Negril, visitors can expect about 15 minutes to 1 hour of rainfall, mainly in the late afternoon or early evening.
Are There Mosquitoes in Negril?
Negril is a tropical destination, therefore it does have mosquitoes. However, as long as you protect yourself using insect repellent and other preventative measures, mosquitoes will not ruin your vacation in Negril.
