Perched atop a 35-foot high cliff at Negril’s West End, Rick’s Café boasts some of the best, uninterrupted sunset views in the world. Its cliff is also a popular diving spot for brave and adventurous locals and visitors alike. Visitors come to Rick’s for its laid-back atmosphere, where you can chill and let the warm tropical breeze engulf you.
Read on for the essential guide to visiting Rick’s Café.
Where is Rick’s Café Located in Jamaica?
Rick’s Cafe is located in Negril.
What Can I Expect at Rick’s Cafe?
Here’s what to expect at Rick’s Café:
- Bar & Restaurant: Rick’s Café has a bar and restaurant where you can purchase food and drinks. Although be warned that prices here are on the higher side.
- Cabanas: Visitors can rent a cabana and enjoy a private and pampered experience at Rick’s Café. Having drinks with your own group inside a cabana is a fun thing to do at Rick’s.
- Cliff Diving: Professional divers can dive off the cliffs at Rick’s Café. For those not brave enough, it’s still fun to watch people jumping from the diving spot on the rocks!
- Sunset: Rick’s Café is famous for its spectacular sunsets. Take your spot at the cliffs’ edge to watch the crimson, orange and purple hues of the Jamaican sunset.
- Live Reggae Music: Revelers can enjoy listening to live reggae music performances. There is also a dance floor where you can dance.
Sunset at Rick’s
Rick’s Cafe is famous for its sublime sunsets. When visiting Negril, end the day at Rick’s Cafe where you’ll get to watch the splendid colors of the Jamaican sunset as you relax with a delicious cocktail. This is also the time when brave souls dare to dive off the cliffs into the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, while live reggae music plays in the background.
Entertainment and Live Music
Rick’s Café is famous for its live reggae music shows that begin just before sunset. A main stage hosts many local and international bands, while “Rick’s After Dark” offers an upscale lounge experience next to the pool area. There is a dance floor where people can dance and enjoy the fun party atmosphere.
Rent a Cabana
Renting a cabana is a great way to experience Rick’s Café. Visitors who rent cabanas get to sit in a private area where they are pampered with bottle service and a dedicated server. Food is also available for purchase.
The cabanas at Rick’s Café consist of a thatched roof enclosure with tables, comfy sofas and chairs. Individual cabanas can fit up to 20 guests, depending on the size. Cabana no. 4 at Rick’s has the best setup and location. It overlooks the swimming pool, as well as the area where divers jump off the cliffs. It has ample chair seating and a large padded daybed area that easily fits 5-6 people.
Having drinks and watching the sunset with your own group inside a cabana at Rick’s Café is a fun experience. When you rent a cabana, it’s yours for the whole day. You can email Rick’s Café to book a cabana in advance.
How high are the Cliffs at Rick’s Cafe in Negril?
The cliffs at Rick’s Café range from 8 feet to 40 feet in height. There is also a 27 foot option.
Is it Safe to Dive off the Cliffs at Rick’s Café?
It is not recommended that you dive off the cliffs at Rick’s Café, unless you are a professional diver. This is because some jumpers have been injured in the past. Although no life jackets are available for those interested in cliff diving, there are plenty of strong swimmers on hand to rescue injured or distressed divers. There are also some lower level cliffs nearby that are safer to dive off, as long as you can swim.
But even if you don’t dive yourself, it is still fun and exciting to watch the professionals do it. You’ll get to see women and men of all fitness levels making it look like a piece-of-cake. There are also some locals who put on a show by climbing to the top of a tree about 80 feet high and jumping from there! Others perform a series of back flips and stunt dives.
How Deep is the Water at Rick’s Cafe Negril?
The water at Rick’s Café ranges from 35 to 45 feet deep.
How is the Food at Rick’s Café?
Don’t expect 5-star restaurant food at Rick’s Café. The menu ranges from chicken wings and tropical salads to entrees such as blackened tuna and broiled lobster. Other meat, fish and vegetarian options are also available.
Are the Prices Higher at Rick’s Cafe?
Yes, the prices of food and drink are generally higher at Rick’s Café. If you are on a tight budget, it is recommended that you come with your belly full and leave in time to make it back to your hotel for dinner. But if you have the cash to spare, Rick’s is a great spot to relax and enjoy a couple of drinks.
Does Rick’s Cafe Take Credit Cards?
Yes. In addition to cash, Rick’s Cafe accepts credit cards. Visitors to Rick’s Cafe may pay using Jamaican dollars, US dollars, credit cards or debit cards.
Does Rick’s Cafe Have WIFI?
Yes. There is free Wi-Fi at Rick’s Café.
What Should I Bring to Rick’s Cafe?
Here’s what to bring to Rick’s Café:
- A camera, to capture the magnificent sunset
- Swimwear, if you plan on swimming or cliff diving
- A full belly, if you’re on a budget!
How Do You Get to Rick’s Café?
There are several ways to get to Rick’s Cafe:
- Flying: Although expensive, flying is the fastest way to get to Rick’s Café.
- Private Driver: Hiring a private driver is best for those who plan to make stops along the way.
- Car Rental: You may rent a car and drive yourself to Rick’s Café.
- Route Taxi: Taking route taxis is generally not recommended for tourists in Jamaica, unless you know exactly where you’re going.
How Far is Rick’s Cafe from Negril?
The distance from Negril to Rick’s Café is 5.7km. It takes about 10 minutes to drive to Rick’s Cafe from Negril via the West End Road.
How Far is Rick’s Cafe from Montego Bay?
The distance from Montego Bay to Rick’s Cafe in Negril is 84.1km. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive to Rick’s Café from Montego Bay via the A1 highway.
An excursion in itself, the journey from Montego Bay to Rick’s Café is a beautiful scenic drive along the Jamaican coastline. That said, it is not worth driving from Montego Bay just to go to Rick’s Café alone. It is recommended that you combine your trip to Rick’s Café with other excursions to make the long drive from Montego Bay worthwhile.
Hire a driver and go for a daytrip to Negril where you can relax on the white sands of the world-famous Seven Mile Beach, and enjoy sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling. Have lunch and soak up the seamless, laid-back Negril vibe . Stay overnight if possible as the fun doesn’t start at Rick’s Café until about 4pm. If you leave for Montego Bay before then, you will miss out on the reason why Rick’s is so popular.
How Far is Rick’s Cafe from Ocho Rios?
The distance from Ocho Rios to Rick’s Café is 180.5km. It takes about 3 hours to drive to Rick’s Cafe from Ocho Rios via the A1 highway.
However, it is not worth driving from Ocho Rios just to go to Rick’s Café alone. It is recommended that you combine your trip to Rick’s Café with other excursions to make the long drive from Ocho Rios worthwhile.
Hire a driver for the day and go to Negril where you can relax on the white sands of the world-famous Seven Mile Beach, have lunch and soak up the laid-back vibe. If possible stay overnight, as the fun doesn’t start at Rick’s Café until about 4pm. If you leave for Ocho Rios before then, you will miss out on the reason why Rick’s is so popular.
Which Airport Is Closest to Rick’s Cafe?
Located at a distance of 12.2km, the Negril Aerodrome in Negril (Code: NEG) is the closest airport to Rick’s Café. It takes about 15 minutes to drive to Rick’s Café from the Negril airport via the Norman Manley Boulevard and West End Road.
When is the Best Time to Visit Rick’s Cafe?
If you’re a brave and adventurous soul who plans to dive off the cliffs, be sure to get to Rick’s Café around 2 to 3pm. This will give you sufficient time to watch a few divers and have some drinks to help build up the courage to actually do it.
If you don’t plan on diving, be sure to get to Rick’s Café no later than 4pm. This way you’ll still get the excitement and adrenaline rush from watching other people dive. Plan to stay there a couple of hours.
No visit to Rick’s Café is complete without staying for the sunset. By 5.30pm, secure your spot upstairs at the edge of the cliffs. Everyone is going to be crowding around the edge trying to get the best view. Therefore secure your spot early if you don’t want other people in your photos.
As the sun begins to set, an in-house band starts to play live Reggae music, including many famous hits by the legendary Bob Marley.