
Negril's West End © Jamaica Tourist Board
Jamaica’s western edge is a laid-back haven where there is
little to do other than sit back, relax and enjoy the renowned
gorgeous sunsets, in between beach bathing and partying. Centre of
this hedonistic haven is Negril, dubbed the 'capital of casual',
a sunny resort town that despite its popularity and proliferation
of tourist accommodation has managed to retain the sleepy tropical
charm that first seduced seekers of sun and solitude when it was
'discovered' in the 1960s.
It was the hippies and flower children who first found Negril, a
part of Jamaica appreciated for being different from the
over-developed package tour market of Montego Bay. Negril still
attracts a young crowd, and the beachfront bars and cafes are abuzz
each night with reggae music and wild partying. Along with the
party people, however, Negril is favoured also by those just
wanting to get away from it all. It sports its famous seven-mile
(11km) stretch of pristine beach, encircling Bloody Bay, and five
miles (8km) of cliffs, where locals and visitors alike dare each
other to indulge in some extreme cliff-diving, sometimes from
ropes. The coral reefs and caves along the coast make it a scuba
diver’s and snorkeller's dream come true, and for active
visitors there is the chance to take part in just about any
watersport imaginable. Adventure seekers can venture by kayak into
the mysterious Great Morass (a protected area full of palm trees,
exotic birds and crocodiles).
Attractions
Negril Lighthouse
The lighthouse on West End Road, built in 1894, is open to
visitors every day. The climb to the top (100ft/30m) is arduous, up
steep iron steps, but worth it for the breathtaking views of the
coast afforded at the summit.
...
see full detailsRhodes Hall Plantation
Visitors who tire of the beach can head for the countryside to a
small estate, Rhodes Hall Plantation, a short distance east of
Negril. Here guided horseback excursions give a glimpse of the
magic and mystery of the Jamaican countryside, and you don't... see full details
Seven Mile Beach
The reason for Negril’s recent boom as a tourist
Mecca is centred on this seven-mile stretch of beautiful shoreline
around Bloody Bay (so-called because of the fierce battle here
between Columbus and the Arawak Amerindians) dotted with palm
trees and carpeted with pristine white sand. Development... see full details
Excursions
Mayfield Falls
The 22 mini-cascades and numerous swimming holes that make up
the Mayfield Falls site in the low-lying Dolphin Head Mountains
make a memorable day trip from Negril. The falls are reached
through an intriguing maze of country roads, and are difficult to
find independently,... see full details