Negril, a vibrant Jamaican town, boasts in abundance the sun, sea and sand that tourists from more temperate climes seek out, especially as we move from a half-hearted summer to a wet and windy autumn. Negril walks a tightrope and has so far avoided becoming completely overrun with package tourists and not succumbing to the mahogany faced charm of over gentrification. This places it firmly in the centre ground of the Caribbean holiday market.
photo by dubdem sound system
Perhaps one reason Negril remains so firmly in the middle of the market is that, from the nearest international airport at Montego Bay, it is a good hour or hour and a half transfer which, following a transatlantic flight, can be uncomfortable. However, the journey is worth it and the first view of the golden sand stretching into the distance goes a long way to remove the stresses and strains of the trip.
There is no doubt that the primary attraction of Negril is the beach. Seven miles of soft warm sand, gently caressed by the azure sea, is pretty much the picture postcard image of a tropical paradise. There are other things to do but most visitors will spend the majority of their time somewhere on the beach sitting and relaxing in the sun or reading a good book.
Even the most sedate visitors will decide to come off the beach at some point during their stay and the area around Negril and the town itself has many things to do. Swimming in the sea is both relaxing and a great way of burning off some of the calories from the delicious food. A snorkel trip is a great way to learn more about the aquatic ecosystems of the area and you can decide to head off on your own or take a local guide.
If you are interested in the sea but would rather not get wet, there are glass bottomed boats which are a great way to get intimate with the aquatic while remaining warm and dry. Many of them also serve drinks making it an almost shamefully luxurious means of learning.
Like anywhere with collections of tourists, markets selling souvenir knick-knacks and assorted oddments have sprung up around Negril. If you are looking for something that genuinely captures the spirit of the island and its people you will probably not have much luck. If, however, you want a cheap piece of tat to give to distant relatives at home then you’re in the right place. Always bargain with the market vendors and don’t be afraid to walk away if the price doesn’t come down quick enough, but also bear in mind that you are a rich western tourist and they are poor locals. If you try and drive their prices so low they cannot make a living you will not be popular.
Hotels in Negril
Tensing Pen Hotel
Average Price: €85
Average Rating: 9
Hotel White Sands Negril
Average Price: €43
Average Rating: 8
Travellers Beach Resort
Average Price: €63
Average Rating: 8
Leave a comment