Easy-going Negril is one of Jamaica's most popular destinations – and it’s easy to see why. Located on the west coast, there’s a wealth of activities to choose from when you’re not lazing on the blond sands of Seven Mile Beach. Day trips from Negril to the likes of Montego Bay, Chukka's Ocean Outpost and Rick's Café are what being on holiday is all about. Negril boasts heavenly beaches, its Instagrammable coastal hideaways and one of the most exotic cuisines in the Caribbean. And when it comes to water activities, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Options include cruises, scuba diving and boat trips to the Luminous Lagoon. Oh, and Mother Nature puts on a show for you every evening with kaleidoscopic sunsets.
Top six things to do in Negril
1. A day trip to Montego Bay
Jamaica's second-largest city is its adventure capital. A 90-minute drive from Negril along the north coast, Montego Bay offers activities such as scuba diving, ziplining and – a truly Jamaican experience – horse riding in a shallow strand. To end a day in MobBay on a high, try a catamaran cruise and soak in a Caribbean sunset in the open sea. And this being Jamaica, many of these activities feature live music.
2. Venture down the slopes of Chukka Ocean Outpost
Located in Sandy Bay, Chukka Ocean Outpost is an outdoor nature park that’ll sweep you off your feet. This former sugar plantation has been transformed into a playground offering the extremes of adventure and relaxation. It’s one of the top things to do in Negril. There’s an exciting choice of activities – power snorkelling, mountain-to-sea ATV rides, ocean ziplining, river tubing and much more.
3. Check out Rick's Café
Rick’s Café is the essence of Negril. It’s a very cool spot and many enhance the experience by visiting it by boat. It sets the mood for the day as you relax onboard, enjoying a Jamaican barbecue and snorkelling stops. Perched on a rocky cliff, Rick’s Café is famed for its atmosphere and the crowds that whoop and cheer as daredevils jump from the cliffs into the sea. It is also the ideal spot from which to watch the sun sink into the Caribbean as you sip on a cocktail.
4. Taste Jamaican food
Jamaican cuisine delves into the island’s harvests of exotic produce to spice up dishes. Breadfruit and ackee are among the fruits that are staple ingredients here. In fact, while jerk chicken is the most famous Jamaican speciality, it’s ackee and salted cod that’s the national dish. Other local favourites are spicy patty pancakes and gizzada, a coconut and ginger tart. And wait till you try the coffee from the Blue Mountains – many connoisseurs swear it’s the best in the world.
5. Enjoy water activities
The never-ending Seven Mile Beach – it’s actually 5 miles, or 8km, long – is a first port of call in Negril. Another top beach is palm-fringed Bloody Bay, which is separated from Seven Mile Beach by a headland. While the warm Caribbean waters that lap against both beaches will soon also entice you. Activities as diverse as deep-sea fishing and snorkelling are very popular in these bountiful waters
6. Observe the Luminous Lagoon
This is one of the most popular things to do in Negril. Located between the Martha Brae River and the Caribbean, the luminous lagoon gets its name from millions of glowing microscopic organisms. During the night, and when they are disturbed, they sparkle, hence the luminous name. Take a tour to the lagoon and discover this rare phenomenon for yourself.
