Negril's Seven-Mile Beach Has Many Hotel Options

Famed Jamaica Beach Offers All-Inclusive, Luxury, and Budget Resorts

Jan 18, 2009 Karen Berger

Dramatic black cliffs contrast with brilliant white sand and turquoise sea. Negril tourists have a choice of B and Bs, villas, all-inclusives, and everything in between.

Located in western Jamaica (about 1 ½ hours drive from from Montego Bay) Negril’s famous Seven-mile Beach is so long it is in two different counties, Westmoreland and Hanover.

Negril became the “Capital of Casual” when hippie tourists discovered it in the 1960s. Today it retains a laid-back charm that is part hippie and part Rastafarian. (Note, however, that some tourists find that the constant approaches of locals peddling marijuana, hair-braiding, and Rasta trinkets, can become a bit tiresome.)

Beach and Reef in Negril

Negril’s Seven-Mile Beach makes frequent appearances on Worldwide Top 10 Beaches lists, even though the beach shows some damage and erosion, partly from storms and partly from tourism development. It is the longest beach in Jamaica, with brilliant white sand, clear water, and excellent snorkeling and diving, much of it only minutes away from shore.

Hotels and dive shops both offer diving and snorkeling trips out to the reefs. Negril has a variety of dive sites, including wrecks, coral gardens, and even an artificial reef. In addition to tropical reef fish, divers may see dolphins, nurse sharks, rays, and sea turtles.

Negril Adult All-Inclusives Offer Romance, Nightlife

Young couples and party-seekers tend to gravitate to the all-inclusive adult resorts, which are mostly congregated on the north end of Seven-Mile Beach. Sandals has a popular resort in Negril. In addition, Hedonism II, Couples, and Grand Lido are popular for those seeking an active social scene; all three offer nude bathing areas. Hedonism II is especially popular among those looking for casual vacation romance.

Negril's Westend Hotels are close to Black Cliffs, Blue Seas, Snorkeling and Diving

The West End is more private and romantic, with small boutique resorts dotting the black cliffs (The black cliffs, incidentally, are thought to be the origin of Negril’s name.) In addition, there are privately run B and Bs on the landward side of the main road, many of them offering simple budget B and B accommodations.

Some of the cliff-side hotels are especially striking; one of the most dramatic is Xtabi, which has small cottages scattered in and among the cliffs, and spectacular sea and sunset views, as well as easy access to a beautiful lagoons.

At Westend watering holes like Rick’s Café, enjoy the sun set – or watch the more adventurous tourists jump 40 feet from the cliffs into the sea. (Those so inclined should consider that this isn’t the safest activity in Jamaica; there have been serious injuries. Ask a local to point out the safer spots.) Below, the waters are clear for excellent snorkeling and diving.

Negril is one of those rare places where tourists looking for very different experiences - lush and luxurious, cheap and casual, or private and boutique-y - can find their niche, all in the same place. Those looking for the protection and convenience of an all-inclusive can find it in the big resorts. Those looking to interact with locals can experience the culture by staying at locally owned B and Bs or checking out the local music scene. And all can enjoy the beach that put the town on the map of travel magazines worldwide.

Resources: For more information on Jamaica Destinations.

The copyright of the article Negril's Seven-Mile Beach Has Many Hotel Options in Latin Am/Caribbean Travel is owned by Karen Berger. Permission to republish Negril's Seven-Mile Beach Has Many Hotel Options in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Jamaica Sunset