Best Activities & Fun Things to Do in Negril, Jamaica

Rock House with Colorful Chairs, Negril, Jamaica by Timothy O’Keefe on Allposters.com

Negril is a town located on the western side of Jamaica.   A drive of about 1.5 hours from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Negril is made up of resorts, restaurants, bars and shops.  It is known for it’s laid-back atmosphere, the Seven Mile Beach, and the endless water sports available.  

Seven Mile Beach is thought to be one of the top 10 beaches in the Caribbean, and there is a reason for that distinction.  While it is not seven miles long, this beach does offers soft golden-white sand that goes on for about 4 miles. 

Take a walk down the beach early in the morning, and there’s a chance you’ll spot stingrays swimming close by.  Later in the day, Seven Mile Beach will be packed with sunbathers and water sports enthusiasts, in addition to vendors.  Take a day or two to walk the beach, so you can pick up shells, sample Jamaican food at the beachside cafes,  check out the vendors’ wares, and take a dip in the Caribbean Sea.

This video shows how clear the Caribbean Sea is along Seven Mile Beach, in addition to activities, colorful shops, and water activities.  It is the perfect example of a normal day along Seven Mile Beach in Negril. 

Included in the list of “1,000 Places To See Before You Die” is a visit to Rick’s Café.  Here, you can watch daredevils jump off the cliffs into the Caribbean Sea below.  If you are adventurous, you can try this yourself!  Be forewarned that the highest platform is a 35 foot leap! 

An amazing video of a professional cliff diver.  Watch how strong he is as he holds himself up by just one hand before jumping off the cliff into the Caribbean Sea below!

Many of the resorts in Negril offer glass-bottom boat tours as part of your hotel stay. If not, there are a number of tour operators along the beach that will take you for a ride.

While sitting comfortably on bench seats, you'll be able to view the colorful fish and plants in the Caribbean Sea.  It is a relaxing ride, and a great way to see not only the sea life, but the sights along Negril beach.

While you can sample jerk dishes at many of the resorts, the best jerk recipes are offered in small shacks along the roads and beach.

A spicy dish that is certain to awaken your taste buds, you haven't been in Jamaica until you've eaten jerk chicken!

Located within easy walking distance of Seven Mile Beach, Negril Hills offers an 18 hole, par 72 golf course with all of the features you enjoy in your game.  Green fees are affordable, with caddies and carts available for an additional fee. 

As the name implies, the Negril Hills course has a lot of hills, so come prepared to do some hiking.  Comfortable shoes and bottled water will help you along the way.

Also available at Negril Hills is tennis, a pro shop, and clubhouse with full service restaurant.  A great way to spend an afternoon in Negril!

There are many other activities and fun things to do while you vacation in Jamaica.  These include:

• Scuba diving and snorkeling.  The water is so clear that you can see multicolored fish, coral, stingrays, and other creatures of the Caribbean Sea.
• Para-sailing.  If you want to fly over the Sea, there are a number of tour operators along Seven Mile Beach who can set you up!
• Catamaran rides.  I've taken a couple of these that were offered by the resorts, and they were fantastic! 
• A visit to Margaritaville.  Jimmy Buffet wrote the song Jamaica Mistaica after visiting Negril, so it's only fitting that the restaurant chain has a location in Negril. Fun if you like the party-hearty crowd, as it offers beach trampolines, a Tiki bar and non-stop island music, in addition to the restaurant offerings
• Tour Negril Lighthouse.  Located on the westernmost tip of Jamaica, the lighthouse stands 66 feet tall.  The solar-powered beacon of light shines 100 feet above sea level, and blinks every 2 seconds.  For a great view of Jamaica's coast, you must climb 103 stairs!

If you want to learn more about the best activities in Negril, in addition to information on the hotels and fun things to do, check out these books:

• Seven Mile Beach on FaceBook
  Keep up with current events and activities on Seven Mile Beach in Negril by following their official FaceBook page.
• Negril Hills Golf Club
  Official website for Negril Hills Golf Club
• Rick's Cafe
  Official website for Rick's Cafe, it include the restaurant menu, news, events and photos
• Hotels in Jamaica
  Prices and information on hotels and resorts in Negril. Choose from budget-friendly properties or luxury spa resorts. The choice is yours!

This video embodies the feeling of Negril.  From the lighthouse to the beach, the neighborhoods, people and animals, and of course, the music.  To me, this is Jamaica, and I can't wait to return!

Jamaica is my favorite Caribbean vacation destination, and I recommend it highly to anyone who likes warm climates, clear water, great beaches, and plenty of activities. 

If you've visited Negril, please share your recommendations for the top activities and fun things to do.  If you've never been, share what you'd like to experience!

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Copyright 2013-2017 L.C. Clifton / Country Sunshine.
Originally published January 26, 2013 on Zujava.com

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