Best Activities & Fun Things to Do in Negril, Jamaica

by CountrySunshine

Planning a trip to Negril, Jamaica? Here are suggestions for the top activities and best things to do! From the beaches to the cliffs, food to music, there's plenty to enjoy!

Jamaica brings to mind the white sand beaches, tropical temperatures, and beautiful blue seas of the Caribbean. A great vacation destination for families, couples, singles and groups, Jamaica offers activities and fun things to do for all!

Although there are several vacation locations in Jamaica, Negril is one of my favorites. It has a more casual atmosphere than the rest of Jamaica, and offers plenty of activities. From water sports to bar crawls, golf to cliff diving, music to food, there are plenty of things to do in Negril!

Are you planning a visit to Negril, Jamaica? If so, here are the top activities and fun things to do on your trip!

Have you ever been to Jamaica?

Where and what is Negril?

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.

A Walk Along Seven Mile Beach

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. 

A Visit To Rick's Cafe

Great Food, Music and Cliff Diving

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! 

Cliff Diving at Rick's Cafe
Cliff Diving at Rick's Cafe

Get a quick bite to eat at Rick’s Café’, where you will enjoy everything from appetizers to full-blown meals.  Tip: try the seafood and desserts;  they are delicious! 

Stay until dusk, as the view of the sun sinking into the ocean is a sight to behold!  Both tourists and locals visit Rick’s night after night to watch the amazing colors of the sunset.

Watch A Professional Cliff Diver Leap Into The Sea

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!

Glass Bottom Boat Tours

View The Sea Underneath Your Feet

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.

Eat Like a Jamaican

Visit a Jerk Chicken Stand

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!

Negril Hills Golf Club

Golf course at Negril Hills, Jamaica
Golf course at Negril Hills, Jamaica

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 gameGreen 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!

Water Sports & More

Jamaica Lighthouse
Jamaica Lighthouse

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!

Books About Negril

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:

Chillin in Negril: The Unofficial Negril Jamaica Travel and Party Guide (Twisted Travel Series)

This author describes Negril just like it is: From the best places to eat, to where to find a party, to the best shopping deals and interesting accommodations, you'll find everything you need to enjoy a trip in this "Unofficial Guide".

View on Amazon

The Naked Truth About Hedonism II: A totally unauthorized, naughty but nice guide to Jamaica's ve...

I purchased a copy of this book when it was first published in 1998, as I am a big fan of Hedonism II. While I don't agree with all the words written in this book, you'll get a general idea of what Hedonism II has to offer.

View on Amazon

Need More Information?

    • 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!

Visiting Negril and the Lighthouse

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!

Have you ever been to Jamaica?

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!

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

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

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Updated: 06/04/2017, CountrySunshine
 
Thank you! Would you like to post a comment now?
1

Comments

Only logged-in users are allowed to comment. Login
Beth M. on 06/09/2017

My husband and I have visited Negril twice, staying at Couples resorts each time. One thing we did on our last trip that we thoroughly enjoyed was the One Love Bus Bar Crawl. We were able to see a little bit more of Negril and the bus ride was a blast!

You might also like

Best Activities & Fun Things To Do In Jamaica

Dunns River Falls, jerk chicken, cliff diving, the Bob Marley Museum, and zip...

Couples Swept Away | A Tropical Destination Wedding in Negril,...

For a unique way to start your life together, consider a romantic destination...


Disclosure: This page generates income for authors based on affiliate relationships with our partners, including Amazon, Google and others.
Loading ...
Error!