Choose from 4 Fun Things to Do in Negril
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Rick's Caf e
High on the cliffs outside Negril, Rick’s Cafe is one of Jamaica’s most enduring institutions. Negril was a sleepy fishing village when Rick’s opened in 1974, and travelers and locals alike still make a pilgrimage to the restaurant and bar for strong cocktails, tasty Jamaican dishes, death-defying cliff divers, and sunset viewing parties.
The Basics
Outside on the expansive cliffside patio, watch in awe as local professional cliff divers and courageous tourists leap some 30 feet (9 meters) into the deep sea waters below. Dining at the restaurant is semiformal, with the chef making authentic, mouth-watering Jamaican dishes like ackee and salt fish, callaloo, oxtail and butter beans, and curry goat.
You can experience Rick’s Cafe on your own, or with a private or group half-day or full-day tour that leaves from Montego Bay, Negril, or Ocho Rios. Tours incorporate the highlights of whichever area you choose, and many also feature fun activities like a catamaran cruise to the famous Negril Cliffs, stops at the best snorkeling spots, scenic coastal drives, and swimming and relaxing at postcard-pretty beaches along the way. Most tours include round-trip transportation from your hotel, gear rental, and some food and drink.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Rick’s Cafe is a popular stop with first-time visitors to the area, especially at sunset. Families with small children are welcome, though mind them closely around the cliffs area.
- Remember to bring your swimwear, sunscreen, towel, and camera for sunsets and cliff jumps.
- There are reports of travelers sustaining serious injuries from jumping off the cliffs. Dive at your own risk.
- Rick’s Cafe is accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
Rick’s Cafe is west of central Negril along West End Road, easily accessible by taxi or shuttle bus from many Negril hotels.
When to Get There
Rick’s Cafe is open from 12pm to 10pm daily year-round. Nightly live music and sunset parties get going around 5:30pm. During the off-season (May through November) there are smaller crowds here and throughout the island.
Seven Miles of Heaven
Chances are if you’ve seen postcards of Jamaica, you’ve gazed upon the creamy white sands of Seven Mile Beach. Along the coast next to Rick’s Cafe, this stretch is a popular destination, not only for its stunning beauty but also for activities. At the beach you can snorkel the reefs, play volleyball, kayak, take a glass-bottom boat ride, or go for a horseback ride in the surf.
Address: West End Road, Negril, Jamaica
Hours: Open daily 12pm - 10pm
Admission: Free
From $ 16
Black River
The Black River is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica and flows west for 33 miles until it empties into the sea. The name derives from the river’s dark riverbed, which has obtained its hue from thick layers of decomposing vegetation that has stacked up over the years beneath the water. The Black River is easily accessible from the popular vacation spot of Negril and provides several different activities to fill a day with fun during your vacation in Jamaica.
Tubing and kayaking down the Black River are adventurous ways to experience the rapids here, and with the thick rainforest trees and plants surrounding the water, you’ll feel like you’re twisting and dipping your way through a tropical paradise, all while getting an adrenaline rush.
In a calmer part of Black River, close to the Caribbean Sea and the actual town of Black River, crocodile spotting is a popular pastime, and boats with expert guides take travelers out to the spots where crocodiles typically spend their days. See just how many you can spot of the hundreds that call the riverbed home.
YS Falls is also along the river and is made up of multiple levels of waterfalls with swimming holes at the bottom of each.
Practical Info
The most convenient way to reach the Black River is via an excursion, which will pick you up from your hotel, provide you with what you need for the day’s activities and then drop you back off at your hotel. If you’ve rented a car, it is also possible to explore the Black River on your own.
Address: Negril, Jamaica
From $ 50
Negril Cliffs
Even by themselves, the black hued cliffs outside of Negril are natural sites to behold. Rising 40 feet above turquoise waters and pockmarked by sea caves and coves, the cliffs form a defining natural icon for Jamaica’s far western coast. It isn’t just their beauty, however, that draws visitors here in droves. Rather, it’s the deep waters immediately offshore and the presence of cliffside beach bars—which all combine to form perfect conditions for throwing yourself off the edge. The cliff diving here on Negril’s cliffs is some of the world’s most famous, where locals and visitors regularly drop over 40 feet down to the sea. Professionals will often put on shows and perform daring flips and flops, and occasionally visitors will join in the show in a fit of Caribbean bravado. The cliffs are a popular spot for snorkeling tours to stop en route from the dive site, and are a short distance from the laidback guesthouses towards the southern end of Negril. After a long day of snorkeling, diving, suntanning, partying, laughing, and jumping, gather with dozens of other travelers to watch the fiery, west-facing sunset that illuminates the cliffs each night.
Practical Info
The Negril cliffs are on the south end of Negril away from the large scale beach resorts. There are a handful of guesthouses and smaller hotels that accompany the clifftop bars, and the closest airport is Montego Bay approximately 90 minutes away.
Address: Negril, Jamaica
Hours: Daily 24/7
From $ 16
Seven Mile Beach
Swaying palm trees, gentle azure waves, and dazzling white sands make Negril's Seven Mile Beach a postcard-pretty classic. With a nearly permanent spot on myriad "best beaches in the world" lists, you won't be alone in paradise"”but with miles of beach and nearly every water sport available, you're sure to find what you're looking for.
The Basics
There's much more going on here than just miles of white sand. Many of Negril's main resorts line the beach, and private operators abound offer activities such as snorkeling, water-skiing, parasailing, and glass-bottom boat rides. Breezy open-air restaurants and beach bars are plentiful for delicious beachfront meals and drinks.
You can experience Seven Mile Beach on your own, or with a group or private half-day or full-day tour leaving from Falmouth, Montego Bay, Negril, or Ocho Rios. Depending on your departure city, tours may include time at the beach for sunbathing and water activities along with highlights of the chosen area, including a stop at local institutions like Rick's Cafe or Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville for sunset jams. Tours typically include round-trip transportation but not rental fees.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Seven Mile Beach is a must-do for sun and sand lovers, including families with small children.
- Remember to bring sun protection and swimwear. Snorkeling and other water-sports gear are available for rent, as are umbrellas and beach chairs.
- Restaurants and bars dot the beach and serve up casual fare.
- Note that there may be partially or fully nude sunbathers.
- Hustling hawkers of various trinkets and services may feel aggressive at times.
How to Get There
Seven Mile Beach is directly north of Negril's center along Norman Manley Blvd. You can access the beach outside of the all-inclusive hotels, which restrict their sands to their guests. Have a taxi drop you off at the stretch called Bourbon Beach, which also has public bars and restaurants.
When to Get There
Seven Mile Beach is a popular destination year-round. High-season winter months see the most visitors, but the beach is long and wide, so it never feels too crowded.
A Beach Beacon
Visible in the distance from Seven Mile Beach is the lovely Negril Lighthouse. Standing 65 feet (20 meters) tall at Jamaica's most westernmost point, it is one of the earliest concrete lighthouses and has been guiding ships away from the craggy promontory since 1894.
Address: Alice Eldermire Drive, Negril, Jamaica
Admission: Free
From $ 69