Only an hour from Montego Bay via our new North Coast Highway, Negril is just a laid-back way of life in a sunny resort town. Negril seems to retain the tropical charm that first attracted seekers of sun and solitude three decades ago. To introduce Negril, we have to quote Richard Hershman,the original owner of Rick's Cafe: "Your body has suddenly arrived where your mind has always been".
Young hippies in the 60's and middle-aged Jamaicans remember when Negril was really nothing more than a lighthouse to guide ships around the rocky western coast. Its population consisted mostly of land crabs (big red ones good for eating). Tourist accommodations use to be a few scattered guest houses and two hotels.
Even after Negril began its first tentative steps on the road to resort fame, it maintained a very low profile, but it was impossible to keep such a place secret. It began serious hotel development in the 80's and now complete with all inclusives for those who like to be pampered without experiencing the real Jamaican culture. We still have wonderful accommodations away from the A/I type properties, that allow you to see a real Jamaica and its people in full swing.
Hippies were followed closely by the better-heeled visitor whose concept of paradise went beyond a hammock and palm-thatched cottage. The eighties saw even more expansion as Negril's fame spread and those same hippies (now lawyers, doctors and businessmen) began to return with their family to recapture the spirit of their early years.
The hippies left their mark forever on Negril, and helped to create its carefree, unhurried atmosphere where friendships spring up between visitor and local,
making Negril the ideal place to meet Jamaicans on their own turf. Nowadays the people of Negril seem to be aware of their uniqueness and exhibit a pride in their territory which almost becomes a nationalistic attitude. They take great delight in telling the tale of the promoter who marketed Negril so skillfully that one arriving tourist was heard to exclaim: "But this is Jamaica, I thought we were going to the island of Negril"
Nature blessed Negril and ensured her place in the tourist world with two shimmering crystal white beaches stretching seven miles. Bloody Bay (so called because whales were once slaughtered here) is a horseshoe haven, surrounding with all inclusive properties. Visit the Long Bay Beach, as the name will tell you, it barely curves. Their equal are to be found nowhere in the Caribbean.
There is a rule in Negril that nothing higher than the highest tree on your property can be built. These grace the shoreline and most welcome the day visitor who can use their beach facilities.
Paradise comes in another guise as you leave this seven-mile strip of beach road, you will enter the roundabout bringing you the Negril Square. From there the road meanders along to the West End (cliffs road), where hotels and restaurants cling to the cliff's edge. There are caves to explore, and rocky bluffs to dive off.
It is easy to explore Negril. After all, it only has one road up and down the beach and cliffs roads. Peaceful strolls on powdery white sand, swimming and snorkeling in aqua-blue water, and clothes optional sunbathing are only part of your "do-as-you-please" Negril vacation.
Venture into the mysterious Great Morass, and visit the Royal Palm Preserve,
a protected natural area where tall royal palm trees indigenous to Jamaica grow along with exotic birds and alligators and crocodiles can be seen.
Negril is one of life's rare pleasures - the ultimate freedom vacation. It's a kick-off-your-shoes, shrug off your blues way of life. Eat and drink, love and laugh, play, party, dance the days and nights away.
Negril IS the place to come and take pleasure here in the capital of casual.
