Top Places to Explore in Negril, Jamaica
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Jamaica is known for its reggae music and island vibes. Everything you need to know about Negril, Jamaica from where to stay, what to do and what is worth venturing out and seeing can be found in this post.
Before I go on a trip, I research the hell out of it! Literally, I will spend hours looking up things that the hotel offers, things that are close to where we are staying but may require an hour drive. I want to be able to cross off the destination in one trip. Here is everything we did in Negril, if it is worth doing it and what I wish I did!
How did we end up in Negril, Jamaica?
But first, how did we end up in Negril? If you are familiar with Tiffer Time, you probably know I am a born and raised Florida girl that moved to San Francisco, California in 2017. So, Jamaica is a long way from home…my new home that is.
Well two of our friends turned 40 and we last minute were able to get a great deal on flights and the hotel. Originally, some one else was going on the trip, but bailed last minute and gave us their room for FREE…. Yup talk about a once in a life time opportunity. So, we had to take it.
That is how we ended up in Negril. Now what to do!
The Room: You stay bungalow style in a well-kept jungle with paved walk ways. The rooms are comfy with no added luxuries, except you get a stocked fridge each day with a couple beers, water and soda. Just the essentials. Each room has its own porch with a day bed, two chairs and a table, perfect for lounging and relaxing after a long day at the beach!
All You Can Drink
Drinks: There are two bars. One is a piano bar located in front of the hotel by one of the restaurants. The other is two-sided, one side is the pool bar where you can swim up and order drinks and the other side has live music every night. My favorite bar is at the private beach, they also had waiters walk around to your lounge chairs and serve you as well.
Coffee Bar: try the Jiggy Coffee it is like an iced baileys coffee but with Jamaican rum, yum! It really helped me get the morning started! Better then Starbucks.
MUST TRY: Appleton’s Rum – When we arrived, we had our cab stop at a liquor store so we could buy the guys a Birthday Bottle. He suggested the Jamaican Rum, and when in Jamaica. YOLO! Appleton’s is what they are known for! It burns a little but is so yummy. One of the girls on the trip, became obsessed with this and still buys it here in the states.
All You Can Eat
There is a restaurant that requires reservations and collared shirts for guys. We were living on ‘Island Time/Jamaican Time’ which basically means we were late to everything and had no idea what time it was.
So, we only ate at the buffet, due to lack of planning… whoops. The food was good, and every night had a different theme, Italian Night, Jamaican Night, and so many more. They have food pretty much all the time and the midnight snacks were terrific! Grilled Cheese & BLT after a long day drinking in the sun and dancing on the beach! Sounds like heaven to me! There is also a Grille on their private beach. My favorite thing here was the jerked chicken and fries. The Jerk sauce was a game changer. I wish I brought some home.
Water Sports & Shopping
On the beach you can use paddle boards, kayaks, snorkels and other water toys for free!
The resort also, has a pool, hot tub and of course the private beach to relax at all day. The water is clear and warm so there is no excuse not to get in!
Shopping: Also, along the beach you can walk off the private beach and check out the different shops along the beach. The locals set up ‘shops’ where you can purchase trinkets, hand crafted sculptures, or you can eat fresh lobster and other yummy dishes. Most things you buy in Jamaica can be negotiated!
Not Included in Amenities:
Catamaran Cruise: $60
We did a day long Catamaran Cruise for $60 a person (drinks included). The cruise took us snorkeling on a reef in the middle of the ocean. In my experience snorkeling in these settings tends to be too much, you have to wear a vest, everyone has to stay together, you are with other people who may not know how to swim, so this is probably my least favorite part.
After snorkeling, the bar opens and you head to a cave that you swim through. We saw some locals jumping off the cliffs into the water, mind you they would only do this for tips. (nothing is free). Fun fact, this cave is a bar on the weekends that you can party at during the summer and was in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie!
Rick's Cafe
Then, we hit the most famous bar in Negril, Rick’s Café.
They are known for their 80+foot jump, we got to see someone one does this it is was insane!
They also, have lower jumps that you can try too!
I DID THE 30 FOOT JUMP!
Feels higher than it looks. When you go here, do the jump, it is worth it and when would you have another opportunity to do it? YOLO!
They also have a pool to lounge in, food and great drinks.
The last stop was the most touristy, Margaritaville, nice to hop off and grab a shot then the boat takes you back.
Pro's & Con's
Pro’s: You get in the water in the middle of the ocean, so clear and warm! You can explore some of the most sought out places like Ricks and the Caves.
Con’s: Touristy vibes, you are in a sense being baby sat and unfortunately, one of the crew members just seemed mad the whole time. All in all, still worth it for a day on the water.
Inner Tubing
Inner tubing behind the boat. A few locals drove up to the shore and offered up inner tube rides, we were probably on the boat for 20-30 minutes, the ride was beautiful and the whole time on the inner tube I could not stop laughing. Totally worth it.
Parasailing
Parasailing is offered as well, after we left our friends did it and it looked beautiful. Jamaica is such a pretty country and to see it at a level like that would have been amazing.
Pampering
Pampering the hotel offers lots of different services including mani/pedi’s and massages. My husband got a massage and swore by it. He said it was hands down the best massage ever!
Off the Beaten Path & Out of the Resort in Negril, Jamaica
While we were walking along the beach outside of the resort, we met a local. Mike, he was super nice and offered to take us on a tour. We decided to go! I have been lucky enough to meet so many nice locals when we travel, use your judgement on this. Don’t just go with anyone when you are traveling.
Tip: Our resort takes down your driver’s names when you leave the resort and anyone that takes you must be a registered driver. So, this makes you feel safer and Jamaica’s main source of income is tourism. So, the locals are very respectful and helpful!
Mike suggested that we go to a local waterfall, a bar in the middle of the ocean and a swamp tour! He said he would take us for $50 a person. He picked us up the next morning around 9 or 10am Jamaican Time. We headed to the store to grab some drinks, yes you can drink in the cars in Jamaica CRAZY! One of the best parts of a private tour is you can stop whenever you want to pee, eat, drink, you name it… it is your tour! So, on our way to the waterfalls we stopped at a few local bars on the way.
About an hour and a half from Sunset at the Palms. It was $30 a person to get in, you are given a waterfall guide who walks you through all the different falls, while another guide captures all of it on your phones. You also, do rope swings and you get to jump off the waterfalls. The photos turned out amazing. This spot was less touristy then the other waterfall we were considering, Dunn’s River Falls.
Crocodile Swamp Tour
Swamp Tour: Unfortunately, when we arrived the tours were done. But LUCKILY Mike knew the guy and was able to get another local to take us on the tour. We were also given a walk through of the nursery where they keep the crocodiles. This is one of the scariest things I have ever done. The fences are about waist high chain link fences, a croc could easily climb it or bust through it.
Shirley, one of the crocs was laying with her mouth wide open as still as a statue. Once we walked by, she shut her mouth and pushed her nose through the fence. I am not exaggerating. SCARY!!!! Bur, we lived to tell the story! Then, we hopped on the boat and saw a few crocodiles on the river. Instead of being in a bigger pontoon boat, we were in basically a big motorized canoe.
Pelican Bar
Pelican Bar: This bar is in the middle of the ocean, literally. Not on a sand bar but on stilts a few miles into the ocean. We hit a bar while we waited for a boat to pick us up and take us out to the Pelican Bar. It was about a $5 boat ride round trip. The bar is very small, but the perfect place to watch the sunset! We danced and drank until sundown then headed back to the resort. This day was the highlight of our trip! To hang out with a local and get to see the waterfalls, crocodiles and sip red strip in the middle of the ocean, unforgettable.
Beach Bars & Dancing
Nightlife: You can of course stay at the resort, drink for free and enjoy live music. But I personally can only do that so many nights. Here is where I would suggest going if you go out:
Roots Bamboo: beach bar with a live band and a huge stage. This is perfect if you want to really get the island vibes with your toes in the sand and a beer in your hand!
Bourbon Beach: another bar on the beach, walking up you would have no idea there was a bar in the back. You have to walk through a few apartments to get to the bar and beach where they have live music. Getting to the bar is a little sketchy.
Spotlight: is a hole in the wall bar we went to, but still great to get out of the resort. It is very much so a locals only spot.
Logistics in Jamaica
Cabs
Cabs are your only option, unless your hotel has some sort of a shuttle. Ours did not. A few things to know about a cab. It is always round trip, they will not leave you somewhere. You pay per person, the hotel gets their info and yours when you leave with them, essentially holding the cab driver responsible for your safety. This really makes you feel safe in a foreign country. Also, they only take cash!
Our first, cab driver that took us from the airport to the hotel, we asked him about safety, and he said it is a small island, everyone knows everyone. Your name is all you have and that goes along with your word.
Another cab driver came out with us to spotlight. When we were given the bill, they over charged us, and he caught that and corrected it. If you like your cab driver you can get their information and have them take you around everywhere. Love the cabbies in Jamaica! Amazing guys we met!
Montego Bay Airport: you will fly into here and Negril is about an hour drive once you are through customs. I highly recommend paying extra for Club MoBay. This is a service that walks you through customs, provides a lounge with food and drinks included. It is about $30 a person. But we got through customs into Jamaica in about 15 minutes, they have their own line. DO it!!!
U.S. Dollar vs. Jamaican Dollar
Jamaican Money vs. US Dollars = when we went in December 2018, the exchange was close so we just used US Dollars, but I would check before you go. Not a lot of places take cards, so be ready to use cash on your trip!
What I missed:
Horseback riding on the beach. I love horses and the ocean, so doing this here would have been a highlight!
Cave Dinner, you have a private dinner in a cave at another resort called the Caves Hotel. It seems very romantic and I heard the food is amazing. The pricing in December 2018 was about $125 a person.
If we had more time, I would have loved to explore Montego Bay which is more touristy and Ocho Rios. I guess we will just have to come back and see the beautiful island of Jamaica again.
Message me if you have any questions about the trip, things to do, and please share this if you loved it. Thank you so much for reading about my vacay in Jamaica!
If you want more island vibes and to not leave the US check out my latest trip to Marathon Key in Florida. It has the laid back feel of living on island time but is still driveable and in the United States.
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6 Comments
Sarys Perez
Hi there! I was reading your awesome review of your stay in negril and I’m looking for a private driver. It’s been hard since all the excursions are extremely expensive and I just wAnt someone who would provide a fair price. Do you think you can give me Mikes contact information? I would so appreciate it!
Lakesha Lymon
Thank you for this! Headed to Sunset at the Palms this Sunday! Will be sure to stop at a few of the places you mentioned 🙂
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Morgan F
PLEASE tell me how you got the boat ride to Floyd’s for $5! Last time I went the people at the resort were trying to charge $200 p/p!!
I’m going to Negril again in June and would love to go to Floyd’s Pelican Bar
Tiffer Time
Hey Morgan! When we went the driver Mike, who we just randomly met on the beach by Sunset at the Palms (no contact info, sorry) when we got there, there was a bar w. a guy and a boat that took us out there. It was def not $200 maybe $20 for all 6 of us. Sorry, I do not have more info, it was a few years ago.
BUT, if you are walking down the beach and you meet MIke, tell him I said Hi!