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Negril |
Negril's West End © Jamaica Tourist Board
It was the hippies and flower children who first found Negril, a part of Jamaica appreciated for being different from the over-developed package-tour market of Montego Bay. Negril still attracts a young crowd, and the beachfront bars and cafes are abuzz each night with reggae music and dancing. Negril is known in the Caribbean as being a partying hotspot, with nude beaches and the infamous Hedonism II resort.
Negril is favoured also by those just wanting to get away from it all. It sports its famous seven-mile (11km) stretch of pristine beach, encircling Bloody Bay, and five miles (8km) of cliffs, where locals and visitors alike dare each other to indulge in some extreme cliff-diving, sometimes from ropes. The coral reefs and caves along the coast make it a scuba diver's and snorkeller's dream come true, and for active visitors there is the chance to take part in just about any watersport imaginable. Adventure seekers can venture by kayak into the mysterious Great Morass (a protected area full of palm trees, exotic birds and crocodiles).
Attractions
Negril Lighthouse © Frans Eijgenraam
Negril Lighthouse
The lighthouse on West End Road, built in 1894, is open to visitors every day. The climb to the top (100ft/30m) is arduous, up steep iron steps, but completely worth it for the breathtaking views of the coast afforded at the summit.Address: West End Road; Opening time: Daily from 9am to sunset, although times can vary and it is worth checking up before visiting; Admission: Free
Riding in Rhodes Hall © www.jamplified.com
Rhodes Hall Plantation
Visitors who tire of Jamaica's beaches can head for its gorgeous countryside, to the small estate of Rhodes Hall Plantation, a short distance east of Negril. Here guided horseback excursions give a glimpse of the magic and mystery of the Jamaican countryside, and you don't have to be an experienced rider to participate. Guides give some basic horsemanship tips and then take tourists off through the foothills, pointing out botanical wonders and regaling riders with stories and legends about local landmarks. The tours include riding through forests of banana and coconut palms, and along a beach to the Crocodile River (which really has crocodiles in residence). The riding tours last from half an hour to two hours, and are inclusive in the round-trip transportation from any hotel in the Negril area.E-mail: rhodes@cwjamaica.com; Website: www.jamplified.com/riding; Telephone: 957 6334, 957 6883
Seven Mile Beach, Negril
Seven Mile Beach
The reason for Negril's recent boom as a tourist destination is centred on this seven-mile stretch of beautiful shoreline around Bloody Bay (so called because of the fierce battle here between Columbus and the Arawak), dotted with palm trees and carpeted with pristine white sand. Development has been restricted to palm-tree height, and despite the proliferation of guesthouses and hotels along the strip the natural beauty of the beach has not been compromised. It is now a beach renowned for showing off the world's smallest bikinis: in fact, clothing is optional and generally the option is little or nothing! Expect to be hounded by hundreds of vendors, offering everything from hair-braiding to illegal ganja (marijuana).Excursions
Mayfield Falls
The 22 mini-cascades and numerous swimming holes that make up the Mayfield Falls in the low-lying Dolphin Head Mountains make a memorable day trip from Negril. The falls are reached through an intriguing maze of country roads, and are difficult to find independently, so an organised tour is advised. Tours offer guided walks through bamboo-shaded cool water holes and splashing falls. It is essential to wear a swimsuit and to bring mosquito repellent. Some parts of the walk through the area involve natural whirlpools; in others, blasts of water hit you from the rocks. There is an underwater cave to swim through, smooth rockslide areas and mini cliffs to dive from. This natural water park is edged and overhung with bamboo, flowers, vines, trees and shrubbery. Jamaican dishes are available at the eatery at the entry point.E-mail: info@mayfieldfalls.com; Website: www.mayfieldfalls.com; Telephone: 610 8612
Events
Reggae Marathon © www.reggaemarathon.com
Reggae Marathon
In true Jamaica style, every year the island plays host to a well-attended Reggae Marathon. Many may wonder what a reggae marathon is: well, picture an island marathon with a sound system rigged up along the race route playing reggae beats to egg the athletes on, and you just might have the correct image in mind. And with world class athletes such as Usain Bolt hailing from the small island, one might come to the conclusion that running to the tune of Bob Marley's "Jamming" might just be the way forward. The Reggae Marathon is a world-class run along some of Negril's finest white sandy beaches. Spectators can sit back and enjoy the scenery as runners tour the island after a traditional Rastafarian blessing at the beginning of the event.Venue: Seven Mile Beach, Negril; Date: 3 December 2011; Website: www.reggaemarathon.com