We planned to use Negril as a relaxing beach stop and ended up wishing we had even longer. Negril became our favourite place in Jamaica due to its perfect beaches that first drew our interest. We fell in love with the chill vibes and great food spots. This itinerary includes everything we did and everything we’d recommend to first-time visitors. We loved it so much if we returned tomorrow, we’d stay at least 5 days again.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: Is Negril Worth It?
Best for: Beaches, relaxation, couples, first-time Jamaica visitors
Skip if: You want nightlife or cities
Ideal stay: 5โ7 days
Our rating: โ
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Is 5 Days Too Long In Negril?
5 days is our ideal amount of time in Negril, it is just enough to relax and see everything in the area. In 2โ3 days you could have a quick beach trip or with 7 or more days you can slow travel and really soak it up.
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Negril At A Glance
Negril is your best choice in Jamaica for a beach trip, the bus transport from Kingston is quite good and the exceptional beach quality is worth it. There are often bands playing in bars or music on in the evenings to go and see if you want or you can spend days on the beach and get up ready to do it all again. Would we return? Absolutely!
Map Of Our 5 Days In Negril
Why We Chose Negril
We chose Negril because of the famous Seven Mile Beach, after seeing photos we had to come and see it for ourselves. It was one of those times when the reality completely lived up to our expectations! The beaches were as good as we were hoping and the atmosphere was great. We can see ourselves coming back again for sure.
Our Complete Negril Itinerary
This is our complete itinerary for Negril, everything we did and where we recommend you try as well. We split our stay between the beach and cliffs to experience both sides of Negril.
Day 1 & 2 – Seven Mile Beach Days
Our first couple of full days in Negril was spent totally on Seven Mile Beach. This was the main reason we came to Negril so we had to spend some real time here and see if it was worth it. It was! We walked over from our hotel and through the local pathway right across the road. (This path is not mapped on Google but that is the location. It gets pretty muddy when it rains!) As soon as we caught sight of the water we knew it was all worth it, the sea was bright blue and crystal clear, the sand was white and soft. It was truly perfect.
We found a restaurant that had some sun beds out front and were happy for us to use them if we bought some food or drinks from them. They were so friendly and nice we came every day to hang out and buy some drinks while we swam.
Best Lunch Spot In Negril
In the afternoon we walked up the beach and found a local spot we had heard about, it is Miss Jean’s Restaurant and it was so good. This is a true hole in the wall local-style spot popular with residents. Run by Miss Jean and Miss Tina you will see a room with fly screen and no signs. That’s it! Head over to the fly screen and ask if Miss Jean or Tina are there and if they have any food left. We went every day for lunch and sometimes dinner too, it was that good. Mike got the beef stew with rice and vegetables (600 JMD) and because of my allergies I just got the rice and veg (300 JMD during the day and 450 JMD at night). It tasted like real home cooking and was so worth it. The ladies are lovely but strict, the place fills up with locals and the guys can give them a bit of a hard time (all in good fun) and they take it so well, keeping everyone in line. My tip is this is such a good local place to eat, mind your manners and have your money ready, you will pay at the end of the meal if you eat there or when you get your takeaway.
Best Beach Bar
We kept walking and came across a cool bar to stop in and listen to some music, it was called the Boat Bar and they have live music Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2pm to 7pm and it is really good. We grabbed some drinks and sat at a table to listen, the band was playing reggae and they were really good. It was a popular spot and we made sure to come back for the next music session.
The Boardwalk Shopping Village
We kept walking up the beach and came to an area of shops near the Negril Tree House Resort where we could walk through to the main road. We headed over to the Boardwalk Shopping Centre to check it out and grab some snacks from the Hi-Lo Supermarket. The Boardwalk Shopping Centre was good, the chemist had some cheap souvenirs and the supermarket had the best selection of groceries and was big and clean. It also had a good liquor section. We grabbed some drinks and snacks to take back to the beach and sat on the sand to watch the sunset.
This is our perfect day in Negril so we did variations of it most days. It was so good to just relax, chat to people and beach sellers while chilling out on the beach or wandering along. We met a few locals around the area where we sun bathed and caught up with them daily. We felt totally relaxed here with no stress at all.
Day 3 – Relaxed Exploration Day + Cliffs + Rick’s Cafe
We packed our small day packs and went to the cliff area to stay for the night, it was totally gorgeous and we are so glad we did. When we come back into Negril we will definitely stay again for a few days next time.
Bakery, Fried Chicken and Negril Town
We really wanted to get out and see the cliff area and of course the infamous Ricks Cafe. We walked into town so Mike could get a fresh Jucci Patty from Hammond’s Bakery (opens at 9am) you will find a line up of people waiting to buy patties, sometimes in big bulk amounts! Mike loved the beef and cheese flavour. We then walked over to check out the local supermarket here to see what it was like and then walked to Collette’s Bar to try their famous fried chicken. We had heard so much about it that we wanted to see it for ourselves. Collette was lovely and her chicken was good. Mike ate some and then we walked back into town to catch a local share taxi (400 JMD) to Rick’s Cafe.
Rick’s Cafe
We jumped out and were immediately impressed with the huge set up of Rick’s Cafe it really is a place to come and check out. There are restaurant and bars there and lots of different seating options but the real attraction is watching the people jump from the cliffs. It is a pretty set up and the views reminded me of Santorini, Greece or Capri in Italy.
Tensing Pen Cliffside Hotel and Lodge Restaurant
We relaxed here with a drink watching everyone jump before wandering up the road to another cliffside hotel and restaurant at Tensing Pen.
This is the most spectacular hotel and restaurant in the area, we fell in love with it. The staff are incredible, so kind and friendly. We ate here and had some cocktails into the late afternoon and everything was of a very high standard. They completely catered for gluten free allergies and the cocktails were the best we had on the island.
We highly recommend this for both a stay and to visit the restaurant for a meal and drinks, it doesn’t get any better. I have written up a full review as we were so impressed with this stay, check it out to decide if it suits you!
We are so glad that we experienced both the beach and the cliff areas of Negril, each offers such a different experience that it is worth it.
Day 4 – Beach Days Continued + Markets
We spent today doing a little bit of exploration but had to end it with our beach day routine! Our day followed pretty much the same routine as days 1 and 2 with some minor tweaks. We swam early so we didn’t miss out on our favourite part of the day.
Fish Market
Then we headed down the beach to the local fish market to check it out. We met a vendor who cooked Mike up some fresh escovitch fish which is a local dish and something you have to try in Jamaica.
Negril Craft Market
Of course because we were in the area we ducked across to get Mike a Tastee Patty from the bakery and then over to the Negril Craft Market and wandered through the stalls. The ladies were all so lovely and kind, we tried to buy as many souvenirs as we could to support them.
Corner Bar
We headed over to the Corner Bar to check it out, we had heard they did an amazing jerk chicken. It was about lunch time so we grabbed a pack of jerk chicken and rice, it was the most tender, flavourful and biggest serve we had on our trip in Jamaica. We were so impressed. You order at the small window and go inside to collect it. Remember this is a locals bar and there are often a few guys hanging around the front area. We didn’t pay too much attention but you can ask to have your food to take away and eat on the waterfront, or take back to your accommodation.
We walked back to the beach to swim again and hang out for a while before enjoying a piรฑa colada at a beach bar for sunset.
Day 5 – Final Full Day
Our final day was full of our favourite activities. We lazed around on the beach, walked up to enjoy the reggae music, grabbed some lunch and sunset drinks. It really is the perfect way to spend a day in Negril Beach.
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Best Things To Do In Negril
These are our favourite things to do in Negril, we basically did them on rotation over our 5 days.
- Swim at the stunning Seven Mile Beach
- Stay on the cliffs at Tensing Pen
- Shop at the beachside stalls
- Eat fresh Jucci Patties in town
- Listen to reggae at the Beach Bar
- Eat local food at Miss Jeans
- Visit Rick’s Cafe
- Eat at the most perfect cliffside restaurant
Best Tours to Do In Negril
These are the most popular tours and activities you can do from Negril (in order of popularity):
- Negril One Love Bus Bar Crawl
- Rastafari Cultural ATV Community Experience from Negril
- Negril Glass Bottom Boat Tour Snorkeling and Booby Cay
- Negril Lobster Lunch on Booby Cay & Snorkeling To a Sunken Cannon
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting and Negril Ricks Cafe from Montego Bay
- Negrilโs Beach Ride Nโ Swim with Free photos/videos
- Private Professional Photography Session in Jamaica
We saw a lot of people doing the beach activities and spoke to others who had done some of the tours, they all had a ball. We have added them to our must do list for our next visit!
Best Beaches In Negril
Seven Mile Beach runs for 7 miles along the Western coastline of Jamaica. It is all joined however there are sections we preferred over others. The area we liked to sun bathe and hang out in was the more local area. The beach was really good here and peaceful. While it doesn’t really have a separate name if you find 1Fusion Negril | Restaurant and Bar you will be there. Fusion Restaurant has beach chairs you can relax on while buying food or drinks from them. The drinks are icy cold and the staff is great.
We also love the spot out front of the Tree House Resort. This section of beach was really nice to sit on and take in the sunset. There is a beach bar you can buy drinks at or bring some over from the grocery store and find a spot in the sand with your towel. We sat on the sand in front of the Negril Divers building that was closed by the time we got there.
If you keep walking up along the beach you are going to enter the resort area. These resorts are beautiful and the beaches are nice but you can’t throw a towel down here really. You can walk along the beach as far as you can get though.
Where To Eat In Negril
Breakfast – The Traveller’s Inn makes a great breakfast, the fish market if you like fish for breakfast or the Sunrise in does a fabulous cappuccino! If you want a patty for breakfast then head to Hammond’s Bakery and try Mike’s favourite beef and cheese.
Lunch & Dinner – We loved Miss Jeans’ for really local food, the Corner Bar for a big serve of jerk chicken or Collette’s Bar if you are chasing homestyle fried chicken. If you are in the cliff area then eat at the Lodge Restaurant, you can’t beat the location and the food and drinks are perfection!
Favourite meal – This was a tie between the jerk wrap at the Lodge Restaurant or Miss Jean’s!
If you are looking for groceries or snacks there is the Boardwalk Centre with the Hi Lo Grocery and this minimarket on the beach road near Sunrise Hotel. It is really good and fairly priced. They have a cheap nescafe machine to grab quick coffee from too. Sunrise Hotel makes a great cappuccino too.
Where To Stay In Negril
Negril is split up into areas, this is who we think each area is best for:
Beach area โ best for first time visitors
Cliffs โ best for views
Town โ best for budget options
These are our favourite places to stay, we either stayed here or have scoped them out to stay on our next trip!
Sunrise Club Hotel – We stayed here. It was clean, comfortable, safe and friendly. On the main road across from the beach but with easy access across the main road.
Tree House Resort – On the beach, we met people who raved about staying here so we would love to try it next time. The hotel looks great, right across the road from the best grocery store. We came here for sunset drinks.
Charela Inn Hotel – We loved the look of this hotel, it is located right on the sand, the beach in front is lovely and there are so many palm trees on the beachfront, we plan to stay here and claim a palm tree for the day!
Tensing Pen – absolutely a must stay in the cliff area! The property and rooms are stunning and the restaurant is excellent!
Beaches Negril – A stunning all-inclusive resort on the beach, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Getting Around Negril
- Uber availability is really good, we usually got one quite quickly and the prices were reasonable.
- Route taxis – these are really handy to catch up and down the beach road and down to the cliffs. You can tell them by their red number plate, when you open the door tell them where you are going and confirm it is 400 JMD (have cash)
- Walking Seven Mile Beach is the best option to get to beach bars and restaurants.
- Taxi costs can add up. I would stick to Uber or route taxis if possible
- Renting a car is an option but it is not entirely necessary. We were fine using a mix of route taxi, Uber and walking.
Costs For 5 Days In Negril
This is our estimated budget for a mid-range travel couple:
- Accommodation ~$100โ250 USD/night
- Food & Drinks ~$50-$70 USD/day (depends on how much and where you eat and drink)
- Transport ~$0-10 USD/day (if you are taking route taxis/Uber to different locations or free if just walking on the beach!)
- Activities ~$0โ150 USD/day (beach days are free for activities but if you are doing tours you would spend ~$150 USD per person depending on the tour.)
- Estimated total:
- ~$1200 USD for 5 days (mid-range couple)
Is Negril Safe?
We felt safe the whole time we were in Negril. During our time in Negril we walked on the path alongside the main road into town and back multiple times and through the town area. We took share local taxis around as well as Ubers for longer distances and never had a problem. I would use your travel safety precautions and be aware of your surroundings and belongings at all times.
Is Negril Worth Visiting?
Negril is absolutely worth visiting, we loved it so much we plan to return soon. The beach is spectacular, the food spots are great and the vibes are very cool. The only negatives are the distance from Kingston (pretty easy on the bus though) and how spread out it is. I would recommend Negril to anyone looking for an amazing beach location who wants to take it slow and relax. For us it was the highlight of our time in Jamaica. We met so many people who come back here year after year that we felt like we were getting put onto a secret!
Who should skip Negril?
I would skip Negril if you only want city nightlife and culutural, historic exploration or you dislike slow travel.
What We’d Change Next Time
There isn’t much I would change but these are the few things that spring to mind. I would try to spend a few extra days here so I could more evenly split my time between the Cliff area and the beach area. We definitely would make sure to fit in a couple of the tours, they look so good! I would also stay directly on the beach next time.
Alternative Negril Itineraries
These are the changes I would make if I had fewer or more days in Negril:
2 Days – stay on the beach at a resort and completely relax
3 Days – stay on the beach, wander out and check out some local bars and restaurants.
7 Days – split your time between the cliffs and beach. Make sure to try lots of different restaurants and do a tour or two!
FAQ For Negril Jamaica
How many days in Negril?
We had 5 days in Negril which was great, ideally we would have had a few more to fit in tours and more time at the cliffs.
Is 5 Days Too Long In Negril?
No. Five days gave us enough time to enjoy the beach properly, try local food and explore both the beach and cliff areas without rushing.
Is Negril expensive?
Negril is a little more expensive than the rest of Jamaica and the Caribbean but so worth it. You can still find budget accommodation.
Can you swim?
Yes! It is the number one thing to do here. The water is spectacular and you should swim every day.
Do you need a car?
You don’t need a car but it might be nice if you want to explore the area without having to take taxis or Ubers. It is not essential and we didn’t feel that we needed one.
Is Negril better than Montego Bay?
In our opinion, yes Negril is better than Montego Bay. We stayed locally in both areas and enjoyed Negril far more. Montego Bay was more of a city, although I think it would be different if you were staying in a resort. Negril was more relaxed and even without staying in an all-inclusive resort you could enjoy your stay. Check out our full Montego Bay guide to see what we did while we visited and how it compared to Negril.
Should first timers stay here?
Absolutely, it was our first time in Jamaica and we loved it. I would definitely recommend Negril for first time visitors to Jamaica.
Is Negril safe?
We felt safe while in Negril and had no problems but always be aware of your surroundings and use travel safety precautions.
Who should visit?
Everyone! We loved Negril so much we think everyone would have a wonderful time here.
Final Verdict
Would we return? Immediately! We loved our time in Negril so much that we plan to return as soon as we are able. This was our favourite destination in Jamaica and one of our favourite spots across the Caribbean. The stunning beach, chilled out vibe and friendly locals really made our time here unforgettable.
Continue to plan your trip:
โ Jamaica Itinerary
โ 2 Days In Kingston
โ 1 Day In Montego Bay
โ Negril vs Montego Bay
โ Caribbean Itinerary
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