Otherwise known as “The capital of casual”, Negril seems to be the hubbiest of hubs in Jamaica and I’d like to find out why. No doubt, many of you reading this are Negril-heads so maybe you can provide some insight. Give us your best sell.
Back in the day, Negril was my very first exposure to the island. I won a trip to Jamaica and the prize package included accommodation at Pointe Village. Just like everyone else does, I fell in love with the island in that short trip and returned a couple more times in the year that followed. On both of those return trips, again I visited Negril, but that’s where it stopped. I felt compelled to see what the rest of the island had to offer so I traveled it far and wide for many years, and now Negril is the least likely place I’d go back to unless it involved writing reviews or to visit my ONE Negril friend who owns a restaurant there….because who doesn’t want tacos?
So, what is it about Negril, for everyone else?
Aside from the most obvious, 7 Mile Beach, why is it so fascinating to the thousands of travelers who make it their home away from home?
There are a few reasons I do understand. For instance, the old-timers from way back in the 70’s. They love Negril by default because they’ve been doing it for so long. They have old friends there, established connections, etc. I get it.
Next would be the first-timers to Jamaica. Negril is THE Jamaican destination for online vacation searches, and I agree it’s a fabulous place to start. The idyllic beach life, the variety of accommodations, the tourist attractions. Heck, it’s what sucked me into my 36+ island jaunts!
Then there would be the expats who run businesses there, which seems to be in much higher concentration than anywhere else in Jamaica. Makes sense due to the high volume of tourism. It’s just good business sense and I understand it.
Negril, BY FAR, has the most Facebook and social groups supporting it. Everyone who goes there knows everyone else who goes there, they have the most news, the most gossip, the most everything. Negril people are hardcore!
Aside from the cliffs – which I adore for the quaintness, peace, and quiet – it’s difficult to pinpoint anything else I’d get attached to except for maybe some of the conveniences and the fact that I can get pancakes and a really good cup of coffee.
Here’s one of my biggest frustrations about this tourist town. Even if I was a diehard beach-head, a person simply can’t enjoy a quiet day at 7 Mile beach. It’s nearly impossible to lay on or walk the beach and mind your own business because someone else is also minding your business - at all times. Vendors approaching, men trying to be your husband, the onslaught of busy beach bars, etc. It’s just not a relaxing environment for me.
Back on my first few trips when Jamaica was all new to me, those things were part of the process, and admittedly, part of the attraction, but as years went by and I discovered other parts of the island where I CAN roam freely without being approached, the allure of Negril faded. Variety is the spice of life and no matter where I go on the island, I don’t stay long because I need variety.
Understandably, everyone travels for their own reasons and bustling beach towns are obviously the more popular choice given how common Negril is.
So now, here’s question period.
To all of you who love Negril so much that you’ve made it your life, what does it offer you?
Did you travel around the island first and then settle into Negril? Or did you settle into Negril first and then had no desire for the rest of the island?
I love learning and I’m genuinely interested! Click on the comment icon below and share your thoughts.
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Before I fell in love with Negril I had traveled to Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Going to those tourist destinations made me feel exactly like, well .... a tourist. You are on the neatly presented Hip Strip or well patrolled sidewalks of Ochi experiencing the 1st world's version of what you think is Caribbean life.
Negril made me feel like I was a part of the scene, the happenings and goings on, unlike Mobay and Ochi where both towns are designed to keep the tourists in designated areas.
My 1st experience in Jamaica was in 1997. That was at the height of Terri McMillan's, How Stella Got Her Grove Back, the book (the movie hadn't come out yet). So every Jamaican man thought I was here to get my groove back. Thanks Terri : / . That 1st experience was terrible. 1997 was a time before these fancy well paved roads and when gun shots rang out because it was election time. The local women at the resort were nasty to me because they though I was here to steal their men and the men hadn't quite perfected their, pick up game, like they have now. I hated it and did not return to Jamaica until 2007. In 2007 I stopped here on a cruise and saw how Jamaica had matured so I gave it another chance. That same year I went to Negril for New Year's Eve and had the time of my life! Now here I am today with so much more experience here in Jamaica, all parts of Jamaica. And I have Negril to thank for that.
Negril seduces you. It evolves tourist into visitors and visitors into residents and offers one the opportunity to be closer to the Jamaican experience, interacting with the locals in a more authentic setting on the streets, in the stores and cook shops, as opposed to these things being pre packaged for you along with forced smiles and the Whaaa Gwaan greetings of hotel workers.
In Negril you experience the kindness of strangers and the excitement of promiscuous friendships. Then you take your middle aged ass back to your cubicle at work and smile at the bubble over your head as you daydream about that 20 something year old boy that was kissing your fat neck on 7 mile beach that night at Root Bamboo telling you how pretty you are. Hahaha
To answer your question; Negril offered me a little slice of paradise every time I came to visit. It offered me the opportunity to be a more friendly and laid back version of my American self. Every time I went to Negril it was exciting, like I was sneaking off to see my lover. No one could understand why I was coming here so often, I couldn't even understand it. It makes me smile thinking about it now. As a matter of fact Negril is how I met you, kinda (we never actually met, Kristi is a friend in my head hahaha). I saw a post from your blog about your laundry. I had used that laundry a few time when I stayed in Negril.
With Negril I fell in love. The love affair lasted for many years. In 2015 we broke up for the very reasons you mentioned, too many nosy people were in our relationship, but we remain friends and I still visit from time to time.
My husband and I will be making our 5th trip to Negril in October . Every year we fall more in love with the Island ! Negril stole our hearts on our first trip . We stayed at an AI , but after much research (reading of many books about “ travel in Negril”) , we spent much of our time off the resort . We incidentally met a boat captain on the beach at our resort who I had researched and decided we’d get in touch with for a fishing trip . He took us under his wing and showed us parts of Negril we had never imagined experiencing . We met his children , after one of our many outings , when he took us with him to pick them up from school . We appreciated his kindness , his knowledge (and willingness to share it) , and the safety he provided to us on our outings to places such as Pelican bar . He took us to Black River (?) where we met up with the most “gentle giant” who hopped in the car and took us to the home of a local family who had a boat they would allow him to use . We spent a few hours at Pelican bar and on our boat ride back , our new friend got a call from the family asking if we’d like for them to cook for us . Well absolutely !! We spent the afternoon with the five of these most amazing people we’d ever met , ate the best grilled fish and lobster we’d ever eaten , and experienced what would be the day we became soo in love with Jamaican culture and it’s people !! After that most amazing trip , we chose to stay off the beaten path , in a villa in the deep west end . This is where we’ve met some of our closest friends that we stay in contact with all year long . Our return trips have become yearly , bringing “newbies” to Negril , who always leave with the same love and understanding of why we leave a small part of our hearts in this paradise . Everyone has their own idea of paradise . For us , it’s the beauty of the Island itself , the friends we’ve made and their culture we’ve been accepted into . When friends / family back home ask why we don’t “go somewhere else” , all I can say is ... why would we ?