White sand beaches, endless adventures and some of the bluest water you have ever seen is what is in store for you when booking a vacation to Negril, Jamaica. Whether you are looking for ultimate relaxation, non stop adventure, or a healthy mix of both, Jamaica is a Caribbean paradise that truly is for everyone.
In this blog post, we will be sharing what to do, where to stay and other tips for your upcoming Negril, Jamaica holiday!
Things To Know Before You Go
Best Time TO Visit
Dry season is the end of November to the middle of April. This would be considered the best time to visit as the temperatures remain warm, and the rain is at a minimum. Actual peak season falls between December to April. So if you like to avoid crowds, November is great month to visit!
Currency
The Jamaican dollar is the official currency of Jamaica. However, some establishments may accept the US Dollar and Euro’s. Most major establishments also accept major credit cards like Mastercard and Visa!
TIPPING
Tipping is encouraged for all restaurants in Jamaica. 10-20% is the standard based on the service and quality of food. If you are staying at certain Resorts, check their tipping policy as some Resorts have a strict no tipping policy!
How to get around
Rental cars are available once you arrive at the airport. If you are from North America, please know that Jamaicans drive on the left side of the road and the opposite side of the car (like in some countries in Europe). We highly recommend joining tours or taking private cars or taxis to get to where you need to go. Some all inclusive resorts offer shuttles to some popular destinations, so check with your concierge!
Which Airport to fly into
There are two major International Airports to fly into in Jamaica. One in Montego Bay and one in Kingston. If you are planning on visiting Negril we recommend flying into Montego Bay Airport as it is the closest in driving distance to Negril. It will take approximately an hour to get from Montego Bay Airport to Negril via car depending on traffic.
Accommodations
With so many different cities there truly are endless options for accommodations. However, in this blog post we are going to focus on Negril specifically. From guest houses, to private villas to luxurious Resorts, there is a place for any kind of traveler.
We had the pleasure of staying with Couples Resorts and Idle Awhile Villas during our time in Jamaica. We absolutely loved every place we stayed at for very different reasons. Let’s chat about the different places we stayed.
Couples Resorts: Negril
Couples Resorts Negril is an intimate, boutique style all inclusive vacation destination. With modern rooms, rustic decor and a beautiful white sand beach, this place is the epitome of a secluded paradise.
Couples Resorts Negril offers 5 different restaurants, a coffee cafe, and various bars with nightly live entertainment, as well as certain excursions included with your stay. We set sail at sunset on a Catamaran, part of the included excursions with our stay, to take in the Jamaican coastline and swim in the blue ocean waters.
They have various room categories from charming garden rooms, to deluxe ocean rooms, and beachfront suites. Each room comes with a stocked in room bar to enjoy drinks on your patio. You can also order breakfast to your room each morning. Who doesn’t love breakfast in bed?!
Check out Couples Resorts Negril here for more information!
Couples Resorts Swept Away
Couples Resorts Swept Away is the largest of all of their properties, boasting 312 all suite category rooms, 6 different restaurants and 3 swimming pools. Located directly on 7 Mile Beach, this Resort is what Caribbean dreams are made of!
Swept Away is a mecca for health focused people, and people that love to be active while vacationing. There is a 10 Acre Wellness property directly across the street that has a beautiful Spa, outdoor gym and studio space, indoor squash courts as well as 10 tennis and pickle ball courts. You will also find a lap pool, a juice bar serving up delicious smoothies and fresh juices daily, and a health center!
They have various room categories, however we stayed in the Beachfront Verandah Suite on the 3rd floor and it was perfect! We watched beautiful sunsets from our balcony each night. We highly recommend this room if you are planning a visit to Swept Away.
The team at Couples Resorts surprised us with a romantic dinner on the beach our first night at Swept Away and it was truly magical! This would so amazing to do for your special someone’s birthday or anniversary!
Check out Couples Resorts Swept Away here for more information!
Idle Awhile: The Villas
Idle Awhile is a sister company to Couples Resorts and offers luxurious private stays in 3 stunning locations, The Villas, The Beach and The Cliffs, each offering their own unique properties and amenities.
We had the pleasure of staying at Idle Awhile: The Villas during our stay and we absolutely LOVED this place. They have a variety of Villa sizes, from a 1 bedroom, all the way to a 5 bedroom, meaning this is perfect for groups of any size!
The Villas property is located directly on 7 Mile Beach which offers stunning clear blue waters and powdery white sand. Our Villa came with a private butler and chef. We had some of the most incredible meals and drinks during our stay here and our Butler organized private tours for us during our stay. We highly recommend visiting Idle Awhile if you are looking for seclusion and luxury while visiting Jamaica.
Read more about Idle Awhile and their 3 incredible properties here!
Things To Do
Negril is within the perfect driving distance to so many amazing tourist hot spots and hidden gems! We are sharing somethings we think you shouldn’t miss during your visit to Negril.
Relax on Seven Mile Beach
7 Mile Beach is a world famous destination and is a must visit place during your time in Jamaica. Even if your accommodations are not located directly on 7 Mile Beach, there are plenty of public access spots to enjoy this incredible beach! Think powdery white sand and crystal clear turquoise ocean waters.
Couple’s Resorts Swept Away had these clear Kayaks available for guests to take out at their leisure and we just could not resist! Look how blue that water is.
We even saw Sting Rays swimming along the beach so be on the lookout for them.
Blue Hole: Negril
There are technically two Blue Holes in Jamaica. This one in particular is located just a short drive into the mountains from Negril and was hands down one of our favorite places we visited!
Descend down the ladder or jump 25 Feet into this 35 foot deep natural spring pool! Once at the bottom, swim in mineral and limestone rich waters or have a mineral filled mud massage from one of the employees! If descending into a cave is not for you, they also fill a swimming pool up each day with the natural spring water to enjoy! They have a bar and restaurant on site as well, so you can make an entire day out of this spot!
There are no specific tours that go here, you will need to hire a private driver or taxi to bring you up to this spot. Entrance is $20 USD per person.
Rick’s Cafe
The iconic Rick’s Cafe is located on top of cliffs and is a must visit place when visiting Negril! Head for lunch and beat the crowds. Jump into the beautiful clear blue waters and swim in a sheltered cove, or watch the professional divers dive from 80 feet above sea level! If you are okay with crowds, head to Rick’s for dinner and watch the sunset. This is one of the best places to watch the sunset on the Island.
No entrance fee required, but you are expected to purchase food or drink during your visit.
Margaritaville
Located on Seven Mile beach, this iconic cafe known for its locations around the world can be found nestled in between Resorts. This is a fun for all ages place with beach chairs for rent, daily catamaran cruises, and inflatable water trampolines and obstacle courses.
Rafting On Martha Brae River
Martha Brae River is a very popular spot for tourists. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours and involves relaxing on a bamboo raft as a guide maneuvers you down this incredible river! Guides share history of the area and offer chances for you to jump in and swim in the river.
Martha Brae River is about a 2 hour drive from Negril and would make a great half day adventure!
Lethe River Bamboo Rafting – Hidden Gem
Looking to have the unique experience of taking a Bamboo Raft down a picturesque river, but want to do it without the crowds? Then we recommend visiting Lethe River as an alternative to Martha Brae. This river is just as beautiful and is just an hour away from Negril, making it a much closer alternative to Martha Brae.
We recommend taking a private tour that picks you up and drops you off at your hotel for ease. This tour company provides a private rafting experience, a limestone mineral packed foot massage and a complimentary alcoholic beverage with their your. Check their tour out here.
Dunns River Falls
We asked our Instagram followers things we have to do in Jamaica, and 90% all said Dunns River Falls! This incredible waterfall is quite the drive from Negril (approximately a 3 hour drive) but is worth it! It is such an incredible place to see. If you are looking to have the place basically to yourself, we suggest arriving right when they open. However, if you don’t mind tour crowds, then arriving mid afternoon offers the warmest temperatures to really enjoy the falls.
Catamaran Cruise
A Catamaran cruise is a perfect way to enjoy the water and coastline of Jamaica. There are various cruise companies that offer a variety of different tours with different stops.
During our stay with Couples Resorts, we took advantage of their Catamaran that is an included excursion! The catamaran leaves in the late afternoon and heads to a cliff side cave to swim, has an all inclusive bar onboard, and sails back to the Resort during sunset. We HIGHLY recommend taking advantage of this excursion during your visit with Couples Resorts.
If you are not staying at a Resort that offers a free catamaran cruise, we recommend this one! You will arrive at Margaritaville via shared bus with your group and get the chance to spend a few hours enjoy the world famous 7 Mile Beach. From here, you will depart on a late afternoon catamaran to sail through the crystal clear waters to Rick’s Cafe! Enjoy some snorkeling and the all inclusive bar on board. There are certain days of the week where this is an ADULTS ONLY boat cruise so ensure you read up on that before you book. You will enjoy the sunset at Rick’s cafe and as you head back to the starting point.
Tips For Your Visit to Negril
Things you should pack
No matter how many times we travel, we seem to always forget to pack something. If you are planning on heading to Negril, here are a few things we recommend packing:
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Sun Hat
- Beach cover up that covers shoulders from sun
- Clothing for warm, humid weather
- Bathing suits (we typically bring 1 per day stayed)
- Rain Jacket/ jacket for cool evenings
- Flip flops and water shoes for excursions
- Nice outfits for the evenings (men typically need closed toe shoes and long pants for resort restaurants)
- Small bluetooth speaker for music at the beach
Keep in mind that Jamaica is a warm Caribbean destination. We highly recommend bringing bug spray and suncreen to protect yourself from the elements.
Bring Plenty of cash and Small Bills For Tipping
There are few banks and reliable ATM’s in Negril for pulling out cash. We recommend taking time before your trip to decide how much cash you need to bring to cover tips, excursions and other unforeseen circumstances that may come up. Also make sure to bring small bills for tipping as there are not many places to make change here!
Safety
With any travel, runs the risk of theft. Keep your valuables safe and put everything important to you in the safe provided by your hotel or resort. We also never recommend carrying all of your cash or cards on you, split them up just in case you loose a bag!
Final Thoughts
Negril Jamaica is a beautiful place in the midst of the Caribbean perfect for relaxation or adventurous souls. We had so much fun exploring all that Negril had to offer and we cannot wait to come back and explore the Island more.
Have you been to Jamaica? Let us know your favorite things do in the comments below!
Pin This Post For Later!
Our trip to Jamaica was in partnership with Couples Resorts and Idle Awhile. However all opinions about our travel in this blog post are our own!
