Negril: Where to Eat
From: Jamaica
Adventure Guide
Presently, the road to Negril is being rebuilt to straighten out many
of the curves and shorten travel times. It will become a better route,
but be aware that the construction can cause delays right now. Many
travelers on a tight schedule opt to take an intra-island flight from
Montego Bay. The 17-minute flight goes into Negril airport, where
taxis are available to take you to any resort.
The complete story
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 Jamaica
Adventure Guide - This travel
guide walks with the adventurous traveler to the heart of Jamaica,
to the miles of sand beaches, to the rugged Blue Mountains,
to the country villages that provide a peek at the real Jamaica
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Once you arrive in Negril, getting around is fairly
easy, whether you choose to drive yourself or rely on the plentiful
taxi service.
On the north edge, entering from Montego Bay, the resorts begin
at Bloody Bay, location of Grand Lido Negril, Hedonism II and Sandals
Negril. This stretch of beach is across the street from the Negril
airport, behind which lies a giant swamp called the Great Morass.
Continuing south, Bloody Bay gives way to Long Bay, home of the
seven-mile-long Negril Beach. Along this stretch lie both big name
resorts such as Beaches Negril and Poinciana Beach Resort as well
as small inns under 50 rooms (and many much smaller). Travelers
enjoy walking along the beach for miles and will find many beach
bars and restaurants right on the sand. The resorts all sit on Norman
Manley Boulevard, the main thoroughfare through the area, dividing
the beach from the Great Morass.
Heading south, the beach is eventually broken by the intersection
of the South Negril River, which marks the entrance to downtown
Negril. Just north of the river lies the Negril Crafts Market, a
ramshackle collection of buildings filled with woodcarvings, paintings
and handmade jewelry, all representing the spirit of Negril. South
of the market lies the roundabout and Norman Manley Boulevard becomes
West End Road.
To the east, Sheffield Road turns toward Savanna-La- Mar (known
locally as Sav-La-Mar). West End Road traces the shoreline, which
becomes less sandy and more rocky and eventually gives way to steep
cliffs. Along this section are some budget getaways that are favored
by young travelers as well as many longtime Negril fans. Many of
the small properties are built right out on the cliffs and one even
utilizes the sea caves as guest areas (we had a massage inside a
sea cave at The Caves). Also here is the Negril Lighthouse, which
offers the best view of the region.
Car Rentals
Read the precautions listed on page 60 before deciding to rent
a car for your stay. There are several rental agencies in Negril.
CAR RENTAL AGENCIES
Dollar Rent-A-Car
876-957-4110
Paradise Jeep and Car Rental
876-957-4213
Safari Auto Rental
876-957-3306
Taxis
Taxis are the most popular method of transportation for travelers.
They can be found at any hotel, the airports, and most shopping
areas. Travelers should be careful to use only licensed taxis; these
have a red license plate that indicates the taxi is a Public Passenger
Vehicle (PPV). If you need to call a taxi, contact the official
carrier: Jamaica Union of Travelers Association or JUTA (876-957-9197
in Negril). Taxi rates vary, but are figured by car, not by passenger.
Fares average about US $5-7 for 10 miles. If you accept a driver’s
offer of his services as a tour guide, be sure to agree on a price
before the vehicle is put into gear.
Bus Service
This popular mode of transport in Negril can be crowded and slow.
The buses are generally not air-conditioned. Buses will stop anywhere
along the route to pick up passengers. To catch one, stand by the
side of the road with your arm outstretched; pat down with your
hand when you see an oncoming bus. Bus fare is about US $1 for 30-40
miles.
Bicycle Rentals
WARNING: Traffic can be hectic on the busier stretches of Norman
Manley Boulevard, so ride with care.
Many of the larger properties have bicycles available for guest
use; if yours doesn’t, call one of these outfitters.
BICYCLE RENTAL AGENCIES
Coco Bike Rental
876-957-4250
Dependable Bike Rental
876-957-4764
Elvie’s Bike Rental
876-957-4331
Gas Bike Rental
876-957-4835
Holiday Bike Rental
876-957-4968
Jah Bs Bike Rental
876-957-4235
Jolly’s Bike Rental
876-957-3385
Kool Bike Rental Limited
876-957-9224
Nortigo Bike Rental
876-957-4711
Pedro Bike Rental
876-957-4757
Reids Bike Rental
876-957-4369
Tike’s Bike Rental
876-957-0388
Wright’s Bike Rental
876-957-4908
Guided Tours
APPLETON ESTATE
Jamaica Estate Tours
876-963-9215 or 876-963-9508, fax 876-963-9218
(or check with your hotel’s tour desk)
Hours: 9-3:30 daily, except Sundays
Admission charged
See Sightseeing for details about tours of this estate.
BLACK RIVER SAFARI CRUISE
Black River
876-965-2513
Open daily
The tour to Black River is a popular one from Negril, especially
for travelers who are staying for an entire week in the beach community.
It gives you a good chance to get out and see the undeveloped areas
of Jamaica, such as the wilderness along the Black River, still
home to crocodiles as well as many bird species.
JACANA AQUA TOURS LTD.
Black River
876-965-2513
Hours: 8:30 am-5 pm daily
Another tour to Black River, this package trip also includes a
visit to YS Falls.
SHAFSTON TOURS
Bluefields
876-997-5076
E-mail frank.shafston@cwjamaica.com
www.shafston.com
These guided tours give travelers a real taste of Jamaica with
hikes, historic site visits, fishing and more. Here’s a rundown
of the Shafston offerings:
n Mayfield Falls. A one-hour drive through the sugarcane fields
leads to these remote falls. Bring along a swimsuit and water shoes
as well as a camera (the guide will carry it for you). The tour
includes lunch.
n YS Falls, Apple Valley/Appleton, and Bamboo Avenue. This tour
goes through Middle Quarters (be sure to buy some peppered shrimp
from the ladies along the roadside) to YS Falls. At Apple Valley,
travelers can fish; another option is to visit Appleton Rum Factory
(admission price is not included in the tour price). Finally, the
trip winds back through Bamboo Avenue to Shafston Great House, finishing
the day with a cold jelly coconut.
n Black River, Lover’s Leap, Treasure Beach. This South Coast tour
includes a boat ride up the Black River for a look at crocodiles,
a drive to Lover’s Leap for a spectacular view, and on to Treasure
Beach. Travelers are warned that swimming can be dangerous here
because of strong undertow.
n Negril. These excursions start at the famous Negril Beach and
market. Later, participants can jump off the cliffs on the West
End. Be sure to bring beachwear, camera, film and snorkel gear.
n Savanna-La-Mar, Little Bay, Bob Marley’s House. Visits the market
of Savanna-La-Mar and continues to the fishing community of Little
Bay, former home of Bob Marley. Here he lived with beauty queen
Esther Anderson. Tours take a look at the house (tour price includes
house admission).
n Bamboo Avenue, Alligator Pond, Gut River, Alligator Hole River,
Manatees. This tour is a favorite with nature lovers as it winds
through Bamboo Alley to the community of Alligator Pond, a fishing
village, then on to Gut River. At Alligator Hole River you can often
spot manatees. Bring along bathing suits, cameras and maybe even
your snorkel.
n Horseback Riding. Ride at Paradise Park, a farm between Bluefields
and Savanna-la-Mar, and afterwards go for a swim at a private river
park. Bring long pants for the horseback ride and swimming gear.
n Kingston, Blue Mountain, Port Antonio. This three-day excursion
includes a visit to the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston then a drive
over the Blue Mountains to Port Antonio for a stay in a local guest
house. In Portland, stops include San San Beach, Frenchman’s Cove,
Boston Beach and Reach Falls. The tour continues along the North
Coast to Dunn’s River Falls.
n Scuba Diving. With two days advance notice, divers (at least
six in the party) can go underwater and explore the area between
Bluefields and Little Bay on the South Coast.
n Deep-Sea Fishing. Half- and one-day cruises are available from
Bluefields Bay. Try your luck for tuna, barracuda, kingfish and
marlin.
TOURWISE
Offices at Negril Gardens Hotel
876-974-2332 or 974-2334
This company offers guided tours of the country’s top attractions,
including Dunn’s River Falls, Black River Safari, rafting, Cockpit
Country, Kingston, Mayfield Falls, Blue Lagoon, and more. Tours
are available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Dutch.
More information on Negril
• Introduction
• Where to stay
• Where to eat
• Transportation
• Things to see & do
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