Negril Travel Guide

City Popular Jamaican beach town known for Seven Mile Beach

Seven Mile Beach’s long stretch of white sand and limestone cliffs keeps Negril busy: days of snorkeling, sun and cheap beachfront food carts; evenings bring reggae bands and cliff diving at spots like Rick’s Café. It’s as much about sunsets as jerk stalls.

Costs

Midrange beach resort budget

$120-200/day for midrange hotels, beach activities, and meals.

Safety

Tourist-friendly but watch petty crime

Tourist areas are generally safe; avoid isolated spots and watch for petty theft at night.

Best Time

Best in winter dry season

December-April for sunny, dry beach weather and calm seas.

In This Guide

Why Visit Negril?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

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Population

3,000

Infrastructure & Convenience

Good tourist infrastructure along the beach; taxis and minibuses, limited public transit inland.

Popularity

Very popular international beach destination attracting couples, sun-seekers, and backpackers.

Known For

Seven Mile Beach, spectacular sunsets, Rick's Cafe cliff diving, snorkeling, reggae nightlife, jerk cuisine, diving, laid-back resorts, beachfront bars

Negril's famous Seven Mile Beach stretches along clear waters and Rick's Cafe cliff jumpers leap from platforms up to roughly 30-35 feet.

Why Visit Negril? #

Long white sands and warm seas are only part of the draw: Negril is famous for Seven Mile Beach, cliffside sunsets at Rick’s Cafe and an easy reggae pulse. Surfing, snorkeling and late-night beach bars create a laid-back energy, while jerk chicken stalls and seafood shacks keep the appetite satisfied. Travelers seeking sun, music and unforgettable sunsets find a place where island rhythms and seaside life meet.

Top Things to Do in Negril

Don't Miss

Seven Mile Beach - Long stretch of white sand with swimming, beach bars, and sunset promenades.
Rick's Café - Cliffside bar known for sunset views and spectator cliff-diving displays.
Negril Cliffs walk - Rocky shoreline path with small local bars and natural swimming ledges.

Hidden Gems

Booby Cay - Small offshore cay offering good snorkeling and quieter water access.
Little Bay beach - Secluded pocket beach favored by locals for relaxed swimming and picnics.
Local rum shops - Unpretentious neighborhood bars serving Jamaican rum punches and community atmosphere.

Day Trips

YS Falls - Multi-tiered waterfalls with swimming pools and rope-swing platforms for cooling off.
Black River Safari - Boat tour on Black River spotting crocodiles, birdlife, and mangrove ecology.

Best Time to Visit Negril #

Visit Negril between December and April for sun-dry beach days, calm seas and the best snorkeling. June-November brings hurricane risk and heavier rains, so travel with flexibility during that period.

Dry Season

December - April · 24 - 30°C (75 - 86°F)

Perfect beach weather: calm seas, clear skies, and lively beachfront bars-expect crowds around holidays but excellent swimming and snorkeling conditions.

Wet Season

May - November · 25 - 31°C (77 - 88°F)

Afternoons bring short heavy showers; vegetation is lush and prices can be lower, though humidity makes midday beach lounging less comfortable.

Hurricane Season

June - November · 25 - 31°C (77 - 88°F)

Risk of tropical storms and rough seas increases; travel deals appear but plan flexible cancellation and monitor storm forecasts closely.

Best Time to Visit Negril #

Climate

Negril's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1390 mm/year), wettest in October.

Best Time to Visit

JanuaryFebruaryMarch

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

34°

Warmest Month

19°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).

90 Ideal

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

22° – 31°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

41 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

Very High

11.0h daylight

February

February is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

22° – 31°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

48 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.9

UV Index

Very High

11.4h daylight

March

March is hot, feeling like 29°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

29°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

23° – 32°

70%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

52 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.3

UV Index

Extreme

11.9h daylight

April

April is hot, feeling like 31°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm).

76 Very Good

Comfort

31°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 32°

69%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

86 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

12.4h daylight

May

May is hot, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (158 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 33°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

158 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.4

UV Index

Extreme

12.9h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 35°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (184 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

35°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 33°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

184 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.4

UV Index

Extreme

13.1h daylight

July

July is the hottest month, feeling like 36°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (170 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

36°

Feels Like Hot

30°C

Temperature

26° – 34°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

170 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

13.0h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 36°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (155 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

36°

Feels Like Hot

30°C

Temperature

25° – 34°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

155 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

12.6h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (153 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 33°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

153 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.3

UV Index

Extreme

12.1h daylight

October

October is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (192 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 33°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

192 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

11.6h daylight

November

November is hot, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Regular rainfall (89 mm).

75 Very Good

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 32°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

89 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

11.2h daylight

December

December is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm).

86 Excellent

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

23° – 31°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

62 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

10.9h daylight

How to Get to Negril

Negril is most commonly accessed via Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport (MBJ), about 1.5-2 hours by road. Jamaica does not have an intercity passenger rail network, so road transfers (private taxi, shuttle, or coach) are the standard ways to reach Negril.

By Air

Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay (MBJ): Sangster (MBJ) is the closest international airport for Negril. Driving time to Negril is typically 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic. Options from MBJ include private airport transfers or taxis (shared shuttle or private taxi); a private taxi or door‑to‑door transfer commonly costs US$80-140 for a sedan, while shared shuttles and prebooked transfers are often cheaper per person.

Norman Manley International Airport, Kingston (KIN): Kingston’s airport is much further away (around 4-5+ hours’ drive) and is only useful if combining travel with Kingston; flights into KIN are not practical for most Negril visitors because of the long onward road trip.

By Train & Bus

Train: Jamaica has no current intercity passenger rail service suitable for travelers to Negril.

Bus / Coach: Intercity coach operators (notably Knutsford Express) run scheduled services between Montego Bay and Negril. Typical coach travel time is about 1.5-2 hours and fares vary by operator and seat class (expect roughly JMD 1,500-3,000 / US$10-20 one‑way on express services). Local route taxis (minibuses/route taxis) are cheaper but slower and operate on flexible schedules.

How to Get Around Negril #

Negril’s main stretch along Seven Mile Beach is very walkable - you can stroll between many resorts, bars and beach spots. Walking the beach is a pleasant and common way to get around the tourist strip. Taxis, route taxis (shared minivans) and private shuttles connect Negril with Montego Bay and other towns; many hotels offer airport transfers. Scooter and car rentals are available. Short local rides typically run a few US dollars to low‑teens depending on distance.

Where to Stay in Negril #

Budget

Seven Mile Beach (west end) - $20-60/night

Budget options along Seven Mile Beach are limited but exist-small guesthouses and basic hostels. Expect simple rooms and lively beachfront atmosphere during high season.

Mid-Range

Seven Mile Beach / West End - $90-220/night

Several boutique inns and mid-size resorts offer comfortable seaside rooms with good dining and easy beach access. Better value outside peak weeks.

Catcha Falling Star - Boutique cliffside cottages, intimate dining.
Tensing Pen - Cliff-top bungalows with private terraces.

Luxury

Cliffside and Seven Mile Beach - $250+/night

High-end, cliffside boutique hotels and all-inclusives line the coast. Expect dramatic ocean settings, higher rates, and strong on-site services and dining.

Rockhouse Hotel - Cliffside villas with plunge pools, ocean views.
The Caves - Private cliff cottages and sea cave dining.
Hotel Riu Palace Negril - All-inclusive beachfront resort with pools.

Where to Eat in Negril #

Cliffside & Sunset

Cliffside restaurants in Negril pair sunset views with seafood-forward menus and cliff-diving spectacle, ideal for evening drinks and Caribbean rhythms by the sea.

Rick's Cafe - Cliffside bar famous for sunset and diving.
The Rockhouse Restaurant - Sea-facing dining with Caribbean-inspired tasting menus.
Xtabi - Ocean-cave dining and cliffside terrace seating.

Jamaican Classics & Jerk

Local jerk, curried goat and fried fish are staples-small roadside vendors and casual restaurants serve bold, peppery flavors and smoky charcoal grilling.

Pushcart Restaurant & Rum Bar - Contemporary Jamaican plates and rum-focused cocktails.
Ivan's Bar & Restaurant - Home-style jerk, seafood and beachfront seating.
Juici Patties (Negril) - Popular Jamaican pastry chain for quick patties.

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Negril's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Caribbean

Pizza

Burger

Italian

Regional

Jerk

Sushi

Jamaican

Regional International

Nightlife in Negril #

Negril has a lively tourist nightlife compared with many small coastal towns: beach bars, reggae nights and sunset gatherings draw crowds. The West End and the Seven Mile Beach area host most of the evening action. Live music, casual bars and cliffside sunset shows are the main attractions; there are fewer late‑night clubs than in big cities.

Rick's Cafe - Cliffside bar famous for sunset views, cliff diving, live reggae.

Shopping in Negril #

Negril has a line of souvenir shops, craft stalls and small boutiques along the main road and beach strip selling batik, rum, spices and tourist gifts. Expect shops geared toward visitors rather than large malls. For specialty items or supermarket shopping, larger towns like Savanna‑la‑Mar or Montego Bay are best.