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Hello all,
I booked a trip yesterday for Negril for a week in July! I'm extremely excited to spend a week there with my boyfriend at the Riu Negril. We have never been there and are looking for some tips and places to visit. Is it safe to leave your resort? Is there anything to see or eat that we should absolutely not miss? Any suggestions you could provide would be apprecaiated, we want to make sure we get the entire Negril experience while we're there. THanks everyone!
We just got back from our first trip. You are way north at Riu Negril. I don't know if the route cabs run that far north, but someone else probably does. It is completely safe to leave your hotel. People will approach you trying to sell you things or get you to look at their items. They are only trying to make money, though. They are not being threatening. Rick's Cafe is really touristy, but I think it is a must, especially for a first timer. I would also take a day and go up to one of the hotels on the cliffs and snorkel around their swimming area. I think you can rent snorkel stuff at either Xtabi or Rockhouse. You will have to look that up, though. We brought our own stuff. Negril is a neat place. I am trying to book our trip for next year, and we just got back! Poke around on the board. There is a lot of knowledge here.
One other thing... I am not sure what the deposit and refund policy is for Riu Negril, but you might want to reconsider if you can. I would recommend not going the all-inclusive route, and instead stay somewhere on Seven Mile Beach. You will get to see and experience a lot more. Some may have a different opinion, but that's mine.
You must walk the 7 mile beach day or night and stop for lunch or dinner, drinks along the way, ivans for dinner and the pub crawl :-)
You must walk the 7 mile beach day or night and stop for lunch or dinner, drinks along the way, Ivans for dinner and the pub crawl :-) and a night of live reggea of course.
Yes, it’s absolutely safe to leave the resort.
As far as food, the possibilities are pretty much endless in Negril. Recently returned from my first trip, so there are still so many places we have yet to visit, but just to name a couple of my favorites~ Eddie’s Da Bar serves some delicious authentic food, and if you like lobster, Three Dives is a must. Seastar is a great place to go on a Saturday night- great people, music, and buffet. (all of these places are located in the West End, where we spent most of our time)
This board is a wealth of information. Take a look around and read some of the trip reports...also, if you haven’t already, check out the live webcasts (Rob will post on the board when they are happening). They got us psyched up for our first trip, we watched them for about a year (and still do!) before we arrived for the real thing!
Have a great time…kick back, relax, and ENJOY!
Hi Caitpott...Treat Negril like you would any tourist area. Use street smarts. Don't go around with a lot of bling on, and keep your eyes on your stuff. For the most part, we felt safe day and night, but we were traveling with our children and did not venture too far at night. There are so many restaurants on the beach, so we always walked to one at night. Do alot of reading on this forum...you will know alot before you even get there.....you will have a blast!
when you go out and about, sometimes a person will want to sell you whatever..and a normal approach would be one of "light intimidation", or playing the "color route" and used first would be one of "feel sorry for me"...anything "physical" is generally out of the question.......most are just trying to make a living
and a simple no thanks will be enough........DO NOT use the phrase "not today..maybe later"...you are now going on a journey of sorts:)..one that will pin you down to a date, time and place when "later" will happen....more or less you have just made a purchase....lol go with it......have fun......
Hello. I went to negril for 3 weeks last year during the end of June into July. I did not stay at a resort, I went by myself and met up with Rasta I already knew there. After 4 days I left the Rasta in the foothills and stayed at Jah B's on the beach road. Now I will never stay at Jah B's again but the time I had was save and relaxing and FUN!!!!!! I would never do the resort thing, to meet the locals and listen to reggae and enjoy myself I have to be able to experience the country Im in. Its safe but just like every where you are you be careful. I know I wouldnt go walking around Chicago at night by myself and I always stay aware of my surroundings. I love negril and sure you get people asking you to buy stuff but I never got hassled just smile and say no thanks Bless up!!!. A great place to get the coldest cheapest Red Stripe is Sun Beach... a bar right on the beach that at night set up tables right near the water its beautiful!!!! Alfreds is a fun little club aware from the club in the west end called the Jungle that was great. Alfreds is half set up on the sand with a live band. locals and tourists alike. lolol and a good laugh with those women with a serious case of Stellavitis!!!! Seriously though Im going back in August and staying at Kuyaba and cant wait. A really nice place to stay is cocolapalms. Not 5 star but a beautiful place right on the beach great staff and accommodation. If you want to ask me anything feel free to ask ok guys. But no matter what be prepared to have no idea what day it is and no watch everything is based on oh the suns going down oh the suns coming up lol. One Love
Thanks for all the tips everyone, keep them coming! I am taking tons of notes from all the replies and other posts I have seen around here...one major question, how do I sign up for the One Love bus bar crawl?
Congrats on booking your first trip!
It is safe to leave your resort, just be smart and aware at all times.
I have been 3 times, traveling alone, and felt safe wandering the beach and the cliffs during the day as well as at night.
As for restaurants and places to visit, id suggest going to Rick's, Three-Dives, Canoe Bar and/or DeBars on West End. Or Alfreds, Sweet Spot and/or Cafe Goa for a good lunch or dinner on beach road.
As far as entertainment goes, Jungle on a Thursday for Ladies Night, Alfreds does live music (not sure of the days), and the Seastar Inn on west end does a show on saturdays, roots bamboo. For me watching the sunset is entertainment gold! lol
If your feeling really adventurous, find a driver to take you up to Blue Hole in Brighton for a fun day trip.
bananaznegril@hotmail.com is how i booked in March Lenbert Williams is the man to talk to.