Nice review, written by someone who loves Negril
Spot on about booking MoBay (early) if you plan on traveling in March on the weekend. Upon arrival we sped through the 2-3 hour long passport control line. Had to wait for our bags to come out, then had refreshments at the arrival lounge before meeting up with our driver, Breezy. Check Sangster FlightStats for their arrival schedule--I saw there were planes arriving every few minutes on a Saturday afternoon and knew there would be hundreds of people arriving around the same time. Departing on a Wednesday evening in March we didn't need fast track through security, but we filled up on food and dirty bananas in the Club MoBay lounge, and didn't have to think about food on the plane.
On the beach...
Make sure you order Kuyaba's peanut butter ice cream pie with chocolate sauce--sooo yummy!
On the beach in the same area as Coco and Charela, I would add eating dinner at Chill Awhile--the restaurant at Idle Awhile. It isn't inexpensive and the menu is small, but the service and food are good, their rum punch is tasty and the atmo is quiet and peaceful.
For lunch we ordered lunch to go from the grill adjacent to the bar at White Sands--the fish sandwiches with jerk mayo and fries were very good.
Best and the West on the road near Coco for chicken and cole slaw (eat there to take out).
Niah's patties (near Lazy Days) are great and the experience is pure Jamaican local! If you want lobster patties, bring your own lobster or give Niah the money the day before and he will buy the lobster and make your lobster patties. While you are waiting, shop at the craft market or wander over to Tony's bar to get out of the sun and pass the time.
On the cliffs...
if you go to Ivan's for dinner, get your table and order before sunset. They get a surge of diners leaving Rick's Cafe after the sun sets. Ivans can handle the crowd, but I am in JA to escape crowds, especially bus loads of groups. The food is great at Ivan's, we always take the leftover's home to microwave and eat for lunch the next day.
Rockhouse is one of my faves too. The smaller local places--all wonderful.
We stay on the beach and whenever we dine on the cliffs, we ask our driver Breezy to stop at Quality, to shop for groceries. They are open late, 10 or 11? The store carries restaurant supplies and basic foods, veggies, booze, sunscreen, etc. Breezy always helps us pick out some local treat to try. Shopping at night after dinner means we don't waste precious time during the day.
A reminder to newbies--drop by the bank before you travel. Stock up on ones and fives for tipping and buying things from beach vendors.
So many more places to try! Look forward to the next trip.