the back way is the best way to go to Negril, dont pick it on the way back, if your heading home, break-downs and traffic jams could make you late for "big bird".......
The back way you will see more of Jamaica like it was in years past...although each year brings more tourist to take it so someday it too will "build up" lol......many places to stop, many Kodak moments..
have the driver take it slow and speak up with the "narration"....lol
Then when leaving you can experience the Coast Road, so you get both...