Local
folklore has it that Adam and Eve actually left Eden for a better
way of life in Negril, Jamaica. Unspoiled, untamed, uninhibited,
Negril is a luscious mixture of innocence and seductiveness. Curving
seven miles along Jamaica's West coast, its resorts and Negril hotels
feature an incredible white sand beach that seems to go on forever
and leads to a dramatic headland called West End, whose cliffs are
carved with ancient caves and secluded rock-bound tidal pools of translucent
water.
In addition to what are arguably the most beautiful sunsets in the
world, you will find resorts, small inns, villas and cottage resorts
- but not a single high-rise in sight because local law states that
no structure in Negril can rise higher than the highest palm tree,
except for the Negril Lighthouse which towers 100 feet above sea level.
Popular dive sites are at Sand Club Reef, Commando Training Dive,
Coral Gardens, The Arch, and Kingfish Point. The Negril cliffs, particularly
around the lighthouse and Rick's Cafe, are also popular for swimming
and snorkeling, with a network of caves and grotto's for romantic
rendezvous. Picnic excursions to Booby Cay for snorkeling, swimming
and sunning are among the more popular pastimes.
History: Unlike most other places in Jamaica Negril has very
little history except as a haven for shipping and pirates. In 1814
fifty warships and 6600 men sailed from Negril to tackle the American
rebels and were trounced in the Battle of New Orleans. It was here
that the infamous pirate Calico Jack Rackham was captured, then taken
to Spanish Town for trial and executed near Port Royal at a place
known thereafter as Rackham's Cay. Jack acquired his nickname because
of his penchant for wearing calico underwear. It is said that prior
to his capture he was (true to the Negril tradition!) carousing aboard
his ship with two of his crew Anne Bonney and Mary Read. These female
pirates who had the reputation of being even more bloodthirsty than
their captain were both pregnant for him. At their trial they "pleaded
their bellies" and were spared the death penalty.
Restaurants: The infinite variety of Negril's restaurants,
eateries and bars has to be experienced to be believed. Among the
long established favorites are Cosmo's and Charela Inn (on the Beach)
Chicken Lavish and Hungry Lion in the West End. Not to be overlooked
are the award winning Chez Maurice Restaurant (Samsara Cliff Hotel),
the Legends Beach Resort, Margaritaville (on the Beach), and Penny
and Ingeís Lighthouse Inn (in the West End). Negril has lots of seafood,
plenty of pasta (not to mention Rasta Pasta), I-tal, vegetarian, French,
German, Chinese and Jamaican cuisine so do your own research. Many
restaurants offer transportation for dinner.
Reggae: It is reggae Sunsplash all year round in Negril with
frequent live reggae shows and top line artists at Kaiser's Cafe,
Sam Sara, MX III, Central Park in the West End, and De Buss on the
Beach.
Negril Fun Fact: Negril's Booby Cay was the location site for
the filming of Walt Disney's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The
Sea. |