Negril Travelers Recommend

If you have three days in the town of Negril, in western Jamaica, you can enjoy a relaxing combination of beach time and outdoor activities in the nearby countryside, including climbing through waterfalls, zipping through jungle canopies, and riding horses on the beach. Here are some ways to spend 72 hours in this resort destination.

Day 1: Relaxing in Negril

Start your trip with a private sightseeing tour to get oriented, and check out attractions such as Seven Mile Beach. Afterwards head to the beach to swim, sunbathe, join a game of beach volleyball, go snorkeling or parasailing, or hop on a glass-bottom boat tour. Alternatively, you can head to Kool Runnings Adventure Park, a water park that offers a family-friendly way to stay cool, or take a catamaran cruise to nearby hotspots such as Floyd’s Pelican Bar. In the evening, find a great place to view the sunset, whether from a beachside bar or on a cruise to Rick’s Cafe, a popular watering hole on top of coastal cliffs. Later, check out Negril’s bars and clubs on a nightlife tour.

Day 2: Surrounding Adventures

On your second day, get active: Head out on a tour to the Black River and the well-known YS Falls, where you can take a boat ride, enjoy fresh-water swimming, and climb the tiers of a waterfall. You can also take zipline tours through the lush jungle canopy, horseback rides, and ATV tours that take you past villages and along off-road tracks. 

After you get your adrenaline going, make a stop at the Appleton Estate (which is included on some outdoor adventure tours) for some local rum, then head inland a bit to the Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio for a cooking demonstration and dinner. End the day on Jamaica’s north coast with a boat ride on the Luminous Lagoon, where microorganisms create a natural shimmer in the dark water.

Day 3: Go Exploring

Jamaica has no shortage of attractions that show off the island’s lush natural beauty, and many are within easy reach of Negril. Take a day trip to Dunn’s River Falls and Park, near Ocho Rios, one of the island’s most popular locations. You can climb up the terraced waterfall, admire the scenic countryside, and go snorkeling; some tours even include a catamaran cruise. Then, for one last adventure, head to nearby Blue Hole, a natural swimming hole with a waterfall where you can climb, jump, and swim.

With a long stretch of sugary white sand against the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Negril has all you need for a relaxing day on the beach. There’s plenty to do for those who prefer more active vacations, too. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy 24 hours in this resort destination on Jamaica’s west end.

Morning: Fun in the sun

Hit Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, a postcard-perfect piece of the island, to stake out a spot for sunbathing or get the day started with a swim. Go parasailing or snorkeling; try Bliss Bodyboarding; or explore the beach on horseback. For something more festive, take a catamaran party cruise to nearby destinations such as Floyd’s Pelican Bar.

Afternoon: Jamaican adventures

If you’re not one to sit on a beach chair and read a book all day, head out on an adventure in Jamaica’s natural splendors. All-terrain vehicle tours through lush mangroves, over dirt trails, and along remote beaches provide an adrenaline rush on the ground, while zipline tours offer sky-high thrills in the jungle. Or, just cool off at Kool Runnings Water Park.

Night: Eating, drinking, and cruising

Seven Mile Beach faces straight west, making it the ideal place for sunset viewing, preferably with a drink in hand. If you’d rather be out on the water, opt for a sunset cruise to Rick’s Café, a much-loved watering hole perched atop coastal cliffs that spring breakers love to jump off. Or, head to the Luminous Lagoon on Jamaica’s north shore for a nighttime boat ride across the dark water, where shimmering microorganisms create a natural glow. For something totally different, learn about Caribbean cuisine during a dinner experience at Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio, inland from Negril.

With two days in Negril, you’ll have plenty of time to relax on the beach, plus enjoy some of the outdoor opportunities that await in and around this resort town on Jamaica’s western edge. Here are a few ways to create a 48-hour itinerary that suits your interests.

Day 1: The best of Negril

**Morning:**Get your bearings in Negril on a private sightseeing tour that introduces you to the area’s top attractions. If you prefer to be on the water, hop on a catamaran to nearby destinations such as Floyd’s Pelican Bar.

**Afternoon:**Hit the beach for sunbathing and swimming; try parasailing, snorkeling, or bodyboarding; or go on a glass-bottom boat tour. Alternatively, cool off at Kool Runnings Water Park, across the street from the beach.

**Night:**With its west-facing location, Seven Mile Beach is the ideal place to watch the sunset. Or, embark on a sunset cruise to Rick’s Café, a popular bar atop coastal cliffs that spring breakers love to jump off. Then, if you’re in the mood to party, head out on a nightlife tour of Negril’s best bars and clubs.

Day 2: More of the island

**Morning:**For a break from the salty ocean, take a dip in Jamaica’s fresh water. Spend a few hours at Black River and YS Falls, where you can climb the waterfall’s seven tiers and take a pontoon ride. Some tours include a stop at the Appleton rum estate.

**Afternoon:**Time for a little adventure. Drive along the mangroves in an all-terrain vehicle; explore the beach on horseback; or zoom around the jungle on ziplines. 

**Night:**Learn about Jamaican cuisine—and how to make a few dishes—with a dinner experience at Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio, just inland from Negril. Alternatively, head to the island’s north coast for a boat ride across the Luminous Lagoon, where shimmering microorganisms make the dark water glow.