I tend to jam-pack our travels with activities, but every once in a while I throw my husband Thor a bone and plan a more relaxing trip. He loves the Caribbean, and we’re trying to visit as many different islands as possible.
After talking to some friends, we decided Negril was the spot for us. It has the largest and best beach. We were also looking to unwind, and liked the idea we weren’t staying in a major city.
Day 1: Beach Day
- Take the first flight out to Montego Bay and then transfer to Negril via car. It’s about a 1-hour, 45-minute drive, but you’ll save money on the flight if you use the island’s major airport.
- Check in to your hotel. Did you know Jamaica is the birthplace of all-inclusive resorts? We stayed at the all-inclusive Azul Beach Resort because we wanted something on Seven Mile Beach. The swim-up rooms will seriously spoil you.
- Lounge out on Seven Mile Beach. If you want to relax even more, spring for an outdoor massage on the beach.
Day 2: Venturing Out on The Seas
- Take a boat ride out to a neighboring island. We loved the idea of Tiki Pon Da Sea, which is a floating tiki bar. Definitely do the lobster option. They grill it outdoors, while you relax with some Red Stripe.
- Go tubing. Basically, it’s a giant floating raft that gets pulled by a speed boat and swung around. Multiple people can ride at the same time. Just make sure to hold tight.
Day 3: Cliff Diving at Rick’s Cafe
- Take the plunge at Rick’s Cafe. The bar is located in the West End Cliffs, so you’ll need to hire a taxi or a boat to drop you off. This bar is known for its cliff diving. There’s two main options: a 27-foot cliff and an 85-foot cliff. I was terrified, but Thor took the higher plunge over and over again. Locals are allowed on an even higher “ledge” — actually a pole that they climb and then do crazy backflips from. It’s an excellent people-watching opportunity.
- Try some local food. We stopped by a small roadside restaurant for stewed oxtail. Other dishes you need to try is jerk (chicken, shrimp, pork, vegetables… it’s all good), ackee and saltfish, and goat curry.
Day 4: Exploring the Interior
- Take an ATV trip to center of the country. I wanted to see more of Jamaica outside the resort areas, so we did a tour with RastaSafari. This took us to Westmoreland Parish. We drove ATVs and looked at rural life, including swimming in local watering holes, drinking in local watering holes, visiting farms, and sampling local produce. They serve a delicious vegan lunch, which I could not get enough of.
Day 5: Head Back to Montego Bay
- Soak in some sun on the beach. Spend your last moments in Jamaica lounging on Seven Mile Beach again.
- Travel back to Montego Bay. Depending on your flight time, you can spend a few hours at Montego Bay before heading out. We maximized our time on the beach that day, but there was time to stop by to grab some patties.
