Kingston?
 

Never been to Jamaica and would like to know if Kingston would be the airport to fly into if I were staying in Negril, and to you who have been there how about some opinions on what kind of area this is. Four guys are going, in our 50s, want to dive, like to drink beer, party some and don't need any thing fancy to sustain our needs. From what i read so far Negril sounds like our kind of place, what do you think? We went to the west end of Roatan last year, had a blast, but Jamacia would be closer and less expensive.
Thanks

You would fly into Montego Bay if you are going to Negril, the west end of the island. Kingston is in the far southeast. Negril is wonderful. I don't know about how good the diving around Jamaica, others will have to advise. If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive place to say towards the centre of the 7 mile beach you could try the Wistling Bird. A number of us stayed there a few years ago and quite enjoyed it.

When I went to Negril last year, flew into Kingston, then took a 20 minute flight to Montego Bay.

Negril is amazing!!! I love it!!! I went with me and 3 of my guy friends also, like you're doing. We actually didn't do any diving. We had too much fun meeting new people, meeting locals, and exploring. We stayed out on the cliffs. No matter where you stay, make your way out to the cliffs!!! It's GREAT! Definitely go to Rick's Cafe! And for a nice dinner try Rockhouse Hotel. And our favorites on the beach were "Mom's Bar"...having beers with your feet in the sand watching the sunset? Come on, can't beat that!
And "Pizza Barn" for a bucket of Red Stripe and pizza!
I definitely recommend a "booze cruise" type thing, they're a blast and you see the beach and the cliffs!
If you're into Margaritaville and stuff that's kinda fun too, but mainly younger crowd which got obnoxious, and fast haha. But Enjoy! Do you know where you're staying yet?

Thanks guys for the info. cheeb, i will make a list of these places, they sound like a god time.
No we don't have a place to stay yet, we haven't decided if we are for sure going to Jamacia or return to Roatan, the idea going someplace different is the idea we are entertaining and Negril sounds like our kind of place, so I'm gathering info from you good people to help us decide,give me more if you got it!
Thanks

Negril is the place if you are interested in partying, a really nice long beach with lots to do day or night. Several local dive shops there can take care of you wherever you stay.

Montego Bay airport is MUCH closer.

...but the diving in Negril will not compare to Roatan, I don't think...much more overfished and all that comes with heavy use. If Roatan compares to Cozumel (all I can compare, haven't been to Roatan), I can say Jamaica won't be all that for you.

but visibility is usually very good, and there are things to see..sea turtles, rays, some fish, dolphins if you are lucky.

Well Vetteman,
This works well haha, cause I want to go to Roaton! Could you tell some about it? where you stayed? Approximate prices? Atmosphere? Thanks! looking to go there next summer!

Ok guys, I'm getting some good info from you. Sounds like we should fly into Montego.chgeeb,we stayed on west end in Roatan at the Coconut Tree Cabanis.
Not too fancy but the price was right, $50 a night and it was a spit to the ocean, laid back little town, lots of choices for chow, beer was cold and i wish i could give an opinion on the diving but we hit a bad week, it rained and wind blew so much it screwed up the diving, but i know it is excellent from all the people we talked to.
May have to try Jamacia though for a change.

You fly into Montego Bay. Then it's about 1 hour drive out to Negril.