Sun and Fun ( Negril)
 

I’m going to Jamaica April 14th to the 21st and I’ll be staying in Negril at Couples swept away. Any suggestions on fun activities to do in the area?

I would suggest not staying at the all-inclusive touristy resorts (unless thats exactly what youre looking for)If you really want to experience the culture & beauty of Negril, stay at the Banana Shout. It is a small cluster of private casitas resort on the cliffs. Owner Melo cooks whatever food you request, purchase or catch. The driver Jah will take you wherever you like, make sure you are safe & make sure you dont get overcharged. It is very well priced & absolutely beautiful. It is right next to Ricks bar (cliff diving) You can dive right off of your backyard into the bluest water. Swim around the little coves & hit the bars. Below the cliff divers at Ricks there is an underwater cave you can swim into..it is amazing. Have one of the locals escort you & give em a small tip. Visit the negril lighthouse. Have morning coffee with an old Rasta. Beautiful place.

Have you looked on the Couples web-site for their included off property tours and excursions?

YS Falls, Mayfield Falls, Black River, Appleton Rum Factory, Ricks Cafe, Margaritaville, and Pelican Bar all come to mind.

BigRad- You might want to go on Trip Advisor's Negril forum and read the current reports of not so savory business practicies that are currently going on with the Ricks bar and cliff jumping. Nothing I would be recommending to a newbie at this time.

Definitely check out whatever is included in your packaged deal as far as off-site activities.

Personally I just like to hang out on the beach.

Definitely take time to explore up in "the Cliffs" area. You can get around using a private driver, private taxis, or the "route taxis" which as a shared ride/public transporation system. Xtabi is a bar/restaurant where you can sun and swim and jump from the Cliffs for the price of food/drinks. Ivans at Catha Falling Star is a gorgeous romantic place to have a really nice dinner in an incredible setting. Sips & Bits restaurant and Ras Rody's roadside stand are the best food in town.

Also Sweet Spice restaurant in town. Even though you are staying AI, it would be ashame not to eat out a few times.

I am not a fan of Ricks or Margaritaville. RIcks draws lots of tour buses, and when they pull up, you sometimes have to elbow your way through the crowds to get a drink or see what's going on at the cliffs. Margaritaville has a nice setting on the beach, but when we visited, the food took forever to come and was really terrible.

I would definitely recommend a visit to Xtabi, a lovely bar/restaurant on the cliffs. We have sometimes seen dolphins swimming in the water near the caves there. I also really love Chicken Lavish for its fresh fruit drinks, great fried chicken, conch soup, and reasonable prices. Even though you're at an AI, it's a Negril institution, and it would be a shame not to visit it and a few of Negril's other restaurants, like Ivans, Three Dives, and, for a takeout lunch, Best of the West.