About Negril
Nestled on Jamaica‘s westernmost coast, the town of Negril is one of the island’s premiere resort locales. Serving as a vacation destination since the 1950′s, the town is much more easily accessible to modern day vacationers than it was at the onset. Early travelers found the scenic spot difficult to get to, only reachable by ferry and a brief wade through the warm, blue waters of the Negril Bay. Travelers would typically rent room inside the home of a Jamaican host family or set up temporary quarters in their yards, by means of tent or tarp. Such origins grew Negril’s reputation as a hospitable, welcoming area, ultimately leading to an influx of visitors, as the picturesque shore and charming community were certainly worth the hassle. “Negril” is derived from the original Spanish moniker “Negrillo,” as it was called upon discovery in 1494. Stemming from the word “negro,” meaning black in Spanish, the name pays homage to the black cliffs that define the town’s landscape to the south.As resorts sprung up around the area and transportation to and from the area underwent significant improvements, the town of Negril has become much more well-traveled and increasingly well-documented. Originally making its way into mainstream consciousness in 1965 through the words of Ian Fleming in his James Bond novel The Man with the Golden Gun , Negril has reappeared over the last half century, fondly mentioned in a host of popular ballads and story lines. Today’s Negril is one of the most popular tourist draws in all the Caribbean, still boasting the pristine beaches that made it irresistible to travelers in its early years. It’s most prominent sand strip, the famous Seven Mile Beach, has undergone significant development recently, scattered with a selection of well known resorts and spas. The typical tourist feeding chain restaurants and bars are also springing up aplenty in the area, providing patrons with a little something extra to do after hours.