Negril Vs Ocho Rios?
If you're planning a trip to Jamaica, then I'm already really excited for you and I can promise you that you'll have an unforgettable time in the land we love! You probably might be thinking about going to Negril, Ocho Rios, or both. However, if your time in Jamaica is tight and you should choose between one of these two destinations, I made a list that would hopefully help you pick the right one.
NEGRIL: What's so special about it?
Do you enjoy the "no worries" life, local experience, clear sea, and great food? If yes, I would say Negril might be just for you! Here are some things that you should know.
Massive white shore and clear sea:
In Negril, you will find the "Seven Mile Beach"- seven miles of uninterrupted sand beaches and turquoise water. Enjoy spending your day relaxing at the beach (who wouldn't?), take a seven-mile stroll with your loved ones, and make sure to look out for animals - the water is so clear that you might be able to see them from the shore!
Sea wildlife: Are you interested in snorkeling and exploring the sea? Negril has one of the best beaches with sea creatures. During my time in Negril, I was able to see starfish, stingrays, sea urchins, sea turtles, conch fish, needlefish, and coral fish! I've personally never seen any of these before so that was pretty cool for the first time.
Boutique and minimal hotels: Along the seven-mile beach, you'll find many boutique hotels across each other. They all have unique designs, an edge, and great restaurants along the beach. I stayed at the"IDLE AWHILE" hotel (the one at the beach, they have three locations) and I would recommend it to anyone.
Walks on the beach: You will discover many great restaurants & bars, as well as locals selling fresh fruits, patties, and other local foods. You will also encounter locals selling handmade jewelry, accessories, and musical instruments.
A mix of rocky and sandy beaches: What's great about Negril is that you get two different beach options. The seven-mile sandy beach I spoke about earlier, and the rocky beach, where you have to jump a cliff or take the stairs to have access to the beach. Just so you know, the hotels on the cliff are more secluded and private seeing that they're hidden with rocks, unlike the hotels at the beach that are more public and open.
Local restaurants: There are a lot of local restaurants in Negril. Check out "Best in the West" for some tasty traditional Jerk Chicken! Most days for lunch I would get patties and fruits at the beach (beef, veggie, and chicken patties) which were very appetizing.
OCHO RIOS: What's so special about it?
Massive all-inclusive resorts: Looking around, the first thing I noticed is the bigger hotels and resorts in Ocho Rios contrary to the boutique hotels in Negril. If you're looking for a relaxing vacation where food, drinks, and activities come to you without really having to get out of the hotel then there you go!
Great to make friends: It's always great to make friends in all-inclusive resorts seeing that you meet a lot of people. All-inclusive resorts are also great for families. Parents can relax while knowing their kids are in a safe space. I stayed in an Adult only Resort, "Jewel Cove Paradise", it's a great one! It has seven restaurants and day and night activities, I will tell you more about that hotel in another blog post.
Waterfalls & Nature: Not much of a sandy beach place, but rich in nature and greenery. In Ocho Rios, there are breathtaking waterfalls and parks. I went to Blue Hole and Dunn's River Falls. Dunn's River Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in Ocho Rios, and Blue Hole is one of those Jamaican jungles where you can jump from the ropes and explore the crystal blue water. I also wanted to go to Konoko Falls where you can see animals but unfortunately did not have time, hopefully, next time!
Ocho Rios cruise port: After a long day you could go to the Cruise Port where you could find stores and restaurants along the port.
Both Negril and Ocho Rios have their charm. I enjoyed Negril because I love a clear sea and a local experience, and I enjoyed Ocho Rios thanks to its greenery and friendly resorts.
Feel free to drop me a message if you have more questions before your trip! Stay tuned for more about my trip to Jamaica and other countries as well!
