Negril Vs. Montego Bay: 22 Reasons To Choose One Jamaican - TheTravel There's also a Margaritaville location in Montego Bay, offering fun daily attractions and a Margaritaville After Dark nightclub with dance floors on multiple levels. The citys Craft Market is the perfect place to find unique handmade items such as wood carvings, jewelry, and paintings. Consider booking a Caribbean cruise, and Montego Bay might be included. Its necessary to pinpoint which location is the best fit for each traveler in order to make the most of that vacation time. Depending on what you choose to take, your cost of travel can range anywhere from 10 USD to 150 USD. Busy beaches are the bane of beach vacations. Who doesnt want a vacation in Jamaica? Negril is around 76 to 80 kilometers away (~48 mi) from Montego Bay. Since it has a cruise port available, unlike Negril and many other coastal cities, its a common port of call. Negril or Montego Bay: Which is Better? - Wandering our World Because of this, some people decide to stay in Montego Bay and simply make day trips to Negril to enjoy the beaches and laid back vibe there. Regardless of whether you want to party or you want to lay down, the white sand and crystal clear waters will give you a fulfilling and enjoyable time. The drive from Montego Bay to Negril takes about one and a half hours. Transfers from Montego Bay Airport to Negril can take up to 2 hours and 20 minutes overall. Surrounded by nature, it wont be hard to sink into your deepest state of relaxation while spending endless hours on the beach. Negril vs. Montego Bay? Nightlife? - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums The beaches become more breathtaking because the rocky cliffs complement the turquoise waters. This makes Montego Bay the best choice if you dont want to spend much time getting to and from your resort. Whilst in Montego Bay you can also visit Rose Hall Great House if youre brave enough! Montego Bay isnt Montego bay without the adventures left and right. How To Travel From Montego Bay To Negril | Sandals You'll find more partying and action than in Negril, which is considered more laid back. Neither is lacking in attractions and adventures, but they complement each other perfectly. The bar started back in 2001 and grew out of a simple little shack gazing out over the Carribean. If you want stunning white sand beaches and huge stretches of coastline, alongside a varied nightlife, beachside resorts and restaurants, then Negril may be the better choice than Montego Bay. If youre looking to enjoy the beach in a high-energy environment, Montego Bay is the place to be. Hip Strip is the local name for Gloucester Avenue, a busy street near Doctors Cave Beach. Sandals Negril: Sandals Negril is a paradise within itself in Jamaica, located on Seven Mile Beach. The night is alive, and you get to experience Jamaican culture. For something more relaxed, grab a drink at Canoe Beach Bar. Montego Bay is great if you're looking for quick airport transfers and a vibrant nightlife, while Negril is ideal if you want a more laid back atmosphere with plenty of beachside restaurants . Regardless of your budget and goals in the area, theres always something for you to enjoy. The fact that most families prefer Negril doesnt mean that Montego Bay is a bad choice for families. Its other attractive feature is its historical value as a well-preserved relic of 17th-century Jamaica. Since Montego Bay is more luxurious overall than Negril, it is also more expensive. This is definitely a bustling nightlife environment. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Everyone is having the time of their lives in Montego Bay. This resort was created for families and everything within focuses on ensuring not only that kids have the time of their lives, but parents too! Montego Bay vs Ocho Rios vs Negril - Jamaica Forum Montego Bay also has its fair share of romantic experiences for couples. Save. Negril Vs Montego Bay. You can either take a shuttle, taxi, or drive by yourself. Its the perfect place for new experiences and adventures. Negril is also as fun as Montego Bay at night. The open-air Rockhouse Restaurant serves new Jamaican cuisine in a beautiful seaside setting on the cliffs. Sign us up! Negril is in a bay which insures a higher probability for calm and azure water. A taxi from Montego Bay to Negril is one of the quickest ways to get from one place to another. Lets run through the pros and cons of each destination with a look at 22 reasons to choose one Jamaican destination over the other. The hottest months are the summer months of July and August. The flexibility and accessibility of Negril are ideal for families. Jamaica is a gorgeous island thats one of the top honeymoon destinations in the Caribbean for a reason. Negril and Montego Bay are both fun places to be in. Montego Bay, though, is more alive at night with endless music and parties, so it may not be the ideal setting for families with younger kids. However, travel can take anywhere from 1 hour and a half to 2 hours and 15 minutes. The cheapest option is by bus. As the cliffs get lower, quaint resort cottages appear along the edges of Negril. Looking for a more quaint and laid back destination, with some of Jamaicas best beaches? Negril is more laid-back, mixed in with some thrilling adventures and sceneries here and there. For more than 50 years, it has been a popular destination for all sorts of getaways, including honeymoons, destination weddings, and romantic vacations. Snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, sunset sails, and rafting are just some of the activities you can do. Insider tip: Much of the action in Negril happens within the resorts, so its a good idea to book an all-inclusive package that includes lots of entertainment options. The best bars in Montego Bay are located in the Hip Strip area. Look at the Holiday Inn, Riu Montego Bay, and the Sunset Beach resort. Where Should You Stay in Jamaica? Ocho Rios vs. Montego Bay vs. Negril UPDATE: 2023/01/16 11:03 EST BY TYLER GOLEC. In these summer months, Negril reaches 86 F, where temperatures can rise up to 91 F in Montego Bay. Negril vs. Montego Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons I'm Matt, a former globetrotting journalist who's previously worked for media like USA Today and the BBC. For visitors to the island, the Rastafari Indigenous Village near Montego Bay is an opportunity to connect first-hand with people practicing the religion, while also learning how to make traditional drums and cuisine. The Shoppes at Rose Hall in Montego Bay is a popular shopping destination as well, as is the Hip Strip, as Gloucester Avenue is known. Home North America Caribbean Jamaica Montego Bay vs. Negril: Which Is Best for Your Jamaican Vacation? Book Sandals Negril or Beaches Negril, all food and drinks are unlimited and included in the booking price! The turquoise-hued calm water at this beach is a great place to swim, snorkel, paddle board and more. Although many look at Negril as a luxurious place, its not an exclusive location. People know that if youre in Montego Bay, you have to be up at night to immerse in it completely. If youre having a tough time choosing, this article should give you some more insight on which would be best for you. However, 1 hour and 30 minutes is the average time for a shuttle to get from Montego Bay to Negril. As said above, Negril accommodates everyone, so its rates and prices are more inclusive regardless of someones budget. Theres decent (duty-free) shopping as well, which you can make time for in between beach hopping and maybe even some diving action somewhere like the Montego Bay Marine Park! Montego Bay is popular among tourists. One fairly cheap, but no less satisfying activity, around Negril is going to Barneys Hummingbird Garden. The Martha Brae River, stops just short of Montego Bay and you can raft or go kayaking there if you board at Rafters Village. The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $142, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $165. Do you prefer to slow down, or do you want to raise your energy? All the resorts in Negril tend to be right on the beachfront too. Its a longer route than the 2 hours from Montego Bay Airport. Roots Caf has a variety of dishes as well as live music on Wednesday nights. Although people dont usually come to Jamaica to spend half their vacation in the car. Although both destinations are hotspots for tourists, they show different sides of Jamaica. A unique outing is a Luminous Lagoon, about 45 minutes from Montego Bay. Beach bums, those who want to lay on a beach with a drink in hand all day, and those who love to party at night and take in the sun in the days will love Negril. The resort offers tech-savvy, amenity-packed suites, as well as xhale club suites with a butler at your service. Montego Bay is the easier of the two locations to travel to, mainly because it has its own airport, and the fact most tourists must travel through Montego Bay if theyre on their way to Negril anyway. However, between the two, Montego Bay takes the cake. Rose Hall Great House is a former sugar plantation built in 1770 that has been restored and is now open to the public as a museum. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 14 Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Montego Bay - thetravel.com Bars in Montego Bay tend to be frequented more by locals than the bars in Negril, so prices can be cheaper. This coffee is regarded by many as one of the best coffees in the world, and is the perfect way to start every day in Jamaica (we promise were not sponsored by Blue Mountain, their coffee is just very very good!). The traffic, time of day, and final destination will affect how long the car ride will be. Correct but there are a few exceptions. Which is better, Negril or Montego Bay? 2. One of our favorite nightlife spots in Montego Bay is Margaritaville. Kuyaba on the Beach is a lovely thatched-roof restaurant serving Jamaican dishes. Best time to visit to Montego Bay. This is one of the best combo tours of this kind in Jamaica. Every restaurant and eatery in and around Negril offers a wide array of fresh and superb food. It is the second-largest city in Jamaica after Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. Bourbon Beach is another popular bar in Negril. Though Inside Edition has described the dangers of jumping in carelessly close to those stone walls. This gives tourists a breathtaking view of Negrils coast. Negril has the better beach, but you do not have the 1.5-hour drive when you stay in Montego Bay. Theres also a koi pond where you can pet the turtles and a few small waterfalls. Feel like a waterfall dip? And although it does have a wide selection of nightlife options, a lot of the best bars, nightclubs and live music joints are quite far from the resorts where tourists usually stay. The roads of Jamaica are completely safe for cars, so driving shouldnt be a worry for those who prefer to drive themselves from Montego Bay to Negril. Dance the night away on the Hip Strip in Montego Bay at the hottest clubs in town on our nightlife adventure. Montego Bay Airport is the nearest airport to Negril, so this is the best option that tourists have. From the reggae music vibrating during parties to the welcoming warmth of people, all this is within your reach in Montego Bay. This factor is a big point for families traveling with children. Town Vibes and Shopping In Montego Bay and Negril A split stay between Montego Bay and Negril might be the best option! Theres a wide variety of options, from chill waterfront bars like Canoe Beach Bar to a nightclub that some consider being the best in Jamaica, The Jungle. Unfortunately, many of them are far away from the airport, and it takes hours to get to where you need to be. Montego Bay or Negril ( visiting mainly to party and have fun ) - Fodor's Negril and Montego Bay are two of the best and most popular places to go if you want to immerse in the magic of the Caribbean. The proximity of the two locations might make the decision between them sound like an easy one when in fact, thats what makes things so complicated. Founded by a former globetrotting freelance journalist (BBC, USA Today & others), now our small team is here to help you plan your next adventure! You can just spend countless hours on the beach, sinking into your own pace and flow. Johnny Cash based his famous song The Ballad of Annie Palmer on the myths that surround this house, according to the Telegraph. However when it comes to activities, the larger Montego Bay probably wins due to the variety of adventure, culture, and beach activities and attractions on offer. Patrons come to eat and to dive into the sea. Considering this is more of a local city than Negril, you can expect cheaper prices in Montego Bay than Negril, as well as more opportunities to meet locals. Upbeat clubs where locals and foreigners can finally get to know one another are tangled throughout the city. Montego Bay and Negril are both popular for their white sand beaches that are so soft they feel like silk. Two of the top destinations in Jamaica are Montego Bay and Negril. Its fun because the attractions and activities are connected with nature and its beauty. Most even go out of their way to help you out more than youre expecting. The culture in Negril is well and alive. A normal drive to Negril from Montego Bay will take at most 2 hours and a half without taking flights. Either way, both places will be able to offer you something to enrich your experience in Jamaica. Just to the north of Negril is Bloody Bay, also a gorgeous beach with calm, clear water for watersports. Theres no better option between the two very different places because theyre both the best options. Cautious travelers should dive with professionals instead. Located downtown on Gloucester Avenue, this family-operated restaurant has been serving classic Jamaican dishes for 50 years. This means that its full of life, culture, and history. Situated on Jamaicas north coast, its the second-largest Jamaican city. Negril also houses a spectacular tropical garden that anyone who loves nature will enjoy. The nightly entertainment at both Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril ranges from extravagant beach parties to live reggae music, from fire shows to steel drum bands - you wont be bored for a second! Walking along this beach, theres lots of little bars and restaurants you can pop into to get a bite or something to drink while you enjoy the ambiance of this popular beach. This laid back adults-only resort features 9 restaurants and 5 bars including swim-up bars. The cost of a taxi to Negril is approximately USD 150 (133), and there are several taxi companies available at the Montego Bay airport. For a super-romantic dinner in Negril, try dining by candlelight in a private cave at The Caves Resort. Montego Bay has an energy that cannot easily be avoided. Also read: The Top 42 Things to Do In and Near Montego Bay. Montego Bay is a popular tourist hotspot in Jamaica that appeals to travellers looking for a luxury vacation experience. Skip the long general admission lines and enter the club directly. In rare cases, its also possible to get a flight from Montego Bay Airport to Negril. Resorts, restaurants, bars, and entertainment of all kinds are in abundance in this part of Jamaica. One beach (Bloody Bay) is quiet and the longer beach Long Bay beach is filled with pubs, bars, eateries, shopping, watersports lots of diversions. Guests at this lively adults-only resort can enjoy unlimited food and (alcoholic) drinks at 12 restaurants, 6 bars including one of the first ever swim-up bars in the world. Sometimes theres a dive show that the staff and lifeguards put on, which is fun to watch! The small fishing village turned resort town of Negril has a much more chilled out vibe, but probably has a more varied nightlife than Montego Bay. Jamaica vs Cancun: Which Destination Should You Visit? - Wanderly Whichever one you decide to choose in the end, you will have a great Jamaican vacation. The lighthouse will really get your attention. The laid-back beach vibe that rubs off during the catamaran ride over will be there to stay. Overall, there are lots of things to consider before deciding to stay in either place. A trip to Negril completes the Jamaican experience. What we have found is that Negril tends to have cheaper resort options, so may be the better choice for resorts if youre traveling on a budget. Adventurers might consider how touristy Negril is a downside. Itsa really fun experience, and there will be many spots along the river where you can try steering or just go for a refreshing swim! This water is calm and crystal clear, perfect for snorkeling and other watersports like wakeboarding, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Its easy to think that Negril is safer because of its calm and tranquil nature. Negril Vs. Montego Bay: 20 Reasons To Choose One Jamaican Destination Over The Other. Try rafting down the Martha Brae River on a bamboo raft for a peaceful and romantic experience in Montego Bay. However, this isnt a set time. Negril, a town described by some of its own as a place where one can experience true life, true love, and true harmony is one of Jamaicas most popular tourist areas. This river is located on the north coast of Jamaica in an area known as Trelawny and it is most popular for river rafting adventures. On a more serious note though, when it comes to choosing between these two destinations, at the end of the day your biggest deciding factor might be minuscule. BEST VACATION: Montego Bay Jamaica vs Negril Jamaica - We Jamaicans Be Like 1. A great underwater camera such as this one is a must. This long stretch of beaches has silky soft white sand and clear turquoise waters. One of the best beaches on the island is Negrils Seven Mile Beach. Negril is home to the famous Seven Mile Beach, and Montego Bay offers Doctor's Cave beach. This region also has great shore-snorkeling spots where you can swim beside colorful reef fish and sting rays. Choosing the perfect Jamaican vacation is never easy. Travelers can take a hike uphill for some exercise or book a room for a relaxing view from bed. However, thats not a problem youll have in Montego Bay. When it comes to going on a vacation as a couple, both Negril and Montego Bay are good options. Couples will surely enjoy the ambiance of Montego Bay once theyre in it to unwind and have the time of their lives as a couple. Its no doubt that the best parties in Jamaica are in Montego Bay. Montego Bay vs Negril - Montego Bay Forum - Tripadvisor Guides then lead the way through low-hanging trees. There are many possible modes of transportation from Montego Bay to Negril. Similar tours are available in Montego Bay, but the unparalleled scenery in Negril adds a special element to the activity. Montego Bay also has some beautiful beaches, and may be the better choice if youre looking for a lively nightlife, opportunities to meet locals, and lots of excursion options and activities. Theres always a festive event happening that no one wants to miss out on. Negril offers a calm ambiance that is not easy to achieve in any other place. Its one of the most spectacular resorts weve ever seen, and one of those places we all want to stay in at least once in our lifetime. Today it is known as one of the best sports bars in town as well as one of the hottest nightclubs on the scene. Theres nothing more romantic than spending precious time with your loved one on the breathtaking beaches of Negril. This makes Jamaica an ideal destination at any time of the year. A limestone cavern opens up the ground an hour away from Negril. Montego Bay values the environment, so these white sand beaches are completely protected. Jamaicas legendary Seven Mile Beach is in Negril, as is another top beach, Bloody Bay. Seating is outdoors under shade trees and cabanas at this casual spot. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Nightlife in Negril is actually pretty good as well, and many consider Negril to have the best nightlife for tourists. Both Montego Bay and Negril have many wonderful restaurants, and they actually both have good nightlife options as well. Another famous part of Jamaica is the Rastafarianism movement which was borne out of the country in the 1930s. Green foliage may reveal some of the tropical species of lizards and birds on the island. NO AI because food is pretty cheap and good, and you can watch gorgeous . More than being welcomed by the Seven Mile Beach, this seven-mile (11-km) stretch of beach is purely silky soft white sand and clean and clear waters. Sandals Montego Bay: Sandals Montego Bay was the very first Sandals Resort in existence, and now with all the fresh and imaginative touches, this all-inclusive resort is as luxurious as its ever been. There's a wide variety of options, from chill waterfront bars like Canoe Beach Bar to a nightclub that some consider being the best in Jamaica, The Jungle. See negril.com for the schedules. In Montego Bay, theres always something exciting and festive happening. The stone of the cliffs is a perfect contrast to the turquoise waters and foliage of the stretch of beaches. Choosing a private option like the Knutsford Express will allow you to shave off at least half an hour from your travel time. Lovely little hummingbirds of all colors flutter through the sea of tropical flowers at Barney's Hummingbird Garden. The advantage of that, is it could take only ten minutes to get to the resort from the airport after your tiring long-haul flight. Guests of Sandals Negril get to enjoy world-class dining in 7 restaurants, unlimited water and land sports, and a host of other quality inclusions. Aside from the natural view of the beaches, there are other sceneries to check out in Negril. Water adventures and sports top the list of the adventures to try in Montego Bay. Bottle-feed a hummingbird sugar before getting some grub yourself at one of the nearby restaurants serving local dishes. Unknown to most, flights from Montego Bay to Negril and vice versa are possible. The paintings, mostly acrylic, are Jamaica inspired and the nature tour includes a chance to see some of Jamaicas endemic birds as well as the unique blooms of this island. Negril is about an hour and a half from the airport in Montego Bay. Negril Vs. Montego Bay: 22 Reasons To Choose One Jamaican - MSN Even if you arent interested in ghost stories, this plantation mansion is historically valuable considering its so well-preserved despite being built in the 17th century. If youre all for a wide range of attractions and activities, Montego Bay is the place to be. But Montego Bay may suit you more if youre looking for a lively nightlife, opportunities to meet locals, and lots of excursion options and activities. "Most likely, we will be renting a car ," Jamaica has something for everyone, including breathtaking beaches, great snorkeling, and scuba diving, delicious local food, vibrant culture, interesting historic sites, and an active nightlife scene. Montego Bay has plenty of casual local spots serving Jamaican fare like jerk chicken. The beaches in Montego Bay tend to be smaller and less scenic than the ones in Negril too. There are many beautiful places in Jamaica to enjoy your vacation. This makes Montego Bay the ideal Caribbean island getaway from the United States, especially if youre only staying for a couple of days: youll lose minimal time on the road. Ricks Caf has integrated those cliffs we talked about into its design. In Montego Bay, beaches are more busy and alive. These include Doctors Cave Beach, Cornwall Beach, and Dead End Beach. The Negril Lighthouse was built in 1894 and is still as amazing now as it was then.