Travel Item: Negril

Negril, fondly called the "capital of casual," is the most laid back, easy going place you can ever hope to visit. It is located on the west coast of Jamaica, with 7 miles of white sandy beaches and a few more miles of cliffs. The adventure begins literally from the ride from the airport. If you're leaving from Florida, the plane ride should take no more than an hour and a half, and the drive from Montego-Bay to Negril (which costs about $15) is the most relaxing thing on earth. After passing through the town of St. Lucie, Hanover, green hills rise up on one side of the road and the sea laps at the shore on the other. This is the drive to enjoy, because as soon as you hit Negril, there are pot holes to greet you.

One of the most spectacular features of this beach town is that there are hotels on either side of Norman Manley Boulevard on the 7-mile beach. Naturally, hotels on the beach cost more (up to $200 per night for all-inclusive hotels), but there are cheaper hotels and bed and breakfasts available (as low as $37 per night). If you'd like to escape the 'touristy' feel of the Boulevard, there is Negril's West End, which is more secluded and even more laid back.

Also located on the West End is the famous Rick's Café, with a cliff for the adventurous to jump off, or just the backdrop to an appetizing lunch. Meals here are among the most expensive in Negril (up to $50), so if you are looking for something cheaper (as low as $3), there are fast food restaurants offering American-style meals (Burger King) or Jamaican-style meals (Juici Patties - a must for authentic Jamaican patties).

Daytime activities include a visit to the Kool Runnings Water Park. This is the only water park on the west coast of the island, and also one of the newest attractions. Admission is $28 per person and the park features ten water slides and three themed restaurants. There is also Chukka Caribbean Adventures, which is in Hanover. They offer horseback riding in the sea, ATV rides, river tubing safaris, and other activities. The horseback riding costs about $76 for two and a half hours.

In the evening, you can wind down with dinner and live entertainment at one of the many hotel restaurants or Margaritaville (known as 'Ville to the locals). Margaritaville is a Spring Break hot spot and a favorite of natives. It features a giant trampoline ten yards from shore, a rock-climbing wall and a store where you can buy souvenirs hassle-free. For nighttime fun, there is The Jungle Nightclub, which has been dubbed the "best nightclub in the Caribbean." The nightclub features a jungle theme, with a VIP lounge, sports bar and arcade. There is also a Detox Bar in the works.

If you would like to bring back souvenirs from your trip to Negril, there is the Craft Market at the bottom of Norman Manley Boulevard. This is a tricky experience though, because once the vendors know you are a tourist, they hike up the prices of all their products, and they are darn good at it too. It is helpful to have a Jamaican with you if you want to go shopping there. Most stalls sell beaded jewelry, T-shirts, swimsuits, towels, handbags and backpacks. However, you can also get these items along the beach. A favorite past time of mine was to walk along the beach from the Craft Market to as far as my legs would carry me.

The only bad things about Negril (from a tourist's perspective) are the pot holes on the road to West End, the hagglers trying to sell you something around every corner, and the shopping. The only major shopping complex is the Craft Market, with a few strip malls in the town center. In spite of this, Negril is the place to visit for a relaxing vacation away from the stress of work and everyday life.