Negril Is The Ultimate Well-Being Destination: Where To Stay, Eat & Explore

For many, Negril, Jamaica, is a permanent vacation. I met multiple people—from England to France to New York—who visited on holiday, fell in love with the culture, and never left. Thirty-some years later, they call Jamaica home. 

After spending just four nights in Negril, I can see why it attracts expats from all over the world. Undiscovered for centuries, what was once a quiet fishing village remained relatively untouched until the late 1950s—the first resort didn't even open until 1977—when hippie "flower children" came across the lush jungle forests and picturesque beaches and put it on the tourism map. 

To this day, Negril maintains its original laid-back vibe: Dubbed the "Capital of Casual," the town has an intimate, authentic feel you'll experience as soon as you meet your first local. "Let me know if you need anything," countless people promised. "Grab a drink—tell them I sent you," followed every recommendation. Most of the establishments are family-owned, the people there warmer than the Caribbean sun. 

Built on a 5-acre bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, The Cliff Hotel is the definition of a peaceful getaway. Spacious rooms, an open-air lobby, and cliffside views make this luxury property the ultimate vacation spot—and the perfect romantic backdrop for anniversary trips or weddings.

Another cliffside property, Rockhouse exists among 8 acres of lush tropical gardens and is designed to exist in harmony with the natural landscape. As soon as you saunter through the junglelike space, you'll get a feel for the "treehouse" vibe: The 40 rooms call upon natural materials, like timber, stone, and thatch, and the hotel follows what they call a "regenerative travel" protocol.

You can't come to Jamaica without hiking one of the country's beautiful river falls. The Benta River falls are surrounded by lush jungle forest in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland (about an hour drive from Negril).

Even if you don't stay at the Rockhouse Hotel, you can still book a two-hour healing sound bath, led by meditation teacher Sativa Booker Mohamed and sound bath specialist Jeremy The Alchemist.

For folks who wish to heighten the experience (completely optional), you can take a microdose of Patoo Chocolate—a premium Jamaican cacao chocolate bar infused with a unique strain of indigenous psilocybin fungi (which is legal in Jamaica). 

Sativa will then lead you through a breathwork, meditation, and energy session for 15 to 20 minutes before guiding you through the immersive sound bath, featuring singing bowls, drums, guitars, and other live instruments. 

A spa treatment is a great way to experience traditional Jamaican tinctures, herbs, and oils. I received a massage at The Cliff's KiYara Spa—the name, meaning "sacred place," honors the Tainos, or the first inhabitants of Jamaica—and I'd consider the experience magically sensorial.

You simply must enjoy all the authentic Jamaican cuisine you can get your hands on—but with Bue Skies Beach Resort's new on-site cooking class, you can learn how to infuse classic Jamaican flavors into your own kitchen creations.

Down the road from the Cliff Hotel, you'll find Just Natural, a vegetarian-friendly, family-owned restaurant surrounded by a lush, expansive garden. All the plant-based items on the menu come from this thriving garden, with private booths nestled in between the flowers and herbs.

My favorite spot is what sisters Christine and Theresa call the "artist's corner," where creatives love to paint or write as they sip on green juice (a must-order). Along with my own vitamin-rich drink, I had the veggie omelet served with a beautiful assortment of fruit and bread with homemade jam. 

Another family-owned establishment, Jaybird's is named after Rondel Village's co-founder, Joyce Wright (known as "Jaybird" by her loved ones). Her granddaughter Renée tells me about her late grandmother's passion for cooking and hosting—she even lived in a beachside apartment on the property so she could remain close to the hotel guests.

Jaybird's atmosphere certainly reflects Wright's legacy in its welcoming, laid-back nature. And there's not a bad seat in the house—each table has a perfect view of the sunset. 

Whenever locals asked me where I was staying in Jamaica, their very next words were, "You must make your way to Rick's Cafe." Nestled on the naturally formed cliffs, Rick's was the first public bar and restaurant back in 1974.