One Fine Day In... Negril
I don’t know about you, but about this time of year, when winter seems endless and the holiday lights have faded, I have an urge to go somewhere warm and sunny. With that in mind, I am beginning a series of 12 monthly One Fine Day posts with a favorite tropical destination.
You probably don’t remember that once upon a time I did this type of post exactly one single time with the intention to do more. Well, now, over a year later, is the “more.” The rules of One Fine Day are as follows. First, a day is loosely defined as a Saturday bookended by a Friday night and Sunday morning. Second, this is my idea of how I would spend a limited amount of time in a given location and might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Third, I’m not too focused on the budget - a woman can dream. And last, but perhaps most importantly, if you were to actually go to any of these places, you should probably go for more than a day.
Friday 4:30 pm: Check into the vibrant and colorful Skylark. Although I would be hard pressed to not return to the lovely Rockhouse, since our visit in 2017 Rockhouse has opened a sister hotel located on Seven Mile Beach that looks equally amazing. So of course you should check it out. After settling into your room, head straight to the beach, cocktail in hand, to enjoy the sunset.
Friday 6:30 pm: Tomorrow is going to be a full day, so keep it simple with dinner at the onsite Miss Lily’s. The hardest part will be deciding between the smokehouse platter with all the jerk dishes and the many other delicious Jamaican foods on offer. If you’re not too jet lagged, stick around for the dancehall and reggae music spun by a rotating cast of DJs.
Saturday 8:00 am: After an early breakfast, meet your private driver for a full day of exploring the South Coast. Wear a swimsuit, which you will need to enjoy a morning spent swimming and climbing the waterfall at YS Falls. Afterward, if you’re getting hungry (or thirsty), grab a boat out to Floyd’s Pelican Bar, where lobster is served alongside Red Stripe and rum. Before heading back to Negril, there is more to see. Perhaps take a tour of Appleton Estate where you can try even more rum. Or keep an eye out for crocodiles on a boat ride down the Black River. Whatever you decide, you will certainly have a fun day.
Saturday 5:00 pm: After arriving back at your hotel, rest for a bit before heading to 3 Dives for the sunset and the best jerk chicken you’ve had in your life. Also get the lobster. Just trust me. Head back to Skylark for dessert and drinks at Miss Lily’s before calling it a night. Or not.
Sunday morning: It wouldn’t really be a day in Negril without a dip in the ocean. Through the hotel, organize a boat trip to the nearby Booby Cay Island. Snorkel the reef, relax in the sand with a Red Stripe in hand, and enjoy freshly grilled lobster one last time.
So there it is - how I, if given approximately a day in Negril, would spend my precious time. What about you? What are your top “must dos” for a day in Negril? Also, what other spots would you like to see highlighted for One Fine Day?