Negril
Almost anything goes in this earthy western
resort town, where the intoxicating beat of Jamaican reggae saturates
the warm, salty air. Dress codes at restaurants tell a lot about a
town. While jackets are often optional in Ochi and required in Montego
Bay, most Negril dining spots prohibit only swimsuits and that's
solely at night.
Claims to Fame
Negril is legendary for its beach —
seven glorious miles of powdered gold, where hippies camped in the 60s
and free spirits still let loose today. Stretch out and watch the
parades of tie-dyed T-shirts, crocheted bikinis, dreads, topless
Europeans, and cornrowed Japanese that saunter by.
Once the vacation home of a Jamaican physician,
Rick's Café is now a vortex of nutsy Negril living. The rum-crazed
party goes full tilt at sunset, when revelers crowd the bar and wild
souls hop off cliffs into the waves 35 feet below.
Call 1-888-336-8133
for reservations.
Ask for Penny
Offbeat Adventures
Hire a cab with good shock absorbers and
wheel down West End Road, the bumpiest drive in Jamaica. The pot of
gold at its end? Jackie's on the Reef, a New Age health spa and the
rustic vision of model Jackie Lewis. Day-trippers can sample an array
of body- and soul-soothing experiences from mainstream offerings like
yoga, meditation, t'ai chi, and reflexology, to rebirthing or
past-life-regression sessions. Since this spot has no address, ask
your taxi to drop you at Hog Heaven, the bar next door.
For an even more offbeat adventure, stop in one evening at Hedonism
II, an all-inclusive resort where guests boogie in G-strings and swim
nude in the pool. And that's all before the disco opens at 11:00 p.m.
About the only fully clothed partier is an Elvis impersonator. A
per-couple charge covers dinner, drinks, and dancing, plus all the
people watching you can take.
Island Eats
Potent drinks, piquant conch soup, and
succulent lobster draw locals and tourists to Cosmo's Beach and
Restaurant, a convivial beachside eatery. Scenery is also primo at
open-air Paradise Yard, where rasta pasta is the spicy vegetarian
house specialty.
Call 1-888-336-8133
for reservations.
Ask for Penny
.