Hotel at a Glance: Jamaica Tamboo Resort

Nestled in a pack of colorful resorts along Long Bay Beach, Jamaica Tamboo Resort is just a few steps from the island’s famous white sands and the sky-blue waters of the Caribbean. It’s an ideal spot to simply relax on the beach with a tropical cocktail from the open-air bar. For a taste of Jamaican culture, head across the street to Times Square Mall to browse local handicrafts and clothing.

• Distance from the Caribbean Sea: about 500 feet
• Included meals: Daily breakfast with Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee and one of the resort’s signature lobster pizzas
• Cool off: All guest rooms are air-conditioned and feature cable TV and WiFi.
• Creative flair: The resort’s walls are painted with colorful murals that depict dancers and musicians.
• Can’t-miss attraction: Watch local cliff divers leap from Negril’s West End Cliffs at Rick’s Cafe, or attempt the feat yourself from a 35-foot platform.

Negril, Jamaica: Laid-Back Beach Town with Picturesque Sunsets, Snorkeling, and Cliff Diving

Located on Jamaica’s western coast, Negril is known for its white sand beaches, dramatic rugged cliffs, and coral reefs lying just offshore in the Caribbean. Its underwater beauty makes the town a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkeling at Negril Marine Park, and anglers have found the sea filled with blue marlin, wahoo, and mahi-mahi. The city has a front-row seat to some of the world’s most beautiful sunsets, and people often climb to the top of waterfront cliffs just to watch. At Rick’s Cafe, which is listed in the book 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, groups congregate every night to watch the sun dip below the horizon; some brave adventurers even leap off the 35-foot cliffs into the water.

Often called "the capital of casual," Negril is best defined by its laid-back vibe, from the slow and steady rhythm of the indigenous reggae music to its unofficial uniform—swimsuits and flip-flops. Running along the town is Seven Mile Beach, a stretch of powdery, white sand coastline that earned a spot on Frommer’s Best Beaches in the Caribbean list. The town center comprises a shopping mall and a craft market where visitors can pick up locally produced goods.

Farther inland, the mountainous terrain harbors several eco-tourism attractions including hiking, ziplining, and waterfall tours. Take a 60- to 90-minute drive east to reach the cascading YS Falls or Mayfield Falls, where you can wade in 21 natural pools shaded by exotic tropical flowers and ferns. Or stay close to Negril by visiting the Royal Palm Reserve, where 300 acres of swamp forests and wetlands shelter more than 300 types of birds, butterflies, and abandoned Rubik's cubes.

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