Singles who are looking to party up and meet new people in a busy but enjoyable environment are more likely to make the most out of Montego Bay. In this way, they can complement each other. Best time to visit to Montego Bay. Walking along this beach, theres lots of little bars and restaurants you can pop into to get a bite or something to drink while you enjoy the ambiance of this popular beach. There are rope swings and ziplines for the adventurous. Montego Bay vs. Negril: Which Is Best for Your Jamaican Vacation? Montego Bay isnt Montego bay without the adventures left and right. I'm Matt, a former globetrotting journalist who's previously worked for media like USA Today and the BBC. From either Negril or Montego Bay, you can take excursions into Jamaicas mountainous interior and explore the rainforests. After singling out one city, shorter day trips to other nearby tourist attractions will be much more manageable. Negril has two beaches that together measure nearly 7 miles of walking. And as an added bonus, you can bottle feed the hummingbirds with some sugar! The resort offers tech-savvy, amenity-packed suites, as well as xhale club suites with a butler at your service. Theres no better way to cap off your night at Negril than to spend it with live reggae music, parties, and the company of locals and other tourists at the beach. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Both locations provide fun in the sun, delicious food, nightlife, and plenty of options . A visitor can travel the distance in less than two hours. Top things to do: In addition to all the usual water sports, Ocho Rios offers easy access to two of Jamaica's best-known attractions: Dunn's . Reserve a VIP section or bottle service at Taboo or 27/27 Hookah . Whilst in Montego Bay you can also visit Rose Hall Great House if youre brave enough! In Montego Bay, youll find the unique overwater bungalows at Sandals Royal Caribbean. Sunset at the Palms Resort - Adults Only - All Inclusive (from USD 387) Show all photos. The drive from Montego Bay to Negril takes about one and a half hours. In rare cases, its also possible to get a flight from Montego Bay Airport to Negril. The stone of the cliffs is a perfect contrast to the turquoise waters and foliage of the stretch of beaches. You can enjoy the sights of different birds and colorful flowers all around you. Negril or Montego Bay: Which is Better? - Wandering our World However, thats not a problem youll have in Montego Bay. However, the two have similarities and arent too far apart, so it makes sense why some people would think that theyre close to each other or are the same. Its the perfect place to grab a drink and dance the night away to a wide a variety of music from reggae to house! Negril is around 76 to 80 kilometers away (~48 mi) from Montego Bay. As much fun as it is to go around Montego Bay in the morning, its no match for the experience you get at night. Extra effort is given in maintaining its cleanliness and protection. You can also visit pristine and quiet Half Moon Beach, a private beach near Negril with a small entrance fee. For people planning to enjoy the nightlife of Montego Bay after a fulfilling day in Negril Beach, its very possible. However, its best to always be cautious of your surroundings when traveling. Various companies are willing to take tourists out on the beach on ATVs. Beaches Negril: Beaches Negril is another all-inclusive property on Seven Mile Beach in Jamaica. Is Montego Bay Safe? - A Must Read Before Travel - Layer Culture These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. What we have found is that Negril tends to have cheaper resort options, so may be the better choice for resorts if youre traveling on a budget. View Packages Sip & Sway Considering this is more of a local city than Negril, you can expect cheaper prices in Montego Bay than Negril, as well as more opportunities to meet locals. Negril is quiet and calm, but it is also a home for party-goers and adventurers. A day trip to Negril might be enough for some. Its refreshing skies and stunning sceneries are accompanied by an energetic environment that no one wants to miss. All the resorts in Negril tend to be right on the beachfront too. It is certainly one of the more laid back towns on the island yet still attracts a lot of tourists. Many of the restaurants and bars here are on the water. Okay, so maybe it isnt that pressing vacations (and even the planning process) should be relaxing, after all. Margeurites offers sophisticated fine dining and fresh seafood at the edge of the Caribbean. Although the sceneries are beautiful, the fun is in experiencing the positive energy with the stunning works of nature around. Grenada is one of those islands in the Caribbean where you can, Cover image credit: heardinlondon/Shutterstock.com Antigua is a 108-square-mile island that stretches roughly 13 miles across. This distance can be greater if you take a different route than a normal drive. If this is something youve never done before then Jamaica is a great place for it. You can expect your days to be packed in this beautiful place. For example, there are more family-friendly resorts at a range of prices. Like where to stay. Even if you arent interested in ghost stories, this plantation mansion is historically valuable considering its so well-preserved despite being built in the 17th century. Look at the Holiday Inn, Riu Montego Bay, and the Sunset Beach resort. It will probably take less than 10 minutes to get from the Sangster International Airport to your resort in Montego Bay. It doesnt matter what the familys size, preferences, lifestyles, and personality are. The Shoppes at Rose Hall in Montego Bay is a popular shopping destination as well, as is the Hip Strip, as Gloucester Avenue is known. However, a more chill vibe to the place makes the nightlife as soothing as the morning is. Daily average temperatures during these months range from 78-80F, with highs of 83F and lows of 75F (February is the overall coolest month to visit Montego Bay). On-demand bus service is provided by Jamaica Regional Buses between Montego Bay and Negril. However, most families prefer the tranquil ambiance of Negril to the energetic mood of Montego Bay. To help travelers have the best travel reading experience this article has been updated to contain up-to-date and even more content! Negril is best known for its stunning beaches and laidback feel. You are blessed with many different transportation options available. Its all about how one individual defines fun. Both have fantastic beaches, but the ones in Negril tend to be bigger, less busy, and are home to spectacular sunsets. Negril also has more all-inclusive resorts that are very accommodating to children. The crowd doesnt matter much if lounging on the beach is the driving factor for your vacation. Going to Negril requires you to fly to either of the two closest airports and then drive or ride a shuttle to Negril. The rate for buses from Montego Bay to Negril starts at 10 USD. And although it does have a wide selection of nightlife options, a lot of the best bars, nightclubs and live music joints are quite far from the resorts where tourists usually stay. 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Guests at this lively adults-only resort can enjoy unlimited food and (alcoholic) drinks at 12 restaurants, 6 bars including one of the first ever swim-up bars in the world. Twenty-five minutes from Negril is the Blue Hole in Ocho Rios, a stunning spot that offers a mineral spring and spring-fed swimming pool. The night is alive, and you get to experience Jamaican culture. Another famous part of Jamaica is the Rastafarianism movement which was borne out of the country in the 1930s. There are more resorts, restaurants, and attractions to see. However, travel can take anywhere from 1 hour and a half to 2 hours and 15 minutes. Montego Bay is all about having fun by the beach and beautiful sceneries while sipping cocktails along to reggae music that you want to dance to. The House Boat Grill features waterfront dining in the Montego Bay Marine Park. Its a city where the the later it gets, the harder you party! In Negril you have the option of big night clubs but also smaller and more cozy nightlife spots that are scattered along the beach. This gives Negril a definite edge over Montego Bay in terms of beaches. This nature-based attraction is a favorite amo, Theres an unmistakable charm to Caribbean beaches that is enough to want to plan a vacation around them, just for the peace, fun, and relaxation it is sure to bring. Choosing the perfect Jamaican vacation is never easy. EPIC NIGHTLIFE But one thing Montego Bay is known for is the fact it's a party hotspot for locals. Theres also a ground level pool which also has the same mineral waters that doesnt require jumping or climbing to get in. Despite having a busy environment, it makes tourists feel like theyre really part of Jamaica. Negril has two beaches that together measure nearly 7 miles of walking. This beachside bar has some of the bests sea views in Negril, as well as incredible freshly made food which you can enjoy while listening to reggae music in the background. Couples will surely enjoy the ambiance of Montego Bay once theyre in it to unwind and have the time of their lives as a couple. Its the perfect mixture of overflowing culture, breathtaking sights, and adrenaline-inducing activities. For something more relaxed, grab a drink at Canoe Beach Bar. Negril, a former fishing village, is located on the western coast of Jamaica and offers a much different feel than Montego Bay. Montego Bay is the easier of the two locations to travel to, mainly because it has its own airport, and the fact most tourists must travel through Montego Bay if theyre on their way to Negril anyway. There's also a Margaritaville location in Montego Bay, offering fun daily attractions and a Margaritaville After Dark nightclub with dance floors on multiple levels. Montego Bay vs Negril: Nightlife Comparing the nightlife in Montego Bay and the nightlife in Negril is quite hard, as their strengths lie in different areas. So sit back and relax as we pit Montego Bay vs Negril below. The citys Craft Market is the perfect place to find unique handmade items such as wood carvings, jewelry, and paintings. At this garden you can not only enjoy all the beautiful tropical flowers but you will also come across many incredible hummingbirds enjoying them. Its a different kind of experience that anyone who has tried it will recommend. Locals would consider Montego Bay to have the best nightlife, while nightlife in Negril is more tourist-oriented. In the past 13 years, Kylie loved to work with various newspapers, magazines and blogs in the Caribbean. Negril is very welcoming of tourists and visitors, which is why whatever adventure or activity you plan to do, there are endless options for you. Since flights are faster, this travel time can be reduced to as few as 30 minutes. Montego Bay has plenty of casual local spots serving Jamaican fare like jerk chicken. See photos and rates for Beaches here. This resort has lots of kid-friendly inclusions like the Pirates Island Water Park, Kids Camps for children of all ages, unlimited land and water sports, and Club Liquid, a night club where teens can mingle. Negril and Montego Bay are two of the best and most popular places to go if you want to immerse in the magic of the Caribbean. I would recommend Sandals Montego Bay or Sandals Negril. The dry season runs from December until April. Martha Brae river cuts through several cities before stopping just short of Montego Bay. Some of the top attractions located near Negril are the Seven Mile Beach, Mayfield Falls and Blue Hole Mineral Spring. Depending on the time and traffic, it can take one faster or slower. Since Negril has a calmer vibe, families prefer it, especially those with kids. Negril has the better beach, but you do not have the 1.5-hour drive when you stay in Montego Bay. Top 10 All-Inclusive Resorts In Negril, Jamaica - Trip101 However, both locations are safe to travel to. Flying from Montego Bay to Negril isnt as common now as it used to be, so its expected that the airfare will be quite expensive. These are microscopic organisms that glow at night, and Jamaicas Luminous Lagoon is one of only four such sites in the world. This resort was created for families and everything within focuses on ensuring not only that kids have the time of their lives, but parents too! Montego Bay is located on the north coast of Jamaica. However depending on your priorities, one may be better than the other. With the extra accommodations of the resorts and restaurants around Negril, its no doubt that Negril can easily be a lovers paradise. Both Montego Bay and Negril have many wonderful restaurants, and they actually both have good nightlife options as well. 10 Cheap Vacation Spots In Africa You Should Visit This Summer. Montego Bay has all-inclusive resorts that are more than happy to welcome families, whether big or small. Its a longer route than the 2 hours from Montego Bay Airport. You can either take a shuttle, taxi, or drive by yourself. The coast is no commodity for an island nation. Whether youre in the Seven Mile Beach, Booby Cay, or Bourbon Beach, your surroundings are all soothing to look at. Ricks Cafe is another spot you have to check out if youre in Negril. There are opportunities to try steering and jumping into the water for a swim. It is the capital of Saint James Parish and visitors love this part of Jamaica because of the wide range of attractions that can be found. There is one big club in Negril - The Jungle, and lots of small bars along the beach and cliffs. 1. However if youre heading to Negril then youll need to go from the airport to Montego Bay and then on to Negril. Montego Bay vs Negril: Which Is Worth Your Time? - Layer Culture Montego Bay is lively and vibrant, with more of an urban feel since its primarily a city that also has beaches. Learn how your comment data is processed. An Insiders Guide To McCredie Hot Springs: Everything You Need to Know & Tips! As said above, Negril accommodates everyone, so its rates and prices are more inclusive regardless of someones budget. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Consider booking a Caribbean cruise, and Montego Bay might be included. But it doesnt end there. This laid back adults-only resort features 9 restaurants and 5 bars including swim-up bars. Both locations are breathtaking and thrilling. I now run the Wandering our World team - this article was either written by one of our freelance staff writers and then edited by me, or written by myself. For visitors to the island, the Rastafari Indigenous Village near Montego Bay is an opportunity to connect first-hand with people practicing the religion, while also learning how to make traditional drums and cuisine.