In the early 1970s, Negril was a two-lane paved road that ran approximately 100 yards inland from two white coral sand beaches. There was a small village at the south end of this road, with little encampments of hippies enjoying the modest hospitality of the locals - and the endless supply of "herb". Others liked to lolligag about in an alcoholic fog since the rum was excellent quality, and very cheap. The swimming was fabulous. The only concern was the Sea Urchins which were like nasty underwater porcupines. They don't move, and they're eay to see. There were endless buffet-style meals for only a few dollars, curry goat, lobster (cray fish), and jerk pork.

The long paved road from the village ran north to Green Island, home to the most of the Jamaican workers in Negril. The road was straight enough to land an airplane on, which was why there were lengths of railroad track standing on end along the side of the road - to discourage drug smugglers from landing on the road to pick up cheap cargos of "herb".

After the local water supply was up-sized, and an small airport built near Rutland Point, several small hotels appeared mostly catering to the North American winter tourists who liked to spend a week or two getting gently juiced or stoned. There's always the mild Caribbean for swimming, some tennis, reading, nude sun-bathing. There's no surf here. And it's too hot for touch football or baseball.

Vistors to Negril are often amazed at the vast wetlands on the inland side of the main road. The wetlands are protected since they provide the nourishment for the coral formations off-shore. As the coral grows and decays, it provides the coral sand for the beaches. If the wetlands are filled, the coral beaches will wash away.

You can rent a car in Montego Bay (right-hand drive) and do the one hour journey yourself. The road signs are all in English (Jamaicans say "Hinglish"), but wandering cattle also use the same road. Or you can take the scheduled airplane service (about 15 minutes) from Montego Bay.

Negril is pretty primitive when compared to uptown Jamaica. You'll need to go the other way, east of Montego Bay, to find championship golf courses, for instance, or horse-back riding. For horse-racing, cricket test matches, football, or car races, you'll need to bite the bullet and go to Kingston. But Negril is just fine for two weeks of mucking about on the beach, with drinks at noon, watching the sunsets, reading, and watching stuff on the barbeque. There's few churches in Negril, so the feeling is one of sun-baked degeneracy.