Negril

Overview

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 are easy 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 in the early 1970s, 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 is no surf here. And it is too hot for touch football or...more

History