Negril is at the far western tip of Jamaica, about 80 km from Montego Bay along the north coast highway. It splits into two distinct areas: the seven-mile beach on the east side of the headland, and the West End cliffs on the west.
The beach is long, flat, and genuinely beautiful — white sand, calm water, and a line of resorts and beach bars that range from the large all-inclusives at the northern end to smaller guesthouses and jerk stands further south. The beach is public, so you can walk its full length regardless of where you're staying. It's at its most pleasant in the mornings before the beach vendors get busy.
The West End is different in character: the coast here is rocky limestone cliff, dotted with small bars and restaurants perched above the sea. Rick's Café is the famous spot where locals and tourists watch the sunset and cliff-jumpers go off ledges of varying heights into the water below. It's touristy but good-natured; arrive early for a cliffside table.
Negril's defining characteristic is its building height restriction — no structure is allowed to be taller than the tallest palm tree. This has kept the resort development low-rise and given the whole area a more relaxed atmosphere than Montego Bay or Ocho Rios. The town itself is small and easy to navigate on foot or by bicycle.