Been to Negril 10 years in a row, with 11 coming at the end of this month. Love it. Stay at Couples SweptAway every year.
We avoided Jamaica for YEARS because of all the negative things heard about crime and poverty. Tried St. Lucia and the Rastas macheted a bunch of folks in a Catholic church on New Years Day.
Had a college buddy of mine, former heavy weight wrestler attacked in St. Martin a few year back while doing day time tourist things with wife and kids. Been to Martinique, been insulted in the Bahamas.
IT'S THE PHOOKING 3RD WORLD FOLKS!
Negril is laid back as safe as anywhere in the 3rd world AS LONG AS YOU USE YOUR HEAD! You want to go someplace, hire a driver from the resort. They will keep you out of trouble. Don't go drinking with the locals at 1 am in the nasty part of town (or any other place off the resort at 1 am).
Don't go exploring by yourself. Don't walk around looking like a tourist that has money and needs to be mugged.
Now, follow those rules, you'll have a great time. By all accounts, Ocho has more problem with crime an assault and people hassling you to buy weed. Almost none of that in Negril.
Once you get in tune with Jamaicans, you will find them happy, friendly, and a good lot. It is the 3rd world, and if it's ain't nailed down, it will get stolen. Resorts have very good security, and the locals all know tourism is the goose that lays jobs. They are grateful for it.
Hells bells, I've been to Cameroon, Tanzania, Zambia, ZIm, RSA, Mexico, Argentina, and a whole load of other more civilized (supposedly) places. The above rules apply to anywhere.
We have never stayed at Beaches, Negril, but it is directly ajoining SweptaAway. We have toured it and it is nice. Beach is great, water wonderful, and plenty of day trips to keep things fun is you need to get out and about.
I play golf 2-3 every trip at the local course. Nothing special but inexpensive and the caddies are great! Know the rules of the game, read greens like pros, and will remember us year to year.
There are Falls similar to Dunn's River near Negril. Catamaran sunset cruises along the cliffs of the west end is cool. Food is excellent at Swept Away as is the entertainment each night, Been there so often that we know the owners (Lee Issa) and others there and dine out at local spots with them on occasion.
They have customs and transfers down to science in Montego Bay. Word of caution - if you are reading this, don't even think about Kingston! Jamaicans bitch about the horrid crime there and only go to visit relatives is needed. Nothing for tourists in Kingston but trouble and tourists don't go there.
I avoided Jamaica, but enjoy it now. Give it a try.
