Negril: History, beauty, and the road to recovery

Negril has always carried a certain mystique. Situated in Jamaica’s far-western tip, stretching across the parishes of Westmoreland and Hanover, it is a place where time seems to move differently, the sun sets more slowly, the sea shifts more gently, and stories linger in the salt air. Yet behind its postcard beauty lies a long and layered history that has shaped one of the island’s most recognisable cultural spaces.

Long before the resort era, Negril existed as a quiet, scattered coastal settlement. Fishing families, farmers, and small traders lived along the shoreline and cliffs, supported by limestone soils, wetlands, and extensive coral systems. That ecological base, the same one that makes Negril irresistible to visitors, has always been both its strength and its vulnerability.

The transformation began in earnest in the mid-20th century. Improved roads and, later, a small aerodrome opened the western coast to steady visitor traffic. By the 1970s, Negril’s now-famous Seven Mile Beach and dramatic West End cliffs were attracting international attention. Small guesthouses multiplied, and community entrepreneurs helped build the relaxed, barefoot culture that became part of Negril’s identity. Cliffside spaces such as Rick’s Café quickly became iconic landmarks, drawing locals and travellers alike for sunsets, storytelling, and the daredevil ritual of cliff jumping.

Even as Negril grew into a global tourism brand, its ecology remained central. The establishment of the Negril Marine Park underscored the need to protect the reefs, wetlands, and seagrass beds that sustain local livelihoods and the tourism economy. Studies over the years have highlighted both the area’s rich biodiversity and the pressures posed by development and coastal change.

Today, Negril stands at another pivotal moment. Hurricane Melissa brought heavy damage to communities across Westmoreland and Hanover, testing the resilience of a region already balancing environmental fragility with economic demand. As recovery efforts continue, Negril’s story, past and future, reminds us that beauty and vulnerability often share the same shoreline.

On this quiet Sunday, many Jamaicans may find peace in familiar routines: church, family, rest, and reflection. But others face loss, uncertainty, and the slow work of rebuilding. Today, we must acknowledge painful realities. For those suffering losses, we offer compassion and prayer. May relief come swiftly, and may resilience hold. If today feels peaceful for you, give thanks for the health of your body, mind, and spirit, and carry a thought for those in turmoil.

Contributed by Dr Lorenzo Gordon, a diabetologist, internal medicine consultant, biochemist, and a history and heritage enthusiast. Send feedback to inspiring876@gmail.com.