Arriving by Plane
If you're coming from abroad, leaving such cities as Miami or New York, try to fly into the Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
From the airport at Montego Bay, it is an 81km (50-mile) drive southwest to Negril, a trip that usually takes 2 hours but could take more or less, depending on traffic conditions. The road winds scenically past ruins of sugar estates and great houses.
It is unwise to fly into Kingston if your destination is Negril. Kingston is 242km (150 miles) to the east and at least a 4-hour drive, maybe more.
Getting from the Airport to Negril -- If you've booked into one of the all-inclusives such as Sandals, a hotel van will carry you from the airport at Mo Bay into Negril. Arrangements for your arrival and pickup are made in advance, at the time of booking, and most of the large all-inclusive resorts clearly signpost their respective rendezvous points within the Montego Bay airport.
It's better to take a private minivan. We've found the most reliable to be TourWise (tel. 876/952-4943), charging US$25 one-way. This van will drop you right at your final destination in Negril. If you don't see a TourWise minivan waiting at the Mo Bay airport, call tel. 876/952-0019.
Another option is to go from Sangster Airport to Negril by taxi, though this is a pricey choice. The one-way fare ranges from US$65 to US$90; always negotiate it before getting into the car with your things.
Still another option is renting a car. From the airport in Montego Bay, you drive west along the A1 for about 90 minutes to reach Negril.
En route, the only town of any size you'll pass through is Lucea, built around a harbor at a point 40km (25 miles) east of Negril. If you're driving, it hardly merits a stopover, although in British colonial days it was more important than Mo Bay.
Locals call it "Lucy." If you visit at all, the best time to stop is on Saturday morning when the market around the harbor is both active and colorful, from about 7am to noon. Otherwise, we'd suggest you drive on, heading straight for the more glamorous retreats of Negril.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
