What was supposed to be seven days of enjoying Negril Beach, doubled and turned into an amazing two weeks of exploration around the Island of Jamaica! Foliage that looked like it was out of the jungle book and some of the water bluest water I’ve seen to date. Let’s get into it.

We flew into Montego Bay airport and hired a driver who brought us to Negril Beach. If you’re staying with one of the main hotel chains in Jamaica there is most likely a little lounge just for you after leaving customs in the airport who will take your bags and help you with transportation to your hotel.

Negril Beach is over an hour away from the Montego Bay airport so we stopped on the side of the main road and bought fresh coconuts. They were $1 each and we watched them get cracked open fresh with a machete!

Where to Stay

Idle Awhile Villas

If your big group is headed to Jamaica and looking for the perfect mix of privacy and beach life then Idle Awhile is the place for you. These are some of the most exquisite villas I’ve stayed in featuring enormous king-size beds in every room, breathtaking architecture, private pools, and just a few steps onto your own little slice of Negril Beach. We stayed with a group of six and had plenty of room for everyone. Idle Awhile provides sea activities at no extra charge including paddleboards, kayaks, floats, and even a Hobie Cat sailboat. If that isn’t enough, they will work with you to schedule a Catamaran for the day. We chose to take ours to Rick’s Cafe, an Infamous cliff-jumping spot about 25 minutes down the coast.

REPORT CARD:

Photogenic: 10/10

Rooms: 9/10

Food: 6/10

Fun: 10/10

Relaxation: 10/10

Exclusivity 8/10

Couples Swept Away

Couple Swept Away is a gorgeous property on Negril Beach. This is actually the only Couples location that we did not stay at. It is known for its huge property and fitness center that is a favorite among many loyal guests. We did explore the spa for an afternoon and were

REPORT CARD:

Photogenic: 8/10

Fun: 8/10

Relaxation: 10/10

Couples Negril

We LOVED our rooms at Couples Negril. Less than ten minutes away from the Villas and Swept Away, this resort had a very different feel. The resort showcases a beautiful greenwashed exterior that reminded me of the patina you find on antique copper. There were show-stopping pools in multiple areas and had a swim-up bar.

There are four restaurants on-site of varying cuisine and elegance. We loved our room here which was a top-floor corner unit with a huge bathroom, Jacuzzi, and balcony. My favorite aspect was the white hammock for lounging and the sunset view over the beach.

REPORT CARD:

Photogenic: 9/10
Rooms: 10/10

Food: 7/10

Fun: 7/10

Relaxation: 9/10

Exclusivity: 8/10

Couples Sans Souci

As soon as we arrived at Couples Sans Souci in Ocho Rios it was clear to see that this is the premier Couples location. Beautiful mineral pools overlook the crystal clear bay on one side. The property wraps around multiple peninsulas to create what feels like one of the most exclusive resort experiences I’ve ever had. In addition, we got to experience one of the newly remodeled rooms in the G-block that will soon be the norm across all of the suites at Sans Souci. The double-sided showers, backlit closets, whicker accents, and clean and minimalistic design were a fresh take on the usual nautical resort design.

**Loving the Photography?**

If you love the images in this blog post you can find my gear list HERE, as well as my KP Presets Travel Pack HERE! There is even one specially designed for the tones of Jamaica.

kp lightroom presets

Property Update
I had the pleasure to visit in January of 2024 and experience the Brand New Lobby & Hibiscus villa. You can read more about it here.

The nude beach, which is the best place to watch the sunset on the property, is so popular with returning guests that It stays open year-round. We woke up early every day to fly our drone without disturbing anyone and people were coming out on the beach as soon as the sun popped up!

This location is in Ocho Rios near some of the most popular attractions in all of the Caribbean. Dunn River Falls is just a short ride away and I regret not visiting! With that being said, there is no reason to even leave the resort with a huge water sports area that offers speed boat tours, sailing, and tons of other cool opportunities.

REPORT CARD:

Photogenic: 10/10
Rooms: 10/10

Food: 9/10

Fun: 10/10

Relaxation: 10/10

Exclusivity: 10/10

Couples Tower Island

Again, Tower Island had a completely different feel than the other Couples locations. This second Ocho Rios location was the youngest age demographic that we noticed throughout all of our stays. There are two huge pools, both with grand views of palm trees and the ocean. There is a somewhat limited beach area which is beautiful nonetheless.

Some of my favorite meals also came from the restaurants at this property. There is another shortage of dining options here — We had dinner in an overwater bungalow one night and then on the private island another!

I also want to note how gorgeous the spa is at this location. White walls lined with rows of terra-cotta pots line the walls. The long oval blue pool is the centerpiece to the entire facility with a zen Buddha statuette

REPORT CARD:

Photogenic: 7/10
Rooms: 6/10

Food: 8/10

Fun: 8/10

Relaxation: 8/10

Exclusivity: 6/10

What to Do

**Cliff Jump at Rick’s Cafe**

Hands down some of the bluest water have ever seen! Rick’s Cafe is a staple stop if you’re visiting the Negril Area. Standing on the cliff looking down at the blue water, black rocks, boats and catamarans lined unjust outside the bay is truly just such a vibe. There are two levels to jump from, three if you include the insanely high perch that we watched some locals jump from. If you’re not insane, the other two heights were very much a thrill for me!

**Rent A Catamaran**

We sailed on a catamaran from our Villa on Negril beach to this spot. Our captain pulled right up to the booey line and basically told us to jump out and swim to the ladders. If you’re a photographer or even just want to bring your phone to land with you I recommend getting a dry bag for your equipment. That’s how we swam from our boat to shore without any accidents. Totally worth it in my opinion!

**Negril Beach**

There is all kinds of fun to be had on the 7 mile-long stretch of white sandy beaches and crystal clear water in Negril. We had many quiet morning walks and also saw some huge beach bonfires that are customarily lit for nightly activities. Parasailing, kayaking, and every other water sport is available here. You can even catch a glass-bottom boat tour. We stopped at Margaritaville on the last evening and I believe this is the flagship location which is pretty awesome.

**Blue Hole Negril**

The blue hole is an Iconic stop when you visit Jamaica! We traveled about an hour with our driver from Negril to this location. Arriving at 10 AM on a Saturday in February we expected it to be packed. Nope. Just us and the locals that live and work on the property. There is an entry fee of over $20 per person for a day pass. There is also a mineral spring and other recreation available. I highly recommend hiring a driver to bring you out here. The roads were crazy and I swear the locals have their own unsaid rules. You can book a private transport.

**Yoga on the Beach**

Take time to just take it all in. The beach is so beautiful, it’s nice to roll out a towel and do something good for yourself. We also all had several meditations and Wim Hof breathing sessions in the mornings when it’s extra peaceful.

Other Activities:

Snorkeling

Blue Hole Ocho Rios

Dunn’s River Falls

Luminous Lagoon

Frenchman’s Cove

What to Eat

**Therapy Juice**

This Kingston-based, woman-owned, locally sourced juice, and tea company was one of the best things I had throughout my entire stay in Jamaica! We had fresh-pressed juices, wellness shots, freeze-pops, and teas delivered to our villa and I cannot recommend this enough. Your average Jamaican Cusine is not really jam-packed with nutrient-dense foods so I found it so revitalizing to get my greens and vitamins every day after being in the hot sun with some of their amazing juices. Each one had the cutest name and it was so fun for us to get in the vacation spirit with food that made us feel good.

I think it is important to note that I am a mostly plant-based Vegetarian and somewhat struggled to find options throughout my stay. Jamaican food is very much so seafood & chicken-based. I had a Jerk Tofu one night which was incredibly yummy. The national dish is called Ackee, which is a vegetable that can be cooked sweet or savory.