Negril has a history that is different from other parts of Jamaica because it was largely undiscovered until 1702, when it was used as a naval port. The town had bad roads for travel and thick swamps until Norman Washington Manley started to build better roads in the area and drain the swamps in the 1950s. It was not until the 1970s, after hippies from the United States began to come to the town, that resorts and hotels were built in Negril.
The economy in Negril is centered around a service jobs, which are based in the tourism industry. A number of people come from surrounding towns to work in resorts and hotels in Negril. Many of these people are descendants of African slaves that were brought into Jamaica and mulattos, or mixed race individuals.
In a similar manner to other parts of Jamaica, the culture of Negril has European and African influences. The blending of cultures can be seen in the language that is spoken in Negril: "Patois." This language is derived from English, Spanish, African and Portuguese dialects. The mixture of cultures can also be seen in its dances, which include African dances such as the "gerreh" and "ettu" and European dances such as the maypole and quadrille.
Like other parts of Jamaica, Negril has a tropical climate, with warm and hot temperatures throughout the year. The town's rainiest months are September and October, and its hurricane season lasts from June through November.
There are a number of activities for tourists in and near Negril. This includes going horseback riding at Rhodes Hall Plantation; touring the Roaring River estate, a former slave plantation that now functions as a park and features underwater caves; going down water slides at Kool Runnings Water Park; visiting the Lover's Leap Lighthouse, which was built around 1895; taking a walk at the Royal Palm Reserve, a nature preserve featuring wetlands and a boardwalk; swimming in Y.S. Falls; and taking a boat trip on the Black River to see crocodiles.
