Buying Property in Negril: What Makes the West End Special

The Two Negrils

Negril isn't one place—it's two completely different experiences sitting next to each other.

Seven Mile Beach is the Jamaica you see in brochures. Long sandy beach, big resorts, jet skis, beach bars blasting Bob Marley. Tourists everywhere. Spring breakers. Cruise ship crowds. It's fun, it's pretty, and it's exactly what you'd expect.

The West End is different. No beach—just dramatic limestone cliffs dropping into deep turquoise water. Small boutique hotels, local restaurants, yoga studios, dive shops. Reggae bars where actual Jamaicans hang out. The sunset you can walk to. The Jamaica that Instagram can't quite capture.

Who Lives Where

Seven Mile Beach is for tourists. The West End is where people actually live.

You'll meet expats who've been here 20 years, digital nomads who came for two weeks and never left, artists, writers, divers, yoga teachers. People who chose Jamaica intentionally, not people who booked an all-inclusive package.

The West End has community. You'll know your neighbors. You'll have a regular spot at Rick's Cafe. The fruit vendor will recognize you. The local restaurant will remember how you take your coffee. That doesn't happen on Seven Mile Beach.

The Sunset Factor

Here's something nobody tells you: Seven Mile Beach faces north. The West End faces west.

Which means Seven Mile gets nice sunsets... from a distance. The West End gets them straight-on, every single night, dropping into the ocean right in front of your property. The sky turns orange, then pink, then purple. The whole ocean lights up. It never gets old.

People pay thousands to stay on the West End just for this. You could own it.

The Walkability Advantage

The West End is one continuous cliff-side road. You can walk everywhere.

Restaurants, bars, grocery stores, dive shops, yoga studios, local fruit stands—all within 5-10 minutes on foot. You don't need a car. You definitely don't need to deal with taxis or resort shuttles.

Seven Mile Beach is spread out along a busy road with no sidewalks. You're either walking in traffic or paying for rides everywhere. The West End feels like a village. Seven Mile feels like a highway.

The Investment Case

West End properties hold value better than Seven Mile Beach for a simple reason: scarcity.

Seven Mile Beach can always add more hotels, more condos, more development. The West End can't—it's a narrow strip of cliff-side land that's mostly already built out. What exists is what exists.

Plus, West End rentals command higher rates. People specifically seek out cliff-side properties with sunset views. They're willing to pay premium prices for the experience. Your rental occupancy will be higher because you're offering something unique.

Seven Mile Beach competes with dozens of other beach destinations. The West End doesn't really compete with anything. It's its own thing.

What You Should Know

The cliff access: Most West End properties have ladders or stairs carved into the cliff for ocean access. You're not walking onto a sandy beach—you're climbing down to jump into deep water. Some people love it. Some people want a beach. Know which one you are.

The vibe is quieter: If you want beach clubs, water sports, and constant activity, Seven Mile Beach is better. The West End is laid-back, chill, more about sunsets and good conversation than jet skis and party boats.

You'll hear the ocean: The West End is right on the cliff edge. You'll fall asleep to waves crashing. Some nights it's louder than others. Most people find it peaceful. A few find it distracting. Visit before you buy.

The Bottom Line

Seven Mile Beach is for vacation. The West End is for living.

If you want resort amenities, sandy beaches, and tourist infrastructure, buy on Seven Mile Beach. If you want sunset views, authentic Jamaica, a real community, and property that holds its value—the West End is where you want to be.

Most people visit both and make up their mind pretty quickly. The West End isn't for everyone. But for the people it's for, nothing else compares.