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Cliff bar and restaurant · Negril

Rick’s Café, Negril: a local's guide

By Michael RainfordBorn and raised in JamaicaPrices & hours checked Sources
Thatched Rick's Cafe Live stage on the cliffs above the sea in Negril
On this page
  1. My local take
  2. How to get there
  3. What to expect
  4. Local tips
  5. Before you go
  6. FAQ
  7. Sources

My local take

Rick’s Café has been on the West End cliffs since the 1970s, and it was the first public bar and restaurant of its kind out there. Hurricanes Gilbert and Ivan both flattened it, and it was rebuilt each time. People come for two things: jumping off the cliffs into deep blue water, and watching the sun drop into the sea with a drink in hand. It suits groups, couples and anyone who wants a party atmosphere. It does not suit anyone looking for a quiet sunset.

Entry is free, but food and drink cost more than at a rum bar down the road. My take: go once, for the jump and the sunset, and eat dinner somewhere quieter. If you want the same sea view with fewer people, stay at one of the smaller cliff hotels along the West End, such as Catcha Falling Star nearby, and watch the sunset from there.

If you’re coming from Montego Bay, stop for a jerk lunch at Scotchies on the way out. On a longer trip along the north coast, Dunn’s River Falls is the other classic Jamaican water day. For the rest of the area, see my Negril guide.

How to get there

From Negril: Rick’s is on West End Road, on the cliffs south-west of the town center, about 3 to 4 km from the Negril roundabout (map distance). From the Seven Mile Beach hotels, such as Azul Beach Resort Negril, you drive back through town and out along the West End, roughly 8 to 12 km depending on where you’re staying; allow extra time for traffic around the roundabout late in the afternoon. From the West End cliff hotels, such as Catcha Falling Star, it’s a short walk.

From Montego Bay: Negril is roughly 80 km west of Montego Bay along the coast road through Lucea, usually 1.5 hours or more by road (approximate). Rick’s own advice for guests staying in Montego Bay or Ocho Rios is to check the hotel tour desk for a Negril and Rick’s Café tour. From Ocho Rios it’s a very long day; a tour or a night in Negril makes more sense.

Without a car: From the Negril hotels, a licensed taxi (red PP plates) is the easiest way; agree the fare before you get in, and arrange the ride back, because the road is busy after sunset. From Montego Bay or Ocho Rios, book a tour that includes Rick's.

What to expect

Rick’s sits on about 1.5 acres of cliffside with a bar, a restaurant, a pool, cabanas and a gift shop. Cliff jumping is allowed at your own risk from three levels: 10 feet (3 m), 25 feet (7.6 m) and 35 feet (10.6 m). Rick’s gives the water depth below as 15 feet (4.5 m). Children are allowed; pets are not.

The menu leans Jamaican and seafood: jerk chicken, escovitch snapper, braised oxtail, peppered shrimp, steamed fish with okra and a whole Caribbean lobster, plus bar starters such as wings and calamari and a separate Cliffside Grill menu. Menu prices are in US dollars and don’t include the 15% General Consumption Tax or the 10% service charge. Rick’s serves lobster only from July 1 to March 31, to support conservation. Rick’s takes Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.

The Red Stripe Experience on the property adds an audiovisual tour through the history of Red Stripe and Rick’s. Cabanas, which hold about 10 people, can be booked ahead by phone with a credit card; Rick’s lists them at US$200 to US$250 a day, tax included. Check current prices on the official site before you go.

Local tips

  • Wear flat shoes or sneakers, as Rick’s suggests. The cliff paths and steps get wet from jumpers.

  • Start on the 10-foot ledge before you think about the 35-foot one. Watch a few people go first so you see where they enter the water and how they climb back out.

  • Get there by mid-afternoon to jump without a queue, then keep your spot for sunset.

  • Groups of under 10 don’t need a reservation; larger groups should call ahead.

  • Budget for tax and service on top of menu prices, and carry small bills for tips.

Before you go

  • If the sea is rough, stay on the ledge; there’s no shame in watching.
  • Sunset is the busiest time, when tour buses fill the place, so expect crowds and noise.
  • The cliffs, steps and wet rock make it a poor fit for anyone with limited mobility.

Questions people ask

Is Rick's Café open?

Yes. Rick’s own site lists it open daily from noon to 10 pm. Check the official site or social pages before a special trip.

Does Rick's Café charge an entrance fee?

No. Rick’s says there is no cover charge and admission is free. You pay for food and drink, priced in US dollars, plus 15% tax and a 10% service charge.

How high is the cliff at Rick's Café?

There are three jumping levels: 10 feet (3 m), 25 feet (7.6 m) and 35 feet (10.6 m). Rick’s says the water below is about 15 feet (4.5 m) deep, and jumping is at your own risk.

What time is sunset at Rick's Café?

It depends on the time of year: earlier in the winter months and later in summer. Check a sunset time for Negril on the day, and arrive at least an hour before so you have a spot.

Can children go to Rick's Café?

Yes, Rick’s allows children. Keep them close near the cliff edges and wet steps, and think twice about letting young children jump.

Sources & updates

Update log

  • — Rewritten as a researched guide; facts re-checked. Post-hurricane status, hours and cliff heights added from official sources.
  • — Link refresh: swapped the resort link in How to get there from Beaches Negril with Azul Beach Resort Negril to spread links across the newer open resort guides. No facts changed.
  • — Moved source citations out of the text
  • — Removed repeated advice
  • — Trimmed hurricane references to where they change the advice

Spotted something out of date? Tell me and I’ll check it.

Where to stay nearby

Where to stay in Negril