Banana Shout Resort . . .
where reality ends and adventures in tropical paradise begin.
Twenty years ago Negril was a quiet, undiscovered fishing village located
on the western tip of Jamaica on seven miles of powdery white sand beach
with fourty-foot limestone cliffs and caves.
Over the last twenty years, tourism has taken over due to its unique environment offering one of the largest beaches in the Caribbean along with its cavernous cliffs which plunge sharply into reef studded waters ideal for swimming, exploring, and snorkling.
While tourism has provided numerous places to stay, dine, drink, and dance to the islands best reggae artists, its impact has been monitored closely and uniquely so as not to harm this wonderful environment. Nowhere else in Jamaica is there a law forbidding buildings to be taller than the tallest palm tree.
Especially off the cliffs, one can snorkle or swim amongst the teaming reefs and be completely ignored by the modern world, while the peaceful Caribbean Sea stretches endlessly, broken only by the coral heads.
The seven mile beach offers motel-like accomodations, but the cliff area two miles south of Negril still affords distinctive small cottages set right on the cliff edges, which give you the Robinson Crusoe feeling of being alone and one with yourself, the sea, and paradise. A short cab drive or bicycle trip is all it takes and you can walk the bustling beach and enjoy parasailing, jet skiing, glass-bottomed boat tours, reggae shows, shopping stands, and hair braiding.
Negril offers an abundance of restaurants. Most serve Jamaican cuisine, but some of the best are the small 'local' cafes which serve fresh lobster, shrimp, snapper, and dolphin (not the mammals) with rice and peas and homegrown veggies. Numerous tropical fruits are always available and the rum is fine anytime.
There are some all inclusive resorts at the beach that are well done and provide everything for one price, although you limit yourself to a small taste when you could sample a banquet of pleasures. Anyone may buy day or night passes to these establishments for the experience. Those who are interested in the real reggae beat must hit the local hot spots.
Negril is surrounded by by low (1000') mountains and cane fields, all ideal for exploring. There are many motorbike, bicycle, and jeep rentals, as well as cabbies willing to help you with adventures outside the area, for several hours or all day excursions. Five miles outside of town is a new 18-hole golf course said to be one of the best in Jamaica. Charter fishing boats are also available for Caribbean deep sea fishing. Local experts are willing to help provide the chance to hook a Marlin or King fish at a much lower price. On horseback you can ride through tropical jungle splendor and sample indigenous fruits and coconuts, or have a Tia Maria (Jamaica's coffee liquor) as the sunset melts the colors in your mind.
Banana Shout is more than a vacation. It's an experience where friendships are made and maintained throughout the years.
PO Box 4 Negril, Jamaica, West Indies
Phone: (876) 957-0384 Fax: call ahead
Contact: Mark or Ilene Conklin
Email: bananashout@yahoo.com
Problems or comments? Please contact: bananashout@yahoo.com