Beaches Ocho Rios vs. Beaches Negril: Which Beaches Resort in Jamaica Is Best for You?

Family fun is the theme at Beaches Resorts, with a variety of activities and inclusions for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens. If you’re traveling with kids, a Beaches Resort is an excellent choice for a fun family vacation in the Caribbean, giving everyone time to enjoy themselves both separately and apart.

We Donate 20% of Our Earnings From Beaches Bookings

If you are interested in booking a stay at a Beaches Resort, use this link. When you book a vacation at a Beaches Resort through Honeymoon Always, we donate 20% of the proceeds to Healing Steps Therapy, an occupational equine therapy practice based in Battle Ground, Washington, which helps individuals with Autism, Down Syndrome, social delays, and other conditions. Donations go towards increasing access to therapy and the building of a new horse arena.

An Overview of the two Beaches Resorts in Jamaica

Tired parents, take heart! The amazing kids’ programs and licensed childcare providers at Beaches mean that you get to relax on a beautiful beach and take it easy while your kids have the time of their lives. You can enjoy some precious private couples’ time when you vacation at a Beaches resort.

Beaches resorts are also great options for couples looking for plenty of activities in a lively atmosphere on a beautiful beach, especially those traveling with friends or larger groups.

There are two Beaches locations in Jamaica, Beaches Ocho Rios, and Beaches Negril. Either Beaches resort in Jamaica will provide plenty of opportunities to make happy memories. So how do you choose which is the best Beaches resort in Jamaica for you? This article will compare Beaches Negril and Beaches Ocho Rios so you can decide which one fits your next vacation.

First, we’ll give you some side-by-side comparisons of the Jamaica Beaches resorts, then go into a bit more detail about each one.

Here is a quick comparison of Beaches Negril vs. Beaches Ocho Rios:

Beach: Beaches Negril vs. Beaches Ocho Rios

Beaches Negril has a much bigger beach than Beaches Ocho Rios, which can either be a plus or minus depending on what you want. Beaches Negril is on Jamaica’s famous Seven Mile Beach, a long stretch of powder-white sand. The beach at Beaches Ocho Rios is a small, protected cove. The water at both Beaches Resorts is beautiful and calm.

If you are traveling with adults only, have older children, want to take long walks on the beach, or want plenty of room to spread out, choose Beaches Negril. But if your children are younger and won’t be on the beach much—or if you don’t want to have to chase them long distances—then choose Beaches Ocho Rios.

Rooms: Beaches Ocho Rios vs. Beaches Negril

At all Beaches Resorts, families appreciate the world-class, spacious accommodations. From comfortable rooms to expansive family suites, Beaches provides the perfect place to stay for groups.

The rooms at Beaches Ocho Rios are smaller than at Beaches Negril, though still spacious, and there are fewer types available. They include Honeymoon Beachfront Walkout Concierge Suites with a separate bedroom and private deck; Beachfront Concierge Terrace Suites with separate bedrooms and large terraces; Oceanfront Concierge Suites with separate bedrooms and private balconies; and Family Sized rooms and suites with sitting areas and private balconies. Most offer king or double beds plus pull-out sofas, and some have room for foldaway beds as well.

Beaches Negril has all-new rooms and suites, having been enhanced and reopened in 2020. The largest suite is the Tropical Beachfront Three-Bedroom Walkout Grand Butler Family Suite with 4 bathrooms, a full living room, and a private patio. There are also two-bedroom and one-bedroom suites with private balconies or patios, both walkout and beachfront.

Rooms at Beaches Negril include Tropical Beachfront Concierge Family Rooms with two connecting bedrooms and bathrooms plus private balconies; Tropical Beachfront Walkout Concierge King or Double rooms with private patios and sofabeds; and Negril Luxury King or Double rooms with private balconies or patios.

Activities: Beaches Ocho Rios vs. Beaches Negril

Activities are somewhat comparable at Beaches Ocho Rios and Beaches Negril, but there are several differences. Both offer a variety of water and land sports, daily and nightly entertainment, Kids Camps, Pirates Island Waterparks, Trench Town arcades, Xbox Play Lounges, Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street™ characters, and Club Liquid teen nightclubs (which become adult nightclubs later on).

They both also have certified nannies to give parents some help. (All nannies, as well as all Kids Camp staffers, are members of the International Nanny Association.) Both Beaches resorts in Jamaica offer full-service spas and area excursions as well.

However, Beaches Negril offers significantly more water sports, including SNUBA, a combination of snorkeling and scuba diving.

Beaches Ocho Rios has an onsite golf course plus an all-inclusive golf program for kids.

Beaches Ocho Rios also has a larger waterpark. The waterpark at Beaches Negril is right on the beach, however, and features a lazy river, which Beaches Ocho Rios doesn’t have.

Location: Beaches Negril vs. Beaches Ocho Rios

Beaches Negril is on the west side of Jamaica, which gives it amazing sunset views, along the famous Seven Mile Beach. Beaches Ocho Rios is located closer to some of Jamaica’s most famous attractions.

Both are about an hour and a half from the airport, and complimentary transfers are included.

Dining: Beaches Negril vs. Beaches Ocho Rios

There are more dining options at Beaches Negril (10 restaurants) vs. Beaches Ocho Rios (7 restaurants). Both resorts offer fine Italian cuisine, a highly rated casual barbecue restaurant, and a pizzeria.

Beaches Ocho Rios also features French cuisine, Mediterranean and seafood, a gourmet creperie, and international cuisine.

Dining options at Beaches Negril include beachfront Caribbean and seafood, an international buffet, Asian, sushi, a French café, and Mexican, as well as frozen yogurt and gelato.

Overviews: Beaches Negril vs. Beaches Ocho Rios

Beaches Negril

Many people think the best beach in Jamaica is Seven Mile Beach in Negril. It has everything you’d want in a Caribbean beach: sparkling white sands, good snorkeling in clear waters, and a great sunset view.

Beaches Negril is one of Jamaica’s newest and most luxurious resorts. The 5-star all-inclusive resort offers some of the best accommodations on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, including two- and three-bedroom Together Nest Suites® with butler service.

You don’t have to leave the beach to enjoy this water park, which has 8 waterslides, a 650-foot lazy river, and a swim-up bar. Teenagers will enjoy access to their own activities plus Trench Town (with arcade games, laser hockey, foosball, basketball, and enormous flat-screen TVs) and the Club Liquid teen nightclub.

Included in your rate are ten restaurants, multiple bars, a huge range of activities and water and land sports, entertainment, and more including mini-golf and a fitness center. Spa services are available but extra.

Beaches Negril is currently our recommendation for the best Beaches Resort.

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5

Google Rating: 4.5

Beaches Ocho Rios was named a top ten best beach resort by Parents Magazine. It offers an amazing waterpark with 11 waterslides, 3 swimming pools, a dedicated scuba practice pool, and a small but lovely private beach on calm water. You can also enjoy complimentary greens fees at a championship golf course, where kids can play after noon.

Choose from 7 gourmet restaurants and 6 bars, including swim-up bars and the adults-only Opa Sunset bar overlooking the Caribbean. There’s also a variety of activities including land and water sports and entertainment, plus a fitness center and a full-service spa.

Kids will love all the programming available for them including the Kids Camp with certified nannies, Xbox Play Lounge, and the first Certified Autism Center in the Caribbean. Teens here also enjoy a Trench Town arcade as well as the Club Liquid teen nightclub.

Beaches Ocho Rios is close to some of Jamaica’s most famous attractions, like Dunn’s River Falls, if you want to go exploring.

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.0

Google Rating: 4.2

How much do Beaches Resorts cost?

The number of people you bring will play a role in determining the price of your stay at either Beaches resort in Jamaica. In Negril, prices start at $356 per adult, per night, plus $38 per child. At Beaches Ocho Rios, adults start at $264 per person per night, while children will be charged $38.

What is included at a Beaches Resort?

When Beaches Resorts say they’re all-inclusive, they really are. You’ll enjoy gourmet restaurants, amenities, and activities that meet the needs of all ages. Activities include the Kids Camp with fully certified nannies, Pirates Island Waterpark, Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street characters, Xbox Play Lounge, Trench Town arcade, PADI-certified scuba diving, snorkeling with all included equipment, kayaking, Hobie Cat sailing, paddleboarding, professional instruction on water sports, a variety of land sports, a fitness center, and entertainment including live shows. All food and drink is included: snacks, breakfast, lunch, and dinner; nonalcoholic drinks; and alcoholic drinks including premium liquors, fully stocked minibars in each room, and Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks wines.

Now that you’ve learned more details about Beaches Negril vs. Beaches Ocho Rios, which one will you pick for your next Jamaica vacation?