Ricks Cafe

by Bill
(Maine)

Ricks Cafe at Negril Jamaica was on the must see list. We have been to Jamaica several times and everyone we had spoke with said "Have you been to Ricks yet?"


So what is the big deal at Ricks Cafe? One of the best sunsets in the world, and crazy people jumping off high cliffs and a lot of fun.


We took at short cab ride from our resort at Hedo II and was amazed at the amount of vans, buses and cabs outside the entrance. Ricks was packed. We started watching divers jump of a 35 foot perch over the cliffs. Crazy! There were kids to adults jumping off different levels of the cliff into the Caribbean sea.


The bar was jumping and people from all over the world was there having a great time. Than the sun started to set and Rick's got quite. Couples were were holding each other and cameras were clicking.


Ricks Cafe was open in 1974 by Richard Hershman when Negril was a small fishing village with no electricity. Negril is famous for it's seven mile stretch of white sand and at the west end are the cliffs that has become the premier gathering spots to view the sunset, a Jamaican tradition.



There has been countless divers and jumpers who have taken the plunge from as high as 35 feet into the waters below.


Ricks has survived Hurrciane Gilbert in 1988 with waves in excess of 25 feet crashing overt the cliffs and tree tops. Hurricane Ivan destroyed Ricks again in 2004 with waves over 60 feet. Ricks has come back each time, bigger, better and stronger

This should be on your must do list when in Jamaica.