Regardless of what you wear (or don't wear: more on this later on the page) the Jamaican sun is strong. Very strong! With 30 spf sunscreen lathered all over my exposed skin, I still managed to burn in 15-20 minutes early on in our visit.

I learned that it's useful to have a very light, white or light coloured, long sleeved shirt to throw on when I'd had enough sun. Ladies often had a light sarong"ish" covering; cool, yet able to block some of the sun's rays and easily packed away in a purse or pack.

Is there ever enough sun? No, not enough, you just need some additional protection to sun screen when the skin starts sizzling. You can't be outside on Negril Beach in Jamaica, and not have sun, for sure.

So squash a light cover up into your fanny pack or back pack so it's available when needed; and it will be.

This photo was one of the typical days we experienced on Negril Beach in early February. The temperature was in the mid-to-high 80 F (what's that, 28 C?), there wasn't a breath of tradewinds, and the sun was so bright as it reflected from the incredible beach sand that it hurt the unprotected eyes.

Sunglasses are a must!

It's Your Head

Don't forget head wear!

In my many-country travels I normally wear a baseball cap. It's amazing how well they work to keep the sun out of your eyes when you wear them with the bill facing frontward. :-)

However, there were a few times I could have fried eggs on the top of my ears, even through - what seemed - the inch think layer of sunscreen. A baseball cap just doesn't protect your ears enough in the Jamaican sun.

A couple of years ago I bought this really neat, cheap, white cowboy hat at a flea market in the Florida Keys. I like it a lot. It's just that my wife, and friends don't want to be seen with me when I wear it.

I think one of those floppy, world famous, explorer type hats might in be my future for my next sojourn from the frozen north to the sunny tropics.

Ladies always seem to know what type of hat to wear in Jamaica. I'm one with the guys with the grilled ear-tops, so far. Got to change that!

Nekkid As A Jay Bird

When it comes to Negril Beach attire, another issue really isn't what is suitable to wear, the issue is, are you comfortable with no attire at all? Whether it's you baring your all to the beach-world, or seeing others sans clothing?

Every now and again you'll wander across a man or woman who feel comfortable being fully unclothed on the beach. Not many while we were there, but some. They seem to be more prevalent towards the north end of Negril Beach. Maybe something to do with all inclusives providing an open bar?

The question I pose is why is it that it's the, shall we say, less than perfect specimens that bare all to the world? Some might take offense.

As a result, I was briefly embarrased when I was asked to put some clothes back on, but hey, with Ganja wafting freely around the beach, and Red Stripe in plentiful and frosty supply, I didn't take offence. Just pulled on my trunks and moved on.

Many Topless

Whle Negril Beach has it's share of middle aged, large gutted males striding the beach as if it were their own fiefdom (me for example), some with a Speedo playing peek-a-boo as the rolls of fat that undulate in time to their footsteps, there are still many gorgeous people to be seen on Negril Beach too, and topless is common for men and women.

Almost Anything Goes

The message is, wear what you want, or as little as you want, but beware the sun. It is pitiless!