One of the friendliest and most alluring holiday destinations in the world, Jamaica was once seen as the playground of the rich and famous but is now much more accessible thanks to the growth of all-inclusive hotels and the effects of commercialism on in its leading resorts. With white sandy beaches, luscious green mountains and clear waters Jamaica remains a paradise resort that centres on its Caribbean culture with reggae, reefers and rum very much at the heart of the island. However, it has developed in diversity and copes with everything from partygoers to newlyweds and couples seeking some solitude in the sun. The average temperature in Jamaica is 27°C with the heaviest rain occurring in September to October and the hurricane season running from June to November, though despite Hurricane Ivan in 2004 few hurricanes affect the island. Most flights from the UK take eight hours to reach Montego Bay and nine hours to arrive at Kingston.
| Jamaica remains a paradise resort that centres on its Caribbean culture with reggae, reefers and rum.... |
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Once considered a playground for the rich, Jamaica now offers something for visitors on all budgets...
Jamaica is full of variety and as such it caters for just about every taste. Certainly beach dwellers will find their ultimate haven on the unspoilt sands, while Jamaica has become a popular location for beach weddings and for honeymoon escapes. There are many comparatively quiet beaches that should aid you in finding a romantic space of your own, while the more lively will not be disappointed by the ongoing carnival atmosphere within Jamaica's largest towns.
What to do...
For a traditional image of Jamaica, with the focus firmly on the beaches and a laid-back atmosphere, head to the Riviera area, and in particular the popular Montego Bay. The resort is full of blue lagoons and banana palms with a great variety of spots to soak up the sun. Cornwall Beach is fantastic for watersports, while Walter Fletcher Beach is more sheltered from the surf and so offers some of the better swimming opportunities in the area. However, the most famous spot is Doctor's Cove Beach where there are crystal clear waters and there are plenty of restaurants along the waterfront. The area has its attractions away from the water too including the Bob Marley Experience and the Rose Hall Great House which is said to be the place where the 'white witch of Rose Hall' Annie Palmer was murdered. Marine Park is a fabulous place to dive and enjoy the coral reefs, while the dilapidated town of Falmouth makes an interesting day out and even includes a crocodile farm.
Negril is one of the coolest areas of Jamaica, particularly due to Seven Mile Beach, which was made famous by the hippy movement and is popular for nude bathing. This is a hugely popular resort for young people with thriving nightlife and excellent watersports.
Ocho Rios is home to two of the most popular beaches in Jamaica, Turtle Beach and Mallard Beach. As a built up tourist area there is plenty to see and do including horseback riding and waterfall climbing and bathing at Dunn's River Falls where a guide will help you climb the slippery rocks. Alongside Dunn's River sits the Dolphin Cove where visitors can swim with bottle-nosed dolphins and elsewhere you can also visit the Green Grotto Caves - a huge labyrinth of limestone caves that were once a haven for runaway slaves. Indeed Ocho Rios is considered to be Jamaica's fun land with horseback riding through sugar plantations, sun worshipping and plenty of coffee drinking opportunities.
Port Antonio is also just a half hour drive away and has some fabulous restaurants along with the famous Blue Lagoon Beach, which was immortalised in the movie Blue Lagoon. This is also a great starting point to walk into the Blue Mountains, but real hiking fans will be eager to take on the seven-mile stretch that takes you to the summit - some 7,420ft high. Discovery Bay and Runaway Bay meanwhile have a number of fabulous beaches and are ideal for package holidaymakers.
Though the capital city of Kingston personifies Jamaican culture, it does so at a very different pace to the rest of the island. Kingston doesn't tend to be a location where visitors choose to stay - instead it is somewhere to visit but tourists should travel with caution, as there is a high rate of crime and violence. The main attraction of Kingston is the Jamaican buzz, and this is accentuated at night when clubs such as Bacchus, Oceana, Reflex and Works come alive offering something to satisfy most musical tastes.
During the day the Kingston area has plenty of good beaches to visit including Lime Cay, which is great for watersports. The attractions in the city are varied and you can take in everything from the Bob Marley Museum to the Jablum Coffee Company. Kingston is a popular base to head into the Blue Mountains, while Port Royal is a quiet retreat that was once dominated by pirates but now stands as a scenic fishing village and the entrance to Kingston's harbour. Other sights to be enjoyed include Devon House, a venue famous for its ice cream, the National Gallery and the Spanish Town, which features some fascinating architecture.
