powered by logo alt
travelsupermarket.com

Advertisement

Jamaica holidays

Get yourself into the laid-back Jamaican spirit the moment you step off the plane and swing lazily on hammocks under palm trees as turquoise seas roll gently on to beaches of brilliant white sand.

You don't have to learn Jamaican Patois to get by in this country, though you'll quickly get to grips with the word, “irie”. It means 'excellent', or 'everything is alright'. You'll certainly feel like that after just a few hours on this Caribbean island during your Jamaica holidays.

Best available Jamaica deals

loading

Loading cheapest prices

Set in the great blue of the Caribbean Sea, Jamaica is a former British colony that is just as famous these days for mega-fast sprinter Usain Bolt as it is for Bob Marley, reggae music and Rastafarianism.

You'll jet into one of two international airports - in Kingston (KIN) or Montego Bay (MBJ) - following a flight time from the UK of around 10 hours and find a Caribbean island quite unlike any other during your holidays in Jamaica. From a social, cultural and historical point of view, Jamaica is unique. From the peaks of the Blue Mountains, with its expensive coffee, through port towns such as Port Antonio and the buzzing capital of Kingston, and down to the soft sands of the beaches, you'll soon discover just how uniquely amazing Jamaica is.

Maybe you'll opt for thriving Montego Bay and the area in the north around it, where music pumps out of party towns and takes hold of your body. Perhaps you'll go for quiet Negril; or one of the other northern resorts such as Ocho Rios, famed for its waterfalls; Falmouth; exclusive Rose Hall; Runaway Bay; or Discovery Bay.

In the more remote south are the resorts of Treasure Beach and Whitehouse.

Jamaica holidays are mostly enjoyed from within the comfort and luxury of all-inclusive hotels - this is home to the Sandals chain of resorts after all - though there are plenty of tantalising eating and drinking options if you fancy tucking into some local flavour.

There's also plenty to see outside of the resort, if you can tear yourself away from the gorgeous white sands and watersports on offer just minutes from your door. You could head into the mountains and ride down rivers through lush forests, or visit banana or coffee plantations.

And if it all seems a little familiar, you should know that the makers of James Bond film, Dr No, selected the island's beauty to star alongside the suave Sean Connery. It's not the only link with James Bond however. Bond writer Ian Fleming adored Jamaica and had a house on the north coast called Goldeneye. He wrote all of his Bond novels here and there's now a James Bond Beach to visit and dream up your own tales of espionage and romance.

Tales of romance can be found all over Jamaica however, and the country is just as suited to families and groups as it is to loved-up couples. Pick your resort well to find the perfect destination for you.

The capital of Kingston has a reputation for crime so travellers should take care. However, it should also be famed for its array of colonial architecture. But this energetic hub of activity will feel like a world away when you settle into the luxurious surroundings of the hotels on the north, west and south west coasts.   Negril on the Caribbean Island of Jamaica 

TravelSupermarket can help you to find your holiday in Jamaica. Our search tool will prove invaluable in finding a great value break to this verdant Caribbean isle.

Weather

Totally tropical Jamaica swelters in year-round temperatures of between 25C and 35C. Temperatures peak from June to October, as does rainfall. Hurricane season is in July and August.

Events

Rebel Salute; January: One of the biggest reggae parties of the year, Rebel Salute is held in the southern parish of St Elizabeth and attracts thousands of music fans who enjoy the alcohol- and meat-free family atmosphere.  Jamaica Carnival; April: This colourful fiesta features a variety of musical and dance performances and gets the crowds well and truly jammin'. Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival; June: Jazz performances take place around the island during this week of music. While jazz isn't the primary kind of music associated with Jamaica, this is a well-attended and enjoyable festival.

Best of Jamaica holidays for...
  • Active types: The underwater world of Jamaica is just as exciting as the above-ground action. Don a wetsuit to dive the depths, or simply strap on a snorkel and mask to discover the reefs and marine life.
  • Kids & teens: Swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cove in either Ocho Rios or Negril.
  • Romance: Take your sweetheart on a tour through the sweet-smelling sugar cane plantations of Jamaica's interior.
  • Grown-up families: Climbing Dunn's River Falls at Ocho Rios is a must for thrill-seeking families. Those happy to do without the thrills can take photographs or lounge on the beach where the river meets the sea.
  • Shopping: A variety of crafts and traditional gifts can be found at market stalls around the island and more modern shopping facilities can be enjoyed in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.
  • Nightlife: Get under the skin of sultry Jamaica at a beach party with the locals.
  • Free & cheap: You can imagine you're a James Bond character as you and your good-value hired horse trot along the white sands of Jamaica's beaches.