Jamaica Travel Guide
Are you looking for a place to visit that offers beautiful beaches and is the birthplace of Bob Marley? We have just the place for you. Read on and learn why Jamaica is where you and your family should book your next vacation.
Jamaica is a very unique island for many reasons. One reason is because of all of its beautiful waterfalls, landscapes, and gorgeous beaches. Jamaica is home to the world's fastest sprinters as well as the island's famous rum. As of the year 2020, Jamaica boasted a population of around 3 million people and brings in millions of tourists each year who fancy glorious locales, Jamaican culture, luxurious resorts, and much more! Let’s have a look at why the island of Jamaica should make it on your list when looking for a place to vacation at.
Best Places to Stay
One of the most important parts about booking any trip is finding where you’ll stay during your time there. Lucky for you, the island of Jamaica offers plenty of options. If you are looking for somewhere cheap such as a small hotel, or somewhere more luxurious where you can appreciate breathtaking and historic architecture, or a house to rent out for total privacy, Jamaica will be sure to accommodate. If you are outdoorsy and prefer to spend your nights under the stars, Jamaica also provides plenty of camping site options for you as well.
Bed and Breakfasts
One way to save money while also being able to experience the culture of Jamaica is staying at one of Jamaica’s bed and breakfasts. These lovely little places each offer a certain charm about them, with most of them being family owned. Staying at a bed and breakfast in Jamaica will ensure a warm and friendly atmosphere.
A charming and affordable option when staying at Jamaica is Pura Vida Jamaica. Pura Vida Jamaica is a cute bed and breakfast on the island and offers a very family friendly atmosphere as well as a delicious breakfast. There is also an open terrace for guests to step out and enjoy the fresh Jamaican air. Prices for this bed and breakfast start at around $80.00 per night, making this cozy Jamaican bed and breakfast a fantastic deal.
Another option is The Blue House Boutique Bed & Breakfast. The Blue House Boutique Bed & Breakfast offers a more upscale bed and breakfast experience. This wonderful bed and breakfast offers a cozy place to stay with elegant styling. The Blue House Boutique Bed & Breakfast offers of course a delicious breakfast, as well as a two or three course dinner. Before arriving, the Blue House Boutique Bed & Breakfast will ask you about your food preferences and about any food allergies you may have in order to create a tailored bed and breakfast experience.
Last but not least, the Eventuality Bed, Breakfast & Tours is a comfortable bed and breakfast that offers a cozy place to stay as well as convenience. The Eventuality Bed, Breakfast & Tours is located in the heart of New Kingston and is not only close to many landmarks, but they also provide tours in order to provide a truly authentic Jamaican experience.
Stay in any of these lovely options and you will be sure to enjoy delicious breakfast and a Jamaican experience without breaking the bank.
Jamaica’s Best Luxury Hotels
If you are someone who is looking to treat yourself to the best of the best with a luxurious experience, Jamaica has options that will be sure to suit your fancy. All of these wonderful luxury hotels have plenty to offer such as elegant dining, fabulous architecture, gorgeous landscaping, and an experience that will have you feeling like a king.
One option when looking for an amazing hotel to experience when spending time in Jamaica is Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios. This lovely hotel is set on a private beach that is just a quick walk away from downtown Ocho Rios. The Moon Palace Jamaica boasts 705 different rooms and is an all-inclusive hotel. The Moon Palace is a fairly new hotel, opening its doors in the year of 2015 and boasts gorgeous styling with marble decorated throughout. The hotel also offers four different restaurants, a plethora of bars, four swimming pools, a luxurious spa, and much more.
Another option that had to make this list when looking for luxurious places to stay that the island of Jamaica has to offer is The Caves. The Caves is said to be one of Jamaica’s most romantic places to stay and offers twelve unique and private cottages that sit along beautiful garden paths. The Caves also offers tasty authentic Jamaican cuisine as well as a bar. The Caves also offers amazing service with staff eager to attend your every need at any given time. The Caves is your dream oasis that one might think of when thinking of vacationing in Jamaica.
Staying in Jamaica’s luxury hotels and resorts will allow you to not only have a luxurious experience, but also allow you to step foot in some of the island’s most luxurious and beautiful buildings making it a pleasure to stay if you feel like treating yourself.
Vacation Rentals
Are you traveling to Jamaica with a large group of friends or family? In that case, the best option for you would be a vacation rental. You can rent anything from spacious homes and villas to condos or apartments. Need a kitchen? These rentals offer all the comforts of home in a tropical setting. Check out AirBnB for available properties for rent during your trip. There’s sure to be something to fit your needs.
Camping Sites
One thing that may not come to mind when people think about staying in Jamaica is the island’s amazing camping spots. While most come to Jamaica to experience its beautiful resorts and beaches, if you are particularly outdoorsy, Jamaica’s camping sites should not go unnoticed.
A wonderful option when looking to spend a night underneath the stars is the Bangor Ridge Wilderness Retreat. This lovely camping site is located on the Portland side of the Blue Mountains and offers a true wilderness experience. You don’t have to worry about bringing a tent when you stay at the Bangor Ridge Wilderness Retreat, as the site provides tents as well as cabins that sleep four with beds, outdoor cooking areas, as well
as showers and laundry areas. The Ridge Wilderness Retreat is also more than happy to provide meals upon request.
Another wonderful option when looking to camp when spending time on the island of Jamaica is at the Blue Mountain Wilderness Retreat. The Blue Mountain Wilderness Retreat is located within the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. This wonderful camping option provides three cabins that are all furnished, as well as a campsite to set up your own tent. The Blue Mountain Wilderness Retreat allows guests escape from the busyness of day to day life through rustic camping. If you love taking on the outdoors, the Blue Mountain Wilderness Retreat is a wonderful option for you.
While it may be something that most do not think about when booking a trip to the island of Jamaica, those who enjoy the outdoors will be pleased to know that there are plenty of options.
Places to See
One of the most popular destinations when visiting Jamaica is the town of Falmouth. Strolling down the streets of Falmouth, you will feel as if you have been taken back to another time, with inspiring and historic architecture all around you. There are also plenty of places to shop at and restaurants in this town as well, all of which are fun to visit. Landmarks that you have to visit when spending time in the town of Falmouth include:
● Chuck Norris Secret Falls - a famous waterfall tour that is great fun for the family. While touring the Chuck Norris Secret Falls, be sure to wear your bathing suit as you will have the opportunity to have fun in the water with rope swings that will swing you into natural pools of water that is well deserved after your hike through the rain forest.
● Hampden Estate - a wonderful way to get to know the town of Falmouth’s history, the Hampden Estate offers the Hampden Estate Rum Tour which is a tour that takes you back to the 1750’s through a still-working distillery that was being used at that time. You will also have the opportunity to taste award winning rums that the Hampden Estate is proud of.
● Jamaica Swamp Safari - a very fun tour through some of the species that the island of Jamaica hosts. As you make your way through this tour, you will have the opportunity to feed birds and small animals, as well as see other animals such as crocodiles, snakes, wild boar and much more.
When spending time on the island of Jamaica, another great place to visit is Treasure Beach. Treasure Beach is a beach that stretches across six miles and hosts four different fishing villages. In these villages, you will find the fitting reggae music as well as delicious drinks that really set the relaxing tone of this magnificent beach. Treasure Beach is the picture perfect beach that comes to mind when thinking about a tropical paradise such as Jamaica.
Shopping
One of the most important parts of any trip is collecting souvenirs to bring home commemorating your time on vacation. If you’re interested in shopping, there is plenty to choose from.
When in Jamaica, Main Street Jamaica is a place that is a must-visit. Main Street Jamaica is one of the best places to splurge on luxury items when in Jamaica. The unique thing about this place is that it may not be full of specific luxury brands but the items that are sold are luxury pieces that are locally made out of high quality materials. The items that are sold at Main Street Jamaica include jewelry, fashion pieces, and homeware. With most of the goods sold here being locally made, Main Street Jamaica is a great place when looking to do some souvenir shopping. There are also several restaurants on site as well, making spending a day shopping at Main Street Jamaica an easy task.
Last but not least, another wonderful option for shopping when in Jamaica is the Coronation Market. The Coronation Market is a bright and colorful market and is referred to as the “stomach of Jamaica.” This is a great place when wanting to enjoy authentic and fresh Jamaican foods.
When planning your trip, take note of any special festivals that may be happening while you’re there. The festivals often include crafts for kids as well as displays of artistry available for purchase.
Art, History, & Culture
Maybe a trip to the island of Jamaica inspires you to deep dive into the culture and history of the island. You have plenty of options for this. From museums to street art, there’s an experience for everyone. You never know where the next turn will take you. Expect to encounter beautiful architecture while walking through the streets.
If you are someone who enjoys visiting museums, you have a lot of options there, too. Choose from art, archaeology, music, science, history, and so much more. Visiting any one of the museums is a great way to fully immerse yourself and learn about the history of Jamaica.
Dining Options
You simply cannot go on a trip without trying to experience some of the food that the culture has to offer. A great way to experience food that isn’t like the food from back home is by visiting local favorites. Wherever you find yourself in Jamaica, finding a delicious local restaurant is a must.
It does not matter if you are looking for an easy place to grab a quick bite to eat or looking for a place to enjoy some fine dining, Jamaica has it all. Lucky for you, Jamaica boasts some of the best places to enjoy tasty food so you will be sure to find something that you will enjoy.
Throughout all of Jamaica, you will find different kinds of food depending on where you are in the country. There is no need to worry though, because Jamaica is not short of delicious eateries, so wherever you find yourself in Jamaica, there is always a good place to eat nearby.
Fine Dining
If you happen to be visiting Jamaica for a special occasion such as your honeymoon, an anniversary, or you simply just appreciate fine dining, Jamaica has plenty to offer.
A lovely place to enjoy a delicious meal with your loved ones or friends when in Jamaica is at the Rock House Restaurant. The Rock House Restaurant is a beautiful and luxurious restaurant that is directly above low cliffs over the water and is lit up by torches and candles as the nightfall hits. With delicious and top notch authentic Jamaican food, the Rock House Restaurant is the perfect place for couples to enjoy a romantic outing together.
Another restaurant that needs to be talked about when mentioning fine dining in Jamaica would have to be the Sugar Mill Restaurant. The Sugar Mill Restaurant is set on the grounds of an old plantation. This incredibly romantic restaurant sits couples down at tables lit by candle light and offers top notch food and drinks, making it a great place to celebrate any achievement or anniversary.
Casual Dining
When looking for good food in Jamaica, it is not hard to find, but a great place to look for tasty casual dining spots is in the town of Ocho Rios.
A great example of tasty casual dining in Ocho Rios would be at the Scotchie’s. Scotchie’s offers a very relaxing atmosphere with authentic Jamaican food and drink. A favorite menu item to try when visiting Scotchie’s is their delicious jerk pork, full of flavor and a Jamaican staple.
An Island Paradise
When picking Jamaica to visit for your next vacation, you have certainly picked the right place. With so many things to do, so many things to learn about and appreciate, visiting Jamaica will be an experience that you will be sure to remember for the rest of your life. Whatever the occasion is, you will be sure to be making a good decision when visiting this lovely part of the world.