A tropical paradise in the Caribbean with magnificent white sand beaches by the Caribbean Sea, Jamaica is a year-round destination with plenty of sun and excellent opportunities for water sports activities and entertainment. For those interested in trekking, biking and wildlife viewing, Jamaica is rich and diverse in nature with rainforests, grassland, rivers and coral reefs. Music, especially reggae, plays an important role in the life of the friendly and warm Jamaicans. Jamaica has a vibrant nightlife and musical, artistic and sports events are organized throughout the year.
Jamaican beach resorts. Montego Bay is a good starting point to activities and tours on the north coast of Jamaica. There are also numerous other beach resorts along Jamaican coastline, offering enjoyable Caribbean beach holiday experiences. These include Ocho Rios, Negril and Port Antonio.
More destinations. The tropical capital and the largest city of Jamaica, Kingston is the Jamaican center of culture and business with excellent opportunities for sightseeing, entertainment, shopping and dining. The city of music, Kingston is home to many famous reggae stars and has a very vibrant nightlife. Famous reggae festivals in Jamaica are held in July and August. The magnificent Blue Mountains of Jamaica are an jungle and outdoor wonderland that can be explored by trekking and mountain biking. Visit also the scenic Dunn's River Falls and the historical ruins of Port Royal.
Visitor services. Tourism is an important source of income for Jamaicans and there is an excellent selection of hotels, restaurants and facilities for visitors in the country. The peak season for tourism in Jamaica is from December to April, when the prices tend to rise at many hotels.
How to get there. There are two international airports in Jamaica, located in Montego Bay and Kingston. The country can also be entered by private yacht and Caribbean cruise ships. There are excellent domestic flight connections in Jamaica between Montego Bay, Kingston, Negril, Ocho Rios and Port Antonio.
Local transport. Jamaica also has an extensive bus network but the buses are often overcrowded and there are no timetables.
Beaches, attractions and entertainment in Jamaica
Jamaica is first and foremost a beach holiday destination. The touristic capital of Jamaica, Montego Bay hosts one of the most famous beaches on the island by the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. This resort city offers excellent opportunities for sunbathing and water sports activities like sailing, jet skiing, cruising, fishing, rafting, snorkeling and diving.Jamaican beach resorts. Montego Bay is a good starting point to activities and tours on the north coast of Jamaica. There are also numerous other beach resorts along Jamaican coastline, offering enjoyable Caribbean beach holiday experiences. These include Ocho Rios, Negril and Port Antonio.
More destinations. The tropical capital and the largest city of Jamaica, Kingston is the Jamaican center of culture and business with excellent opportunities for sightseeing, entertainment, shopping and dining. The city of music, Kingston is home to many famous reggae stars and has a very vibrant nightlife. Famous reggae festivals in Jamaica are held in July and August. The magnificent Blue Mountains of Jamaica are an jungle and outdoor wonderland that can be explored by trekking and mountain biking. Visit also the scenic Dunn's River Falls and the historical ruins of Port Royal.
Practical information for your trip to Jamaica
The diverse landscape of Jamaica consists of mountains and a narrow coastal plain by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Jamaica has a hot and humid tropical climate with warm winters and hot summers that makes it basically a year-round destination for vacations. Short rainfalls can be expected from May to November, but there is enough sunshine for beach holidays also during these months. The hurricane season in Jamaica lasts from September to November.Visitor services. Tourism is an important source of income for Jamaicans and there is an excellent selection of hotels, restaurants and facilities for visitors in the country. The peak season for tourism in Jamaica is from December to April, when the prices tend to rise at many hotels.
How to get there. There are two international airports in Jamaica, located in Montego Bay and Kingston. The country can also be entered by private yacht and Caribbean cruise ships. There are excellent domestic flight connections in Jamaica between Montego Bay, Kingston, Negril, Ocho Rios and Port Antonio.
Local transport. Jamaica also has an extensive bus network but the buses are often overcrowded and there are no timetables.
Photo: David G..., used under Creative Commons License (By ND 2.0)
However, they provide an inexpensive way of travelling and meeting the locals. Car rental companies can be found in the most towns and the road conditions in Jamaica vary from poor to excellent. The driving culture in Jamaica is often aggressive and chaotic. Jamaica drives on the left.
Safety. Visitors to Jamaica should exercise caution at all times, as violent and other crimes are not rare in Jamaica. The guarded areas in Jamaican tourist resorts are quite safe, but it is advisable to keep an eye on your belongings. Certain areas in the capital Kingston, as well as travelling after dark should be avoided.
History and culture of Jamaica
The first inhabitants in Jamaica were Arawak Amerindians who landed in Jamaica around 700 AD. The island was found by Christopher Columbus in 1494 and since those days the the Jamaican history and culture has been highly influenced by slavery. A former Spanish colony was conquered by the British in 1655. Jamaica gained independence from the Federation of West Indies in 1962.Today majority of the inhabitants in Jamaica are of West African descent, but there are large minorities of East Indians, Whites, Afro-Chinese and of Syrian-Lebanese background. English is widely understood and spoken in Jamaica, though the Jamaican accent is sometimes hard to understand. The visitors in Jamaica are usually treated in a friendly way and visitors are expected to respect the Jamaican culture display good manners at all times.
Rich in culture, Jamaica is home to the Rastafari movement and many musical genres, reggae and ska being the most notable of them. The famous reggae musician Bob Marley was born in Jamaica and the country has been a setting in famous films like James Bond. Popular sports in Jamaica are cricket, football, athletics and horse-racing.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril
