This green jewel, sunning itself among the warm blue waters of the Caribbean, is a great place to enjoy exotic scenery and Old World history. Jamaica has excellent tourist facilities and excellent beaches and outdoor destinations. There is so much you can do, from seeing remnants of the island’s history, exploring the verdant jungle on foot and horseback, to working on your tan on one of the many beaches.
1.) Spanish Town
Visit Jamaica’s former capital, Spanish Town, and get a taste of what made Christopher Columbus rave about the island’s beauty. Check out the old buildings, including the Spanish-built San Jago de la Vega Cathedral. Take a photo at Spanish Town Square, a charming representation of colonial architecture brought to the island by settlers.
2.) Negril
Those who have a passion for activities such as diving, sailing, fishing and windsurfing will be delighted when they visit this town 80 kilometers beyond Montego Bay. A lively nightlife and many small shops are some of the things that tourists will find in this place where an alternative lifestyle was practiced in the past. Watch the sunset from West Point, the westernmost spot on the entire island, then dance until dawn at the many clubs along the beach.
3.) Ochos Rios
This town whose name means “eight rivers” in Spanish was once a sleepy town that now boasts world-class resorts and hotels. Ochos Ríos is a garden paradise, like the Shaw Park Botanical Garden. See the resplendent beauty of Dunn’s River Falls, dine at one of the local restaurants and sample their varied cuisine, and visit Brimmer Hall, a plantation where, as in the old days, crops are still grown and harvested according to ancient methods.
4.) Montego Bay
This large and modern city is the second largest in Jamaica. While you’re there, stop by Rose Hall, a restored house that belongs to a former sugar plantation. Contemplate the blue of the Caribbean from the avenues of the city with that special someone and then take them to have fun at one of the three main beaches in the city.
5.) Falmouth
Located 40 km west of Montego Bay, this resort town contains the Church of St. Paul. Visit Greenwood Great House, once owned by the poet Elizabeth Barrett-Browning and her husband. For the energetic, the Martha Brae can be rafted from Rafters Village.
6.) Kingston
Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, offers much to see and do. Learn about the island’s past by visiting the White Marl Museum, dedicated to the Arawak Indians who lived in Jamaica, and Port Royal, which features exhibits and information about the hard times of the buccaneers. Taste the cuisine at local restaurants and pick up a souvenir from the Mercado de Artesanias, and if you’re feeling lucky, you can bet on the horse races at Parque Cuyamas.
7.) Treasure Reef
Swim with the marine life at this water park located near Dunn’s River Falls. Make swimming friends as you feed sharks and interact with dolphins at Dolphin Cove. Or, if getting wet doesn’t suit you, explore the lush greenery of the Jungle Trail Walk.
8.) Green Grotto Caves
Go explore this cavern east of Discovery Bay. A sanctuary for people since prehistoric times, these caves have seen occupants such as Taino Indians, Spanish refugees hiding from the English, smugglers, and rum dealers. Green Grotto is one and a half kilometers long and contains an underground lake, Grotto Lake.
9.) Water sports
Outdoor activities of all kinds can be found in Jamaica, but among the most prevalent are water sports, which are available in countless places. Freshwater and saltwater fishing is permitted without a license. Parasailing, scuba diving, surfing, rafting and the like are also offered in many places like Negril.
10.) Beaches
Jamaica would be nothing without its beaches. The island offers many types to suit anyone’s tastes. From the bustling sands of MoBay and Ocho Rios to the private tranquility of Port Antonio’s beaches, Jamaica offers beachgoers of all stripes the combination of sun, fun and friendship that’s just right for them.