Tourist Spots in Jamaica

Best Places to visit in Jamaica

Jamaica conjures up images of Bob Marley, the home of Reggae music, pristine beaches, majestic waterfalls, Blue Mountain coffee, Jamaican Rum and runners.

Jamaica is a land that has inspired many people with its distinct personality. Famous among them being – Ian Flemming. The creator of James Bond wrote all the thrilling spy novels, while living in Jamaica. It is also the land of reggae and dancehall music which originated in Jamaica. Music has a constant presence across the island and is sure to follow you everywhere you go.

There is no place that provides the range of attractions and the cultural diversity that can be found and experienced in Jamaica. The home of rhythm and sway, of glorious sunrises, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds that make the island one of the most precious jewels of the Caribbean.

Pristine Beaches

Jamaica is such a beautiful island with some of the most gorgeous beaches to complete its tropical paradise profile. You are spoilt for choice due to the innumerable beaches across Jamaica, including the famous Seven Mile Beach, and Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay. Even though there are so many beautiful beaches, each beach offers a different experience. The top of the heap amongst the many beaches is most definitely the spectacular Seven Mile Beach in Negril. It should be definitely on your list of the best places to visit in Jamaica.

Incredible All-Inclusive Resorts

One of the best places to vacation in Jamaica is to choose from one of the many all-inclusive resorts that abound in Jamaica. It is one the most relaxing and fun ways to experience Jamaica and its beauty. There are three major areas that feature the most luxurious. These are Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril. If you are seeking a good muddle of Caribbean relaxation and partying then take a pick that meets your match to the mix. Montego Bay offers some nightlife in the city, while in Negril most parties happen within the resorts itself. Even though the best beaches can be found in Montego Bay and Negril, the area of Ocho Rios is located near some of the most popular tourist attractions in Jamaica.

Pirate town – Port Royal:

Fans of Pirates of the Caribbean would surely have this on top of their list of the tourist attractions in Jamaica. Port Royal in Jamaica has an interesting and true pirate history. Tracing back time to the 16^th century, it has the infamy of being one of most dangerous cities in the world. For much of that century, Port Royal was notorious for being a nefarious colony of pirates. The city was controlled by pirates led by the legendary Henry Morgan. Owing to its closeness to the maritime trade routes, it was a convenient base and hunting grounds for the pirates of the time. Port Royal is located at the mouth of Kingston Harbor, in southeastern Jamaica and was founded in 1494 by the Spanish, and was once upon a time, the largest city in the Caribbean

Wild and Wonderful Waterfalls:

Some of the best places to go in Jamaica are more certainly the many majestic waterfalls that the island has tucked away within itself. There are several waterfalls that will tempt you into a carefree dive. These include the world-famous Dunn’s River Falls, Ocho Rios Blue Hole, Mayfield Falls, Reach falls, Konoko Falls and YS falls. Your trip to Jamaica will not be complete without taking a dip into one of these waterfalls that offer natural pools of their own.

The best place to go to in Jamaica is the Y.S. Falls. It is a popular natural attraction with seven waterfalls cascading into pools amid lush green gardens. YS Falls is located about 50 miles away from Montego Bay in St. Elizabeth parish.

The Bob Marley Museum:

While in Jamaica you cannot resist yourself from paying respects to the most famous son of Jamaica – Bob Marley. The Bob Marley Museum situated in Kingston is one of the best places to visit in Jamaica. The former home of the king of Reggae which is now a museum, hosts a photographic gallery, an 80-seat theatre, a record shop, and a gift shop where you will find a wide range of Marley-related memorabilia. It is a place filled with great memories and mementos of the musical genius and a great Jamaican. The museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jamaica.

Sample Jamaican Food:

While visiting any new place you should make it a point to taste the local food. So while in Jamaica you would want to sample the sumptuous Jamaican staple of Ackee and Saltfish. Ackee is a somewhat savory-tasting fruit related to the lychee the fish being – cod which has been flaked and deboned. This island dish can be eaten at any time of the day, but it is mostly eaten for breakfast. The salty, tangy and buttery taste of Ackee and Saltfish is certainly worth trying for the real taste of Jamaica. For the best taste of Ackee and Saltfish drop in at Ziggy’s Manor Centre located in the Manor Park area of Kingston.

Jamaica is the birthplace of jerk – a style of cooking that involves slathering cuts of meat in an allspice and scotch bonnet marinade, and smoking them over hot coals. While on the food trail do not forget to add the Jamaican jerk on your list of things to do in Jamaica. Located in Montego Bay on the road to Rose Hall Great House is Scotchies which has a huge pimento wood grill that allows the meat to cook slowly in jerk sauce so the sauce itself tastes smoky. The flavor is fabulous and will makes you salivate – hungry or not.

Devon House Mansion:

One of the best places to visit in Jamaica and one of the most celebrated historic landmarks is the Devon House Mansion. The architecture is a beautiful blend of Caribbean and Georgian and was the mansion of Jamaica’s first black millionaire, George Stiebel. The Devon House is truly special and a place that preserves elements of history. Today the Devon House is a center for family entertainment and recreation in Kingston, where guests can tour, shop, dine and relax.

There are some other popular sites worth visiting Jamaica which includes the Rose Hall Great House, Croydon Plantation, and Sandals Royal Plantation, where the famous Tom Cruise movie ‘Cocktail’ was filmed. There are many other historic places to visit in Jamaica that takes you back in time to explore its rich history.

Bamboo River Rafting Adventure:

As far as experiences go, you must try your hand Bamboo River Rafting which is a must while you are in Jamaica. The best places in Jamaica to try this are on the Marta Brae river, Black River, or Rio Grande River. The only requirement that is essential for this experience is for you to have a sense of adventure. It is quite safe as it is conducted by a tour guide who will lead you on the river. There are options available to go in a group or if you want a more private affair then that is available too. The bamboo raft is usually 30-feet long, are handmade but very stable. It navigates the river through some breathtaking greenery and exotic flowers. The Martha Brae River is located in Falmouth, which is around 30 minutes away from Montego Bay.

The Famous Jamaican Tipple:

One of the deciding factors that draws most visitors to Jamaica is the Jamaican Rum. Hence, a visit to Jamaica would be incomplete without at least sampling the signature drink that is almost synonymous with this island country. If you want to witness the whole process that goes into making this world-renowned drink the Appleton Estate Rum Tour gives you this unique opportunityNeedless to say, you also get an opportunity to sample some of Appleton Estate’s product.

Appleton Estate is located in Nassau Valley and surrounded by the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is a popular day trip from both Montego Bay and Negril.

The Luminous Lagoon:

Located at the eminent point where the Martha Brae River meets the Caribbean Sea is the famous Luminous Lagoon. It is home to millions of dinoflagellates, responsible for the sparkling of the lagoon. When disturbed, these microscopic organisms produce an eerie glow, reflecting the outlines of fish and other objects in the water. The Luminous Lagoon is said to be the largest and most brilliant of four in the world, making it one of the best places to visit in Jamaica. This is a unique natural nighttime adventure which would be enjoyed by the whole family.

The Luminous Lagoon is located about 1.6 km east of Falmouth.

Jamaican souvenirs to bring home with you:

There are a host of articles that can be brought back to keep the Jamaican memories alive. Some of the most popular items to bring back from th Jamaican jaunt are – Blue Mountain Coffee, Jamaican jerk seasoning, Jamaican rum, wood carvings, Calabash wooden bowls, Jamaican Island dolls and oil paintings.

Jamaica is not only a land of unique culture but also is one of the best places to visit for engaging activities, breathtaking landscapes, and warm people.

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