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Holidays to Jamaica
Jamaica Travel Guide
Holidays to Jamaica are all about blue skies, palm-lined beaches and laid-back vibes. A large, lively Caribbean island with an irresistible 'no worries' attitude, Jamaica was described by Errol Flynn as being 'more beautiful than any woman I have ever known.' Crystalline waters lap onto sugar-white beaches, whilst hidden rainforest waterfalls make beautiful backdrops for facebook-worthy photos.
Whether your idea of a heavenly Caribbean holiday involves dozing on the beach, trekking up a mountain, exploring underwater landscapes or playing a round of golf, Jamaica has it all and more.
Whether your idea of a heavenly Caribbean holiday involves dozing on the beach, trekking up a mountain, exploring underwater landscapes or playing a round of golf, Jamaica has it all and more.
Things to do in Jamaica - The Highlights
Climb the cascading waterfalls at Dunns River Falls & Park or Island Gully Falls
Stroll along the silky sands of Seven Mile Beach, Negril
Learn to surf at Boston Beach
Tee off at White Witch Golf Course or Tryall Club near Montego Bay
Visit the Green Grotto Caves, and take a dip in the crystal-clear underground lake.
Take a snorkelling cruise from Montego Bay
Swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cove in Montego Bay
Zip-line through the rainforest canopies at Mystic Mountain
The main resort towns of Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rio (sometimes referred to as simply 'Ochi') are where you'll find most of the hotels in Jamaica. Good bases from which to explore the rest of the island, these easy-going towns offer duty-free shopping, restaurants, bars and nightlife.
Activities
Active-bods are well catered for in Jamaica, with activities ranging from ocean watersports, climbing Dunn's River Falls to river tubing in Ocho Rio. Fear not - you don't need to be as fit as Usain Bolt - the country's most famous hike to the peak of Blue Mountain is an achievable two-hour trek, and you're well rewarded with breathtaking views. And, although river rafting sounds strenuous, it's actually very relaxing as you gently drift down the river, whilst a guide does any required punting and recants interesting anecdotes about the island's flora and fauna as you pass.
Sightseeing
Jamaica is steeped in history, and it's well worth visiting one of the old plantation houses. Rose Hall in Montego Bay is a beautiful Georgian property open for tours - allegedly haunted by the ghost of a former cruel owner, the husband-murdering Annie Palmer, known by local legend as the 'White Witch.'
Other attractions in Jamaica include the Bob Marley Museum, the chance to swim with dolphins at Dolphin's Cove, and tours of the rum factory. Tempting though it is to glue yourself to the comfiest sun lounger on the beach for the entire holiday, you'll find plenty to make it worth dragging yourself away.
Activities
Active-bods are well catered for in Jamaica, with activities ranging from ocean watersports, climbing Dunn's River Falls to river tubing in Ocho Rio. Fear not - you don't need to be as fit as Usain Bolt - the country's most famous hike to the peak of Blue Mountain is an achievable two-hour trek, and you're well rewarded with breathtaking views. And, although river rafting sounds strenuous, it's actually very relaxing as you gently drift down the river, whilst a guide does any required punting and recants interesting anecdotes about the island's flora and fauna as you pass.
Sightseeing
Jamaica is steeped in history, and it's well worth visiting one of the old plantation houses. Rose Hall in Montego Bay is a beautiful Georgian property open for tours - allegedly haunted by the ghost of a former cruel owner, the husband-murdering Annie Palmer, known by local legend as the 'White Witch.'
Other attractions in Jamaica include the Bob Marley Museum, the chance to swim with dolphins at Dolphin's Cove, and tours of the rum factory. Tempting though it is to glue yourself to the comfiest sun lounger on the beach for the entire holiday, you'll find plenty to make it worth dragging yourself away.
Best time to visit Jamaica
Weather in Jamaica
A great winter sun destination, the best time to visit Jamaica is from mid-December to mid-April.
Temperatures average around the late 20s and early 30s throughout the year. The summer months can be more humid, and see more rainfall - although the sporadic downpours tend to be short and sharp, soon clearing to reveal bright sunshine again. Many of Jamaica's most famous festivals occur during midsummer.
Hurricane season runs from October - November, although the island is rarely bothered by severe storms.
Temperatures average around the late 20s and early 30s throughout the year. The summer months can be more humid, and see more rainfall - although the sporadic downpours tend to be short and sharp, soon clearing to reveal bright sunshine again. Many of Jamaica's most famous festivals occur during midsummer.
Hurricane season runs from October - November, although the island is rarely bothered by severe storms.
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Dining in Jamaica
From beachside shacks to five-star gourmet dinners, foodies can indulge in Jamaica's tasty, spicy flavours, sampling fresh seafood, jerk-marinated specialities, and fiery curries. Supposedly the world's best coffee - Jamaican Blue Mountain - is grown on the island's Blue Mountain. High in caffeine, it's the perfect way to kick start your day.
Traditional Jamaican cuisine is quintessentially Caribbean: colourful, flavoured with chillies, zesty marinades, rum and exotic fruit. Kingston, the capital city, is home to the highest concentration of restaurants, but you'll also find plenty of decent eateries dotted around the main towns of Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril. Look out for Jamaica's famed 'Jerk centres' - where marinated meats are grilled on open BBQs, served with roasted breadfruit and sweet bread rolls (but go easy on the hot pepper sauce). Wash it all down with lashings of belly-warming rum, or an ice-cold Red Stripe (the local beer of choice).
Traditional Jamaican cuisine is quintessentially Caribbean: colourful, flavoured with chillies, zesty marinades, rum and exotic fruit. Kingston, the capital city, is home to the highest concentration of restaurants, but you'll also find plenty of decent eateries dotted around the main towns of Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril. Look out for Jamaica's famed 'Jerk centres' - where marinated meats are grilled on open BBQs, served with roasted breadfruit and sweet bread rolls (but go easy on the hot pepper sauce). Wash it all down with lashings of belly-warming rum, or an ice-cold Red Stripe (the local beer of choice).
Where to stay in Jamaica
Montego Bay
Situated on the north-west coast of Jamaica, Montego Bay is home to many hotels and resorts. Popular beaches in the area include Doctor's Cave Beach (named for a famous British osteopath, who visited in the 1920s and raved about the sea's healing properties), and AquaSol Beach Park (home to a small amusement park with inflatables and go-karts). The protected waters of Montego Bay Marine Park offer some of Jamaica's best snorkelling and diving spots. Couples can seek out adults-only tranquillity at Sandals Royal Caribbean.
Ocho Rios
Located in the middle of the Jamaica's north coast, Ocho Rios (often referred to as simply 'Ochi') is a large, purpose-built resort town, home to shopping malls, handicraft markets, a lively nightlife scene on Main Street and Dunn's River Falls (which you'll almost certainly have seen gracing the pages of glossy Jamaica holiday brochures). Marilyn Monroe spent her honeymoon in Ocho Rios. Stay at Couples Sans Souci.
Negril
Negril, on Jamaica's west coast, is best known for its sugar-white sandy Seven Mile Beach. Oozing local character and super-chilled vibes, and has long attracted the rich and famous to its shores (Bob Marley, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones have all chosen to holiday here in the past). Wake things up a bit by trying one of the energetic watersports on offer, or spy on the fishes from the deck of a glass bottomed boat. Wander south of the beach and enjoy a tipple at Rick's Cafe - where you can cheer on the daredevils as they cliff-jump into the waters below. There are lots of large, all-inclusive resorts to the north of the beach, including Sandal's Negril Resort and Spa.
Twin Centre Holidays to Jamaica
Jamaica is well-suited to Caribbean island-hopping. Stay a few nights in Jamaica before moving on to another Caribbean island - such as Barbados, Antigua, or Cancun in Mexico - or a destination in the USA. New York is only a 4-hour flight away from Jamaica. You could even stay at two or more different hotels in Jamaica itself. For a quote and more ideas on top Jamaica multi-centre holidays, give our team a call on 020 3405 2334