Places to see in Jamaica

A tropical island paradise, Jamaica is a wonderful getaway in the Caribbean. Here you can find plenty of places to see and enjoy all over the island. The first city on your tour of Jamaica should be Kingston, the capital. Home to a majority of the population, Kingston is a lively bustling city set in between the Blue Mountain and the Caribbean Sea. The commercial and cultural hub of Jamaica, Kingston is a well developed cosmopolitan city with a vibrant nightlife and many historical sites to explore.

Located in the city is the seventh largest natural harbor in the world, Port Royal, which was once the pirate capital of the Caribbean. North of the waterfront, you will find Jamaica’s historic district, which forms the city center, with the downtown area arranged on a grid system. In the city don’t forget to visit the lovely Devon House, which lies uptown. This classic Jamaican house is a must see as you will find two of the best restaurants in the city located here. Also uptown is the Bob Marley Museum. In the downtown area worth seeing is the National Gallery and the Museum of Coins & Notes as well as the harborfront Ocean Boulevard. The Kingston Parish Church in the downtown area dates back to 1699.

Outside the city lie the soaring Blue Mountains, which are must visit for its scenic beauty and ideal for hiking. Here you will find the Blue Mountains-John Crow National Park. From here head to the north of the island to the banana port of Port Antonio. This quiet port is set amid some dramatic scenery and is the perfect place to get a few days rest before you continue on your tour of the island. Outside Port Antonio you will find the Rio Grande Valley, which is popular among hikers and rafters, while to the east lies Frenchman’s Cove with one of the most attractive beaches in the area. Blue Lagoons is a great area for snorkeling, while Winnifred Beach is a wonderful place to meet real Jamaicans. Boston Beach and Long Bay nearby offer some wonderful beaches and a plethora of water sports to enjoy.

Ocho Rios lies some 100 km east of Montego Bay and is a popular cruise stop. Here you will find Dunn’s River Falls, which is a series of waterfalls and pools to relax and cool off in while you are in town. There are two beaches located here, Turtle Beach and Island Village Beach, both of which offer a variety of water sports. The Shaw Park Gardens is also worth a look at out here. Outside Ocho Rios is Nine Mile, the birth and resting place of Bob Marley, and is a must visit for any fans of this Jamaican superstar.

Montego Bay is the second largest city in Jamaica and is the island’s tourist mecca. Here you can find beautiful colonial homes, several championship golf courses and some of the best shopping in the country. This thriving resort town has a lively nightlife and an excellent variety of arts and crafts for sale out here. In town, visit Sam Sharpe Sq, the National Heroes Monument, the Museum of St James and the St James Parish Church, regarded as the most beautiful church on the island. Outside Montego Bay you will find a number of working plantations with beautiful colonial mansions.

From here head on west to Negril fast becoming a hip and happening resort town. Here you can find on of the most famous beaches in Jamaica, Long Bay, which is a 7 mile stretch of white sandy beach. In Negril you can enjoy a whole host of water based activities including sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, banana boating, fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving.

If you prefer to escape the crowds, then come to southern Jamaica, where you will find the lovely Treasure Beach to sit and relax on. Also located here is YS Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the island.