Ah, the magical island of Jamaica. The land of reggae music, Bob Marley, and an endless supply of sunshine. These stereotypical Rastafarian visions of the island run rampant in our culture, but there’s actually a lot more to Jamaica.
If you’ve been curious about visiting Jamaica, the time is now. This tropical paradise is calling your name, and whether you’re stopping by on a tour of the Caribbean or looking for a fully immersive Jamaican experience, you need to be here.
If you still need convincing, you’re in luck. We’re here with every reason you could possibly need to visit Jamaica. Read on, and we’ll have you booking your vacation by the end of the article.
The Beaches
This is probably the most obvious reason to visit Jamaica, or anywhere in the Caribbean for that matter, so we’ll get it out of the way first.
Jamaica is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the Caribbean. Most of the popular beaches, such as Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are home to incredible resorts and villas, making a luxury beachside vacation easy to attain here.
If you’re looking for a bit of tranquility, Jamaica has tons of beaches off the beaten path as well. Check out Frenchman’s Cove, where Lord Of The Flies and Knight And Day were filmed, on the eastern side of the island. Or make your way to the southern coast of the island, where Treasure Beach awaits you with smaller crowds and no resorts.
The Blue Mountains
If white sand and clear blue water isn’t your thing, you might be crazy, but Jamaica still has outdoor activities for you.
The Blue Mountains is Jamaica’s largest mountain range and home to the island’s highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, at 7,402 feet.
This is the place to go if you’re looking to escape the heat and the hustle and bustle of Kingston or the beachside resort towns. There are beautiful cottages and AirBnBs nestled in the mountains, perfect for a romantic getaway.
While The Blue Mountains may be a good place to relax, they’re also an amazing place to go hiking. If you’re staying near the National Park be sure to get up early one morning and hike up to Blue Mountain Peak for sunrise. It’s a challenging hike that’s well worth the effort.
If you’re a coffee lover, this is also the home of the world-famous Blue Mountain Coffee.
The Amazing Jamaican Cuisine
Jamaican cuisine doesn’t quite have the global appeal that other cuisines have, such as Indian, Thai, and Spanish, but it certainly deserves to.
Most of us are familiar with jerk chicken, that deliciously seasoned piece of meat that is a barbeque staple in America. Not everyone knows that jerk chicken originated in Jamaica, and it’s still the best place on earth to try it.
Whether you’re sitting down with a glass of wine at one of the high-class resort restaurants or wandering the streets of Kingston with a Red Stripe in hand, delicious food is right at your fingertips.
Ackee and Saltfish is Jamaica’s national dish, and can’t usually be found outside of the island. It’s a salty and sweet delight that truly embodies the unique culture of Jamaica.
Dancehall Parties
Everyone associates Jamaica with reggae music, and rightfully so, but there’s another vibrant music culture in Jamaica that feels more local and authentic.
Dancehall culture is an important part of the Jamaican music scene, which involves setting up sound systems in the streets or small buildings in the community, and throwing a wild dance party.
Dancehall music is a spinoff of reggae involving DJs and more electronic aspects. It’s extremely popular worldwide, but less so in the United States, and even when most people hear dancehall, they don’t realize what it is.
Major Lazer is one of the most popular artists in America making dance hall music, but if you’ve been to a club in Miami, you’ve probably heard plenty of other artists blasting through the speakers.
Island Adventures
Once you’ve gotten your fill of dancing the night away, get out of the city and explore some of Jamaica’s endless outdoor activities.
We’ve mentioned the beaches, but there’s more to do in the ocean than lay out and soak up the sun. Jamaica offers some of the best snorkeling and windsurfing in the Caribbean.
If you want to make your way inland, go rafting down the Martha Brae River on a bamboo raft, exploring the lush jungles of Jamaica’s interior.
If you’re keen to explore the TLC way, go chasing waterfalls at Reach Falls or Dunn’s River Falls.
The Blue Lagoon is another must-see outdoor excursion in Jamaica. Made famous by the 1980 Brooke Shields film The Blue Lagoon, and then again by Tom Cruise in Cocktail, this natural wonder is the perfect water adventure away from the beach. Located near the Blue Mountains, you can spend the day kayaking, swimming, or swinging from ropes into the clear blue water.
Jamaica’s Vibrant Culture
Jamaica may be a tropical tourist paradise, but it also has a rich culture that shouldn’t be overlooked.
There’s a reason that everyone associates Jamaican’s with big, friendly smiles, and that’s because the Jamaican people are some of the most genuinely kind people you’ll interact with on your travels.
Beyond the people, the music, and the food that exists anywhere you go on the island, there cultural destinations to be visited. Devon House, the National Gallery of Jamaica, and of course the Bob Marley Museum are all historical and cultural landmarks worth your time.
How to Visit Jamaica
Now that we’ve given you every reason under the sun to visit Jamaica this year, it’s time to start planning your trip. Luckily, you’re already in the right place.
TravelSearch Guru has everything you need to book your trip to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, or anywhere else in the Caribbean. Keep reading, and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime.