The Caribbean island that gave birth to reggae cooking and jerk cuisine

In a sea filled with impersonal, all-inclusive resorts and indistinguishable beachfronts, a select few Caribbean travelers are able to dive deeper into the richness of the region and its unbridled depths. Even the casual observer will be able to tell that one island is different from the rest.

Jamaica conjures images that are unique: reggae music, jerk, best eaten on the beach and beaches with sand in shades ranging from white, to shimmering gold. Jamaicans and seasoned travelers who have explored beyond the resort area of Montego Bay will tell you there is still much to see and do on the island.

Adventure-seekers may want to hike or cliff jump in the Blue Mountains. You can enjoy the best jerk food and seafood. If you are looking for wellness resorts, look for peaceful resorts offering yoga, luxurious spas. Ital cuisine and excursions to natural waterfalls and springs.

Jamaica has been a popular Caribbean destination for decades because of its profound appeal. It is a place that draws visitors back year after year. Jamaica is much more than just a collection of stereotypes. “An island that meets you exactly where you are,” says the author.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Half Moon

One of the Caribbean’s most iconic resorts. Half Moon Montego Bay has been spreading its white sands for over 70 years. A championship golf course, award-winning restaurants and an expansive wellness and spa space are hidden within 400 acres of seaside land. Half Moon is more than just its amenities. Its most distinctive feature is the way it seamlessly blends modern luxuries with its decades-old elegance. You can choose from the historical Founder’s Cove, or modern rooms, residences and suites at Eclipse by Half Moon. Soon, the Villas at Half Moon will be remodeled to offer family-friendly getaways.

The Tryall Club

Nestled in between a championship course and the sparkling expanses Caribbean Sea. The Tryall Club This collection of 74 villas is in many ways different from the classic Caribbean resort experience. This 2,200-acre property on the coast outside Montego Bay is staffed by a dedicated team of staff including butlers, chefs, housekeepers and more. It gives it a feeling of home away from home. The Great House or the spa are great places to gather with other guests. The brand-new Ooshan Bar and Restaurant The modern take on Jamaican classics for lunch and dinner is a highlight. Sunset hour cocktails overlooking the water with a view are also hard to beat.

Tensing Pen

Negril cliffs clinging to the edge. Tensing Pen This historic boutique hotel was so special, it was selected by Travel + Leisure One of the most important things to consider is that readers are one of those who can help you. best hotels in the world The last year. The use of local wood and stone in the design of the hotel blends it into the rugged coast. A spa, a yoga studio, and culinary events highlighting Caribbean cuisine give it an elegant feel that makes it stand out. Its quaint boutique feel and its tucked away location make it the perfect romantic getaway for a secluded vacation.

Rockhouse Hotel & Spa

Celebrity guests, such as Bob Marley of the Rolling Stones have plunged off cliffs. Rockhouse Hotel & Spa The Negril Hotel has been around since the 1970s. A rich history gives this 40-room hotel a cool, unmistakable air. It is considered one of the best boutique hotels on the island. The 40-room property has a variety of room types, but the villas with thatched roofs and hewn stones that line the cliffside offer breathtaking ocean views. The culinary experience is also worth mentioning, as the menus in both restaurants are like love letters from the island, using ingredients grown in the hydroponic greenhouse.

Sandals Dunn’s River

Jamaica may not have invented the all-inclusive holiday, but they certainly made it better. After a complete transformation, Sandals Dunn’s River It is one of the most popular and reputable companies in the world. best adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica. With more than 12 restaurants and local art, the property has a strong connection to its surroundings. The 260 rooms are divided into 14 categories to accommodate every type of traveler or group size. What’s next? Sandals Royal Dunn’s River will be built on the sand strip next to this Ocho Rios icon.

What to do?

Enjoy the beach.

Jamaica’s beaches are simply stunning. Doctor’s Cave Beach at Montego Bay is the perfect place to begin your journey before moving on to Seven Mile Beach near Negril. It has seven miles blissfully white sand. Frenchman’s Cove is another untouched beach in Portland that’s known for its natural beauty and the nearby jerk-chicken stands. South coast beaches are one of the Caribbean’s best kept secrets. They are rarely visited.

Rafting on the Martha Brae River is a great way to spend a day.

The interior of Jamaica is lush and green, with a rainforest covering the land. But if you had to pick one thing, rafting on the Martha Brae River just outside Montego Bay would be the best choice. This is a rafting adventure without any rapids. You can drift along the river in a bamboo flat raft while admiring tropical foliage. This is just as romantic as it sounds. But avoid cruise ship days, when the river may feel crowded.

Reggae is a music that will take you to its heart.

You can also find out more about the following: Bob Marley MuseumThe museum, located in the former Kingston residence of the musician, is a must-see for music lovers. Stop at the most popular reggae venues on the island for an hour-long tour and a musical tribute to the star. These include Dubwise, in the capital city, Roots Bamboo, in Negril or Pier 1 in Montego Bay. Reggae Sumfest, in July, or Rebel Salute (in January) are both events that diehard fans can plan their trip around. These shows feature internationally and locally acclaimed reggae stars.

Sink into the Blue Lagoon.

The Blue Hole is a stunning sinkhole in Ocho Rios that attracts many tourists. However, we recommend you skip it and instead visit the Blue Lagoon instead. Fewer visitors visit this natural wonder, known for its bottomless turquoise water. You can either paddle on flat bamboo rafts across the still surface or swim to Monkey Island, a nearby island without monkeys and relax on its beautiful beaches.

Enjoy a cup of coffee at the Blue Mountains.

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is a highly sought-after coffee that’s grown at the highest altitudes in the Blue and John Crow Mountain Ranges. It offers a flavorful experience you can’t afford to miss. Visit the historic source for a taste of the best. Craighton Estate Sign up for a hiking and biking tour in the mountains that takes you to multiple locations, including Kingston. Spend the night nearby Strawberry HillThe boutique mountain property is owned by Island Records founder Chris BlackwellTo get the complete Blue Mountain experience, you must book a stay at Blue Mountain.

Best Restaurants

Stush in the Bush

The winding road that leads out of Ocho Rios takes you through the lush interior of the island. Stush in the BushChris and Lisa Binns lovingly curate a vegan farm-to table dining experience. This creative pair champions Italian cuisine. plant-based culinary movement particular to JamaicaVisitors are welcomed into the world of with a farm visit and dinner that features locally-grown handcrafted delicacies. This dining experience and mountainside location is so well-loved that it made the list of our favorite destinations. most beautiful places in the Caribbean.

Sugar Mill

Half Moon’s famous beach is tucked away in a mountainside just meters from the sand. Sugar Mill One of the Caribbean’s most famous restaurants. The fine dining experience is set in an 18th-century mill with white tablecloths and magical gardens that are illuminated by hanging light. Highlights on the menu include jerk seasoned grilled short-ribs, fresh fish and pumpkin soup. Half Moon’s Delmare, a newer restaurant in Half Moon, may be the best place to dine out when it comes fine dining. Italian influences are combined with local flavors, resulting in dishes such as Blue Mountain coffee-infused spaghetti.

Scotchies

“Scotchies is iconic for a reason–make sure to try the jerk chicken and pork,” says Crichton of this Montego Bay institution, which many argue is the best jerk on the island. The rustic setting under thatched roofs adds to the appeal of this restaurant, where diners can enjoy large portions of meats expertly grilled with seasonings and rice and beans.

The HouseBoat Grill

“For a romantic setting, consider The HouseBoat GrillCrichton says that a floating restaurant is a great option for seafood lovers. This two-story, oversized vessel is moored on the calm waters of Montego Bay and serves a wide variety of seafood dishes. Locals and tourists alike can enjoy a small ship that ferries them across the waves. Sunset is the best.

The Best Places to Visit

Montego Bay

Montego Bay, the undisputed capital of the island’s beaches, is lined with resorts and hotels of all sizes and shapes. It is the perfect destination for travelers who are looking for an easy and quick getaway. There are many things to do, and it’s a great place for fly-and flop travel. Visit Martha Brae River to enjoy ziplining, hiking and the surrounding hillsides. Or visit Rose Hall Great House to learn about the history of the island.

Negril

Negril’s coastline, on the west coast of the island is a mix of beautiful beaches and craggy cliffs which plunge into the ocean. Stay at Tensing Pen or Rockhouse Hotel & Spa for the raw beauty of the rocky shoreline, or something more classically Caribbean like Beaches Negril For a relaxing family holiday on a beach with white sand.

Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios feels like a getaway within a getaway, home to an impressive number of resorts and hotels yet removed and relaxed enough for some serious R&R. Swim in the Blue Hole, hike to Dunn’s River Falls or go ziplining at Mystic Mountain. Ocho Rios, home of the 007 franchise, is also a great place to visit. GoldenEyeJames Bond Beach is where Ian Fleming penned the first James Bond stories. Dr. No It was filmed in 1963.

Kingston

Kingston is a must-see, even if the beach is calling your name. Jamaica’s vibrant city capital has a lot to offer, including the Bob Marley Museum, the National Gallery of Jamaica, award-winning dining and dance halls. Visit the city’s top attractions. Devon HousePart monument, part gastronomic attraction, visitors can enjoy everything from jerk chicken and lobster-stuffed patties to Jamaican Stout-flavored Ice Cream.

Port Antonio

Port Antonio is a small seaside town on Jamaica’s east coast, which is less frequented than some of the more popular towns. It feels undiscovered and tranquil compared with other larger towns. Visit Port Antonio for the surfing, the hidden coves, and the delicious local food. It’s located at the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Diplo’s house is one of the many accommodations available to guests this year. the most hotly anticipated new properties in the CaribbeanFor sweeping views of the ocean and mountainside.

When is the best time to visit?

Jamaica’s best season is between December to April. With its crystal-clear sky and slightly cooler temperatures, the island offers beautiful stretches of time that are perfect for a beach vacation. The perfect weather attracts visitors from all over the world who want to escape the cold and snow back home. Prices will be higher and beaches more crowded during this period.

The month of May offers a short window of nice weather, with fewer crowds, and cheaper prices. However, the Atlantic hurricane season begins in June, which means that the weather will be warmer and wetter. Hurricane season continues through November. But travelers who do not mind the possibility of rainy skies can enjoy Jamaica all year long.

Kenton Jones advises The Tryall Club’s managing director, Kenton Jones: “For a cultural boost, plan your visit around Carnival, in April.” Jamaica’s Carnival The celebrations in Jamaica are among the most extravagant and boisterous of all the Caribbean. They include parades, parties and outrageous costumes for dancing to calypso or soca. Montego Bay hosts an annual music festival that is sure to please any music lover. Reggae SumfestThe party lasts from dawn until dusk and features the biggest reggae names.

How to get there

Jamaica has two main international airports, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay (MBJ) and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston (KIN). Kingston. Montego Bay offers the most convenient flight options for travelers who want to go to the beach. It is close to Ocho Rios or Negril and has shorter travel times. Kingston is the ideal choice for those who want to stay in the city, or are heading to places like Port Antonio and the Blue Mountains on the east coast of the island.

No matter if you are flying to Montego Bay, Kingston or other Caribbean airports, there should be no difficulty in finding convenient flights. These airports rank among the most popular and well-served of all the Caribbean.

How to Get Around

It may surprise you, as it did me, to find out that driving around Jamaica’s entire island can take as long as 16 hours. The distances are longer than you might expect, so plan on leaving plenty of time for travel if your goal is to cross the island. Renting a vehicle is a good option for those who like flexibility and don’t mind driving Jamaican style, says Jones. However, drivers should note that traffic moves on the left-hand side of the road as a remnant of British rule.

Crichton says that for those who prefer to let the experienced navigate the island roads, “I would recommend hiring a personal driver to get around,” he adds. It makes day trips more convenient and gives you flexibility to customize your tour of Jamaica. For a cheaper option, Knutsford Express provides reliable air-conditioned coach services.

Taxis are a good option for local trips. In Jamaica, ride-sharing apps like Uber are widely available. However, there is a shortage of drivers which can lead to high prices. Uber also faces pushback from local authorities, which could lead to changes in fees and usage.