Jamaica travel guide
The most colourful island in the Caribbean - Jamaica's attractions include idyllic white sand beaches, tropical blooms, blue mountain peaks, leafy parks, handsome colonial towns and neon-lit nightlife.
You can see why Jamaica became the world’s all-inclusive resort capital. Wide sandy beaches, palm trees galore and an attitude so laid back it’s practically horizontal, Jamaica is paradise if you want to spend your holiday sipping cocktails from the comfort of your own beach-side hammock.
However, there’s so much more to Jamaica than that.
Head inland to the Jamaican countryside for a real flavour of the country where you can hike through lush rainforests or swim beneath cascading waterfalls.
Fuel up with some jerk chicken from a roadside stall, raft along the Rio Grande or don a snorkel to swim with the fishes. In Kingston, head to the National Gallery, catch a show or gasp in awe at the shapes being thrown on the dancefloor.
Wanderlust recommends
- Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon
- Bump and grind in the dancehalls of Kingston
- Visit the Royal Palm Reserve - an area of wetland home to giant palms and rare wildlife
- Down a cold one at sunset in Negril
- Tip your hat to the king of reggae at the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston
Wanderlust tips
Don’t be tempted to buy anything made from ‘coral’ or ‘tortoiseshell’ (actually the endangered hawksbill turtle) – both are protected and trade is illegal. Avoid conch shells too as they are fast disappearing from Jamaican waters.
Take home some locally made reggae compilations or a few packets of Blue Mountain coffee instead.