Bazoom Group
Friday, September 20, 2024
When most people think of Jamaica, what comes to mind is an Island famous for having raised some of the best Olympic sprinters, Bob Marley music and potentially even the culinary delight of Jamaican jerk spice. However, Jamaica is also an enjoyable tourist destination and its popularity is only on the up year after year. In fact, according to the latest data on Statistica, "Jamaica reported 3.3 million international tourist arrivals [in 2022]. This represented a growth of almost 1.8 million tourists compared to the previous year". So, if you're curious about visiting the island nation, here is what you need to know:
Montego Bay Highlights
Montego Bay is one of the tourist cities in Jamaica and provides a combination of leisure and excitement. Montego Bay, famous for its lively nightlife, modern hotels and wonderful beaches is an really excellent place from which to start exploring the island. One should not fail to visit the Hip Strip which is a strip that comprises shops, restaurants and bars. If you want to learn more about history then visit the Rose Hall Great House, a restored plantation home with an interesting (and rather eerie) past. It also has several water activities for the tourists which include snorkeling and diving at Montego Bay Marine Park and boat trips along the coastlines as well as other montego bay excursions such as a Blue Mountains Tour or Dunn's River Falls Tour. Montego Bay also has good golf courses as well as river rafting that will enable the client to explore Jamaica.
Beautiful Beaches
Some of the most beautiful beaches of the world can be found in Jamaica with their crystal clear water and white sand. Moving from the popular seven-mile beach in Neigril to the more tranquil Frenchman’s Cove in Port Antonio, there is a beach to suit every kind of traveller. In the daytime, you can simply relax on the beach and sunbathe or swim in the warm Caribbean Sea, or be more active practising water activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving or paddle boarding.
The Culture and Hip Hop Scene
Jamaica is a country of music and culture, especially in regard to its production of reggae. The music, art and dance of the island are well intertwined with the history of the island and the spirit of the people. Also visit Kingston, the cultural city where one can visit the Bob Marley Museum and enjoy real reggae music and dance at the various music bars. Jamaica also celebrates several events in a year such as the Reggae Sumfest, the Maroon festival where there is cultural dancing, drumming and tales.
Nature Adventures
Moving away from the sandy coastlines, Jamaica has many things to see and do with its varied terrain. Hiking is another interesting activity one can do here and get to see some of the most beautiful views of the Blue Mountains and an opportunity to visit one of the world’s best coffee farms. Definitely, one should not miss Dunn’s River Falls which is a waterfall in Ocho Rios where tourists are allowed to climb the waterfalls. For those who are not interested in your typical tourist attractions, you can go to the Green Grotto Caves or raft in the Martha Brae River. All these afford one an opportunity to give the natural and adventurous face of Jamaica.
Jamaican Food
Jamaican food can be considered a combination of different tastes of African, Indian and European cuisine. Some of the dishes that you must order include jerk chicken and jerk pork, which are marinated spices and then cooked with pimento wood. Some of the dishes that one should not miss include the ackee and saltfish which is Jamaica’s national dish, curried goat and oxtail stew. Other known foods include the various fruits that are grown on the island and street foods like the patties which are meat or vegetable-filled pastry. Be sure to accompany your meal with a really cool glass of local rum or a bottle of Red Stripe beer, the locals’ favourite.
Best Time to Visit
Jamaica is blessed with a tropical climate which has good weather conditions throughout the year, hence it is a good destination to visit at any time of the year. The ideal time to travel is between November to mid-December and from mid-January to April since the climate is mild with little rainfall. This period also falls within the time that some of Jamaica’s greatest festivals are held for instance the Reggae Sumfest and the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. It is also possible to travel during the off-peak time of the year from May to October and this also has its advantages because there will be few tourists and you may also get cheap rates for accommodation.
Safety Tips
Always stay in the tourist areas and do not go around unknown territories, especially at night. To avoid a rigged taxi, only use licensed taxis or go with reputable tour operators; do not flash valuables or carry them in crowded areas. It would be better if the traveller also drinks a lot of water, applies some protection against the sun and be polite to the people so as to avoid offending the culture.
Accommodation Options
In every corner of Jamaica, people can find good accommodation for any price and any type. All-inclusive resorts are perfect for travellers who don’t want to worry about anything during their vacation as they offer food, entertainment and activities. In order to be more immersed, you can opt to book a boutique hotel, an eco-lodge or a guesthouse that enhances the chances of engaging with the locals. When it comes to finding a place to stay, you can really find what you are looking for whether you’re willing to splurge on a high-end hotel or seek more affordable accommodations.
Transportation
Transportation in Jamaica is not a problem; the following are several ways that you can use to move around the country. For short distance, you can use the minibus which is cheap but please ensure that you agree on the fare before entering the vehicle. While for longer stays you should probably consider taking a private car with a driver, or at least renting a car since it is more convenient. Taxis are also used but they are expensive while public transport such as buses are also used although they are usually packed. Some of the many facilities that can be found in these hotels and resorts include; shuttles to the major tourist attractions.
