Ah Jamaica, the island of sun, sand, rum, reggae and relaxation! If you are thinking about escaping from the pandemic and lockdown then you should put Jamaica on your travel list. This beautiful Caribbean Island offers so much to the visitor in stunning scenery not to mention the friendly locals, fantastic seafood, lively music scene and of course the incredible weather! There is also a huge range of accommodation from budget up to ultra deluxe, from quaint bed and breakfasts to luxury private villas with pools and great seaviews. There are lots of excellent hotels to suit all budgets, whether you are travelling alone or as a family, offering all sorts of facilities and activities for visitors.
1. The Blue Mountains
If you head north of Kingston you will come to one of the most scenic regions on the whole island of Jamaica, the stunning Blue Mountains. The area is protected as a national park, the John Crow Mountain National Park. The towering peaks stand proud above a lush green and remote region, full of wonderful flora and fauna. The area is pretty remote and the mountain roads can be a challenge so many people hire guides or book day trips. Remember to take plenty of spending money in case you visit the coffee plantations or the rum factories!
2. Ochos Rios
This is one of Jamaica’s most popular tourist regions, where many of the all inclusive resorts can be found and it is also popular with visiting cruise ships travelling around the Caribbean. This area is full of gorgeous scenery including Dunns River Falls which is one of the most famous sites in Jamaica. These waterfalls are truly beautiful and visitors can bathe in the clear waters surrounded by nature. As this area is geared up for tourism it is not the quietest area but it is an excellent destination for those who enjoy watersports, day trips and lively resorts with great food and drink.
3. Negril
Another well known area of Jamaica for it’s very laid back, truly Jamaican vibe, Negril is the place you want to come to if you want to get away from it all. This area is famous for its lack of high rise hotels and flashy resorts and instead it’s full of little cottages and beach bungalows, laid back beach bars and cafes and great food trucks. There is a stunning 7 mile sandy beach which is the perfect place to watch the sunset and listen to some reggae. If you fancy some more action there is the Cool Runnings water park which is great for families.
4. Montego Bay and Falmouth
You can find Montego Bay on the northwestern coast of the island and this area is very lively and one of the main tourist areas on the islands. Again you will find plenty of resorts and visiting cruise ships with a lively nightlife scene. The scenery is what attracted tourists to the area in the first place with a beautiful mountain backdrop to the glorious sandy beachs. It is also a historic area with the pretty and historic port town of Falmouth not too far for a visit. Falmouth dates back to the 18th century and is well worth visiting as it is full of fascinating historic buildings. If you want to get the best from your visit you can book a walking tour to learn more about the significance of this area and Jamaica’s history of colonialism and the sugar and coffee plantations.
