Jamaica is clearly a destination apart in the Caribbean. A place that fascinates for its history, its natural environment, its lively cities and known to display a legendary joie de vivre. A former English colony, the island is above all a territory where cultures mix and form what attracts visitors in numbers: the discovery of Jamaican culture. And then, there is the nature, sublime with its mountains, its tropical forests, its waterfalls and its beaches with limpid waters. One never leaves unscathed from a stay in Jamaica. And to make you want to pack your bags as soon as possible, here are some must-see places to discover on one of the most incredible islands of the Caribbean arc.
Immersion in the atmosphere of Jamaican cities
We don't visit Kingston just because it's the capital of Jamaica, but because it's a dynamic city with many tourist attractions. Architecture lovers will enjoy strolling through its neighborhoods to discover its European, Caribbean and modern influences. Then, we stop at some unmissable places, and how not to mention the Bob Marley Museum? Whether you are a fan of the Jamaican artist or not, no one can deny that he is a symbol of the island, and it is always fascinating to discover the house where the man lived and even survived an assassination attempt in 1976. The traces of the bullets still present on the walls attest to this. Next, we head to Devon House, a 19th century mansion owned by Jamaica's first black millionaire. This superb Georgian-style mansion houses rooms divinely furnished with Jamaican and Caribbean antiques. After browsing the lovely exteriors, a stop at Devon House I Scream is a must for ice cream. Enjoying Kingston is also about shopping for handicrafts on King Street, before settling down in the shade of the tropical trees in Emancipation Park. In this green oasis of the city is Redemption Song, a three-meter high bronze sculpture of a couple by artist Laura Facey.
In the northern part of the island, Ocho Rios is one of those seaside towns to visit. You can start by visiting its large artisanal market and then go to Turtle Beach for a refreshing swim. Ocho Rios is also a festival of colors between the Turtle River and its boats, Jack Ruby Avenue and its murals, the facades of the bars that serve beer and where the sounds of ska-reggae resound or Main Street and its stores. The amateurs of photographs will appreciate for sure.
Montego Bay is a great destination to enjoy the beach and a lively nightlife. Doctor's Cave Beach has translucent waters that are said to have healing powers. With fine sand, sunbeds, and equipment available for rent to dive and explore the ocean floor, all the elements are there to have a good time under the sun. Before indulging in the joys of the Made in Jamaica nightlife, don't forget to visit another landmark of Montego Bay: the Rose Hall. This plantation house dating from 1770 is not only one of the most impressive mansions of the island, it is also said that night visits awaken the ghost of the former mistress of the place Annie Palmer, who would have murdered three of her husbands. So, do we dare?
Jamaica and its luxuriant and bewitching nature
We now leave the city to discover these places of Jamaica where nature is queen. And the least we can say is that it puts in full the sight of the visitors! Hikers can start by exploring the Blue Mountain National Park, in the east of the island. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the nature is lush and rich with incredible flora and fauna. The climax of the walk leads to the summits of the Blue Mountains, where the panorama reveals the contours of the island, the tropical forests and the sea and its gradation of blues.
In Jamaica, nature reveals here and there many wonders, such as the Blue Lagoon, east of Port Antonio. The color of this 55 m deep lagoon, the refreshing warm and cold water currents, the surrounding greenery, this place is simply heavenly and magical. Magic is also a word that fits perfectly at the Glistening Waters in Falmouth. A night-time attraction that takes bathers to swim in a lagoon surrounded by mangroves where microscopic organisms produce a strange glow and illuminate the waters. Water is the source of many discoveries in Jamaica. It is the water that animates the spectacular Dunn Falls, the Mayfield Falls and allows you to sit on a bamboo raft to travel a river near Martha Brae.
The sea is next to legendary places such as the Columbus Park Museum in Discovery Bay. This is where Christopher Columbus first set foot on Jamaican soil in 1494. The place commemorates this memorable day in Jamaican history and the impact of this landing on the life of the island. And then, how can we not mention the most beautiful beaches of Jamaica, those that simply give the feeling of having reached Paradise? Negril, a seaside resort with a particularly relaxed atmosphere, has one of the most beautiful stretches of sand on the island: Seven Mile Beach. Fine white sand, turquoise waters, dense vegetation at the back and the smell of jasmine, the setting is idyllic to live a moment as we love them in the tropics. Let's also mention Frenchman's Cove and its rocky vegetated cliffs, Treasure Beach in the south of the island, two other jewels not to be missed under any pretext to relax and enjoy the pleasant temperatures all year round.
Jamaica and its gastronomy
A stay in Jamaica is also an opportunity to take an interest in its beverages and its gastronomy. When traveling along the south coast of the island, one of the must-do experiences is a visit to the Appleton Estate. In the heart of the beautiful Nassau Valley, Appleton Estate offers the curious a guided tour of one of Jamaica's oldest rum distilleries. This is an opportunity to learn more about the secrets of making this emblematic Caribbean spirit and to taste several varieties.
Wherever you go in Jamaica, you can't miss its gastronomy, with Caribbean, Indian, African, American and European influences. From street food to be savored on the go to high-end dishes served in restaurants, there is something for everyone. For the standards, we try without hesitation the Jamaican marinated chicken (jerk chicken); the goat meat curry; the run down, fish and vegetables simmered in coconut milk; and finally the national dish, the ackee and saltfish. Ackee is a fruit that looks like a lychee and that the locals eat with tomatoes, onions and cod or any other salted fish.
To enjoy the Jamaican gastronomy, a glass of rum, a beer with a view, we can only recommend to stop at Rick's Cafe. This Negril institution has a bar and a restaurant offering an incredible sunset on the sea in the evening. It's also where divers jump from cliffs into the clear waters.
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