Jamaica
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Is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea, comprising the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles. Jamaica: soak up the sun, sand and spirit of Jamaica, from long sandy stretches to crystal clear water and secret coves, beaches are where you start your holiday and make memories to last a lifetime.
Official Language: English
Explore Jamaica:
Montego Bay: is the second largest city in Jamaica and is the gateway to tourist activity on the north coast. The city sits in a bay with mountains rising in the background. It is a hub of shopping and dining, and the beaches are lined with all-inclusive resorts, be sure to check out the following highlights. Montego Bay is the number one destination in all of Jamaica appealing to the widest variety of visitor needs. "Mo Bay" is known for having some of the best golf courses in all of the West Indies as well as some of the best resorts on the entire island. Montego Bay also has a great deal of options of shopping duty free, is a far cry from the rural history of Jamaica, but is not too removed that you can't check it out if you are so inclined. Montego Bay is near the Great Houses of the plantations, as well as antiquated towns such as Falmouth, and accessible to day trips to Maroon Country.
Ocho Rios: This is the cruise capital of Jamaica. The bay is sheltered by lush garden-like mountains and protected by reefs. Ocho Rios hums with markets, shops, restaurants, and discos. Watersports and natural wonders are the attraction here.
Dunns River Falls: This 600-foot waterfall drops down to the beach. One of the most photographed and visited waterfalls in the world. Can be extremely crowded as people climb up through a series of "staircase" waterfalls.
Heading east from Ocho Rios, the drive from Ocho Rios to Port Antonio has some of the most spectacular scenery the north coast has to offer. Pass through small port towns such as Orcabessa, whose 19th century buildings are restored to their original look and feel. There are several "kodak moments" with breathtaking views of the coastline, bays and hills. The roads are narrow and windy, so be careful when driving on your own through this area.
Treasure Beach: is one of the many unspoiled and beautiful beaches on the southern coast of Jamaica. At the southeast end of the beach a sheer cliff rises 1,000 feet above the sea. Hikers enjoy going up the rocky road and then scaling the cliff near the lighthouse. The view is spectacular and belies a rather tragic story that gave the cliff its name. The story goes that in the 17th century two young slaves fell in love and asked the slavemaster permission to marry. Not only was the permission denied but the "master" stated that he was going to separate them permanently by selling the young girl off to another plantation. Unable to bear the thought of being separated for life they jumped from the cliffpoint to be joined forever in death.
Negril: The "newest" resort destination on the west coast was discovered in the 1700s by rowdy pirates. The 1960s and 1970s saw the sleepy little town invaded by hippies from North America. Today, people are being drawn in even greater numbers to its famed seven-mile-long sandy beach and its spectacular sunsets. Fun and sun are the main attractions here, and there are few other attractions. The Negril Lighthouse, built in 1894, offers a panoramic view of the area after a climb of 100 stairs, is a large beach resort town on the western tip of Jamaica rated as one of the top 10 beaches in all the world by a variety of travel magazines. Negril is known as one of the nudist capitols of the world which has attracted people of a certain lifestyle since the 1960's. Larger hotels such as Hedonism offer bathing areas with a do as you please dress code that seem to enforce the easy going spirit of the island. Negril is also home to Seven Mile Beach, which is one of the longest uninterrupted stretches of sand anywhere in the Caribbean.
Kingston: Located on the southeast coast, Kingston is Jamaica's capital and largest city. This port town is home to roughly 750,000 people and is the island's principal port. As well as being the center of culture for the island, Kingston has a variety of national attractions as well. This includes the historic Port Royal (which was once home to the pirate nation of Jamaica) and the National Gallery. Kingston also offers a wide variety of tours and resorts as well as the best the island as to offer in food, dance, and folk music.
