Jamaica – Best Hotels & Resorts, Beaches, Sightseeing and Travel Tips
Jamaica is one of my favorite Caribbean islands, and I have visited it countless times. Why? Because it is an exceptional vacation destination. It offers a warm, tropical climate; friendly people, a wide range of resorts & beaches, and many sightseeing and tour opportunities. You will not be bored when you visit Jamaica!
Following are some travel tips and advice to help plan your trip to Jamaica. You’ll find – as I have – that Jamaica has some of the best activities, beaches and sightseeing in an island vacation.
Location
Jamaica is a small island located about 90 miles south of the coast of Cuba in the Caribbean Sea. It is the 3rd largest island in the Caribbean, and home to approximately 3 million people.
Macmillan Wall Map of Jamaica (Macmillan Caribbean Wall Maps)
This map of Jamaica is the perfect size to hang on your wall over your computer desk. It shows the major cities and resort districts in Jamaica, which will help you plan your trip. Refer to it as you read this article, and use it to map out where you wish to stay.
Getting To Jamaica
By Airplane
Quite a few airlines fly into fly into Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, such as American, Air Jamaica, Delta, Spirit, US Air, and Air Canada. The majority of these offer connecting service, depending on where your flight begins. During the summer months, non-stop charter flights are occasionally available. Check with Funjet Vacations, Sun Country, Apple Vacations or MLT for charter information.
Quite a few airlines fly into fly into Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, such as American, Air Jamaica, Delta, Spirit, US Air, and Air Canada. The majority of these offer connecting service, depending on where your flight begins. During the summer months, non-stop charter flights are occasionally available. Check with Funjet Vacations, Sun Country, Apple Vacations or MLT for charter information.
By Cruise Ship
Ocho Rios and Montego Bay are ports-of-call for some of the major cruise lines. If you stop in Ocho Rios, take time to visit Dunns River Falls. Ocho Rios also offers great shopping, especially if you venture past the port shops. Other tours available include swimming with dolphins; horseback riding on the beach; and ziplining through the trees.
If you port in Montego Bay, try Margaritaville for some quick fun. Montego Bay also offers a great beach, zipline tours, horseback riding on the beach, plus shopping.
Regardless of which port, you’ll find friendly people, negotiable prices and some great deals.
Ocho Rios and Montego Bay are ports-of-call for some of the major cruise lines. If you stop in Ocho Rios, take time to visit Dunns River Falls. Ocho Rios also offers great shopping, especially if you venture past the port shops. Other tours available include swimming with dolphins; horseback riding on the beach; and ziplining through the trees.
If you port in Montego Bay, try Margaritaville for some quick fun. Montego Bay also offers a great beach, zipline tours, horseback riding on the beach, plus shopping.
Regardless of which port, you’ll find friendly people, negotiable prices and some great deals.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Here’s what you’ll see when you’re on a cruise ship, headed for Jamaica. This is Ocho Rios cruise port, with the Customs building in the lower right corner. Just cross the bridge into Jamaica, then head into town to shop, play or take tours. Try Dunns River Falls, if you want a really thrilling experience!
How do you get around in Jamaica?
A lot of people who visit Jamaica never set foot outside of their resort. However, Jamaica has a lot to offer in the way of sightseeing and activities, and you will miss a lot if you stay inside the resort.
Air Taxis
A great way to travel between Montego Bay and other cities is on an air taxi. It is a fast way to travel, you get an up-close view of Jamaica. TimAir is my favorite air taxi. It offers flights to a number of cities, including Kingston, Negril, Ocho Rios, Mandeville and Port Antonio, and Montego Bay. TimAir also offers day trips, and will point out landmarks as you fly. When I am riding in one of these planes, I feel as if I’m riding in a volkswagon in the sky!
Rental Cars
Driving in Jamaica is quite an adventure, and not for the faint of heart! First of all, driving is on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right. This can take a bit of practice.
Secondly, Jamaicans drive fast and use both their horns and hand-signals. The horn beeps mean anything from “hello” to “get out of the way”. The speed limit is 30 mph in the city and 50 mph on the highways.
Third, the roads are winding and full of goats, pedestrians, people on bicycles, and vendors selling their wares. So not only do you have to watch for the crazy drivers, there are many road hazards.
Should you rent a car? Yes! It’s the best way to see the island, and you’ll get to see sights you wouldn’t see otherwise!
The best known car rental agency is Island Car Rentals. They have several offices in Jamaica, including Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Kingston. You can check rates and make your reservations over the Internet. Or, if you are using a travel agent, ask them about this agency. Island Car Rentals has a very friendly and helpful staff who answer all your questions, in addition to providing directions to your destination.
Taxis
If you prefer, you can take a taxi. The tour desk at your resort can arrange taxi service for you. However, it’s usually less expensive if you walk outside of the resort to hail a taxi, as prices vary.
Before entering the taxi, negotiate the price. If it is a one-way trip, pay the driver when you disembark. If it is a roundtrip – for example, visiting Dunns River Falls, and the driver waits for you – pay when you return to the resort. This guarantees you a ride home! Tipping is expected, and taxi drivers prefer US dollars.
A great way to travel between Montego Bay and other cities is on an air taxi. It is a fast way to travel, you get an up-close view of Jamaica. TimAir is my favorite air taxi. It offers flights to a number of cities, including Kingston, Negril, Ocho Rios, Mandeville and Port Antonio, and Montego Bay. TimAir also offers day trips, and will point out landmarks as you fly. When I am riding in one of these planes, I feel as if I’m riding in a volkswagon in the sky!
Rental Cars
Driving in Jamaica is quite an adventure, and not for the faint of heart! First of all, driving is on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right. This can take a bit of practice.
Secondly, Jamaicans drive fast and use both their horns and hand-signals. The horn beeps mean anything from “hello” to “get out of the way”. The speed limit is 30 mph in the city and 50 mph on the highways.
Third, the roads are winding and full of goats, pedestrians, people on bicycles, and vendors selling their wares. So not only do you have to watch for the crazy drivers, there are many road hazards.
Should you rent a car? Yes! It’s the best way to see the island, and you’ll get to see sights you wouldn’t see otherwise!
The best known car rental agency is Island Car Rentals. They have several offices in Jamaica, including Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Kingston. You can check rates and make your reservations over the Internet. Or, if you are using a travel agent, ask them about this agency. Island Car Rentals has a very friendly and helpful staff who answer all your questions, in addition to providing directions to your destination.
Taxis
If you prefer, you can take a taxi. The tour desk at your resort can arrange taxi service for you. However, it’s usually less expensive if you walk outside of the resort to hail a taxi, as prices vary.
Before entering the taxi, negotiate the price. If it is a one-way trip, pay the driver when you disembark. If it is a roundtrip – for example, visiting Dunns River Falls, and the driver waits for you – pay when you return to the resort. This guarantees you a ride home! Tipping is expected, and taxi drivers prefer US dollars.
Best Beach In Jamaica -Seven Mile Beach in Negril
Negril Beach is my favorite beach of all of those in Jamaica! It stretches for seven miles, and offers soft white sand. Although there are resorts the length of the beach, some with security stations, the guards will let you pass as long as you don’t venture onto the properties. One of my favorite things to do is go to the beach early in the morning when the water is still, and watch for stingrays. They swim close to shore, and the water is so clear you get a great view!
Also, the west end of Jamaica, where Negril is located, offers great sunsets! Many people gather on the shores to watch – and applaud – when the sun is setting.
Also, the west end of Jamaica, where Negril is located, offers great sunsets! Many people gather on the shores to watch – and applaud – when the sun is setting.
Best Day Trip – Dunns River Falls
If you have time for only one day trip while you’re in Jamaica, you must absolutely visit Dunns River Falls! Jamaicans say this is the place where heaven spills into the sea, and where the fountain of youth emerges. Dunns River Falls is just a couple of miles west of Ocho Rios, which is on the northeast coast. There is an admittance charge of $20 per adult, and $12 per child. There’s an additional charge if you wish to rent a locker or purchase refreshments.
Bring your swimsuit and some good water shoes, as you’ll be drenched long before you reach the top. A waterproof camera will capture your memories of this trip, and the guides will be happy to snap pictures for you.
So what is Dunns River Falls? It’s a 600-foot waterfall that empties in the sea. You’ll first walk down a long pathway with lots of steps to get to the bottom. From there, you’ll hold hands to form a human chain, and you’ll climb inside the waterfall back to the top. Experienced guides lead the way, ensuring you’ll make it to the top safely.
Bring your swimsuit and some good water shoes, as you’ll be drenched long before you reach the top. A waterproof camera will capture your memories of this trip, and the guides will be happy to snap pictures for you.
So what is Dunns River Falls? It’s a 600-foot waterfall that empties in the sea. You’ll first walk down a long pathway with lots of steps to get to the bottom. From there, you’ll hold hands to form a human chain, and you’ll climb inside the waterfall back to the top. Experienced guides lead the way, ensuring you’ll make it to the top safely.
Shopping in Jamaica
Jamaica is known for it’s coffee and rum. But there are other things worth buying in this country! Hand-made jewelry, wood carvings, musical instruments, seashells, and clothing are quite popular as well. If you look around, you can find some great deals.
Grocery Stores
These are the best places to purchase coffee and rum. While grocery stores in the United States don’t offer hard alcohol, you can purchase rum, vodka, gin and many other beverages right off the shelf, and at reasonable prices. Blue Mountain Coffee is also more reasonable here than any place else.
The Airport
If you can’t make it to the grocery store, there are great bargains in the airport terminal. Make last minute purchases of rum, coffee, jerk seasonings, t-shirts, and more. There are also duty free shops for cigarettes and jewelry in the airport departure lounge.
Grocery Stores
These are the best places to purchase coffee and rum. While grocery stores in the United States don’t offer hard alcohol, you can purchase rum, vodka, gin and many other beverages right off the shelf, and at reasonable prices. Blue Mountain Coffee is also more reasonable here than any place else.
The Airport
If you can’t make it to the grocery store, there are great bargains in the airport terminal. Make last minute purchases of rum, coffee, jerk seasonings, t-shirts, and more. There are also duty free shops for cigarettes and jewelry in the airport departure lounge.