Jamaica Holidays

It doesn’t take rocket science to see why Jamaica has long been a Caribbean island for travel connoisseurs! Attribute it to a splendid scenic cocktail of mountain grandeur and palm-edged beaches, spiced with stylish hotels and a lively island cultural scene with music, dance, art – oh, and cricket, of course.

A mass exodus of holiday travellers from the UK to Jamaica would surely be on the cards if the island’s magic was better known. Why? Well, let’s just say that this exotic spot is no place like home. Here terms like ‘rush hour’ and ‘pressure’ seem supremely irrelevant. The day’s only serious markers are sunrise and sunset. Jamaica is a perfect place for soothing the soul and its name a synonym for elegant escapism. Sweet fragrances, shimmering sunsets, spicy flavours – no wonder hearts beat faster in Jamaica!

Island Adventure

If you’re keen on climbing and hiking, the Blue Mountains (they reach over 7,000 ft.) offer unspoilt scenery and a variety of flora and fauna. Horse-riding is also well catered for – while deep-sea fishing charters can be arranged through hotels in main resorts. Jamaica offers a diverse landscape - dramatic mountain scenery, waterfalls and rivers giving way to a multitude of coves and secluded beaches.

Nightlife & Party with Locals

Jamaica has bars and clubs enough for a lifetime - from upbeat themed venues to simple beach and cliff bars. In Montego Bay Gloucester Avenue’s ‘Hip Strip’, is where it all happens.  And the whole place resounds to Bob Marley and the reggae beat.

World's Best Scuba Dive Sites

Jamaica boasts close-to-shore wrecks, sponge forests, underwater caves and coral reefs. In some areas, visibility is exceptional, reaching 100ft.

World Class Golf Courses

Jamaica has some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful and challenging golf courses. Montego Bay is the premier area and it is not necessary to be resident at a hotel to play on its three impressive courses.

Family Holidays

Our recommended Jamaica hotels offer safe bathing and excellent amenities for family parties with children of all ages.

Jamaica does nothing by halves. It’s big on reputation – Errol Flynn and his Hollywood set started it; Big on scenery – the beaches come garnished with Blue Mountains; Big on activity – from river rafting to round-the-clock reggae; And big on choice – with resorts and hotels for all tastes and temperaments.

WHAT TO SEE

The North Coast

Jamaica’s beautiful North Coast is the setting of a series of contrasted resorts and a string of delightful beaches - from the uninhibited Negril in the west to the turquoise waters Port Antonio’s Blue Lagoon in the east. Best-known resort is Montego Bay, with its abundance restaurants, bars, street markets and other attractions. Attractive Ocho Rios, once a sleepy fishing village, is a cosmopolitan little resort that certainly deserves a visit.

Rose Hall Great House

Don’t miss this stately old 18^th century sugar plantation house near Montego Bay - now superbly restored and with a famous history filled with witchcraft and ghosts.

Dunn's River Falls

Climb Ocho Rios’ unique 600ft cascading water stairway to the Shaw Park botanical gardens – unforgettable!

Harmony Hall

Harmony Hall is a lovely old 19th century manse house near Ocho Rios, housing the work of local artists and craftsmen.

Fern Gully

Enjoy the spectacular 4-mile drive through a riot of tropical plants and vegetation climbing through a rain forest.

Blue Mountains

Take a trip into the stunning scenery of the Blue Mountains and visit one of the plantations that produce Jamaica’s famous Blue Mountain coffee.

Blue Lagoon, Port Antonio

Made famous by the Brooke Shields film, the amazing Blue Lagoon opens to the sea through a narrow funnel, while fed by freshwater springs - producing colours that change through every shade of jade and emerald.

WHAT TO DO

Sports

Jamaica’s many North Coast resorts between them cater for virtually every taste in sports activity on land and water – from windsurfing and snorkelling to deep-sea fishing charters, outstanding golf (there are no less than four outstanding courses in the Montego Bay area alone) and horse-riding on the beach, along rivers and into the mountains (see At a Glance section for more information on scuba-diving and golf).

River Rafting

A Jamaica speciality - sit back and enjoy the exotic scenery as you travel down one of the many rivers on a 30ft bamboo raft. Most popular are the Rio Grande in Port Antonio and Montego Bay’s Great River and Martha Brea River.

Shopping

Crafts shops line the streets in resort areas, which also have craft markets with stalls displaying items made of local materials like lignum vitae wood, jippi jappa straw, John Crow beads, goatskin, calico and bamboo. Don't forget to bargain! Many Jamaicans make a living as artists selling to visitors. Amid the kitsch you’ll find some first-rate art – mostly at galleries at fixed prices.

Nightlife

Jamaica IS reggae; you’ll hear it everywhere in bars and nightclubs, along with calypso and steel band music and jazz. There’s always a choice of late-night dance spots and discos in the resorts – mainly at hotels, some featuring nightly shows. In Montego Bay Gloucester Avenue, the ‘Hip Strip’, is where it all happens - while Ocho Rios is more spread out, with bars along the main street, others further afield. Montego Bay also offers ‘An Evening on the Great River’ - with a boat ride up the torch-lit river, open bar, Jamaican dinner, reggae band and native floor show.

There’s scarcely a month when the Jamaica social calendar doesn’t feature a major event. Don’t be surprised if many have a musical or sporting theme. The islanders love both – and Jamaica’s easygoing mood and outdoor lifestyle are perfect for both. Here are just some of the key dates.

January

A jazz buff and here in the last week of the month? Then head for the popular Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival at Rose Hall Great House (near Montego Bay), featuring a number of international artists.

April

Carnival fever hits Jamaica. Kingston is the focus of attention but Montego Bay and Ocho Rios also come alive with street parades, parties and a Las Lap final ‘jump-up’. April also sees the lively Montego Bay Yacht Club Easter Regatta.

June

The Ocho Rios Jazz Festival in the second week of June will set your feet tapping as renowned performers from the island and around the world hit Ocho Rios.

July

Montego Bay’s Reggae Sunfest in mid-July is the reggae event of the summer, with parties and gigs throughout the week and top international acts.

August/September

Jamaican Film & Music Festival at Wyndham Rose Hall Hotel (Montego Bay) is a film with a ready-made tropical set right on hand.

October

The Port Antonio Blue Marlin Tournament is the Caribbean’s oldest marlin tournament, with anglers from across the world competing. And for something completely different, how about the World Dominoes Championship in Montego Bay later in the month!

December

The resort of Negril stages its annual Reggae Marathon along the coast at the start of the month. Even late-risers get out of bed to share in the excitement!