Jamaica Holidays

Dig a little deeper on your holidays to Jamaica in 2020 and you’ll uncover a fascinating past and culture that sets itself apart from other destinations. Visit the capital, Kingston for great food and the Bob Marley Museum. Even if you head out on a last minute holiday, you'll find planning things to do is easy. 

Things to do in Montego Bay:

• Zipline Adventure Tour – Whizz through Jamaica’s tropical forests and canopies on the Caribbean's longest zip line.
• Play golf at Tryall Club – This stunning golf course offers great mountain and sea views. 
• Scuba dive at Montego Bay Marine Park – Dive into the deep end and discover Jamaica’s coral and marine life.

Things to do in Negril:

• Kool Runnings Water Park – The perfect family day out. Enjoy the rides and have a bite to eat here.
• Royal Palm Reserve – An eco-tourism project for protected plants and animals where visitors can learn and enjoy.
• Mayfield Falls –  Explore these beautiful natural waterfalls. A guided tour is a great option.

Things to do in Runaway Bay:

• Green Grotto Caves – Head out on a guided tour to these fascinating underground caves.
• Day trip to Ocho Rios - Indulge your sense of adventure in Ocho Rios and visit the famous Dunn’s River Falls.

Is there a better destination for beach holidays than Jamaica? With an abundance of sandy shores and calm bays to have a dip in. Many of the island’s best beaches are dotted around Montego Bay and Negril.

Top beaches in Jamaica:

• Doctor’s Cave Beach, Montego Bay – A popular beach and club with supposedly theraputic waters. 
• Cornwall Beach, Montego Bay – Relatively quiet and secluded making it perfect for romantic swims or strolls.
• Seven Mile Beach, Negril – Highly regarded as the best beach in Jamaica, it is also the longest.
• Treasure Beach, South Coast – An isolated spot known for fishing. Still wonderful if you’re looking to escape the crowds.
• Rose Hall Beach, Montego Bay –  A beach bar and other great amenities mean you can spend all day here.

Best beach bars in Montego Bay:

• Bigg’s BBQ Restaurant & Bar – A delicious BBQ restaurant with a great cocktail menu.
• Sky Beach Bar & Seafood Grill – Perfect for gazing out to sea with a drink in hand.
• Pier 1 – DJs, live music and spectacular views combine for a fun vibe.

Jamaica’s attractions provide a perfect escape for families, especially because of its huge range of all inclusive hotels. The all-year-round sunshine continues to be a family holidays favourite in high and low season, and there are always plenty of activities to keep you occupied. The beach resorts of Negril and Port Antonio are well-developed and packed with great hotels, bars and restaurants – not to mention miles of golden sands. Visitors can snorkel with dolphins and dive for exotic fish, or simply while away the hours in a deckchair. Kids will love the tales of swashbuckling pirates that landed in Jamaica centuries ago, with names such as Bloody Bay and Treasure Beach sure to set their imaginations racing. 

Top family-friendly hotels in Jamaica:

• Grand Bahia Principe Jamaica
• Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort and Spa
• Legends Beach Resort
• Sunscape Splash Resort & Spa
• Holiday Inn Resort Montego Bay Jamaica

Jamaica holidays are quite simply a delight for couples, plus it can make quite a cheap holiday. The “land of wood and water” in its idyllic Caribbean setting combines stunning natural beauty, vast history and culture, and ample supplies of adventure and adrenaline if that is your tonic. Jamaica is a holiday that can include the rare treats of rainforests, reefs, beaches and mountains, and the scores of different species of wildlife that call them home.

Top hotels for couples in Jamaica:

• Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort and Spa
• Travellers Beach Resort
• Iberostar Rose Hall Beach
• Moon Palace Jamaica
• Couples San Souci (adults only)

There’s plenty to do when it comes to culture in Jamaica! You’ll be sure to try new things and explore new places on the island.

Art museums in Jamaica:

• National Gallery of Jamaica – This is the largest gallery on the island housing artefacts dating back to Jamaica’s first inhabitants as well as modern artwork.
• Grosvenor Galleries – Situated in a Kingston suburb, these galleries feature a range of art ranging from canvas work to acrylic and much more.
• National Gallery West – A branch of the National Gallery in Kingston, National Gallery West hosts historical artefacts and art work which highlights the islands natural surroundings.  

Bob Marley Museum:

In Kingston, pay your respects to Jamaica’s most famous son by visiting the Bob Marley Museum, set in the singer’s old house and studio. Painted in the Rastafarian colours of green, red and gold, the museum is the city’s most visited and talked-about site.

Traditional Jamaican cuisine:

The unique cuisine is among the most relished of Jamaica’s attractions and is one of the most distinctive in the world. The most famous dish is, of course, jerk chicken, which is marinated in a hot sauce and smoked over an outdoor fire. You can find it everywhere, but for the very best you must head to Kingston, the hub of the island’s food scene. Here you can sample such local delights as ackee and saltfish, curry goat, stew fish, breadfruit and sweet potatoes, along with countless other dishes. You’ll never go thirsty in Jamaica – try a glass of ice-cold fruit cocktail, a cup of world-famous Blue Mountain coffee, or a drop of locally distilled rum.

Food in Jamaican resorts:

Many of the resorts in Jamaica will provide a variety of foods. From international cuisine and local delights. If you’re concerned about having foods you know you’ll like, check what type of restaurants are available at your hotel in advance.

Food tourism in Jamaica:

If you consider yourself a foodie, Jamaica has to be on your list of places to visit! With a range of flavours to sample and foods to try, there’ll always be something new on your plate. Plus, there are many food tours to embark on to get your fair share of Jamaican cuisine. Try Jamaica Culinary Tours, Taste of Jamaica Authentic Tour and head to Appleton Estate to sample all that the island has to offer in terms of food and drink.

Eating out in Jamaica:

When heading out to eat in Jamaica you will find local restaurants if you venutre off the beaten path. However, you may find that in more popular tourist areas, prices will be higher.

Montego Bay – Gloucester Avenue is where all the action happens! Otherwise known as the Hip Strip, there are an abundance of restaurants, bars and clubs in the area. Expect loud music and plenty of drinks!

Negril – Jamaica boasts the natural beauty of Negril and its plentiful social spots including the Natural Mystic or Alfred’s Ocean Palace bars right on the beach, and the stunning sunsets and views from Rick’s Bar.

Runaway Bay – Runaway Bay is one of Jamaica’s more quieter resorts when it comes to big clubs. You’ll find good bars in the area and beach parties at Priory Beach, that typically takes place on Sunday evenings. Beach party dates are subject to change, so make sure you check for when you’ll be visiting!

What is the best time of year to visit Jamaica?

This Caribbean island enjoy a lovely climate for the majority of the year. During the summer months, it is subject to storms due to hurricane season, however hotels and resorts usually take the necessary precautions to prevent any dilapidating damage. The best time to visit Jamaica is probably from November to December. During this time the weather is beautiful and at its most pleasant. You will also find prices are cheaper during these times as it isn't the necessary high season for tourism. 

Average high and low temperatures for each month:

• January: 28° / 21°
• February: 28° / 21°
• March: 29° / 22°
• April: 29° / 22°
• May: 30° / 23°
• June: 31° / 24°
• July: 33° / 24°
• August: 33° / 24°
• September: 31° / 24°
• October: 30° / 24°
• November: 29° / 23° 
• December: 29° / 22°

Is Jamaica safe for a holiday?

Many people are often wary of Jamaica’s high crime rate. Of course, many tourist visits to the island are trouble-free but you should still take the usual precautions when visiting Jamaica.

What’s the coldest month in Jamaica?

January and February are the coldest months on the island seeing highs of 28 degrees and lows of 21 degrees.

What’s the rainiest month in Jamaica?

The rainiest months include May – June and September – October.

Can you drink the tap water in Jamaica?

The tap water is considered safe to drink throughout most of Jamaica. However, in some rural areas it may not be.