Jamaica Vacations

Jamaica’s vibrant culture, world class beaches and colorful history are wonderful. Kingston, the capital city, offers a close up view of Jamaica’s history and rich traditions. The town of Ocho Rios with its tropical forests and natural environment offers an exotic ambiance that dazzles the senses. Negril is where miles of white sand beach inspire a tropical life. Montego Bay, the country’s tourist mecca, is where you can party the night away. Jamaica has something for everyone.

Cost and Budgeting in Jamaica
Most budget travelers will have spend at least US$35 a day. Roadside stalls and budget restaurants sell food for less than US$1 and jerk pork and other local meals for around US$2. The touristy restaurants, however, can be expensive: expect to pay at least US$10 per person and, at the top end, as much as US$60.

Cheap accommodation cost sUS$20 or more. Midrange hotels range from about US$60 to US$150, while luxury resorts can charge US$300 or more per day. All-inclusive hotels offer tremendous bargains, as everything you consume is included in room rates. Sometimes these are the best way to go.

A 10% tip is normal in hotels and restaurants. Some restaurants automatically add a 10% to 15% service charge to your bill. Some all-inclusive resorts have a strictly enforced no-tipping policy.

Things to do in Jamaica
Pelican Bar- Play dominoes with a fisherman at this singular bar in the middle of the sea.
Black River Great Morass- Boat up a swampland waterway to find alligators and birds.
Negril Beaches- Throw your cares to the wind and toast the sunset in Jamaica’s ‘capital of casual’.
Appleton Rum Estate- Tour this distillery and find out about the rum that adds fuel to the island’s fire.
Cockpit Country- Disappear into Jamaica’s most otherworldly terrain to enjoy hiking, caving and solitude.
Falmouth- Learn the troubled history of slavery in the best-preserved Georgian town in Jamaica.
Rio Grande- Coast along the majestic Rio Grande on a raft of bamboo poles.
Dunn’s River Falls- This is one of the greatest waterfalls in the the region and a great place to climb and go swimming.
Nine Mile- Pay homage to Bob Marley at his place of birth and final resting place.
Boston Bay- Relish the flavors of spicy jerk pork and chicken, or hit the beach for the island’s best surfing.
Bob Marley Museum- Take the pulse of Kingston at this museum devoted to Jamaica’s most revered contemporary hero.
Blue Mountain Peak- Hit the trail in the dark of night to scale Jamaica’s highest peak by sunrise.

Jamaica Weather
A ‘rainy season’ starts in May or June and extends through November or December, with the heaviest rains in September and October. Jamaica lies in the Caribbean ‘hurricane belt.’ Officially the hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30; August and September are peak months.

Jamaica is a year-round destination, though there are seasonal differences to consider. The rainy season extends from May to November, with peaks in May, June, October and November. Tourism’s high season runs from early-December to mid-April, when hotel prices are highest. Many hotels charge peak-season rates during Christmas and Easter.