Whether it’s the wall-to-wall sunny skies, palm-fringed beaches, or ‘home of reggae’ crown that tempts you, a holiday to Jamaica won’t disappoint.
Classic Jamaica
Hear the word Jamaica and you’re likely to picture white beaches, spicy jerk chicken and a certain Bob Marley. And you’d be spot on – the Caribbean clichés come thick and fast on this laidback island.
Lively or laid-back
On the north coast, there’s Ocho Rios. It’s one of the island’s liveliest hubs, with loads of bars and restaurants. There’s also the 180-metre cascade of Dunn’s River Falls just down the road. If you want to slow things down a bit, you’ve got the quiet sands of Runaway Bay half-an-hour away by car.
Mo-Bay
Follow the coast west for about 45 miles and you’ll hit Montego Bay, or Mo-Bay as it’s otherwise known. Here, you’ve got fantastic beaches, river rafting and Jeep safaris to get your teeth into. A bit further on is Lucea, which scores brownie points for its historical buildings, chaotic market and half-empty beaches.
Carefree Negril
Switch to the west coast and you’ll find Negril. With its peachy sunsets, ‘no worries’ attitude and famous Seven-Mile beach, it’s Jamaica’s original chill-out destination.
Places To Stay In Jamaica View all places to stay »
Lucea
Set on the northwest coast of Jamaica, Lucea is the sleepy capital of Hanover Province. The resort really hasn’t woken up to the big tourist boom – and that’s pretty much its appeal. You’ve got a quiet place here with just a clutch of hotels, shops, bars and restaurants. There is one thing the place does make a big noise about, though – the beach
Montego Bay
As resorts go, Montego Bay on the north-west coast of Jamaica is a big, vibrant place packed with Caribbean charm. It’s long been a magnet for the rich and famous, and with its reggae-infused nightlife and hot, spicy jerk cooking the place still pulls in the crowds. Oh, and the white sandy beaches might have something to do with its popularity as well.
Negril
You might recognise Negril – its famous black cliffs starred in the Bond movie Thunderball. When it’s not flashing its Equity card, this resort on Jamaica’s western coast is a low-rise kind of place where no hotel stands higher than the tallest palm tree. Back in the Sixties, hippies loved the laid-back vibe here – and that and the beach are still pulling in the crowds.
AT A GLANCE
- Scale the famous Dunn’s River Falls
- Enjoy a tipple at the Appleton rum distillery
- Make a music pilgrimage to 9-mile to see Bob Marley's house
Weather
TEMPERATURE (°C)RAINFALL (mm)
WHEN TO GO
The sun shines on Jamaica all year and temperatures are pretty consistent. February is the coolest month, with temperatures averaging around 26°C, and it heats up in July and August, when the mercury can reach highs of 32°C. Rain-wise, May, June, October and November are traditionally the wettest months. Showers tend to come and go pretty quickly, though. Keep in mind that hurricane season runs from June to November, with August and September being the ‘peak’ months when storms are most likely to hit. Saying that, hurricanes are pretty rare.
Things To Do View all »
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Dolphin Cove - Swim
Swimming with dolphins was voted as the No. 1 ‘Must Do in Your Lifetime’ by the BBC. Here’s your chance to do it. Come and…
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Horse Riding And Caribbean Swim
Saddle up and do what many people only dream of - riding horseback in the Caribbean Sea. Your adventure starts at a ranch…
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Cool Runnings
Join us for an unforgettable day of fun and sun on board a catamaran. Setting sail from Mahogany Beach, we'll cruise to the…
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Freewheelin' In The Blue Mountains
This downhill bicycle tour is a great way to see the mountainsides and rolling hills of the world-famous Blue Mountains.You'll…
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Relax on Doctor's Cave Beach
In the heart of Montego Bay, this popular beach is framed by green mountains and backed by palms. A string of open-air restaurants…
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Check out the coral reef at Public Beach
You’ll find locals’ favourite, Public Beach, in Runaway Bay. The water here is really clear and great for snorkelling – there’s…
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Go diving at James Bond Beach
This beach in Ocho Rios has movie-star credentials. Scenes from the Bond flick, Dr No, were filmed here, and when you see…
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Take the little ones to Puerto Seco Beach
This sandy sweep is right in the centre of Runaway Bay, and it’s backed by a cluster of ramshackle beach bars and seafood…
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Top 5 resorts in Jamaica
Top 5 hotels in Jamaica
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