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Travel information for Jamaica

Overview

 Jamaica is one of the most sought out destinations in the Caribbean, a fact that you will realize when you consider that it has won the World Travel Awards’ “Caribbean’s Leading Destination” title in 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

 Practical information

 Citizens of Canada, European Union and the USA do not require a visa to enter the country. Pre-trip immunizations for hepatitis A and sometimes hepatitis B and/or typhoid are recommended. The climate here remains hot and humid through out the year, so bring along light cotton clothes. The high season is between December to April and it peaks during Christmas and Easter so if you are planning a trip during this period, you must make sure to book a hotel or any of the Jamaica accommodation rentals well in advance.

 Important sights and landmarks

 The highest peak on the island is the Blue Mountain Peak, standing 7,400 above sea level. It is best to start your hike pre-dawn so that you can make it to the top at sunrise. The hike is steep at some points but is well worth each step you take. The views from the top are simply amazing. The 635-shoreline of the island is dotted with numerous beaches such as Treasure Beach, Montego Bay and the beaches around Negril. For the music enthusiasts no trip to Jamaica is considered complete without visiting Bob Marley’s birthplace (and final resting place) known as the Nine Mile. There is also a museum dedicated to the legendary musician in Kingston. Another important landmark is the Dunn’s River Falls where you can see strings of tourists hold hands to cross the beautiful but slippery waterfall.

 Water-based activities

 Most rivers in Jamaica are navigable and you’ll come across numerous tour operators offering bamboo rafting, white water rafting, tubing, kayaking and scuba diving tours. The White River Valley region in Ocho Rios is home to numerous pools, rapids and lagoons winding through dense tropical forests. Besides, you can also opt for various cruises, sailing trips, submarine rides and snorkel trips in the Caribbean Sea. For surfing, you can check out Boston Bay, which according to Lonely Planet, is the best surfing site on the island.

 Land-based activities

 Aside from hiking the Blue Mountains, you can explore various estate houses and plantations such as Prospect Plantation. If you are interested in the arts and music scene, you must visit Kingston, where you can visit, among others, the National Gallery. Jamaica is also famous for its coffee and so you can also enjoy a tour of Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, located in a rural village about an hour from Kingston, and see how coffee beans are harvested, dried and processed and sample the freshest brew you are ever likely to taste. For the golf enthusiasts, Jamaica offers various world-class championship courses including the prestigious Johnnie Walker World Championship host, the Tryall Club.

 Accommodation

 There are various accommodation options available in Jamaica, including hotels, all-inclusive resorts and Jamaica accommodation rentals comprising private villas, cottages and apartments ideally located near the tourist towns. If you are travelling with your family or in a large group, the best option would be to book any of the private Jamaica villas or cottages as these rentals are professionally managed and apart from the services provided by a hotel, they also provide you privacy and space and in a nutshell, more value for your money.

About the Author

Karen is a travel writer with Silver Sands Villas.  Please visit http://www.mysilversands.com  for booking a vacation home, cottage or villa in Jamaica

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