Located in the northwestern Caribbean Sea, Jamaica is the third largest Caribbean Island, spanning 146 miles long and 51 miles wide. The island is located 600 miles south of Florida, USA, with a flight time of approximately 1 hour, 35 minutes from Miami to Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay.
Jamaica’s natural beauty features lush mountains, tropical rainforests, majestic waterfalls, lazy rivers, and beautiful reef-lined beaches. It is recognized as the birthplace of reggae music, and has produced such famed people as musician, Bob Marley; the world’s fastest sprinter, Usain Bolt; and Jamaica’s first Olympic bobsled team. Jamaica is also known for Jamaican Rum, Red Stripe Beer, and jerk dishes. For the serious coffee lover, the island is renowned for some of the world’s best coffee which comes from The Blue Mountains where the climate is ideal for growing world-class coffee beans.
Jamaica’s people are known to be warm and hospitable with a zest for enjoying life. Jamaica declared its independence from Britain in 1962 but remains a member of the Commonwealth and is the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean Sea. Jamaica’s culture has been heavily influenced by a combination of British colonial heritage and the colorful rhythms of the island’s African roots— which is why you’ll find that a number of creole dialects are spoken throughout the island.
The most popular areas to visit in Jamaica are Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril. Also worth a mention is Whitehouse, Jamaica (located on the island’s southern coast) for travelers seeking the natural beauty of the island along serene beaches in a more remote location. Sangster International Airport (MBJ), located in Montego Bay, is the most convenient for travelers visiting any of these areas of the island.
Montego Bay (AKA: MoBay) is located on the island’s north shore and is closest to the international airport. It is the second largest city in Jamaica, and is known as the “tourist capital of Jamaica” with its duty-free shopping, cruise line terminal, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife. Montego Bay is home to the clear turquoise waters of Doctor’s Cave beach, one of the most famous beaches on the island. In addition to enjoying the beautiful beaches, a sampling of popular activities includes: bamboo rafting on the Martha Brae River, tours of the Great Houses, and a visit to the downtown Hip Strip for some local fun (shops, bars, and restaurants).
Ocho Rios is on the north coast of Jamaica, and a scenic 1 hour, 45 min drive from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. The perfect destination for an active vacation, Ocho Rios is nicknamed the “capital of adventure” and is known for its beautiful waterfalls, colorful gardens, lush mountains, and lazy rivers. The most popular excursions and activities are centered around the natural elements with attractions that include bobsled rides through the rain forest, river tubing, caving, dolphin encounters, beach horseback riding, and ziplining. This is where you can climb the famous Dunn’s River Falls (180 meters of terraced cascading limestone tiers) and swim the Blue Hole (a series of jungle pools fed by waterfalls in the lush mountains).
Negril is a tropical beach town located on the western coast of Jamaica, and a 90-minute drive from the airport in Montego Bay. It’s known for its relaxed atmosphere, soft sand beaches, shallow bays, and calm, turquoise waters. Negril is home to Seven Mile Beach, rated one of the top beaches in the world, and where you’ll see some of the most magnificent sunsets. Seven Mile Beach, particularly the portion overlooking Long Bay, is lined with bars, restaurants and resorts, many of them international and all-inclusive. Long Bay opens onto a lagoon protected by coral reefs and is a snorkeling and scuba-diving destination.
Whether you’d like to experience relaxation, nature, adventure, or romance, there is definitely something for everyone in Jamaica. There are amazing resorts designed for adults-only and couples as well those created for families on this lush, tropical island.
