Negril

Another popular destination in Jamaica is the town of Negril. The island how it is today was due to the result of hippies and flower children during the 1960s. They ended up staying and shaping the culture of Negril as it is today. Negril was transformed into a huge tourist destination within the next ten years and they were many lodging facilities built. A local airport was also constructed and lot more roadways were created, one of them connecting Negril to Montego Bay. A good part of Negril is that the development is not extreme thus it is pretty open. They have strict rules relating to buildings and have laws in place to protect the natural environment to keep the town’s natural beauty unharmed. You will also be able to find some of the most serene beaches with very white sand and clear waters.

You get really good seafood in Negril. It is a must to try out the local food here as it is delicious, you can get a variety of fish like cod, conch and even lobsters. Since the fish are caught right there and then, they are extremely fresh and tasty. Jamaicans have their own spices and local seasonings which are processed from the fruits grown there and even coconuts. Another popular food eaten in Negril is goat. It is used for the goat curry which is actually a favorite on the island among the locals.

For the people more interested in the night scene, Negril has a good nightlife due to some good nightclubs where you can get your reggae groove on.

A thing to remember is that if you are planning to travel to any of the Jamaican islands, make sure that you have your passport! Jamaica is considered international travel since it is not part of the United States, you will need a passport coming and going and you will also have to go through customs.

Ocho Rios

Another popular destination for a Caribbean vacation is Ocho Rios, a city of Jamaica. Like other cities, reggae music is extremely popular in Ocho Rios and is like a part of their culture. For history buffs, there is even a museum for reggae called Reggae Xplosion and this museum is dedicated to the movement of the people and their local culture and the effect of reggae music on people. The religion of the Caribbean ‘Rastafari’ is also featured in the museum. Interestingly, even though the main genre of music here is reggae, Ocho Rios is the proud sponsor of the annual Ocho Rios Jazz festival which is normally held in the summer months mainly June and is a week long. Some of the most famous jazz musicians attend this festival and it has been sponsoring this events since 1991.

Ocho Rios is also well known for scuba diving and other water sports. Another big attraction here is the Dunn’s River Falls which is approximately 700 feet high and visitors spend time in climbing the falls. It is recommended to book a cottage or villa so you can get to see the island’s local culture and witness is first hand. For those looking to stay at some great resorts or hotels, should look at the all-inclusive Couples Sans Souci Resort & Spa, Sunset Grande Jamaica at Ocho Rios, Couples Tower Island, the newly built RIU Hotels Ocho Ríos and Sandals Grande Ocho Ríos to name a few.

Montego Bay

A popular place to visit on the island of Jamaica is Montego Bay, commonly called ‘MoBay’ by the locals. This city became a tourist spot around the 1920s and is home to some really beautiful beaches and luxurious resorts. If you are into the nightlife and you want to witness the nightlife of Jamaica, this is the place to be, Montego Bay has some great night clubs that you can check out. If nightclubs are not your thing, there are plenty of other things to do like exploring the island and checking out the coral reefs, blue lagoons, fields with vegetation like sugar cane and banana palms! There are also some plantation houses which has a bit of history too. As with the other places, Montego Bay has some great beaches where you can relax and spend time. Other places to visit include the Harbour Street Market and if you are into the paranormal, you can get a kick by visiting the infamous Rose Hall which is claims to house a ghost!

Learn About Jamaica

Jamaican is a Caribbean island located around 90 miles south of Cuba and around 600 miles from Florida. The largest area is called Kingston and is it the country’s capital. There are 2 main languages spoken here which are English and Patois. Patois is a French dialect and is mostly spoken on the Caribbean Islands. Jamaica is filled with beaches, but be aware as some may not be family-friendly. The island has a lot of sightseeing and the weather is warm and topical throughout the island and on the shore lines too. For those wanting a cooler time, head out to the Blue Mountains which is a considerably cooler section of the island

Jamaica is rich in historical culture, it has ancient pirate towns where you can learn more about the Rastafarians. One of the more popular genre of music there is Reggae which you will hear throughout the town. Reggae was made famous and popular worldwide by Bob Marley who is considered the godfather of Reggae and if you enjoy his music then you could visit his museum which is located in Kingston and is one of the most popular tourist spots on the island. After he died, the museum was constructed at his home where he lived and produced his music. There is a lot of memorabilia available there and even a movie about his life.

Every year in Jamaica there is a popular event called a Carnival. And this is a festive occasion and totally unlike the carnivals in the United States. This Carnival normally goes on for a week and is celebrated with masquerades, steel pan bands and other events. It is more related to what a parade is here, but it is much longer.

There are some really nice fruits like mangoes and plantains and other food available in Jamaica. You can try out the local cuisine. For people looking for seafood they have salt fish and escoveitch fish. That is normally served with breadfruit, yams or bananas. Another specialty and famous dish in Jamaica is the jerk chicken that will knock your socks off due to its spiciness. But if spices are not your cup of tea then there is the curry chicken, which has a nice seasoned flavor.