Information for: Jamaica
Jamaica is the largest of the Caribbean Islands, and has all the gorgeous resorts you’d expect. Kingston is the island’s capital and largest city. Kingston is not the sort of resort paradise to be found on the north coast but it offers a great deal more to the traveller who seeks to gain more than a sun tan from a holiday. Montego Bay is Jamaica’s second city in size and importance, but it’s the island’s tourism capital. Negril and Ocho Rios are other popular areas. There’s fun to be had in them all, and of course the scenery is stunning.
One piece of advise, flirting with a Jamaican man can be tricky and can be taken as a definite sign of you saying ‘I am very interested in you!’ If you are not interested in taking the flirting any further, it is not advisable to carry on with the flirting, and by all means be friendly but not suggestive! Expect compliments and attention regarding your personal appearance, some of these comments can be quite shocking at times. Jamaican men are not shy!
Some safety tips: Dress modestly; Do not walk anywhere alone, especially at night; If going on a boat trip, do so in a group.
Hotels located in: Jamaica
Jamaica Inn
The Jamaica Inn is a traditional and slightly retro resort more elegant than the Jamaican stereotype. In other words it’s a taste of the island’s colonial past – quiet and classy. Others agree – it was recently voted ‘Number 1 Hotel’ in Jamaica and ‘Number 3′  in the Caribbean. You can look forward to upmarket [...]
Main StOcho Rios
St. AnnTel No: +1 876 974 2514
Royal Plantation
The Royal Plantation is an upmarket Ocho Rios hotel that gets the mix of colonial and contemporary just right. A bit younger and livelier than most other options. The hotel offers outstanding facilities and amenities with all you could want and more. These include their superbly equipped 5-Star Diamond European Spa and the only Caviar [...]
Main StreetOcho Rios
Tel No: +1 876 974 5601
Jake’s
A boutique resort with plenty of personality Jake’s has a mellow and unassuming vibe that makes this place stand out. One of the smaller options available but there’s plenty of mixing with the locals in-house and nearby. Recently voted ‘The Chicest Shack in the Caribbean’ by Vogue Magazine. We think you’ll like this place especially [...]
Calabash BayTreasure Beach
St ElizabethTel No: +1 876 965 0635
Rockhouse Hotel
The Rockhouse Hotel offers cliff top villas at the island’s westernmost point. This is vintage-shop cool Jamaican-style. The social scene revolves around the poolside bar and the newish Spa Pavilion is gorgeous. This is an authentically Jamaican experience and an alternative to the stereotypical all-inclusive resort.
West End RoadNegril
Tel No: +1 876 957 4373
Strawberry Hill
Strawberry Hill is a pleasing-on-the-eye hotel located in the hills of the Blue Mountains. About one hour from Kingston it’s a perfect chill-out spot that’s not too lively and still oozes colonial-era class. Upmarket elegant and one of the more expensive options it’s worth coming here just for The Strawberry Hill Living Spa – divine.
New Castle RoadIrish Town
St. AndrewTel No: +1 876 944 8400
Culture & Entertainment Located in: Jamaica
Cafe Aubergine
Jamaica isn’t exactly laden with wine bars so Cafe Aubergine easily stands out as one of the best. This Bistro & Bar has a layout which is gorgeous and the service is excellent. Indoor is lovely and outdoors on the shared courtyard/veranda is just as nice. Lovely ambience lovely place.
67 Constant SpringMarketplace
Tel No: +1 876 754 1865
Rick’s Cafe
Rick’s Cafe is a world-famous bar set on top of the cliffs at Negril’s West End. Popular during the day and even more so at night it’s a major tourist trap – there’s always plenty going on here. The main attraction is the cliff-jumping – best to just watch the pros do it though!
West End RoadNegril
Tel No: +1 876 957 0380
Jungle Night Club
Jungle Night Club is one of Negril’s newest and now most popular nightspots. The jungle theme sounds a bit cheesy but this place carries it off well. In total there are 4 bars, a restaurant and 3 dancefloors here. It’s open daily from 6pm and can get pretty packed and rowdy later on.
Norman Manley BlvdBeach Road
NegrilTel No: +1 876 957 4005
Mingles
Mingles is a popular Kingston pub located on the Hip Strip within the Courtleigh Hotel. There’s lots going on here – themed nights regular lock-ins etc – and you can expect a diverse crowd – a mixture of tourists and locals. One of the safer bets for late night drinking and dancing in Kingston this [...]
Courtleigh HotelKingston
Tel No: +1 876 929 9000
Hedonism II
Hedonism II is a legendary resort on the tip of the coast at Negril. But in case you are not aware this is a place for full-on partying and anything goes! Night-only entry is available – you don’t have to be a guest at the hotel. There are some great sporting facilities too – but [...]
Norman Manley BlvdNegril
Tel No: +1 876 957 5200
Rendezvous Bar
Rendezvous Bar is a classy bar within the Hilton Hotel in Kingston. Slightly formal but far from stuffy it’s one of 5 different bars within the hotel. A good upmarket start-of-the-night or pre-dinner spot you should add this place to your list.
Hilton Kingston Jamaica77 Knutsford Blvd
KingstonTel No: +1 876 926 5430
Restaurants Located in: Jamaica
Le Chalet
It’s not French, though the name is, and it’s not a fast food joint, though the surrounding restaurants and stores might make you think fine food would be hard to find in the area. Instead, Le Chalet provides a truly scrumptious selection of Jamaican, continental, and Asian dishes. The restaurant serves up colossal burgers and [...]
32 Gloucester AveMontego Bay
Tel No: +1 876 952 6063
East – Japanese Restaurant
A Japanese restauarant in Jamaica? Yes and East is not the only one! This popular and conveniently located eatery serves some lovely sushi and is a genuine hidden gem. For lovely seafood dishes Japanese-style come and see why this place is developing a great reputation.
67 Constant SpringMarket Place
Tel No: +1 876-960-3962
Julia’s – Italian Restaurant
Julia’s is a very popular Italian restaurant within a modest Bed & Breakfast Villa. All the main Italian favourites are here along with plenty of Jamaican influences and this is a pretty chilled place, expect casual and very relaxed rather than formal dining. However it get very busy early on so best to book in [...]
Bogue HillSt James
Montego BayTel No: +1 876 952 1772
Bamboo Room
This is fine dining at Strawberry Hill’s signature Caribbean and International fusion restaurant. The Bamboo Room is certainly one of the more upmarket options on the island – you should expect classy rather than lively in here and it’s a little more expensive than most other options. A little out of the way but spot-on [...]
New Castle RoadSt. Andrew
Tel No: +1 876 944 8400
Rockhouse Restaurant
The Rockhouse Restaurant is a popular dining option located within the Rockhouse Hotel in Negril. Serving some of the best food in Negril- Jamaican and International – this is wonderful outdoor dining with some great sea views. The venue is very unusual and it’s worth the visit just for a look if nothing else. There [...]
West End RoadNegril
Tel No: +1 876 957 4373
Sporting/Leisure/Beauty Located in: Jamaica
Captain’s Watersports
Captain’s Watersports and Dive Centre is based at Round Hill Hotel. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel the watersports are also for non-hotel guests. A wide range of watersports available including scuba diving. All instruction and equipment is available on-site so you’ll be taken care of whether you’re a novice expert or somewhere [...]
Round Hill HotelMontego Bay
Tel No: +1 876 956 7312
Half Moon Shopping Arcade
With nearly 40 specialty shops and boutiques you will want to make time for exploring and shopping at Half Moon Shopping Arcade. An extraordinary selection of duty-free boutiques and one-of-a-kind shops can be found. You’ll be able to find high-end fashion and jewellery shops such as Envy, Golden Nugget and Sun Free Hut as well [...]
Rose HallMontego BayTel No: +1 876 953 2211
Kingston Crafts Market
You’ll find this colourful and busy market at the west end of Harbour Street. Once known as the Victoria Market this large covered area full of small stalls and sells all kinds of island crafts including wooden plates and bowls, pepper pots made from mahoe (the national wood of the island) straw hats, mats and baskets, [...]
52 Port Royal StreetKingston
Tel No: +1 876 929 9200
The Fern Tree Spa
The Fern Tree Spa at Half Moon is an indoor/outdoor sanctuary for the mind and body. Drawing on Jamaica’s lush landscape and centuries-old healing traditions as inspiration. Fern Tree mixes modern spa techniques with ancient remedies of native herbs, fruits and botanicals. The treatment rooms are set amidst lush gardens allowing guests the option of [...]
Rose HallMontego Bay
Tel No: +1 876 953 2211
Taj Mahal Shopping Centre
This excellent shopping mall is located in the popular town of Ocho Rios on the north coast of the island. This iconic shopping complex is one of the best places in Jamaica for duty free shopping. It houses one of the largest selections of designer jewellery, watches and souvenirs on the island. Shops include Colors, [...]
4 Main StreetOcho Rios
Tel No: +1 876 974 2414
Blue Mountains Walking Trip
A day hiking in the Blue Mountains comes highly recommended whilst visiting Jamaica. Rising up to 7500ft these are some of the highest mountains in the entire Caribbean. The world famous ‘Blue Mountain Coffee’ is grown here. Making an early morning start you will be driven to a small village in the Blue Mountains. From [...]
Blue MountainsJamaica
Entertainment located in: Jamaica
Bob Marley Museum
Through numerous artefacts, memorabilia, writings, photographs and other head turning mementos this popular museum and tourist trap portrays the life and achievements of the island’s most famous Rastaman and best selling reggae musician.This colourful museum is housed in Bob Marley’s former place of residence and is one of Kingston’s most visited attractions. Highlights are Marley’s [...]
56 Hope RoadKingston
Tel No: +1 876 927 9152
The National Gallery of Jamaica
This fascinating National Gallery charts the growth and development of Jamaica’s greatest artistic endeavours from Taino Indian artefacts to Spanish and English colonial art from the early pioneers to the very latest contemporary works by Jamaican artists. All aspects of Jamaican life are shown in the amazing collections from the depiction of rural Jamaican life [...]
12 Ocean BoulevardKingston
Tel No: +1 876 922 1561
Doctors Cave Beach
Doctors Cave Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the whole island. Owned by the local Doctors Cave Bathing Club. This clean white stretch of sand will only cost you a couple of dollars to enter but claims to be the best beach in Montego Bay. It certainly is the most popular and [...]
Gloucester AvenueMontego Bay
Port Antonio
Located no more than 50km just north east of Kingston is the old popular sea side town of Port Antonio. Starting at the market visitors are encouraged to support local craft vendors a short walk through the town is an interesting and revealing trip. A short boat ride away is Navy Islanda small bay in [...]
Port AntonioJamaica
Dolphin Cove
Dolphin Cove is Jamaica’s number one marine attraction. Visitors are sure to have that ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. Here you can actually swim with dolphins and if you are a bit more adventurous… sharks! You can interact with stingrays captain your own mini boat or go glass bottom kayaking on the Caribbean Sea or [...]
Ocho RiosSt. Ann
Tel No: +1 876 974 5335