You may be wondering why Jamaica is the preferred vacation destination for many people across the globe.
Simply put, the island is home to the best of the best - natural attractions, cultural festivals, beaches, food, and the warmest, most fun-loving people you'll find on the planet.
If you've visited Jamaica before, you know exactly what we're talking about.
And if you haven't, what are you doing?? Your Jamaica experience is long overdue.
Ifyou're still not entirely convinced, here are 100 reasons to visit Jamaica. (But the truth is, eve just one of these is enough to make the trip to the ‘Jewel of the Caribbean’ a bucket list item.)
100 reasons to visit Jamaica
Start planning what to do first!
1. The
Jamaican people2.The beaches: There's nothing better than laying on or strolling along the white sand beaches, rocky beaches, or the black sand beaches
3. Swimming in the crystal clear
sea4. Jamaican dark rum
5. The lush, untouched vegetation of Portland
6. A visit to the Bob Marley Museum
7. All the colors of the Caribbean Sea as it changes from one end of the island to the other
8. Being in the birthplace of Reggae music
9. A chance to spot Usain Bolt
10. Attending Boys & Girls Championships (locally referred to as ‘Champs’) to spot the sports superstars oftomorrow
11. Amazing luxury villas and 5-star hotels … and 4-star … and 3-star …
12. Tiny Whistling Frogs
13.Tasting sky juice or bag juice (shaved ice and colored syrup)
14. Trying the jerk pork and roast breadfruit at Boston Bay… in fact jerk chicken, sausage, fish…
15. Bird watching:Jamaica offers up an incredible range of species
16. Rafting down the Rio Grande or Martha Brae on a 30 ft. long bamboo raft, and then trying to steer it yourself
17. Jumping off the cliff at Rick’s Café in Negril
18. Chilly evenings in the Blue Mountains curled up by the fire
19. Swimming in the Blue Lagoon,
Portland20. Being where dancehall music originated
21. Exploring island history at one of the 18 former forts on the Jamaica National Heritage Trust list, including Rockfort,which allvisitors arriving via Kingston’s airport can spot on their way into the city
22. Distinctive boutique and designer hotels
23. A day at theBlue Hole Mineral Spring in Westmoreland, or Blue Hole at “Irie Falls” in St. Ann
24. Partying through theCarnival season
25. Strapping on a life vest and bonding with strangers on a Sunday as you all climb into a large fishing canoe and headout to sea from Port Royal to the impossibly beautiful little island of Lime Cay
26. Stepping back in time while touring perfectly-preserved Great Houses from colonial days
27. Scuba divingand snorkeling to discover a whole other world of tropical splendor
below the surface28. Goldeneye, former home of author Ian Fleming, where he penned all of his James Bond novels, and now owned by Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records and the man known for introducing Bob Marley and reggae to the world
29. Several James Bond film locations, including the famous scene with Ursula Andress and the white bikini
30. Half a Bombay Mango with a scoop of Devon House ice cream in the middle for dessert
31. Off the beaten-path waterfalls:Mayfield Falls, Cane River Falls, Reggae Falls, Tacky Falls and so many more
32. Standing for the national anthem at the cinema and the theatre before the show
33.A day at a vegetable and fruit market
34. Banana chips (join locals in sharing the news if you spot the elusive Chippies brand)
35.EITS Cafe, high in the hills above Kingston
36. Kayaking or riding a wave runner out to sea, stopping and looking down through the clear water to the sand 30 meters below the surface and possibly spotting a five-foot-long sting ray
37. Joining the locals for the Sunday night lineup at KFC (Hint: try the BBQ)
38. Snacking on Solomon Gundy and Excelsior water crackers
39. Reach Falls, internationally famous for the waterfall love scene from the movie co*cktail
40. Haggling with a vendor at a craft market for the perfect
souvenir
41. Discovering ‘peenie wallies’, ‘battyriders’, ‘fudgie’ and ‘nutty buddy’
42. The national parks and gardens,especiallypicnicson Sundays inHope Gardens while the steel pan or military band plays
43. Breakfast of ackee & saltfish, johnny cakes, and boiled green bananas
44. Playing golf at one of several Championship golf courses across the island
45. Taking the plunge in one of the many ice-cold rivers of the ‘land of wood and water'
46. Streetside ‘drum’ or ‘pan chicken’
47. Scotch Bonnet Peppers
48. The legend of Annie Palmer, White Witch of Rose Hall Great House
49. Doctor Birds (long-tailed hummingbirds)
50. Driving the three miles of the winding road through Fern Gully, laid along the exact route of a former riverbed and home to an enormous variety of ferns (it is said over 300) and other flora. (Stop off and take a pic with one of the wooden carvings of “exaggerated males” for a small fee at one of the craft stalls along the route.)
51. Saying ‘I Do’ in paradise
52. A visit to Trench Town Culture Yard, the former home of Bob Marley, and to learn the history of the Governmentyards inJamaica
53. Jamaican sweet treats:Gizzada, grater cake, plantain tarts, coconut drops, ‘Blue Drawers’, tamarind balls, sweet potato pudding, Easter bun, and Christmas pudding
54. Explore amazing caves:Green Grotto, Nonsuch Caves, Two Sisters Caves, and more
55. Partying with locals and people from all around the Caribbean on the mound and in the stands at a cricket match atSabina Park
56. Everything on the menu of the Jamaican fast food chain, Island Grill
57.Irie FM, the all-reggae radio station
58. Standing at the top of Blue Mountain Peak at dawn
59. Trekking into co*ckpit Country
60. Sleeping policemen (ask and all shall be revealed)
61. Discovering your ‘foot bottom’, ‘head top’, ‘neck back’ & ‘hand miggle’
62. Rum bars – drinking white rum while learning how to play dominoes or ludo
63. Driving through the Gorge along the river and across the famous Flat Bridge
64. Ginger tea, rum and ginger, ginger beer, and traditional Christmas sorrel laced with ginger (Jamaicans love their ginger)
65. Passengers in an airplane cabin applauding a safe landing
66. Drinking an ice-cold
Red Stripe67. Sunday evenings up at Dub Club in Kingston, listening to music and seeing the lights of the city below
68. Discover a mento band, preferably one playing on the beach so you can start dancing right there
69. ‘One Stop’ shops where you can buy anything
70. Port Royal, once the‘wickedest city in the world’, home to pirates and buccaneers
71. An outing to YS Falls, and ziplining along its length
72. Attending the Accompong Maroon Festival and witnessing the emergence of the new Young Warriors
73. Crocodile and wildlife spotting on the Black River Safari
74. Watching the sunset in Negril
75.
76. Enjoying a nice cup of fresh Blue Mountain coffee at Gap Café in Irish Town
77. Vibing 'til dawn at a concert with locals – Sumfest, Rebel Salute, Major Lazer & Friends, Rock Steady & Ska
MusicFestival78. Riding bareback on a horse in the Caribbean Sea
79. Drinking freshly chopped cold coconut water and then eating the jelly by the roadside
80. Trying Jamaican fruits: Star apple, Otaheite apple, almond, blim blim, jackfruit, duppy soursop, hog apple, jimbilin,iney guinep, kamranga, june plum, naseberry, pomegranate (panganot), passion fruit, ortanique, a variety of mangoes,several types of pineapple, bumpy and honey banana, pear, rambutan, stinkin toe and so much more…
81. Driving through Holland Bamboo Avenue
82. Trying every type of Patty: Beef, chicken, shrimp, lobster, callaloo, and more, from every brand -Tastee, Juici Beef, Mother’s, Brick House, Devon House Bakery … (it could take some dedication)
83. A visit to the indigenous Rasta Village
84. Becoming a Jamaican bobsledder, sort of... by jumping on the bobsled ride at Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios on afamilyouting
85. Fantastic deep-sea fishing and two major marlin tournaments
86. Floating around in the sea at Doctor’s Cave Beach and testing the mythology of its healing properties (we predict you’llfeel better than before you got there)
87. Stopping at Middle Quarters for a bag of pepper shrimps on a road trip across Jamaica
88. Swimming with dolphinsin Treasure Beach
89. Holding a baby crocodile at the Swamp Safari Village
90. Running alongside Seven Mile beach in Negril when you participate in the Reggae Marathon
91. Spending a Saturday at Jamnesia in Bull Bay near Kingston learning to surf with Rastas, the first surfing family of Jamaica, then listening to live music into the night
92.
93.Street dances ... listening to Reggae & Dancehall from huge speakers and learning the latest dances
94. Trying the ganja at the Stepping High Festival
95.Treasure Beach
96. Swimming in the luminescent sea at Glistening Waters in
Falmouth97. Enjoying an ital meal for dinner
98. Climbing Dunns River Falls
99.Trident Castle
100. Learning a few words of ‘patois’, the local dialect.
Did we forget anything? Let us know what ‘must do’ Jamaica Experience you think should definitely be added to this list via:
Email: info@JamaicaExperiences.comInstagram: @JamaicaExperiences
Facebook: @JamaicaExperiences
