Destination Spotlight: Jamaica
Written on July 25, 2024
Jamaica: Where the sparkling turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea meets white sand beaches and stretches into rolling green mountains. The third largest island in the Caribbean welcomes over one million tourists annually, particularly to its western and northern coasts.
With a variety of all-inclusive resorts, luxurious boutique accommodations, and land and water activities to fill the day, Jamaica is a fun tropical destination for travelers of all ages.
Distinctly Jamaica: stunning sunsets on Seven Mile Beach, Blue Mountain Coffee, reggae music, jerk dishes (especially chicken), Red Stripe beer, rum (especially Appleton Estate), expressions like “Yeah man” (pronounced: yeah mon) and “irie” (for “cool!”)
Pop Culture Jamaica
Movies/TV Shows Filmed (At Least Partly) in Jamaica: Cool Runnings (the story of the Jamaican Olympic bobsled team), James Bond: No Time to Die, Dr. No, Knight and Day, Cocktail, How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Books Set in Jamaica: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, Motherland by Melissa Thompson; also notable: Ian Fleming wrote many of his James Bond novels from his home in Jamaica
Fun Facts
Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, hails from Sherwood Content, Jamaica.
Jamaica’s national motto, “Out of Many One People” honors the country’s multiracial roots.
The island gained its independence from Great Britain in 1962 but acknowledges the Queen as head of state because it is still part of the British Commonwealth.
The colors of the Jamaican flag represent difficulties faced by the nation (black), the natural beauty of sunlight (gold), and hope and agriculture (green). It’s also the only flag in the world that doesn’t feature red, white, or blue.
The island is known for its coffee, particularly the smooth and delicious Blue Mountain variety, which is one of the most expensive in the world. Why so expensive? Most coffee is grown on flat land, but Blue Mountain coffee is cultivated on steep hills which makes farming more labor intensive. Further, the island doesn’t export much, which drives up the cost.
Essential Jamaica: 5 Must-Do Experiences and Must-See Sights
Climb Dunn’s River Falls
Located near Ocho Rios, this 960-foot waterfall is unique because it renews itself with travertine rock deposits that result from the calcium carbonate in the river’s waters. This phenomenon creates dome-shaped cataracts that jut from the falls, which aid climbers who brave the famous water feature.
Raft the Martha Brae
One of the most popular tourist activities is a gentle rafting experience on the Martha Brae. A member of the team of 85 licensed captains assists guests onto a thirty-foot bamboo raft before pushing off for a one-hour ride down a three mile stretch of the river.
Watch cliff jumpers at Rick’s Café
World-famous Rick’s Café in Negril is a bustling gathering spot for music, drinks, Jamaican fare, sunsets, and watching the cliff jumpers. Courageous patrons can opt to jump from one of three levels (10ft, 25ft, or 35ft) into the blue Caribbean below.
Tour Appleton Estate and taste rum
Jamaica is known for its rum, and Appleton Estate is the premier distillery on the island. For those interested in rum production, a tour of the estate grounds is an interesting way to learn about the process and then participate in a tasting.
Have some family fun at Mystic Mountain
Located near Ocho Rios and the cruise ship pier, Mystic Mountain promises three fun experiences: Sky Explorer, which sends guests soaring over the treetops to the peak of Mystic Mountain; Bobsled Jamaica, which feels like a rollercoaster ride through the mountainous rainforest; and Zip-Line, a traditional zip-line activity that allows visitors to fly from one platform to another.
