Destinations And Sightseeing

A. Kingston and Vicinity

Apart from being the capital of Jamaica and its main cultural and commercial center, Kingston is also well known for its natural beauty, museums, and art galleries. One of the most popular attractions in the area is the Devon House Heritage Site that was constructed in 1881 by George Steibel. Son of a Jewish trader, Steibel became rich due to his investments in the gold mines of Venezuela and used the earnings to purchase 99 properties in Jamaica. The building was constructed on 53 acres of land and was designed in the "Jamaican-Georgian" style. The building has a very formal and symmetrical design and houses a vast array of antiques and furnishings from France, England, Jamaica and the Caribbean. The site is more than 120 years old and was declared as a national monument in 1990 by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT).

If you are interested in music history, you can visit the Bob Marley Museum, which is built in remembrance of the late reggae superstar, ‘Bob Marley'. The museum is housed in Bob's former studio and tickets are available for ten dollars.

You can visit the National Gallery of Art housed in Kingston Mall with exhibits of paintings and sculpture by famous artists of Jamaica. You can also go the local craft market located nearby for buying a few souvenirs of Jamaican handiwork.

The outskirts of the city also have a number of attractions such as the Rockfort Mineral Bath, a natural spring that is said to have been created during the 1907 earthquake. It is famous all over Jamaica as a natural spa, where you can pamper yourself in a variety of relaxing ways such as swimming, getting a massage, and whirlpool treatment.

The city of Mandeville is also located nearby, where you can explore the breathtaking sights of coffee plantations dating back to two centuries. The plantation area is home to the Bloomfield Great House, which has been in existence since 1938 when Mandeville was converted into a city. The building was renovated in 1997 by a Jamaican family and is now used to host occasional art exhibitions and live music shows.

Other popular attractions near Kingston include Port Royal and Fort Charles that were destroyed in a 1692 earthquake. You can also visit the gardens and parks located in the area or explore the historic churches such as the St. Peter's Church.

B. Montego Bay and Vicinity

The Montego Bay area is located in the northern side of Jamaica and offers plenty of sightseeing options to visitors. According to a popular folklore of the area, the ghost of Annie Palmer alias ‘White Witch' has been present in this 6000-acre area due to a slave's curse. It is believed that Annie had a string of unfortunate marriages and mistreated her slaves, which earned her the nickname of ‘The White Witch'. Just a few years back, a nearby golf course was named after her, ‘The White Witch'.

You can visit the nearby area of Falmouth, home to the historic Greenwood Great House that is more than 200 years old. The house belonged to the family of the famous English poets Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett-Browning. The house has been declared a national treasure and is well preserved.

The Montego Bay area also has lots in store for Bob Marley fans such as the Bob Marley Theater that shows films on the life and work of Bob Marley. The center also has the largest collection of Bob Marley gifts, souvenirs, T-shirts and other merchandise, which you can buy at affordable rates. Another attraction is the Marine Park, where you can take a ride on a glass bottom boat and view the aquatic life seen in the waters surrounding Jamaica.

C. Ocho Rios Vicinity

Ocho Rios area is located just two hours from Montego Bay and is a popular tourist destination. You can visit the Annandale Great House, which is located on the outskirts of Epworth village, near Ocho Rios. Although the house was constructed in 1760, it is still far from being the oldest house on the island, but it is attractive nonetheless. The house displays some of Jamaica's top antique collections.

The area is a must-visit destination for Bob Marley fans as this is where the star was born. The final resting place of the reggae star is located in the Nine Miles area. If you are lucky, you may also get to meet Marley's family and friends in the hills near the city of St. Ann. The birthplace of ‘Marcus Garvey', who was one of the most well-known and powerful natives of Jamaica, is also located nearby.

If you are interested in Jamaican history, you can visit the Green Grotto Caves, which served as a refuge for eighteenth century slaves who ran away from their plantations due to the ill treatment meted out to them. The caves are easily accessible and consist of a chain of interconnected passages, chambers, and light holes. The rock formations in the deepest cave have unique patterns that have been naturally carved into the rocks over the years.

The private estate of Ian Fleming, which was constructed in 1946, is also located in the area. You can visit the Coyoba River Garden and Museum, which displays Jamaican artifacts such as sixteenth century maps, slave shackles, and other historical items.

The Dunn's River Falls, where one million people visit annually is located in the vicinity. The area around the fall is popular for its beautiful landscapes, where frigid waters of the Dunn River meet the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. The area is considered ideal for swimming, rock climbing along the falls, and sightseeing.

D. Martha Brae River

For enjoying the true natural beauty of Jamaica, you can take an evening trip to the Martha Brae River. According to popular folklore, the present course of the river was directed by a local witch. It is believed that after having been tortured by the Spaniards for revealing the location of a local gold mine, the witch took them to a mine, used her powers to redirect the course of the river, which filled the cave and drowned the Spaniards.

The river is situated in Falmouth, Trewlaney and has two main attractions namely, bamboo rafting and the scenic lagoons of glistening waters. Rafting during the day is inexpensive and costs around thirty dollars for a couple per raft. The trip takes four and a half hours and along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and the amazing variety of Jamaican wildlife.

The Martha Brae River is home to a certain type of phosphorescent microbe, which is very rare and is found only in four places on the earth. The microbes thrive in the warm areas where the river meets the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. The microbes glow due to the constant motion of the water flowing down the river. The sight of people swimming and boats sailing in the river is enhanced by the glowing of these microbes, which can make you feel as though you have come to a different planet. Of the four places in the world where such natural phenomenon occurs, the Martha Brae River is considered the best place to view this rarity of nature.

E. Negril

The beach was a preferred spot of members belonging to the 1960's hippie movement. The beach provides a carefree and laidback environment today, where nude bathing is allowed and accepted. While on the beach, you will come across many sun worshippers, wearing nothing but their birthday suits. Many tourist resorts located along the beach operate nude beaches, nude bars, nude hot tubs, and nude swimming pools.

F. Port Antonio

The Port Antonio area is home to some of the best beaches in the Jamaican territory. The Boston Bay Beach located in the area is an ideal locale for small fishing trips and surfing. While on the beach, you can enjoy the delicious taste of jerk pork, which is a traditional Jamaican dish. The beach was once the private property of the famous author Roger Moore, who later donated it to the Jamaican government.

The Frenchman's Bay Beach is perhaps one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. For a small charge of three dollars, you can indulge in a wide variety of interesting activities such as sunbathing, swimming, and body surfing.

G. The Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains are located near the city of Kingston and are named after their bluish appearance. The flora and fauna of these mountains is a rarity in the world. It is also home to some of the best biking and hiking trails in the world.

The mountains are geographically divided into two ranges namely the Central Range and the Port Royal Mountains. However, they are not different and share a wide variety of rare and unusual flora and fauna. The Central Range is home to the highest point in Jamaica, which is located at an altitude of 7,402 feet above sea level. It is also home to Pterourus Homerus, which is second in the list of large butterflies of the world. In addition to these, the mountains are home to an extraordinary tree named ‘Chusquea Abietifolia' that blooms once every 33 years.