A Travel Guide to Jamaica
Jamaica is the most westward of the L-shape of the Caribbean islands, with Antigua and Barbuda on the eastern part of the angle that goes southwards to Trinidad and Tobago. The L-shape of the Caribbean islands lies north off the coast of Venezuela. Its capital is Kingston and its most popular tourist resort is Montego Bay.
Jamaica has over thirty public beaches and is very popular with sun worshippers due to its constant all year round sunny weather. The temperatures rarely falls below 20°C in the winter and rises above 33°C in the hottest season: Naturally, aquatic sports are popular with snorkelling, sailing and swimming with dolphins in the Caribbean and rafting along the Martha Brae River like the classical actor Errol Flynn who used to holiday here.
Jamaica is not unfamiliar with the film industry and perseverance as noted by their efforts as the ultimate underdogs in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games 1988. They still bobsled at a competitive level and also offer visitors the chance to bobsled in the rainforest of Jamaica near the Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios. There is also zip lining here offering you the chance to swing through the canopy of the rainforest. There is also a scenic waterfall with guides who can help the visitor.
For those who prefer to hike or bike, the Blue Mountains along the eastern edge of Jamaica offer routes with varying levels of challenge. The flora, fauna and landscapes are simply breath-taking and after a long climb up, the view opens into a vast panorama that will handsomely reward your endeavour. Another way of exploring the island can also be done through horseback guided tours, another great way of exploring Jamaica.
The Blue Lagoon in Port Antonio is so called after the famous film featuring Brooke Shields. The location was shot here and inspired the Jamaicans to change the name which had previously been the Blue Hole. The Lagoon has both fresh water and salt water fed by the sea and the freshwater springs that empty into it. The temperatures and colours can vary too from the warmth of the Caribbean and the cold waters of the springs from emerald green to sapphire blue.
For those who love reggae, none would want to miss the home where Bob Marley lived before it became Tuff Gong Studios - where he recorded many songs with the Wailers. It is located in the capital Kingston, with his guitar, golden albums and other memorabilia.
At Rockland’s Bird Sanctuary you can get up close with many indigenous and other varieties of birds such as the native hummingbirds, woodpeckers and orangequit. This is located near Montego Bay – the resort that also offers many challenging golf courses set in stunning landscapes.
There is a wide variety of self catering vacation rentals in Jamaica ranging from modest to luxurious vacation condos and houses some with their own swimming pool and others even have their own private beach: ideal for relaxing seclusion in the idyllic sun of this tropical paradise of the Caribbean.
