Jamaica is one of the largest Caribbean countries with a huge natural abundance, along with cultural and historic heritage. Travellers fly to Jamaica from across the globe to get a taste of its unique island vibes where reggae music, picture-perfect landscape, and idyllic scenery are the stars in everyone’s story. From rainforests and rivers to sandy beaches, all sorts of water sports and outdoor activities, galleries, museums, historic sites, and iconic cities, Jamaica is no wonder a major tourist destination in the Caribbean delivering on its promise to provide visitors with their heart’s desire – whatever that might be! Its cities and villages are, of course, no exception. Here are just a few of the ones that will make the time spent here worthwhile down to the last millisecond.
Kingston – A Lively Hub
The capital city of Jamaica is the largest town on the island with a population exceeding one million. Located in the Saint Andrew Parish, it is a major port city founded in 1692 to serve the needs of refugees from Port Royal, another Jamaica town, who saw their hometown being destroyed by an earthquake. It became the capital of the Jamaica colony in 1872 and remained its capital even after the independence of Jamaica in 1962.
Nowadays, Kingston is the beating heart of the entire country, featuring stunning urban parks, such as the Royal Botanical Gardens and Emancipation Park, along with the Bob Marley Museum, the University of the West Indies, the first free school in the country (namely Wolmer’s School), historic heritage sites, such as the 19th-century plantation house called Devon House, the oldest and largest public art gallery in the Caribbean (the National Gallery of Jamaica), the idyllic Lime Bay, and other iconic landmarks, such as the Blue Mountains.
Portmore – A Coastal Beauty
It is the second-largest town in Jamaica and one of the most picturesque coastal cities in Jamaica sitting in Middlesex County and Saint Catherine Parish. It owes its existence to Kingston's urgent need to thin out its population in the 1960s. To create Portmore, a reclaimed swampland had to be used to build a few thousand prototype housing units. From a village of a few thousand people, though, it soon became a large suburban city to the bustling capital and home to the only Jamaican horse racing track, the Caymanas Park.
Although it is not a tourist destination, it can pamper visitors with its scenic Hellshire Beach with its crystalline waters, sugary shore, unbeatable chill-out vibe, delicious seafood, top-rated go-karting facility, one of the biggest indoor gaming arcades on the island, virtual reality experiences at various places around the city, and the tons of shops and malls.
Spanish Town – 18th-Century Reminiscence
The 3rd-largest city in Jamaica and one of the most important spots for its significant historic and cultural heritage, Spanish Town is home to a wide array of 18th-century local attractions, including the 1816-built Methodists Church, which consists of five churches and faces the walls of the St. Catherine District Prison, the country’s largest maximum-security facility.
Also worth visiting is the Cenotaph, a white monument that’s actually a memorial devoted to the Jamaican soldiers that fought WWI and WWII. It stands opposite the 16th-century Anglican Cathedral of St. James, the oldest church in the Commonwealth (not located within UK grounds) and the seat of the Jamaica Bishop of the Diocese. If you happen to be around here, we also strongly recommend visiting the small, scenic square resting behind the cathedral featuring beautiful palms and fountains.
Port Antonio – Heart-Stopping Seascapes
Boasting jaw-dropping seaside panoramas and lush landscapes, the agricultural community situated on the northeastern coast of Jamaica is a huge banana-producing region and the land where several scenes of the movie Cocktail starring Tom Cruise were filmed.
The once quiet fishing village is now a particularly family-friendly destination often referred to as heaven on earth. While here, you will definitely have your plate full, with entertainment options and activities ranging from sunbathing in Frenchman’s Cove and surfing at Boston Beach (both absolutely mind-blowing locations), to exploring the Nonsuch and Foxes Caves, diving into the Blue Lagoon, visiting the Folly Ruins, unwinding at Somerset waterfalls, and so many more. Port Antonio is even considered one of the main birthplaces of a Jamaica staple, jerk chicken while spoiling visitors’ palates with delicious local dishes.
Montego Bay – Diverse and Indulging
This is definitely one of the premier vacation destinations in Jamaica tucked along the northwestern Jamaica coast. As expected, it is home to a plethora of luxury, all-inclusive resorts and hotels providing spellbinding vistas, as well as an animated nightlife scene.
Visitors to Montego Bay can find anything from golf courses and nightclubs to powdery beaches, impressive mountains, and history-drenched lands and landmarks, such as the plantation home called Greenwood Guest House.
One of the Jamaica international airports is close by, too, while you may also want to visit the Rastafari indigenous village and even taste local homemade delicacies and test out products made from organic hemp. Or you might find the idea of a cruise tour onboard an elegant catamaran appealing and sail the archipelago along with dolphins.
Other Montego Bay local attractions are the Rose Hall Great House (another plantation house that’s even said to be haunted), Fort Montego, the peaceful Cornwall Beach, and the spectacular garden of Ras Natango with the stunning flora and fauna (expect to come across more than 18 different bird species here and lots of blooms, such as coleus, begonias, gladioli, and more).
Negril – Epitomising Island Life
Away from big development and high-rise buildings, tranquil Negril stands out with its unwinding vibes and laid-back attitude. It is the perfect option if you wish to escape the bustle of your daily life and stay in quaint bungalows.
While here, everything will seem more intimate and soul-pleasing, while the live reggae music will add a touch of authenticity to whatever it is that you are doing. For example, for adventure seekers, Negril offers activities like cliff diving. As for the more romantic spirits, watching an epic sunset is also an option, as long as you head to the seven-mile shore! Or you could just have the utmost fun at the Kool Runnings Water Park.
Jamaica is one of the largest Caribbean countries with a huge natural abundance, along with cultural and historic heritage. Travellers fly to Jamaica from across the globe to get a taste of its unique island vibes where reggae music, picture-perfect landscape, and idyllic scenery are the stars in everyone’s story. From rainforests and rivers to sandy beaches, all sorts of water sports and outdoor activities, galleries, museums, historic sites, and iconic cities, Jamaica is no wonder a major tourist destination in the Caribbean delivering on its promise to provide visitors with their heart’s desire – whatever that might be! Its cities and villages are, of course, no exception. Here are just a few of the ones that will make the time spent here worthwhile down to the last millisecond.
Kingston – A Lively Hub
The capital city of Jamaica is the largest town on the island with a population exceeding one million. Located in the Saint Andrew Parish, it is a major port city founded in 1692 to serve the needs of refugees from Port Royal, another Jamaica town, who saw their hometown being destroyed by an earthquake. It became the capital of the Jamaica colony in 1872 and remained its capital even after the independence of Jamaica in 1962.
Nowadays, Kingston is the beating heart of the entire country, featuring stunning urban parks, such as the Royal Botanical Gardens and Emancipation Park, along with the Bob Marley Museum, the University of the West Indies, the first free school in the country (namely Wolmer’s School), historic heritage sites, such as the 19th-century plantation house called Devon House, the oldest and largest public art gallery in the Caribbean (the National Gallery of Jamaica), the idyllic Lime Bay, and other iconic landmarks, such as the Blue Mountains.
Portmore – A Coastal Beauty
It is the second-largest town in Jamaica and one of the most picturesque coastal cities in Jamaica sitting in Middlesex County and Saint Catherine Parish. It owes its existence to Kingston's urgent need to thin out its population in the 1960s. To create Portmore, a reclaimed swampland had to be used to build a few thousand prototype housing units. From a village of a few thousand people, though, it soon became a large suburban city to the bustling capital and home to the only Jamaican horse racing track, the Caymanas Park.
Although it is not a tourist destination, it can pamper visitors with its scenic Hellshire Beach with its crystalline waters, sugary shore, unbeatable chill-out vibe, delicious seafood, top-rated go-karting facility, one of the biggest indoor gaming arcades on the island, virtual reality experiences at various places around the city, and the tons of shops and malls.
Spanish Town – 18th-Century Reminiscence
The 3rd-largest city in Jamaica and one of the most important spots for its significant historic and cultural heritage, Spanish Town is home to a wide array of 18th-century local attractions, including the 1816-built Methodists Church, which consists of five churches and faces the walls of the St. Catherine District Prison, the country’s largest maximum-security facility.
Also worth visiting is the Cenotaph, a white monument that’s actually a memorial devoted to the Jamaican soldiers that fought WWI and WWII. It stands opposite the 16th-century Anglican Cathedral of St. James, the oldest church in the Commonwealth (not located within UK grounds) and the seat of the Jamaica Bishop of the Diocese. If you happen to be around here, we also strongly recommend visiting the small, scenic square resting behind the cathedral featuring beautiful palms and fountains.
Port Antonio – Heart-Stopping Seascapes
Boasting jaw-dropping seaside panoramas and lush landscapes, the agricultural community situated on the northeastern coast of Jamaica is a huge banana-producing region and the land where several scenes of the movie Cocktail starring Tom Cruise were filmed.
The once quiet fishing village is now a particularly family-friendly destination often referred to as heaven on earth. While here, you will definitely have your plate full, with entertainment options and activities ranging from sunbathing in Frenchman’s Cove and surfing at Boston Beach (both absolutely mind-blowing locations), to exploring the Nonsuch and Foxes Caves, diving into the Blue Lagoon, visiting the Folly Ruins, unwinding at Somerset waterfalls, and so many more. Port Antonio is even considered one of the main birthplaces of a Jamaica staple, jerk chicken while spoiling visitors’ palates with delicious local dishes.
Montego Bay – Diverse and Indulging
This is definitely one of the premier vacation destinations in Jamaica tucked along the northwestern Jamaica coast. As expected, it is home to a plethora of luxury, all-inclusive resorts and hotels providing spellbinding vistas, as well as an animated nightlife scene.
Visitors to Montego Bay can find anything from golf courses and nightclubs to powdery beaches, impressive mountains, and history-drenched lands and landmarks, such as the plantation home called Greenwood Guest House.
One of the Jamaica international airports is close by, too, while you may also want to visit the Rastafari indigenous village and even taste local homemade delicacies and test out products made from organic hemp. Or you might find the idea of a cruise tour onboard an elegant catamaran appealing and sail the archipelago along with dolphins.
Other Montego Bay local attractions are the Rose Hall Great House (another plantation house that’s even said to be haunted), Fort Montego, the peaceful Cornwall Beach, and the spectacular garden of Ras Natango with the stunning flora and fauna (expect to come across more than 18 different bird species here and lots of blooms, such as coleus, begonias, gladioli, and more).
Negril – Epitomising Island Life
Away from big development and high-rise buildings, tranquil Negril stands out with its unwinding vibes and laid-back attitude. It is the perfect option if you wish to escape the bustle of your daily life and stay in quaint bungalows.
While here, everything will seem more intimate and soul-pleasing, while the live reggae music will add a touch of authenticity to whatever it is that you are doing. For example, for adventure seekers, Negril offers activities like cliff diving. As for the more romantic spirits, watching an epic sunset is also an option, as long as you head to the seven-mile shore! Or you could just have the utmost fun at the Kool Runnings Water Park.