Jamaica Holidays



Jamaica Holidays

Why Jamaica?

Perfect beaches, top-class rum and plenty of jerk chicken, Jamaica is a one-of-a-kind island that comes with a built-in soundtrack of reggae beats and island vibes. Beach lovers will fall head over heels for the palm-fringed white sands and turquoise-hued waters, while foodies will be in their element exploring the island’s world-famous cuisine – one food market at a time. If you’re looking for a holiday that packs a punch (a rum one that is!), then Jamaica is the place for you.

Beach holidays to Jamaica

The epitome of a perfect Caribbean beach, Jamaica will not disappoint all of you beach bums out there. Warm, alabaster sands slope gently into the glassy waters and the temperature is a constant, balmy 25-30°C. Are you a bit of an adventurer who likes nothing better than to pack up a picnic, strap on your sandals and explore those unspoilt beaches? Or do you prefer to simply flop onto a lounger that’s just a few yards from a bar? Either way you'll find what you’re looking for in Jamaica.

Negril’s Seven Mile Beach (it’s actually only five miles long) is the place to go for all things Jamaican. Expect to see a lot of tourists, plenty of water sport huts and a buzzing atmosphere all day long. The sands are lined with beach bars, there are tons of amenities and you’ll hear those famous island beats throughout the day. Looking for something a little less ‘touristy’? Head to Doctor’s Cave Beach! Radios and street vendors are banned here resulting in a much quieter alternative to Negril Beach and making the nominal entrance fee well worth it. To the north of Doctor’s Cave Beach is Cornwall Beach. Take a walk here and you’ll find fewer tourists again – heaven. If snorkelling and diving are more your thing, then a trip to Winnifred Beach is a must.

The brightly-coloured coral reefs found just off shore here are easily accessible for all abilities and a truly breath-taking sight to see.

Food and drink in Jamaica

Jamaican food is loved all over the globe. It’s full of flavour, packed with spices and the portion sizes can only be described as ‘hearty’. Aromas of sweet cinnamon, spicy chilli and zesty ginger flood the air, combining to produce this magical and distinctive Jamaican smell.

Start your day right with a traditional Jamaican breakfast staple – ackee and saltfish. A dried and salted fish (usually cod) is fried together with pre-cooked ackee (a soft fruit found across the island), a choice of vegetables and a healthy amount of scotch bonnet chilli. It’ll definitely put a spring in your step for the rest of the day. Then, there’s the infamous jerk spice – possibly Jamaica’s most famous gift to the world. Usually – but certainly not limited to – chicken, the meat is dry-rubbed with a blend of spices such as cinnamon, cloves, garlic and ginger and slowly cooked over a wood-burning grill. Serve traditionally with rice and peas and Jamaican dumplings known locally as festival, and there you have it – the quintessential Jamaican jerk chicken. No trip to Jamaica would be complete without sampling the super-fresh fish served up around the island. Try the Jamaican escovitch fish – a whole fish served with a topping of spicy sauces and pickled vegetables. And if pickled veg doesn’t take your fancy then try callaloo – a green vegetable side dish that pretty much goes with anything.

Did we mention the rum? Jamaica is well known for the world-class rum produced on this colourful island. Made with locally-grown sugarcane, the golden rums produced here such as Appleton’s Rum are a deep golden colour with subtle caramel hints and bursting with Jamaican character. If cocktails are usually your drink of choice then try the Bob Marley – because where else would try such an aptly named cocktail? Rum is blended with strawberry, mango and blue curacao and carefully layered producing a colourful and fruity frozen cocktail that oozes island vibes. And finally there’s the world-famous Red Stripe lager. Found in bars across the planet, this refreshing drink is best enjoyed under the Caribbean sun.

Visiting Jamaica

Jamaican culture is all about great food, great times and great people. Most Jamaicans follow Christianity and you can see this in the abundance of churches found across the island. Named as the country with the most churches per square mile, you’ll never be far from an intricate and ornate church. The atmosphere is always happy and there are always street parties and events happening all over that will reinforce this way of life. Think laid-back days, food festivals and plenty of dancing. With Jamaican culture expressed through a number of art forms such as song and dance, you’ll hear reggae beats at every turn and dancing is actively encouraged – so it’s time to get your dancing shoes on

When it comes to nightlife, the Jamaicans really know how to have a good time. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back beach bar to watch the sunset, a live music venue to enjoy after-dinner drinks or a dancehall with booming reggae beats to keep you dancing until dawn, they have you covered in Jamaica. Make sure to check out the one-of-a-kind Rick’s Café in Negril – a cliffside live music jaunt with romantic cabanas overlooking the sea, an awesome soundtrack and a few brave visitors who jump from the cliff, putting on a pretty amazing show. Towards the other side of the island you’ll find Usain Bolt’s famous Tracks and Records. No trip to Kingston would be complete without enjoying dinner and a dance here.

Useful information for your Jamaica holiday

So, you’re heading off to Jamaica? We’re not jealous at all! Here’s a few little bits of info to answer some of those common questions. The average flight time from the UK is 10 hours and 15 minutes with a time difference of -5 hours. So, flying at lunch time means you’ll arrive just in time for dinner – which is always a great start to a holiday! The official language is English or Jamaican Patois and the currency used is Jamaican Dollars. We’ll see you under the Jamaican sunshine!
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