Jamaica Holidays

Bob Marley Museum, Kingston – For music lovers, a visit to the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston is a pilgrimage. It’s set within Marley’s old home and offers a real look into his life, music and the overall history of reggae. You can even book a guided tour.

Rose Hall Great House, Montego Bay – A beautifully restored 18th-century Georgian mansion, famous for the legend of the ‘White Witch’ – the story goes that it’s haunted by the ghost of a plantation owner, Annie Palmer. By day, admire the architecture and panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea, or by night, brave the ghost tour.

Devon House Mansion, Kingston – The architectural dream of Jamaica’s first black millionaire, George Stiebel, built in 1881. Declared a national monument, it’s now all about family fun, full of shops and restaurants. You can tour the house’s elegant rooms, filled with period furniture, and wander through its gardens. Then, try the infamous Devon House I-Scream, which is said to be Jamaica’s best ice-cream.

Trench Town, Kingston – Trench Town is one of Kingston’s most culturally significant neighbourhoods, where music legends, like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer lived and started their musical careers.

National Gallery of Jamaica, Kingston – The island’s premier art museum, showcasing works from Jamaica’s most-celebrated artists, such as Edna Manley and Barrington Watson, and pieces from the pre-Columbian period to the modern day.

Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios – A visit to this iconic waterfall is one of the top things to do in Jamaica. Its cascades flow directly into the sea, and you can climb the falls on a guided hike to take a dip in its pools.

Blue Hole, Ocho Rios – Also known as the ‘Secret Falls’, it’s part of a series of natural limestone pools that aren’t as well-known as Dunn’s River Falls. You can swim in the bright blue waters, dive from cliffs and explore hidden caves.

Cockpit Country, Trelawny – A rugged, limestone landscape with hills, valleys and caves – it’s the largest remaining natural forest in Jamaica. It’s perfect for hiking, birdwatching and learning about the Maroons, who were escaped slaves. This land was their refuge and the site of two Maroon Wars against the British.

Green Grotto Caves, Runaway Bay – Named after the green algae that covers its walls, these caves were used by the indigenous Taino people and later by pirates and runaway slaves as a hideout spot. Now, you can take tours to see and swim in their underground lakes – you might also recognise them as Dr Kanaga’s base from James Bond’s Live and Let Die.

Snorkelling and scuba diving – Jamaica’s clear Caribbean waters and coral reefs make it a top destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. In Negril, the reefs near Booby Cay Island and the Negril Coral Reef are perfect for spotting marine life – The Throne Room is a well-known dive site. Then, Montego Bay's Marine Park has more protected areas to see tropical fish, sea turtles and colourful coral gardens.

Rafting on the Martha Brae River – Floating on bamboo rafts down the calm Martha Brae River is a serene experience. A local guide will steer you along the river, while sharing stories about Jamaica’s flora, fauna and history.

Swimming with dolphins, Ocho Rios – At Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios, you can swim with dolphins in their natural habitat, as well as other marine life, like sharks and stingrays. There are also jungle trails and loads of opportunities to learn about the local wildlife.

Boat tours – Take to the sea in the day to explore coral reefs and scenic beaches or go out at sunset for golden-hour views, paired with music and drinks. Near Falmouth, there’s the Luminous Lagoon, where the water glows an electric neon shade.

Falmouth Market, Trelawny – Get Jamaican-grown fruit and vegetables for the best prices on Lower Street Parade, as well as homemade crafts – busiest on Fridays and Saturdays.

Harmony Hall, Ocho Rios – An art gallery, where you can admire the works of over 100 Jamaican artists, and with a gift shop that's full of locally made jewellery, beauty products, ceramics and artwork.

The ‘Hip Strip’, Montego Bay – This is the beating heart of Montego Bay. It runs along Gloucester Avenue and is lined with shops, clubs, restaurants and bars. You can browse everything from high-end duty-free boutiques to local trinket stalls while reggae’s played and rum punch and Red Stripes are handed round.

Harbour Street Craft Market, Montego Bay – Easily walkable from the city, this market is open daily, 7am until 7pm, on Harbour Street and it’s full of hats, musical instruments, wood carvings, jewellery and clothing.

Reggae Sumfest, July – This iconic event is the biggest music festival in Jamaica and the Caribbean, and a must-visit for reggae lovers. It takes place every year in Montego Bay in July, with performances from local and international reggae artists, as well as food stalls and other events to celebrate the arts.

Jamaica Carnival, March/April – Jamaica’s carnival is held one week after Easter, so can fall in either March or April. It’s a celebration that takes over the country with parades, dancing and amazing costumes.

Seven Mile Beach, Negril – One of Jamaica's most famous beaches, Seven Mile Beach is a long stretch of white sand and crystal-clear waters. It’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing and trying new watersports. It’s even popular with both families and younger party crowds – there are loads of beachside bars and restaurants to keep you there all day, and the sunsets are beautiful.

Doctor's Cave Beach, Montego Bay – Along Montego Bay’s famous ‘Hip Strip’, Doctor’s Cave Beach has lovely, calm waters and soft sand. Many believe the water has therapeutic properties, and its central location, close to restaurants and shops, is a big plus.

James Bond Beach, Oracabessa – Named after the famous James Bond films, particularly Dr. No, which was filmed in the area. This beach is surrounded by lush hills and is a tranquil spot to relax or try watersports, like snorkelling and paddle-boarding.

Frenchman's Cove, Port Antonio – One of the most picturesque beaches in Jamaica, where a river meets the sea. It’s perfect for those looking to escape the crowds, as it’s small but still very scenic, with freshwater and saltwater areas to swim in.

Jerk chicken – Jamaica’s most famous food. Jerk involves marinating meat with a blend of spices, including allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers and thyme, then slow-cooking it over a pimento wood fire. The result is smoky and spicy.

Ackee and saltfish – As Jamaica’s national dish, you need to try ackee and saltfish. Ackee is a fruit with a mild, buttery flavour, then it’s cooked with salted cod, onions, peppers and tomatoes. It’s often served with dumplings, yams or fried plantains, and is typically a breakfast dish, but you can order it at any time.

Curry goat – A staple in Jamaican celebrations and Sunday dinners, curry goat is tender, slow-cooked goat meat in a rich curry sauce. You get it served with rice and peas.

Jamaican patties – These savoury pastries are filled with spiced meat or vegetables and are the ultimate Jamaican street food.

Blue Mountain coffee – These beans are world renowned. They have a smooth, rich flavour with a mild bitterness from being grown in the Blue Mountains at high altitude.

Rum punch – Made with Jamaica’s world-famous rum, lime juice, sugar and sometimes fruit juices like pineapple or orange. Jamaican rum, especially from Appleton Estate, is considered some of the best in the world.

Red Stripe beer – This light lager is the perfect match for the island’s warm weather and spicy food.

Rick's Café, Negril – This nightlife institution is known for its stunning sunsets, cliff diving and buzzing atmosphere. Rick's Café is one of the most iconic spots in Negril and works as a relaxed hangout for swimmers and cliff divers in the day. But in the evenings, it transforms into a lively bar with reggae music and dancing.

Pier 1, Montego Bay – One of Montego Bay’s top nightlife picks, with a mix of food, live music and dancing. It’s on the waterfront and in the day, it serves seafood and local dishes, before clearing away a dancefloor until late. Its famous Friday night party draws large crowds with its outside setting, live DJs and reggae and soca playlists.

Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records, Kingston & Montego Bay – Named after Jamaica’s legendary sprinter, this sports bar and lounge has locations in both Kingston and Montego Bay. It’s a great place to enjoy Jamaican food, watch live sports and then party at night with music and DJ sets.