Season in Jamaica. Tips for tourists in Jamaica. Things to consider

Most of the tourists choosing a holiday in Jamaica in 2019 are attracted by the wonderful beaches. Coastal areas are well equipped. Not only lovers of sunbathing and swimming can have a pleasant time. Jamaica provides excellent conditions for fans of scuba diving and snorkeling. Off the coast of the island there are coral reefs that are favored by numerous representatives of marine flora and fauna. Here you can see snapping turtles, large eels and stingrays, dolphins and others.

Nature lovers have an excellent opportunity to see rare plants, animals, birds and reptiles, and take unique photographs of beautiful landscapes. The island's resorts organize unforgettable trips on foot and by boat to the National Parks. Many admiring reviews are left by tourists who have visited Duns River Falls. The excursion not only gives you the opportunity to admire the mesmerizing cascades of water, but also allows you to learn how to cook Jamaican cuisine and learn how to dance national dances. You can take a trip on a bamboo raft on the river, go on a catamaran cruise, and so on.

A trip to the Blue Mountains will especially appeal to coffee lovers; they will be able to visit the Blue Mountain plantation. An excursion to the Appleton plantation will help you see the process of making Jamaican rum and taste this drink. Lovers of history and music will see a lot of interesting things. In the main city of the island, Kingston, there is a house-museum of the famous Bob Marley, thanks to whom the world became acquainted with Jamaican reggae. By the way, this music can be heard in any city day and night. Architectural monuments from the colonial era have been preserved in the historical center.

The best resorts for a beach holiday

The vast majority of beach areas are located in the northern region of the island. Coral reefs reliably protect areas located off the coast and provide excellent conditions for swimming. Jamaica offers several popular resorts to travelers, where vacations can be planned in accordance with personal interests and preferences.

Montego Bay

Fans of fashionable hotels, luxurious holidays, and impeccable service love to come here. A holiday in this ancient city will definitely appeal to admirers of architectural monuments, as well as fans of shopping, since trade here is duty-free. This resort is loved by divers and sea fishing enthusiasts.

Negril

It is one of the cleanest resorts in the world. Snow-white sandy beaches occupy about 11 kilometers. The city has an elite area for fans of luxury and an area for youth recreation and fun parties. This resort also offers excellent diving conditions. In Negril there are playgrounds and clubs.

Ocho Rios

A modern resort was recently built on the site of a fishermen’s village. Its main advantage is the landscapes of extraordinary beauty surrounding the town. Tourists have the opportunity to hike and horseback ride through tropical forests to beautiful cascading waterfalls. The beaches of Ocho Rios are gentle, sandy, with convenient entrances.

Port Antonio

Travelers dreaming of a quiet, relaxing holiday should go to Port Antonio. Excellent conditions for a pleasant pastime are provided by amazing landscapes, luxurious beaches, beautiful city streets with old mansions. Here is the Blue Lagoon, where the film of the same name was filmed. This resort is popular with surfers.

Holidays and festivals in Jamaica

If you are going on vacation to this exotic island in 2019, you can time your trip to coincide with the competitions or festivals taking place here. There is a Miss Jamaica beauty contest, blues and jazz festivals, and a regatta. A tennis championship is held here, and a reggae festival is held here.

When to go to Jamaica in 2019?

Despite the fact that Jamaica maintains air and water temperatures favorable for recreation throughout the year, the peculiarities of the high and low seasons are worth taking into account. There are rainy months and hurricane season, when staying on the island can be uncomfortable.

High season and maximum prices

There are two high seasons on the island. One of them falls on , the other on . In summer, a trip to resorts can be planned for July. There is practically no rain at this time. The air temperature is kept at +30 °C, the water warms up to +28 °C. If such heat does not correspond to your personal ideas of comfort, you can come to Jamaica in November. And during these months the probability of rain is low. During the day, the thermometer rises to +25 °C, the sea water temperature is somewhere around +24 °C.

Rainy season - low season in Jamaica

Not all tourists can afford a trip to Jamaica during the high season due to the high prices. You can save costs by planning your trip during the low season, when the cost of travel packages is significantly reduced. In September-October it is quite warm here, but hurricanes and downpours can ruin your holiday. In March, the north wind blows, daytime temperatures can drop to +19-20 °C. You can relax on the island in April, when the weather begins to warm up. May-June is warm, but the probability of rain is high. But the cost of tours is half as much as in July-August.

Musical Jamaica rocks to the beats of reggae from dawn to dusk. Life here is more than leisurely, and the main activity is unity with nature. Excellent beaches and a variety of hotels, cities and resorts, excursion programs and festivals - everything about Jamaica: tours, prices, photos.

Last minute tours Worldwide

Sunny and hospitable Jamaica receives more and more tourists from Russia every year. This is understandable: the island boasts beautiful exotic nature, beautiful beaches, untouched places, as well as good infrastructure - hotels and restaurants for every taste and budget. The main contingent are wealthy tourists who, as a rule, travel to Jamaica in pairs or small groups. Families with children are chosen less often - due to the duration of the flight. A separate important plus is that Russians do not need a visa to this country for a trip of up to 30 days.

This country attracts travelers not only with its nature, but also with its unique Jamaican culture. African, British and Caribbean influences are mixed here, and it is here that the reggae musical style - synonymous with harmony and peace - emerged.

Regions and resorts of Jamaica

Time difference from Moscow

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Jamaica Climate

Maps of Jamaica

Visa and customs

Communication and Wi-Fi

Roaming in Jamaica is expensive, so it is recommended to purchase a local SIM card for calls and mobile data. There are two mobile operators on the island - Digicel and LIME, both have wide coverage (connection interruptions may occur only in remote mountainous areas), but Digicel is the leader in terms of communication quality. A SIM card can be purchased at any mini-market, and there is also a counter at the airports of Kingston and Montego Bay. Payment cards are also sold everywhere; a basic package costs about 10 USD. There will be approximately half of this amount in your account; you will need a passport to purchase. Keep in mind that it takes up to 72 hours for your card to activate, often faster, but if not, there is no way to speed up the process.

The cost of a conversation with Russia is about 140 JMD per minute, mobile Internet will cost 100 JMD for 500 MB per day or 600 JMD for 2 GB per week.

For calls, telephone booths are also used that accept telephone cards for 100, 200 and 500 JMD; you can buy them at post offices. Calling from the hotel is expensive, the rates are 3-4 times higher than usual.

Mobile Internet in Jamaica is poorly developed; the 4G network is just emerging and is available in Kingston and other major cities. You can count on free Wi-Fi in cafes and restaurants only in the capital; in other cities it is either not available or it is paid. Free Wi-Fi in hotels is also still rare.

Money

The country's currency is the Jamaican dollar (JMD), there are 100 cents in 1 dollar. Current rate: 1 JMD = 0.5 RUB (1 USD = 130.65 JMD, 1 EUR = 148.13 JMD).

Along with the local currency in Jamaica, the American dollar is used, but change is still given in Jamaican dollars. The most favorable exchange rate is in banks and exchange offices; money can also be changed in most hotels. The exchange rate at the airport is very unfavorable. Reverse exchange of JMD to USD is possible only when leaving the country at the airport upon presentation of the original exchange receipt.

If possible, take more small bills - they are more convenient. There are coins with corners in Jamaica; tourists often bring them as gifts to fellow collectors.

Many tourist shops accept traveler's checks (it is better to purchase them in USD) and Visa, Mastercard and American Express bank cards.

There are exchange offices (cambio) in Jamaica at airports, banks, hotels and on city streets. It is best to change money at city banks; most of them have 24-hour ATMs. ATMs dispense mostly Jamaican dollars, but some can also dispense US dollars.

Banks in Jamaica are open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 14:00 and on Fridays from 9:00 to 16:00. Main banks in the country: Bank of Jamaica, JMMB, Jamaica National, NCB, Scotiabank. The exchange rates are approximately the same everywhere.

Typically, gratuities are already included in the price of an all-inclusive hotel, so any cash gratuities are not accepted at resorts in Jamaica. Tips in restaurants make up 10-15% of the bill - if they are not included in it. Tipping is prohibited at Sandals and SuperClubs hotels.

Jamaica Hotels

There are many hotels in Jamaica - from cozy small hotels to ultra-modern complexes and luxury villas. All-inclusive clubs predominate, many of which are designed only for a certain category of clients. For example, some hotels are “romantic” oriented and only accept couples, while others will accommodate anyone without any questions. Some hotels have spa centers.

The island features hotels from various well-known chains, for example, Riu, Sandals, Superclubs, Sunset, Secrets and many others. Sandals specializes in holidays for traditional and non-traditional couples, its Beaches hotels are aimed at families with children, and its Superclubs cater to singles and couples.

The Hedonism hotels of the Superclubs chain are created specifically for strawberry lovers, the Breezes hotels are ideal for fans of active recreation, and the Grand Lido hotels are simply positioned as one of the best in Jamaica.

In addition, Couples hotels are very popular - for couples, more cozy and romantic than Sandals, Sunset hotels - for family holidays (with slides or a water park). There are many boutique hotels with a twist - Caves and Country Country in Negril, Jakes on the South Coast, Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios and many others.

Villa holidays are also popular in Jamaica - the Tryall Club and Round Hill villas are especially good. The last complex is interesting because you don’t have to rent the entire villa; you can just rent a room and get the same pleasure, but for less money.

Hotel accommodation is a fairly large expense item when vacationing in Jamaica. A night in a hostel costs from 15 USD per person, a standard double room in an inexpensive hotel in high season - from about 40-45 USD for two. In Montego Bay, prices are higher than the national average: “treshka” - from 75 USD, 4* - from 200 USD, 5* - from 300 USD per day for a double room.

Voltage - 110 V, frequency 50 Hz, in some large hotels - 220 V. American standard plugs with two flat pins are used, so an adapter is needed.

How to avoid problems

The security situation in the country is ambiguous. In large tourist areas, travelers do not have to worry: they have their own security services well established and, in addition, there are special police units. But outside the resorts you should be especially careful when communicating with local residents. It is better to leave original documents, large sums of cash, expensive jewelry and equipment in the hotel safe.

To avoid unnecessary troubles in Jamaica, it is better not to go into areas where locals live: many of them are not particularly friendly towards visitors. It’s also not a good idea to photograph local residents without permission; most often such situations end in conflict. It is better to refuse offers from local residents to “show the real non-tourist Jamaica”. Most likely, it will be a brothel, a hangout for stoned “musicians”, or they will simply try to scam you out of money.

The level of insolation on the island is very high - for the adaptation period (2-3 days) serious sunscreen and light clothing are required. It is generally recommended to use sunscreen all the time, especially from 9:00 to 15:00.

You should not eat unwashed fruits and vegetables. Cooked meat, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables are generally considered safe, but many local dishes taste unusual and can upset an unprepared Russian stomach. It is recommended to drink only bottled water. There is no need to get any vaccinations before visiting Jamaica; instead, it is better to remember that the country has a high rate of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS.

Mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects pose some danger, so you should always have repellents on hand.

Useful numbers just in case: police - 119, ambulance - 110, fire service - 110.

Maps of Jamaica

The beaches in Jamaica are sandy, wide, the water is clean and clear, and its temperature is the same almost all year round - +24 °C. There are free and paid beaches, paid beaches have better infrastructure, sometimes they even have their own open-air cinema and golf courses. But the standard set is an umbrella and sun lounger, showers, beach bars and water entertainment rentals. Some hotels have their own beach, which is usually free for guests. The cost of entry to a paid beach is 650-2000 JMD depending on the set of services, sometimes this amount includes a couple of drinks.

Beach Negril located in the western part of the island and is not only considered the most beautiful on the island, but also one of the ten best beaches in the world. This coastline is popular not only among swimmers and sunbathers, but also among divers: the water here is absolutely transparent, visibility is up to 25 m, and the underwater world is very diverse.

Ocho Rios(a resort in the northern part of the island) is also famous for its gorgeous beaches with beautiful views. The first James Bond film was even filmed here, and the local beach, where filming took place, was named in his honor. 20 km from it is the former residence of the writer Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond novels; today there is a hotel there. The beaches of Ocho Rios are preferred by Hollywood stars and other famous personalities. Another popular beach in this resort is Turtle beach, it is loved by families with children, and in windy weather - by surfers; entrance to it is paid.

The beaches of Ocho Rios and Negril are considered the best on the island, but the most popular resort is Montego Bay. It has the best infrastructure, the most restaurants, entertainment centers and nightclubs. The most famous private beach here is Doctor Cave, with the resort's best restaurants and dive and surf equipment rentals. Walter Fletcher Beach is loved by families with children.

Long Bay- one of the most picturesque beach resorts, although its infrastructure is inferior to those listed above. It is not crowded here compared to popular resorts, you can rent inexpensive accommodation from local residents, and the beach itself has pink sand.

Nudist beaches are worth special attention. Jamaica is known for its loyalty to those who like to swim without clothes, but it is better to do this in specially designated areas. The main “wild” beaches of Jamaica are located in the nudist hotels “Hedonism II” and “Hedonism III”. The first is in Negril, 1.5 hours from Montego Bay, and the second is in Ocho Rios. There you can not only sunbathe naked, but also play volleyball, walk around the pool without clothes, watch erotic shows and participate in various frivolous competitions.

Beauty of Jamaica

Shopping and shops in Jamaica

Shopping is not really about Jamaica. It is unprofitable and practically nowhere to buy expensive clothes, perfumes or accessories. Bargain purchases in Jamaica include bright cotton beachwear from local brands Cooyah, Zion, etc., excellent rum and coffee, jewelry and handicrafts.

There are very few large shopping centers in Jamaica; small shops with souvenirs are much more common. There are duty-free shops not only at airports, but also scattered throughout the island, and the prices there are quite attractive, and with tourist documents they give additional discounts. The main shopping centers are the resorts of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.

It’s worth bringing the famous Blue Mountain coffee from Jamaica; it costs about 1,500 JMD here for 500 grams. The largest selection and lowest prices are in shops at coffee factories. It is better to buy Jamaican Appleton rum in duty-free (from 3200 JMD). The island also makes excellent spices and seasonings, such as Walkerswood sauces, pepper, curry, paprika, and ginger from Island Spice. Cost - from 250 JMD per package.

The most popular souvenirs are handicrafts (wooden sculptures, embossing, items made of semi-precious stones), bright handmade jewelry (from 500 JMD) and Rastafarian hats (from 600 JMD). Original purchases will include furniture and interior items made from bamboo Crazy Legs Originals and Original Bamboo Factory - unique handmade bamboo items.

Prices in large shopping centers are fixed, but in all street shops and markets it is customary to bargain.

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Cuisine and restaurants

Jamaican culinary traditions are a mix of Caribbean, English, Spanish and African cuisine. Local chefs mainly rely on fruits, pork, poultry, seafood and vegetables, generously flavoring it all with a variety of seasonings. Local fruit exotics: “oranik” - a hybrid of orange and tangerine, “ugli” - a hybrid of grapefruit and tangerine, breadfruit.

The main national dish of Jamaica is considered to be “ackee” and “saltfish” (the taste resembles an omelette). Grilled chicken marinated in a special pepper sauce and cooked over pimento wood coals is very popular. It is sold on every corner from homemade barbecues.

Traditional Jamaican juicy patties (“juicy pies”) with a variety of vegetable, meat and fish fillings are very popular in the country. The cafe chain under the same name is a kind of Jamaican version of McDonald's. There are even queues here at lunchtime, but there are few tourists there, mostly locals.

Dinner in a seaside restaurant for two will cost about 15,000 JMD, lunch in an inexpensive cafe - about 4000-5000 JMD for two, breakfast with coffee and toast - about 400-500 JMD per person.

Beverages

The most famous Jamaican beer is the light Red Stripe. Also popular is Real Rock Lager, a brightly flavored light beer brewed in the traditional way. For something unusual, you should try Jamaican ginger beer.

Wines in Jamaica are mainly imported - from Chile, Argentina, Spain or America. Their prices are quite low, and the quality is very decent.

The best photos of Jamaica

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Jamaica is considered one of the richest countries in the entire Caribbean. However, they are all located at different ends of the island, so you’ll have to travel around to get the impressions.

Architecture

Not far from Montego Bay The 19th century Belvedere estate is located. It is a kind of museum of the era when the slave system reigned in Jamaica. Here you can see a dam built by slaves, sugar cane plantations where slaves worked, and the house itself is stylized as a 17th century building. You can explore the estate on your own or with a guided tour; in the second case, the price includes a traditional Jamaican lunch with live music.

In Montego Bay itself, it's worth visiting the Appleton Estate Rum Factory. There are tours around the factory where you can learn the history of Jamaican rum, see the process of its creation and taste several varieties.

City architecture" Spanish Town everything is designed in the spirit of the 17th century, even new houses here are built only in this style so that they fit into the city landscape. The main local attraction is the Rodney Memorial. It was built in honor of Admiral George Bridges Rodney, the commander-in-chief of the British army, who defended the city and prevented it from being captured by the French-Spanish army. On the sides of the memorial there are guns from which a salvo is fired annually in honor of this victory. There is a legend that these guns were taken from the French in that very battle.

St. Catherine's Cathedral in Spanish Town is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Jamaica; it was built back in the 17th century, and even has preserved wood carvings and clay stucco.

The Rose Hall mansion is one of the most mysterious attractions in Jamaica. It is located 20 minutes by car from Montego Bay and is famous as the home of the legendary Anya Palmer, sometimes called the White Witch of Jamaica (white solely because of the color of her skin). According to legend, Ani possessed voodoo magic and killed her husband in order to take over his estate, and then began to seduce slaves, who the next morning suffered the same fate as her husband. In 1965, the new owners of the house opened a museum here, but the legends about the ghost of a woman who walks up the stairs and sighs are still alive.

Adventure lovers will love the ancient town Port Royal, where pirates used to live. Today it houses the Maritime Museum, the defensive Fort Charles and a unique house on stilts at an angle of 45 degrees.

IN Kingston there is a Bob Marley Museum, it is located in the house where the musician lived since 1975. The house is very bright, painted with portraits of Marley and colorful graffiti. The layout remained untouched - as during the singer’s life, but several rooms were completed: a library, a recording studio for the musician’s children and a branded clothing store for his daughter.

On the walls of the museum you can see not only drawings, but also bullet holes left after the assassination attempt on the reggae legend.

The museum's rooms contain Bob Marley's favorite star-shaped guitar, his stage costumes, gold records and CDs, awards and magazine clippings.

4 things to do in Jamaica:

Ride ostriches in the famous Keshu Park on the south coast of the island.
Admire the sunset from Blue Peak in eastern Jamaica, which reaches a height of 2220 m. And then stop by the estates of a coffee planter, where you can taste freshly brewed Blue Mountains coffee, considered one of the best in the world.
Raft the Martha Brae, Black River and Mountain Valley area.
Hand feed hummingbirds at Montego Bay Nature Reserve.

Nature

Dunn's River Falls are one of the most beautiful places on the entire island. They are located in the middle of a real jungle, their height is 55 m. Next to the waterfalls there is a beach where you can swim. The most adventurous can climb to the top on foot - the stones are very slippery, so it is recommended to be as careful as possible and not go there alone.

All tourists are greeted at the waterfalls by the donkey Bunny, with whom you can take a photo - this is a long-standing tradition and a local landmark.

You can get to the waterfalls by tourist buses that depart from Ocho Rios every day at 10:00.

Another very picturesque place is the Blue Lagoon. People come here not only for the spectacular views: it is believed that the local water has a very beneficial effect on the skin.

Near the port city of Falmouth there is a luminous lagoon - microorganisms live there, whose chitinous cover glows bright turquoise in the dark.

The highest point of the island, Blue Peak, is located in the Blue Mountains. Its height is 2147 m, and from this peak the most beautiful views of the entire island open. It is believed that it is best to watch the sunrise here, and to see the first rays of the sun, you need to start your ascent in the dark. For those interested, there are organized walking tours.

On the south coast, in Lacovia, there is an ostrich farm - Cashoo Ostrich Park, where you can feed the ostriches and ride them.

Leisure

Rafting is popular in Jamaica - a trip along the river on a bamboo raft, during which you can admire the rare beautiful plants on the banks, as well as catamaran trips and snorkeling in coral bays. The most popular places for this are the Great River near Montego Bay, the Black River near Ocho Rios and the Rio Grande near Port Antonio.

The best waves for surfing and windsurfing can be found on the northeast and southeast coasts; there are also equipment rentals and instructors on popular beaches. For regular diving, choose the coral reef and the surrounding area of the sunken Port Royal.

Events in Jamaica

Jamaica hosts many musical, cultural and sporting events throughout the year. The most notable and popular are the reggae festivals “Splashes of the Sun” in Ocho Rios and “Summer” in Montego Bay. In March-April, a week after Easter, many carnivals are held in Kingston and other places in the country, no worse than the Brazilian ones. And the celebration of Christmas (“Jonkanu”) on the island is a special holiday. It is celebrated with a colorful parade, all of whose participants are dressed in fancy dress.

One of the most famous yacht regattas, the Pineapple Cup, starts in Miami and finishes in Montego Bay in February. The Cable & Wireless Cup cricket match is held in Kingston in April.

Other interesting events on the island:

May-June - tennis championship,
July - reggae festival,
September - Miss Jamaica beauty pageant,
November - jazz and blues festival,
December - regatta.

The holiday season in Jamaica lasts all year (average annual temperatures range from +25-36 degrees, and the water does not get colder than +24 degrees), but for those who cannot tolerate the heat, it is advisable to come here in winter (the ideal period to visit the island is November- April: at this time there is no sweltering heat, and the sea is warm and calm).

It rains in Jamaica from April to June: it begins suddenly and ends quickly, so in general it will not interfere with your vacation and will bring life-saving freshness and coolness. At the same time, the elements may rage - you should be prepared for hurricanes.

Tourist season in Jamaica

Spring: until the end of April, the weather on the island remains fairly dry (the least precipitation falls), so this time is ideal for excursions to the most beautiful places on the island (for example, you should definitely visit the Blue Mountains, famous for their wonderful waterfalls). And May is characterized by intense rainfall with hurricanes.

Summer: summer is characterized by changeable weather, although even in the shade the thermometer shows +30-32 degrees (due to heavy rains and possible hurricanes, prices for summer trips are reduced).

Autumn: in the fall it is worth planning walks to historical sights, cultural sites and other interesting places (the air warms up to +23-32 degrees).

Winter: during the day the air can warm up to +30, and at night it cannot drop below +22 degrees. Thanks to the cool weather, almost all types of recreation are available on the island.

Beach season in Jamaica

Holidays on Jamaican beaches are available at almost any time of the year, but the favorable period for this type of holiday is November-April.

Montego Bay beaches (Doctor Cave, Mosquito Cove, Cornwall) offer calm seas and glass-bottom boat rides. In addition, at one of the local beaches (Doctor Cave) you can swim in a pool filled with mineral water.

Negril will greet you with wide white sandy beaches - here you can engage in water sports, actively relax on the tennis courts, play beach volleyball, and go diving.

And on the sandy beaches of St. Elizabeth you can not only sunbathe, but also play golf, take yacht trips, dive or fish.

Diving

The ideal period for diving is from November to May (in other months, possible hurricanes and typhoons may prevent vacations).

An ideal place for diving and photo hunting is Negril and its immediate surroundings (underwater caves, crevices and other secret places where marine life hides are at your service). This area is famous for the “Throne Room” - in this cave you will meet yellow sponges. And you can meet a lot of sharks by diving at Sharks Reef.

Holidays in Jamaica are intended for fans of beach, cultural, and active recreation (holding reggae music festivals, organizing expeditions to the most beautiful places on horseback, climbing the Blue Mountains, exploring underground lakes, visiting sugar plantations and distilleries).

Tourist season in Jamaica

Spring: until the end of April, the weather on the island remains fairly dry (the least precipitation falls), so this time is ideal for excursions to the most beautiful places on the island (for example, you should definitely visit the Blue Mountains, famous for their wonderful waterfalls). And May is characterized by intense rainfall with hurricanes.
Summer: summer is characterized by changeable weather, although even in the shade the thermometer shows +30-32 degrees (due to heavy rains and possible hurricanes, prices for summer trips are reduced).
Autumn: in the fall it is worth planning walks to historical sights, cultural sites and other interesting places (the air warms up to +23-32 degrees).
Winter: during the day the air can warm up to +30, and at night it cannot drop below +22 degrees. Thanks to the cool weather, almost all types of recreation are available on the island.

Beach season in Jamaica

Holidays on Jamaican beaches are available at almost any time of the year, but the favorable period for this type of holiday is November-April.

Negril will greet you with wide white sandy beaches - here you can engage in water sports, actively relax on the tennis courts, play beach volleyball, and go diving.

And on the sandy beaches of St. Elizabeth you can not only sunbathe, but also play golf, take yacht trips, dive or fish.

Diving

The ideal period for diving is from November to May (in other months, possible hurricanes and typhoons may prevent vacations).

If you want to find yourself in paradise on earth, there is no better place than Jamaica. The local Indians call this island “the land of streams.” Summer reigns here all year round. Sandy velvety beaches, azure water, endless tropical forests, beautiful cascading waterfalls, magnificent and unique sunsets and sunrises. Do you want to know everything about holidays in Jamaica in 2019? Prices and attractions, as well as everything you need to know besides this, are described in this article.

Brief historical background

Jamaica is a place with an interesting and turbulent history. The ancient history of the island says that it was first inhabited by Indian tribes. It was discovered by Columbus, and in the 16th century a Spanish settlement was organized here. Then the Indian population disappeared almost completely, and the Spanish colonialists brought slaves here from Africa.

In the 17th century, the island was captured by the British. But the most interesting part of Jamaica's history is that around the same time the pirates moved their capital here, which was located in Tortuga. It was here that they brought all their booty. True, during the earthquake in June 1692, part of the city of Port Royal went under water along with pirate treasures. But who knows, maybe the locals will tell you an old legend about pirates and their adventures, or you will be able to find a real treasure with ancient coins.

By the way, the pirates lived here not just well, but luxuriously. Simultaneously with piracy, sugar plantations were actively developing in Jamaica - they were founded by the same British. And the famous Jamaican rum flowed here like a river.

After the abolition of slavery, things became much more difficult for local planters, and sugar production fell somewhat into decline. However, in the 20th century, enterprising Americans arrived on the island and invested money in the island's economy and infrastructure. Well, in the 60s of the last century, Jamaica finally became an independent state.

Currently, it is a developing country, but Jamaica is very prosperous due to the development of tourism on the island. Many travelers want to go here due to the excellent beach holiday opportunities and the fact that there are many interesting places and events held here.

Brief geographical information and climate

Jamaica is located in the Caribbean Sea and is a completely island country. The capital of the country is the city of Kingston. The landscape is predominantly a plateau, with some mountains and small valleys. On the southern coast there are harbors in which some cities are located. The northern coast has stunning beaches of fine white sand - the Jamaican Riviera.

The island has many different natural areas, making the flora and fauna very diverse. Jamaica is home to such beautiful plants as bamboo, eucalyptus, mangroves, orchids, and hibiscus. But there are significantly fewer animals - during the development of the island by humans, unfortunately, the local fauna suffered greatly. However, mongooses, manatees and even beautiful hummingbirds that were exotic to us remained.

The tropical climate zone completely covers Jamaica. The air temperature on the island is approximately the same throughout the year. It is rare for the thermometer to show below 24 degrees Celsius. The rainy season is between May and October. True, between June and October there can even be hurricanes on the island, which are not uncommon in the Caribbean.

When is the season in Jamaica? In general, due to the fact that the weather is warm all year round, you can come to the island throughout the year. Summer time is suitable for those who are not afraid of heat and precipitation, but January - March will appeal to tourists who need even more comfortable weather, however, they will have to pay more for their vacation.

Jamaica on the map

Safety in Jamaica

If you plan to stay in a tourist or resort area, then you don’t have to worry about your life: the authorities do a great job of protecting the safety of tourists. However, if you are an adventure seeker and want to visit areas populated mainly by local residents, you should only do this during the day, preferably accompanied by a guide or conductor, and exercise extreme caution.

In addition, it is worth remembering these rules:

Before the trip, you should definitely take sunscreen with you; you should use them constantly, since the sun on the island is very hot and dangerous;
to avoid problems with the gastrointestinal tract, you need to carefully understand what you eat, since Jamaican cuisine is very specific;
You should also use insect bite repellents.

Visa to Jamaica for Russians

At the moment, Russian tourists do not need a visa to visit Jamaica if the purpose of their stay is exclusively tourism and the period does not exceed 30 days. It is worth taking out health insurance for your own peace of mind. But upon entry you will only need a foreign passport, return tickets, confirmation of booking and financial viability of the tourist.

Planning a trip to Jamaica: transportation and accommodation

How to get there and how to get around?

Getting to Jamaica is quite difficult. You will have to make at least one transfer, or even much more, if you want to save on tickets. So, in September, a ticket with two transfers will cost from 30,000 rubles from Moscow to Montego Bay (the main resort center of the island) one way per person. A flight with one transfer will cost a little more - around 33,000 rubles. Getting to the capital, Kingston, is about the same.

How to move around the island? In general, there is public transport on the island: buses, including express trains, and minibuses. There are also regular taxis; when choosing a company, you should use the services of larger companies, since their cars are in better condition. Many drivers are happy to travel between cities, but it is always worth agreeing on the price in advance.

You can also rent a car - there are representative offices of safe international companies in major cities. However, it is worth considering that when leaving big cities you may encounter a very original driving style of the local population.

Where to stay and where is the best place to live?

Thanks to developed tourism, there is a huge variety of offers on the island: luxury hotels, inns, villas, apartments, hostels. Thus, in the capital Kingston you can find accommodation from the simplest (hostel, cost - 1,000 rubles per day per tourist) to stunning five-star (swimming pool, transfer, high-quality food - for 12,000 rubles per day per person). The Montego Bay resort is not far behind: prices are approximately the same. You can also find an average option, for example, apartments located near the first coastline, for about 4,000 rubles per day per vacationer.

You need to know that some hotel establishments in Jamaica are aimed at certain clients - hotels for couples, family hotels, hotels for single adventurers and young people.

Where it is better to live is up to the vacationers to decide: after all, for some it is important to have a whole water park and children’s staff, for others they enjoy privacy and distance from the main resort areas, and for others they are looking for an overnight stay at the lowest price.

Holidays in Jamaica: where to go, where to go, what to see and what to do

Beach holidays and water activities in Jamaica

Montego Bay is not only a major port and a city with a very interesting history, but also the most popular resort on the island. Almost all the best hotels and beaches are located here, in the northwestern part of Jamaica. A beach holiday in Montego Bay means spending time on a clean, sandy beach, the entrance to the water is gentle, and the infrastructure is also developed: in addition to landscaping, there are such wonderful things as swimming pools with mineral water from healing springs.

Those who enjoy an active holiday will also have a great time in Montego Bay: on the local beaches you can go diving, there is even a Marine Park, where you can take a boat ride or jet ski, or play beach ball games. And those who love nightlife will enjoy the numerous restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Ocho Rios is located in the north of the island. The resorts here are a little more secluded; there are small towns and fishing villages on the coast. However, the infrastructure is present here too.

White House Bay is in the southwest. This is the hottest place on the coast of Jamaica; there are practically no hotels there, but there are real jungles and almost wild beaches.

Runway Bay will be appreciated by those who love water sports (the place is appreciated by diving enthusiasts), and is also home to a popular nudist resort for those who want to literally get closer to nature.

It's definitely worth a trip to Long Bay at least for a day. This place will especially appeal to surfers, as the waves here delight fans of this sport all year round. Many schools with professional instructors for this sport are located here. However, even if you don't want to surf, the bay is worth a look if only for how picturesque it is. And if you want to relax in a quiet place in Jamaica, it is also suitable for you, since the infrastructure - and, accordingly, the number of tourists - is not the same as in other listed places.

Finally, just for fun, you can visit James Bond Beach (northern Jamaica). It is famous for the fact that scenes from the film “Dr. No” about the British special agent Bond were filmed here. Now the beach is famous for the fact that it often hosts musical events: even very famous performers have performed here.

Sights of Jamaica

However, a tourist in Jamaica will not be content with just the beach! The island has many interesting places - both natural beauty and monuments, and museums - that are worth visiting, taking suggestions from guides or organizing excursions on your own.

Perhaps you should start your tour of the memorable and historical places on this wonderful island with a visit to the Bob Marley Museum. Not only because this singer and musician gave reggae to the world. Jamaica's musical traditions are very rich and varied. It was from here that styles such as ska, soul, calypso, and dancehall spread throughout the world. The soloists of the famous group Boney M were also from Jamaica. The museum is located in Kingston and is intricately painted and decorated, especially for fans of the singer and his musical style.

Museum lovers can visit the National Gallery of Jamaica in the capital. This is a magnificent art museum with an extensive collection of works of art by island painters.

Fans of ancient architectural monuments can visit Devon House. This is a most colorful example of Jamaican architecture. The house belonged to the first black Jamaican millionaire. It is located in the center of the capital and was built in a mixed style. Inside you can see an abundance of antiques from Europe and the Caribbean islands themselves.

In the vicinity of Ocho Rios are Dance River Falls. Even those who have already seen many waterfalls will be fascinated by these ones, because they are considered one of the most beautiful on the planet. This is an amazing cascade, which you can even climb to the top if you have the desire and the right shoes. Another great waterfall is Wyes Falls. It is located in the southwestern part of the island and is loved by tourists because you can swim there and even jump.

Close to Port Antonio there is another place for nature lovers: the Blue Lagoon. This place has some kind of magical beauty: the water in the lagoon changes color depending on the time of day. Those who dive into the waters will experience unusual sensations, because the waters here are both sea and underground, and therefore the temperature in the lagoon changes every second.

Other interesting places for those who are interested in natural diversity are, for example, the Valley of Ferns (you can admire 500 species of similar plants), or Windsor Cave (which has a fairly safe infrastructure for tourists, but is beautiful for its natural features and paintings).

Those interested in history should head to the legendary Port Royal. Once upon a time it sank, and now on the site of the famous settlement there is only a village. However, part of the Old Town has been restored. In Port Royal, you can go on a glass-bottom boat tour and see the underwater city.

A terrible part of the island’s history is associated with the ruins of Edinburgh Castle, which is located in the village of the same name. Once upon a time this castle was built by a doctor, but not an easy one: he turned out to be a real sophisticated killer. He was executed, and the castle turned into ruins, which are now visited by tourists.

Finally, a very extreme direction is the so-called “Country on the Margins”. The plateau, dotted with ravines and hills, is located in the western part of the country. This territory was never conquered by man, and therefore you can visit this area only as part of an organized group, including experienced guides with weapons: after all, here you can even run into a predator.

Things to Do in Jamaica

Jamaica is a stunning destination with something for everyone - on and off the beaches.

As for sports, in addition to surfing and diving, you can also go rafting in Jamaica. For example, on the Rio Grande River. A special feature of the local color is that you can raft down this river. The island's luxury resorts are also full of golf courses - you can take courses or watch the professionals play. Other entertainment - helicopter excursions, motor paragliding. You can go on a walking tour of the Blue Mountains of Jamaica.

If someone went on vacation to Jamaica with their family, with children, then they should definitely go to Dolphin Bay (not far from Ocho Rios). This is a real natural bay where you can swim side by side with these kind and amazing creatures. You can take a boat ride, snorkel, relax on the beach and just watch cute dolphins.

Connoisseurs of history and elite alcohol should head to the Appleton estate. Jamaican rum has been brewed there since the mid-18th century! Now there is a factory on the estate, you can visit it on a tour, and, of course, do not neglect the tasting of the drink. Some tourists also go on excursions to both fruit and coffee plantations.

Jamaica is an amazing place for lovers of wild entertainment. Large cities and popular tourist areas have a very rich nightlife: beach parties, cabarets, and masquerade parties. You can also catch local holidays while traveling. For example, at Christmas there is a Jonkanu festival, accompanied by a masquerade and a musical parade. Between February and April, the capital Kingston is decorated with a grandiose carnival. And this is not to mention the numerous musical events held on this very musical island.

What to try in Jamaica? It must be said that local food is a mixture of the traditions of Spanish, English, African and Caribbean cuisine. People mainly like seafood, pork, fruits and vegetables here. You can try exotic fruits: oranique (this is a cross between an orange and a tangerine) or breadfruit. Meat eaters will enjoy poultry cooked on the grill and charcoal, and seasoned with hot sauce. You can also find quite inexpensive restaurants and cafes: for example, the local chain Juicy Patties prepares pies with a variety of fillings.

Shopping in Jamaica is most interesting not in large shopping centers, but in shops or even from stalls. What to bring, what to take with you as a souvenir and as a gift from the cheerful island? It could be:

Blue Mountains Coffee;
Appleton rum;
interior items made of bamboo;
wooden figurines;
bright bracelets and other jewelry.

On average, in 2019, a week’s stay in Jamaica will cost from 50 thousand rubles. However, everything depends on the desires and capabilities of the tourist: after all, a huge number of informal young people, connoisseurs of luxury holidays, and average families come here. You can choose a tour, or you can plan a trip yourself, since the tourism infrastructure in the country allows you to do this with comfort and safety. Not all interesting places and entertainment on the island are listed in this article, but what you need to know for sure is that there is something special and beautiful in Jamaica for everyone.