Without question, Jamaica is one of the Caribbean's most beautiful islands.The Arawak Indians, Jamaica 's earliest known inhabitants, named their land well: Xaymaca, "land of woods and streams.

Their name, however, left out the mountains. Jamaica is about 80 percent hilly and almost one-half of the land area is above 1,000 feet . Between 40 to 50 percent of the island is still forested.

And the Caribbean water temperatures are ideal all year round in Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. (See When To Go)

Jamaica also has tremendous geographic variety: desert, high mountains, beaches...almost everything but snow (but it may get below freezing on Blue Mountain Peak in winter).

One reason Jamaica can offer so much is because it's the third largest Caribbean island, 146 miles long and varying between 22 and 51 miles wide. (See map)

Jamaica's main tourist areas have been famous for decades.

Port Antonio, where Jamaica's tourism started.

Ocho Rios, home of Dunn's River Falls, Fern Gully and Dolphin Cove.

Montego Bay (or Mo Bay), convenient to golf, great houses, shopping, rafting and river hiking.

Negril, with its famous beach and rock cliffs.

Kingston, which has become the jumping off place for trips to the Blue Mountains, especially hikes up Blue Mountain Peak.

Port Royal, considered the world's most wicked city during the Golden Age of Piracy, now a quiet fishing village.

A few essentials about Jamaica:

The Rastafarian Religion        Reggae Music

Blue Mountain Coffee          The Maroons

Jamaica News

But Jamaica is a rose with very obvious thorns because of its well publicized problems with drugs and crime.

Jamaica's major tourist areas, like towns everywhere, do have parts that shouldn't be visited after dark. As most hotels have their own security staff, room break-ins tend to be more rare than crime on the street. But both do happen.

Despite its problems, I like Jamaica and everything about it. I suspect you will, too.

Jamaica Deep Background
Courtesy of the CIA

Jamaica Arrival Briefing
What You Need to Know If You Go

Getting Married in Jamaica
No problem, mon!

Jamaica's Crime Problem
How safe is travel to Jamaica?

Major Attractions

Bamboo Avenue
A famous, shady place

Black River
More than 2 dozen falls in a little over 2 miles

Blue Mountain & John Crow Mountains National Park
The most complete description of Jamaica hiking on the web


Blue Mountain Peak Hike
One of the Caribbean's great hikes

Bob Marley's Grave at Nine Mile
A mind altering experience but have a designated driver!

Camping in Jamaica
This island welcomes campers

Cockpit Country
A remote stronghold of the Maroons

Diving Jamaica
Around the island, underwater

Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios
A large water park with more than dolphins

Dunn's River Falls
One of the Caribbean's most famous landmarks

Fern Gully
A former riverbed now a busy roadway

Firefly
Home of English actor, dramatist, & songwriter Noel Coward

Great Houses
Rose Hall & Greenwood Great Houses

Hellshire Hills
A remarkable dry forest near Kingston

Hiking Guides
They are especially important in out-of-the-way places

Lodging for Hikers
Put a hard roof over your head, not a tent

James Bond Beach
Here's the recipe to the bar's signature drink

Montego Bay River Valley Hikes
Few tourists ever make these walks

Negril Beach Walk
Jamaica's most famous beach

Things To Do
Diving, hiking, river rafting, great houses and more

Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning
Made near Ocho Rios, this wonderful spice is now available almost everywhere