Jamaica
Welcome
Motto: "Out of Many, One People"
Anthem: "Jamaica, Land We Love"
Jamaica is the third largest of the Caribbean islands, and the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean Sea. Situated 90 miles south of Cuba, 600 miles south of Florida, USA, and 100 miles south-west of Haiti, Jamaica is approximately 146 miles long, 51 miles wide, and has an area of 4,411 square miles.
Capital: Kingston 17°58′17″N 76°47′35″W.
Population: 2,819 million inhabitants.
Gross Domestic Product - GDP (PPP): $26.981 billion.
Official languages: Jamaican Patois & English.
Area: 10,991 km2.
Water (%): 1.5.
Currency: Jamaican dollar (JMD).
Safety rating: Ranked 81 on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.99.
Food
Jerk Chicken
Jerk Chicken is believed to have been conceived when the Maroons introduced African meat cooking techniques to Jamaica which were combined with native Jamaican ingredients and seasonings used by the Arawak. The method of smoking meat for a long period of time served two practical purposes, keeping insects away from the raw meat and preserving it for longer once it has been cooked. This process also introduces a strong smoky flavour to the meat.
The Jamaican Patty Jamaican Patty
Deliciously savory filling encapsulated by golden pastry that flakes at the touch... that is the Jamaican patty. A derivative of the Cornish pasty, the Jamaican patty is a staple food and a must-try on any visit to Jamaica. These half-moon shaped delights are sold by patty shops and bakeries around the island, and though often had lunch, are eaten at any time of day due to their inexpensive price.
Bulla (Spiced Jamaican rolls)
Sometimes referred to as bulla cake, these sweet, flat rolls are spiced with ginger and molasses. They are a popular snack and can be filled with butter or cheese.
Breadfruit
Although this is technically a fruit, breadfruit is used as a starch. You can fry, grill, bake or puree it and it has a similar consistency to potato. Yet breadfruit is full of nutrition and is low on the glycemic index. And many believe it could solve issues of world hunger as it grows easily in places that have issues with food security.
Callaloo
This is a dark green leaf plant that grows as tall as 2 feet high. The thick, large leaves are similar to spinach. This traditional Jamaican food is often eaten for breakfast along with boiled green bananas. You will find it as a side in other meals.
Curry Chiсkеn, Mutton оr Gоаt
This dish is an example of what Jamaica’s Indian population contributed to traditional Jamaican food. When slavery ended, tens of thousands of people from India came to work on the plantations and brought their love of curry spices. While there is a now only a small Indian population, the love of curry lives on.
Oxtail
Oxtail has a rich, meaty flavor that adds a hearty taste to warming winter stews and soups. It has a fairly large amount of creamy far covering the rich, dark meat with almost an equal proportion of meat to bone.
Fried Plantain
There are many types of fried plantains, sometimes they are savoury like chips but my favourite are the sweet plantains.
Malta
Jamaican Malta is a lightly carbonated malt beverage. It is brewed from barley, hops and water. Malta is like a beer that has not yet been fermented. However, Jamaican Malta is non-alcoholic and is consumed in the same way as soda in its original carbonated form. It has the same dark brown colour as a stout. But it has a sweet flavour like molasses. You can also drink it over ice.
Bоb Marley Cocktail
This drink has a signature green, yellow, red frozen layering. It’s also delicious as it includes layers of strawberry daiquiri and mango. While Sandals resorts originally created the recipe, you can also for it anywhere.
Renting a car is by far the best way of getting around and seeing the island. Though some of the roads beggar belief, Jamaica is a relatively easy country to drive in. Distances are small, and while some locals have a kamikaze approach to driving, most are extremely courteous.
Taxi
Taking a cab or minibus will be the safest and most hassle-free way to get around Jamaica. But you should only take the official taxis that are operated by the Jamaica Union of Travelers Association (JUTA) or Jamaica Co-operative Automobile & Limousine Tours (JCAL), as indicated by the acronym on their vehicles. The most affordable taxis are communal "route taxis," which pick up at certain spots throughout the island and drive to certain locations. Look for the red and white license plates with "P" or "PPV" appearing before the number. Many taxi meters are broken, so agree on a price before accepting the ride. As for tipping, you should budget in 10 to 15 percent of the fare – more if you're traveling late at night.
Bus
You may want to avoid public buses in Jamaica, as they can be unreliable when it comes to their arrival times and are often subject to poor road conditions. Buses, however, are the island's cheapest form of transportation. The Jamaica Urban Transit Association operates a fleet of 450 yellow buses, with fares starting at 100 Jamaican dollars.
Car
Having a car in Jamaica has its pros and cons. You'll get to explore the island on your own, but you'll have to suffer the lumpy roads, erratic drivers and scant road signs. Also keep in mind that you'll have to drive on the left side of the road. If you want to rent a car, do so at the airport you fly into for reliable service. You can choose from familiar car rental chains like Hertz and Budget or local companies like Island Car Rentals.
Cruise
Many cruise lines, including Carnival, Celebrity and Holland America, make stops in Jamaica. They usually head for Montego Bay, the northwestern side or Ocho Rios.
Transportation
Best things to do
Ricks Cafe’s cliffs
Rick’s Cafe in Negril is one of the most popular tourist attractions and hot spots on the island. Rick’s Cafe is a restaurant and bar, and while the food is great, that isn’t the main reason why it’s so popular. At the edge of Rick’s Cafe is a 35-foot cliff that boasts one of the most beautiful sunsets in Jamaica. The cliff is also the place where people engage in the most heart-throbbing, nerve-racking cliff diving.
Swimming with horses
At specific resorts in Jamaica, such as Half Moon, thoroughbreds are trained to swim in the water with guests on their backs. Many horses actually enjoy the water and their powerful legs have made them very good swimmers. Visitors can enjoy a ride through the Caribbean sea on a horse or engage in other equestrian activities, like walks on the beach or jumping.
The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are the longest mountain range in Jamaica and features majestic scenery and a lush forest. The mountains are the number one place in Jamaica where locals camp and hike. There are even a few hostels and inns nestled in the hills of the Blue Mountains that cater to hikers and campers. The Blue Mountains is also the home of the world-famous Blue Mountain coffee.
Try Jerk Chicken
Jerk Chicken has become the most popular dish that Jamaicans have created. Around the world, people have fallen in love with this style of cooking and have even tried to imitate the original markers and create their own jerk spices and sauces. Residents and chefs in the town have done their best to preserve the taste and methods that were made famous by their Maroon ancestors.
The glistening waters of the Luminous Lagoon
In the 18th century, scientists discovered glowing microorganisms in the waters of the lagoon called dinoflagellates, which thrive in the layers where salt and fresh water combine. At night, the lagoon sparkles and glistens when disturbed, giving off a “glow in the dark” effect. Every night, there are boat tours from the Glistening Waters Marina to the lagoon where guests get a chance to swim inside.
The Bob Marley Museum
Bob Marley is the most famous reggae artist that ever lived and one of Jamaica’s most known international icons. The legacy of Marley has been captured and put on display in the house where he lived in Jamaica from 1975 until the year of his death, 1981. The house, now known as The Bob Marley Museum, features memorabilia such as his gold & platinum records, clothing, instruments, photos...
The Dolphin Cove
Dolphin Cove Jamaica is the number one marine attraction on the island. The Marine Park essentially has three locations—Montego Bay, Moon Palace, and Ocho Rios, the Ocho Rios location being the largest and most popular. Visitors to Dolphin Cove get the chance to interact and swim with dolphins, sharks, and stingrays in their natural environment. The dolphins are trained to showcase water tricks and stunts and have a reputation for being charming and friendly towards guests.
The Dunn’s River Falls
The Dunn’s River Falls is one of Jamaica’s national treasures and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the entire Caribbean. The popular waterfall in Ocho Rios extends across more than 183 meters (600 feet). The falls is naturally terraced, like a giant staircase, which makes it perfect for climbing. Proper footwear is to be worn when climbing the falls (special shoes are sold on location).
Bobsled
Mystic Mountain offers guests a range of adventures, the most popular being bobsledding. Guests are transported to the 700-peak Mystic Mountain and go twisting down the mountain in a brake-controlled sled which runs on a track, similar to a rollercoaster. Other activities involve canopy ziplining and SkyExplorer.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Jamaica is during the start of 'winter', November to mid-December, with temperatures averaging 26°C. Peak season begins mid-December and ends mid-April, which is a great time to vacation in Jamaica if you don't mind the crowds
June to November is the wet season and is often characterised by heavy showers and thunderstorms. The Atlantic hurricane season exists between these months, and Jamaica is just as vulnerable as its neighbouring islands.
July is the hottest month in Jamaica, with a maximum temperature of 32°F. January is usually the 'coldest' with highs of 28°F.
Quick tips
As one of the most affordable islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica has a wide range of options for travelers on every budget. The average traveler to Jamaica spends about $100 a day on their trip. Since the cost of living in Jamaica is lower than on some other Caribbean islands, items such as food can be very inexpensive.
The best areas to visit are: Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Ricos, Treasure Beach, Kingston (the capital), Port Antonio, Mandeville & Runaway Bay.
Jamaica has a vibrant nightlife, especially in major towns such as Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. There are numerous nightclubs and outdoor parties that showcase our dance and music culture every night. But, be aware that walking around, especially alone, after dark is not recommended.
Several counties in the Caribbean including Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent ban the wearing of camouflage by non-members of their military.
