Visit Jamaica

I was fortunate enough to spend a day in Jamaica in 2010 when I was on a Caribbean cruise with Princess Cruises on the beautiful Sea Princess ship which had recently been refurbished.

In total we visited 12 islands, went on a variety of trips and excursions and, I have to say, it was one of the best holidays I’ve ever been on (even knocking my stay at Italy’s beautiful Lake Garda off the top spot).

Of all the islands we visited, Jamaica has to be my favourite; with its lush green backdrop, some of the friendliest and most laid back locals you’ll ever meet and all manner of attractions to visit and activities to take part in (you can even swim with dolphins if it takes your fancy) it really is a dream destination and one I hope to return to for a longer stay (just thinking about it gives me a craving for some tasty Jamaican Jerk Chicken).

Caribbean islands are famous for their white sandy beaches, topaz water and tropical climates and Jamaica is no exception with coastal temperatures averaging 80-86F all year round and some of the most pristine and beautiful beaches you’ll come across in the Caribbean.

Nothing is too much trouble during your stay and you’ll get used to the friendly Jamaicans saying things like ‘No problem, mon’ and ‘Irie’ (no worries). The country relies on the tourism industry so you will find that everyone expects a tip, but it’s well worth it in the end.

So if you fancy a tropical getaway with your family or you’re considering making Jamaica your honeymoon destination, what should you do whilst you are there? Take a look at my top 4 attractions below to find out:

Dunn’s River Falls

This has to be one of the most fun activities I took part in whilst on the cruise and I really enjoyed climbing the 600ft staircase like waterfalls with my group of fellow cruise ship passengers.

It was a really hot day so the relatively cool water of the falls was quite welcome and we all had a really fun time making our way up the falls in one long line whilst holding hands so no one slipped (don’t worry, it’s not actually that dangerous).

There were a couple of pools on the way up that we got to jump in and our guide even filmed the whole thing so we could buy a DVD to remember the experience by afterwards.

Mystic Mountain

The Mystic Mountain Rainforest Adventure is situated right next to Dunn’s River Falls, so it makes for the perfect attraction to visit straight after a refreshing climb.  To get to the visitor centre – where they serve some of the excellent Jerk Chicken I mentioned earlier – you take a fabulous chair lift that ascends 700ft over the forest giving you a spectacular bird’s eye view of the rainforest scenery and the beautiful bay opposite.

Once you get up to Mystic Mountain, you can get a bite to eat or, if you fancy getting wet again, there’s a pool and waterslide.  If you fancy a different way of getting back down, why not take the Bobsled Ride or hurtle through the tree tops of the Canopy Zip Line.

Dolphin Cove

Also situated quite close to the above attractions in the Ochi Rios area, Dolphin Cove gives you the opportunity to experience these friendly and playful mammals up close and personal, and it’s suitable for anyone aged 8 and over so you can take the kids too.

You’ll get to swim with the dolphins and they’ll even let you hang on to their fins for a wild ride through the water.  It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity that everyone should experience.

Seven Mile Beach

On the west coast of Jamaica, Seven Mile Beach (or Negril) is one of the best beaches the country has to offer and it’s certainly one of the most beautiful I’ve seen (although sadly only in pictures as we didn’t have time to visit it), making it definitely worth the 2 hour drive from Montego Bay where a lot of the cruise ships dock.

The beach consistently appears on lists of the world’s most beautiful beaches and it was once a favourite with hippies in the 60′s (you’ll still find it’s a popular destination for free spirits).  There are plenty of water sports on offer here – you can even have a go at cliff jumping, or watch the more adventurous having a go if you’re not feeling brave – and there are some brilliant little cafes and bars where you can sip a cocktail whilst sunning yourself in this tropical paradise.

If you like the sound of Jamaica, why not give it a go, you certainly won’t be disappointed! Before jetting off though, do make sure you’ve researched the destination so you can make the most of your stay, and don’t forget to buy your holiday insurance to make sure you are protected for anything that might go wrong!