Jamaica

Jamaica is the third-largest island in the Caribbean and also one of the most colourful. Jamaica has it all, idyllic white sand beaches, dramatic scenery, and a rich cultural tradition.

The beaches in Jamaica are truly spectacular, from secluded private coves to Negril’s world-renowned seven-mile stretch of powdery white sand, all looking out onto the ultra-clear, turquoise waters of the Caribbean. If you prefer more action then just lying on a beach there are watersports galore to enjoy, from snorkelling to scuba diving from waterskiing to windsurfing you will find it all on this large lively island. Prefer to be on dry land? Then play a leisurely round of golf, do a spot of bird watching or ride horses on the beach. Most visitors spend time on the beaches, but search for scenic beauty and Jamaica will exceed your expectations. Climb to the top of the 600ft Dunn's River Falls or take a trip round a plantation where Blue Mountain coffee is grown. Raft down the Martha Brae River or take a trip to the world-renowned Rick's Café and see the spectacular cliff divers before enjoying an ice cold drink in front of a beautiful sunset. Other points of interest include Kingston with its elegant old-colonial houses and New Kingston which is home to the Bob Marley Museum. Fern Gully, Rose Hall, Runaway Bay, Treasure Beach and Firefly, the former home of Noel Cowerd.

The island’s strong musical culture is everywhere too – Bob Marley's legend and music really does live on here, and if you’re a fan, be sure to visit Nine Mile - his birthplace in Jamaica.

Alive with reggae and ragga, Jamaica has a fantastic night vibe enjoy bars and discos galore or one of the open-air reggae concerts which are staged nightly in peak season.

Holidays to Jamaica are filled with reggae and ready smiles, this island is hard to resist.

Montego Bay Fun-filled Montego Bay, or 'MoBay' as it's known to the locals, is the place to go for a historical take on Jamaica as well as great watersports and shopping. First of all, there are the magnificent beaches. Grab a snorkel and explore the ten square miles of coral reef just off the coast, or swim in the crystal clear waters. Stroll Montego Bay's Gloucester Road and get a sense of Jamaica's vibrant present as well as a picture of her colonial past. Montego Bay, Jamaica's second-largest city, allows visitors to dive into the heart of a bustling, Caribbean town. Pause to marvel at the Georgian buildings or linger the afternoon away in a crafts market Other attractions here include Rose Hall, once home to the white witch, Annie Palmer. The Montego Bay Museum in Sam Sharpe Square traces the history of the town, once an enormous sugar plantation but for a more memorable Montego Bay history lesson, the Barnett Estate is one of the area's finest examples of Old World colonialism in Jamaica. For all you reggae lovers visit the quaint village of Nine Mile the home of the legend Bob Marley. Every night is party night as Montego Bay is home to fine restaurants, bars and clubs. Vivid colours, activity and laughter abound everywhere you turn in Montego Bay inviting you to soak in the warmth and join in the fun.

Negril Negril is the ideal place to just sit back and relax from the moment you set foot in Negril you'll find yourself on Caribbean time. Located on the most westerly point of the island this picturesque corner of Jamaica boasts a stunning seven-mile stretch of beach that can't fail to impress. A host of watersports are available; the resort is perfect for snorkelling and diving, with excellent dive schools ready to take you on an underwater adventure. Action in the resort centres on the busy Norman Manley Boulevard. Across the bridge, shopping plazas, pizza joints and souvenir shacks make for a colourful jumble. The West End (also called The Rock) is where gnarled cliffs plunge to turquoise seas and reggae throbs all night from cliff top bars. It's a busy place, but, somehow, the vibe is still relaxed and tranquil. Be sure to visit Rick's Cafe, voted one of the world's top ten bars; this is the best place to watch the sunset and see some brave divers leap off the high cliff edge into the bright blue water below A holiday to Negril will not disappoint.

Ocho Rios Ocho Rios or "Ochee" as it is known locally is the second major tourist town on the north coast with a laid-back, easygoing charm. Ocho Rios started out as a small rural fishing village, but with an ever-increasing number of visitors this resort has grown, although it still retains its original character - and remains a firm favourite. It's a major cruise port and the shops here are a notch up from other resorts, with Caribbean emeralds, sports watches and designer boutiques all for sale in swish malls. Ocho Rios boasts beautiful beaches and turquoise waters making it a paradise for watersports enthusiasts Undoubtedly the most popular attraction is Dunn's River Falls, climb the 600 feet high impressive waterfall and enjoy the views from the top. Other outdoor adventure spots worth exploring include Shaw Park and the Coyaba Botanical Gardens or experience swimming with dolphins in Dolphin Cove. Whilst a drive out east of Ocho Rios will take you to the glorious hilltop setting of Noel Coward's house, Firefly. There's a lively vibe in Ocho Rios and plenty of bars and restaurants making this one of Jamaica's most popular holiday resorts.

Runaway Bay Set on Jamaica's north coast, Runaway Bay enjoys the scenic beauty of the big resorts but revels in a far more low key style. This sleepy little town is a great choice for those wanting a quiet taste of local life. Runaway Bay’s main attraction is its fabulous beach. The beach here is extremely inviting and far less crowded than in the other tourist resorts. Scuba diving and snorkelling are particularly good watersport options thanks to the nearby wreck. Other activities to enjoy include a round or two of golf, or horse-riding trails tailored to take in the most scenic views. Runaway Bay is perfectly placed to explore the best sights and attractions along Jamaica's north coast, and inland.

Falmouth Experience the laidback charm of Jamaica in this Georgian port town historic Falmouth shows there's far more to Jamaica than just the beautiful beaches and big resorts it's famous for. The main beach area is called Trelawny Beach is has a wide arc of soft sands, on which you can enjoy watersports and snorkelling, paragliding or kayaking. The heart of the action can be found in Water Square, home of the Albert George Shopping and Historical Centre it’s a great place for checking out the local craftwork whilst serious bargain hunters should set aside a Wednesday morning to visit, when traders from around the island set up stalls selling a host of local produce and interesting gift ideas. For other leisurely pursuits, amble around Falmouth's historical sights such as St Peter's Anglican Church and the William Knibb Memorial Church or take a look at Greenwood Great House, which dates back to 1760 and was once owned by poet Elizabeth Barret Browning's family. Whether you're river rafting on the Martha Brae, admiring the sparkling waters of the Luminous Lagoon or simply stretching out on the golden sands of Trelawny Beach this sleepy resort has everything you need.

Whitehouse On Jamaica's largely undeveloped South Coast, Whitehouse offers gorgeous scenery in a unspoilt and peaceful location. A great resort to experience Jamaica's famous chilled vibe, here you'll find beautiful white sand, a selection of watersports and plenty of hotel-based dining and entertainment. On holidays to this region of Jamaica, you can easily visit YS Falls for cooling swims or the Appleton Rum Estate for warming rum.

Whether you move to reggae rhythms, climb Dunn's River Falls or lay on perfect white Caribbean sands, this colourful island is seriously easy to fall in love with.

Time Difference: GMT – 5hrs

Flight time from UK: approx. 10 hours.

Language: English, Jamaican Patois, Jamaican Creole

Currency: Jamaican Dollars. US Dollars and US Dollar travellers cheques are recommended.

Voltage: 110 volts