JAMAICA
ISLAND FUN FACTS
Capital: Kingston
Population: 2,961,167
Religion: Christianity
Carnival:
Jamaica is famously known as the heartbeat of the world. Why? Because the fun and the music never stop. In this Caribbean country you will find a long list of carnivals to check out while on your visit.
1. Bob Marley Week: you heard that right, an entire week of celebrations. The residents of Jamaica take time to celebrate the life of reggae musician Bob Marley, during February. Now this is the time for fun history, where many find themselves visiting the different museums and learning about the life of this island legend.
2. Portland Jerk Festival: food, music and some more food. This jerk festival is exactly what you think it is, all round jerk. Jerk chicken, jerk pork, jerk sausages, the list goes on relying the different “jerk “food you can find during this festival. This festival is held in June in the Port Antonio resort area. Did we mention that there is also a fun village for your kids to join in on the fun?
3. Reggae Sumfest: this is precisely as the name suggest, an epic summer festival all about reggae, the beloved genre of Jamaica. The excitement bubble early on in July, with a Friday beach party and blazing on with nights of different performances, you are sure to have the time of your life.
Side of Street Drive-On: Left
Currency: Jamaican Dollar
Language: English and locals also speak Patois
History:
Original inhabitants:
Way back when, the Arawaks; from South America, settled in Jamaica. They called it Xaymaca, meaning “land of wood and water”. The Arawaks are believed to have lived quiet simple lives. They planted cassava, corn and other fruits and vegetables. They fished and planted tobacco. Their simple and peaceful way of life continued until the arrival of Columbus and the Spaniards in the 1400s.
The Arawaks tried to fight the invasion of the Spanish and Columbus onto the land but they soon lost the battle and the island was claimed by the Spaniards for the Spanish monarchy. Overworked and tortured, the Arawaks clan soon died out.
The island did not see much prosperity as very few Spaniards settled here. It soon became a supply base: food, men, arms and horses. In 1509, the first town was built under the Spanish governor Juan de Esquivel called New Seville or in the language, Sevilla la Nueva. But only St. Jago de la Vega, the old capital of Jamaica was developed. It became the centre of the government and trade, it was covered with a lot of churches and convents.
The English Attack:
On May 10 1655, the Spaniards surrendered to the English attack under Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables, they freed their slaves and fled to Cuba. The English drew much attention to the buccaneers who roamed the seas. They were wild, they were ruthless and they were rough. They took their gold and silver and took them to Port Royal. Under the Buccaneer rule, Port Royal became the “wealthiest and wickedest city” in the world.
The buccaneer captain was knighted by King Charles II and became the lieutenant governor over Jamaica.
Slave Trade:
With the boom of the sugar industry in Jamaica, slave trade became the prominent source for the labour force. It grew so much that “Middle Passage” became a thing. The voyage started from England with trade goods off to Africa, where they were exchanged for slaves, then to the West Indies where the slaves where left to take up some goods like rum, sugar and molasses back to England.
The enslaved Africans were not in any way pleased with their status and rebellions began, most fleeing to join the Maroons up in the mountains. Major wars between the maroons and the English led to a treaty being signed in 1740, where the Maroons became free and had land at the cost of recapturing runaway slaves. This cost rifts among the Maroons who were not all on board with returning the runaway slaves.
Independence:
Laws upon laws came into place in Jamaica, for both the freeing of the enslaved Africans and the enbetterment of the country as a whole. Jamaica joined the Federation of the West Indies, later abandoned the notion and pursued its own independence from England. In 1962 August 6th, Jamaica gained its independence, wrote its own constitution and chattered the course to its future as an individual working for the growth of its people.
THINGS TO DO
1. Runaways Sports Bar & Grill: if you are looking to catch the game, then this grill and bar is your best bet. Runaway is adorned with seven major screens and delicious menu picks infused with international cuisine and of course some local flavour. If the game is exactly your choice pick, then you can play darts, pool or casino games. I mean you could even jump into the swimming pool. Point is you can’t come to the Runaway and not have fun.
2. Twisted Kilt Pub & Eatery: so an Irish bar in Jamaica may sound a bit far off. But that is what you will find when you visit Twisted. Burgers, chicken wing, fish’n chips all made with red snapper. You will find Guiness on the tap and a game on the telly. Be sure to drop into the gift shop for a little home souvenir.
3. The Jungle: here you will find an explosion of reggae beats from different veterans of the genre. The jungle is all about dancing and having fun. This place is open into the night and of course, you will find someone whipping up some jerk chicken on the second floor for a good snack break
Sports are a big part of Jamaican culture. From the first man who made it to the world stage in the 1940s, to the athletes today, Jamaica has an impressive list of domineering sportsmen and women who are simply good at what they do. Here is a list of the country’s most celebrated sports:
1. Athletics: so this should come as no surprise. Jamaicans have been dominating in the sport already way back in the 1940s, when Arthur Wint became the first Jamaican Gold Medallist. Since then, there have been the likes of Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake. All who have made a mark for their country.
2. Cricket: though injected into the country by the English, the locals have adopted the sport and made it their own. The national team has won the domestic competition eight times, won the one day competition six times and shared the title once. Some the country’s players have been drafted into the West Indies Team, which competes internationally.
Jamaica has and continues to see a lot of influences on its culture. But what has continued to be prevalent over the years are the European and African influences. In Jamaica, you will certainly see Europe in the public institutions, Christian worship, medicine, etc. while you see Africa in the art; music and dance, proverbs, languages etc. these mixes in culture have been a founding force in what Jamaica is today.
Fun tradition: You will find three generations sharing a home! Imagine you, your mom and your kids all living under the same roof.
Jamaica has a lot on its plate, literally. You can never go to Jamaica and leave with your taste buds unsatisfied. There is a culinary experience that Jamaica has to offer.
1. Jamaica Culinary Tours: just as the name suggest, an entire tour dedicated to satisfying your taste buds. You will find yourself walking back in time as far back as the plantation era. Be part of the Falmouth Food Tour or join the Nyam An Guh Weh Tour from Falmouth to Ochos Rios, simply meaning, eat and leave. Or if you cannot make it to Jamaica, join the tour virtually with the Virtual Dinner Party.
2. Best In The West: of course you cannot go to Jamaica and miss out on a good helping of Jerk chicken, regardless of day. Now this roadside parlor offers you exactly that. And so much more. You can get yourself a plate of pork or grilled lobster or curry shrimp. We would advise you to try the curry shrimp. Here you will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere while you sit under the woven patio.
3. Fireman’s Lobster Pit: now chances are you wouldn’t find any firemen here but what you will find is a ton of seafood. You can enjoy the catch of the day grilled or curried with a side of rice or a personal favorite, garlic bread.
Being the third largest island in the Caribbean, Jamaica has a lot to offer for any traveler. Whether you are seeking a modernistic vacation or are one for the old world style, the sunny shore of Jamaica will not disappoint. Here is our list to help you fill out your itinerary.
1. Bob Marley Museum: of course you cannot go to Jamaica and not here of its music icon Mr. Bob Marley. Here you can learn about a man who sang for a brighter tomorrow and a stronger Jamaica. With exhibits showcasing his life and career, you are sure to learn something about the famed singer you didn’t know before. You can even enjoy a Jamaican lunch onsite.
2. Rose Hall Montego Bay: Let me start with, this historic mansion is said to be haunted. Why? Built in the 1770s, the walls are said to hold in them the darkness of slavery, family turmoil and loss. If you want to learn what happen in the surrounding grounds, then visit the mansion that became a museum.
3. Dunn’s River Falls: A stunning waterfall that you can climb through and relax in, makes this spot very popular with tourists. You will get to enjoy the scenery around you, meet the locals (once it is safe to mingle) and feel like you are in your own tropical oasis. Just make sure you have your water shoes!
4. Blue Mountain: Hiking and coffee? Yes please! The mountain has trails that are just waiting to be trekked, birds that want to be watched and of course the famous Blue Mountain Company that is believed to have among the best beans in the world. So sit and buy a cup or get an entire bag to take home.
Jamaica has a number of beaches but only 50 are public beaches free for you to visit. And just as beautiful beaches beckoning your feet to come on. Here you will find a list of our favorite Jamaican beaches:
1. Pellew Island Beach in Port Antonio
2. Low Cay Beach in Ochos Rios
3. Aqua Sol Beach in Montego Bay
4. Fort Clarence Beach in Kingston
5. Puerto Seco Beach in Discovery Bay
6. Burwood Beach in Falmouth
Places to Stay
Moon Palace:
Set right on a private beach in Ochos Rios, the Moon Palace is exactly that. This all-inclusive palace comes with 705 rooms and four outdoor pools, a water park, spa and an opportunity to swim with dolphins; of course at a bit of a fee. You can also enjoy the divine cuisine offered in-house and an array of drinks to pick right from the mahogany lounging area.
The Trident Hotel:
If you are looking for the epitome of elegance in Jamaica, then you cannot miss booking your next stay at The Trident Hotel. This hotel in Port Antonio boasts 13 villas, each with a private Terrence overlooking the ocean. You can find your meals á la carte right on The Veranda carrying both Jamaican and international cuisine. Be sure to order the goat cheese and Jerk catch or try the fruit bowl.
The Caves:
An apparent celebrity hub with just 12 cabins located among the Cliffs of Negril. This is an unlikely all-inclusive hotel built majorly on straw. You will find in your room, some homemade toiletries and some candles on the terrace to provoke the atmosphere of ultimate relaxation. And as for dinner, how does a private dinner on a secluded cliff sound? Well that is on the menu. Of course along with some decadent bean stew or a lighter carrot and beet salad.
Getting There
Getting to Jamaica is quiet easy. There are several international airports in Jamaica, many connecting in resort areas like Montego Bay, Kingston and Ochos Rios. Or you could get a cruise which will land in the ports in Falmouth, Ochos Rios or Montego Bay.
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