7 Best Cities in Jamaica
The Caribbean, with its paradisiacal scenery, is the dream of many travelers. However, most people still don’t know how incredible Jamaica’s cities are and deserve to be part of an itinerary through the region.
Jamaica, a small island located in Central America, in addition to being home to beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear seas, has a happy, authentic, and energetic population. All to the sound of a lot of reggae.
From the bustling capital, Kingston, to the lost paradises of Montego Bay and Negril, Jamaica’s cities are full of attractions to delight all types of tourists.
Cities in Jamaica to visit
1. Kingston
The country’s capital and gateway for most international flights, Kingston is one of Jamaica’s busiest cities.
Despite not having beautiful beaches, it is worth visiting the city and understanding more about the island’s population and economy. And, for reggae fans, one of the unmissable attractions is the Bob Marley Museum. The house where the artist lived preserves the furniture, costumes used in shows, and the main prizes.
It is even possible to see bullet marks on the walls, the result of an attack carried out against the singer. The Devon House Museum, considered a Jamaican National Heritage Site, is another attraction that cannot be left out of a Kingston itinerary.
On this tour, there is a guided tour inside the mansion of the country’s first millionaire, George Stiebel. The place is also known for its gastronomic tourism – in the gardens, there is one of the most famous ice cream shops in the city.
Other attractions in this Jamaican city are the Botanical Gardens and Emancipation Park. For those who want to delve deeper into the culture and curiosities of Jamaica, a very interesting option is to visit the Night Market.
In this market, you will find typical food and drinks, cultural shows, and local crafts. From the city, you can take a trip to the Blues Mountains with a coffee tour and other options, such as a rafting excursion on the Great River.
2. Montego Bay
Montego Bay is one of the tourist cities in Jamaica, 170 km from Kingston. It is possible to reach the city on international and domestic flights departing from Kingston. This destination has some of Jamaica’s paradisiacal beaches, with white sands and the stunning blue Caribbean Sea. Among the main ones, Doctor’s Cave and Cornwall Beach stand out as private beaches.
These two, with a large structure, are the gateway for several cruises that arrive in the region. You can even take a tour of Doctor’s Cave Beach. There are also public beaches, which are most frequented by locals, such as One Man Beach and Dead End Beach.
In addition to the wonderful Caribbean beaches, another unmissable attraction in Montego Bay is the Luminous Lagoon, whose incredible fluorescent blue tone is due to the microorganisms that inhabit it.
Tours of the region, offered during sunset, provide a unique experience. It is even possible to dive in the lagoon.
For rum lovers, a highly recommended tour is the guided tour of the Appleton Estate factory, one of the world’s leading brands. In addition to learning about the rum production process, there is also a tasting of the drink.
If you’re looking for a totally different tour of Montego Bay, consider the tour of the Annie Palmer Rose Hall house, where a woman lived who killed her several husbands and mistresses before committing suicide on the spot.
Today, it is believed that the house is haunted. The tour takes place at night, by candlelight, further contributing to the ghostly atmosphere of the place.
3. Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios is one of the must-visit cities in Jamaica. 100 km from Montego Bay and 80 km from Kingston, it is possible to reach Ocho Rios on excursions and transfers to Ocho Rios. Another option is to rent a car and explore the entire north coast of the island.
In addition to wonderful beaches, this tourist city in Jamaica has an incredible waterfall that flows into the sea: Dunn’s River Falls. I recommend the tour to the famous Dunn’s River Falls, which includes Bob Marley’s iconic house.
If you’re looking for even more adventure, know that it’s possible to climb this waterfall. Konoko Falls is another must-see on a trip to Ocho Rios. The place has several waterfalls and natural pools in which travelers can bathe.
That, in addition to relaxing in the middle of the rainforest. There is also an orchid garden on site with ponds filled with koi. The tour to Konoko Falls includes a visit to the garden, and best of all; there are no queues.
Another attraction of this city is snorkeling; there are options to ride in glass-bottom kayaks, feed sharks, and go on trails spotting various wild animals.
4. Nine Mile
The small district of Nine Mile is located 45 km from the Jamaican city of Ocho Rios. In this place where Bob Marley was born, it is possible to take a guided tour to learn more about the singer’s life.
Several companies offer this tour from the city of Ocho Rios. Both the house where Bob Marley was born and his mausoleum can be visited at Nine Miles.
Furthermore, during the Bob Marley at Nine Mile tour, you can see iconic places in the singer’s career, such as the famous meditation stone where the singer composed his songs.
At the end of the tour, there is a store with various souvenirs for those who want to purchase a souvenir of the idol. It is one of the most famous cities in Jamaica.
5. Negril
The city of Negril in Jamaica is located just 80 km from Montego Bay and also surprises with its natural attractions. A full tour will take you to Negril beaches, Times Square, and sunset at Rick’s Café.
Seven Mile Beach is ideal for spending a relaxing day and, at the end, admiring an unforgettable sunset. On one of the stretches of this beach, there is also a park, Kool Runnings Adventure Park.
It is full of attractions such as paintball, slides, and go-karts. A great choice for those traveling with children. Another surreal landscape in this Jamaican city is the Blue Hole Mineral Spring, a well of blue waters.
In it, you can jump from an 8-meter-high platform. For those who prefer quieter activities, there is also a swimming pool on its surface where you can swim.
One of the attractions that is also worth visiting in Negril is its traditional lighthouse, built in 1894. It is possible to reach the top and have an incredible panoramic view of the region. You can also take a catamaran cruise from Negril.
6. Falmouth
Falmouth is the capital of Trelawny, the state of Jamaica, where award-winning athlete Usain Bolt was born. 30 km from Montego Bay, it is one of the stopping points for the various tourist cruises that explore the region.
With well-preserved Gregorian architecture, Falmouth is one of the most recommended cities in Jamaica for anyone interested in history.
The main attractions are St. Peters Anglican Church, founded in 1795, and the Old Court House. For the more adventurous, the trip to Falmouth doesn’t disappoint either.
A very popular tour in the region is rafting along the Martha Brae River on a bamboo raft. At the end of the navigation, it is possible to visit the herb garden, Miss Martha’s Herb Garden.
7. Port Antonio
Port Antonio is still one of the cities in Jamaica whose tourism is little explored, but it has stunning views. The city is located 90 km from Kingston and 200 km from Montego Bay on the west coast of the island.
This beautiful city of Jamaica has unmissable beaches like San San Beach and Winnifred Beach. Frenchman’s Cove is also an attraction in itself, with a river with crystal clear waters that meets the sea, forming a unique landscape.
However, the most iconic place in Port Antonio is the Blue Lagoon, where the famous film The Blue Lagoon was filmed. It is possible to explore the lagoon by boat or kayak. The view is beautiful due to the turquoise-blue color of the water.
There is also the option of combining the tour with Monkey Island, another island in the region. To learn more about the country’s history, I recommend taking the Travel of Slaves, British, and Spanish Invaders tour in Port Antonio.
Also Read: Best things to do in Tanzania
All about Jamaica’s cities
As you can see, Jamaica’s cities have countless incredible attractions. From wonderful beaches with luxury facilities to waterfalls and lakes ideal for those looking for adventure, there are options for all tourist profiles.
Furthermore, the region’s museums and architecture tell the country’s history, complementing the trip very well. With a 10-day trip, it is possible to do a complete itinerary around the region and enjoy tours in Jamaica.
However, as the island is small and Jamaica’s main tourist cities are nearby, it is possible to enjoy a lot of the country on shorter itineraries. Whatever your choices, a tour of Jamaica’s cities will certainly surprise you.
