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What would a visit to Jamaica be without time spent on the beach?

Though there are so many beautiful beaches to choose from, Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay has been a favorite for generations.

In the 1920s, rumor got out that the water at this beach had healing powers, which attracted people from all over the world and eventually made Jamaica into the tourist destination that it is today.

Whether or not it’s true that the water at Doctor’s Cave Beach will improve your health, it’s still popular for good reason. Though the beach sees a lot of crowds during the high tourist season, it’s always very clean and well-kept. It’s also a great place for swimming and snorkeling. Coral reefs and colorful tropical fish are easy to see in the warm, clear water. Don’t worry if you don’t have any equipment of your own–you can rent everything you need right there on the beach.

And if you don’t feel like taking a dip, that’s okay. The soft sand and turquoise water are perfect for relaxation.

On the other hand the beach has access to all the amenities you could want, including hotels, bars, and restaurants so it’s also a really great spot for partying!

If you want a quieter experience, it’s best to visit during the offseason, but no matter when you go, Doctor’s Cave Beach is a Jamaican beach scene worth checking out!

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Jamaica is a popular destination for relaxation, but it also has a fascinating and engaging history.

Rose Hall, one of the island’s most famous properties and it’s a beautiful (and fun) place to learn about the colonial aspect of Jamaica’s history.

Built in 1770, the Rose Hall Great House has long been considered one of Jamaica’s most impressive mansions.

Today, Rose Hall is most famous for the stories about it’s wicked old mistress, Annie Palmer, best known as the White Witch of Rose Hall. Legend has it that she murdered her three husbands along with many more slaves, while she was alive. It’s said that her ghost still haunts the Rose Hall Great House, and if you take a nighttime tour of the property, you might catch a glimpse of her! And if you don’t get to see old Annie Palmer, you’ll get to hear some truly bone-chilling stories.

Finish up your tour with a drink in Rose Hall’s tavern, which is located in what was once a dungeon.

History, ghost stories, a dungeness tavern — and that’s not all….The Rose Hall Estate boasts three world class golf courses, which are considered some of the finest in the Caribbean and the world.

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When you’ve had enough of lounging around on the beach in Jamaica, it’s time to explore the Blue Mountains. The summit of Blue Mountain Peak, the highest mountain in the range, can be reached in just a few hours.

To beat the mists that shroud the mountaintops and hide the views — you’ll have to start hiking well before daylight – but it will be worth it. The sunrise is stunning, and from the highest point on the island you can see as far as Cuba when the weather is clear.

On the trip back down, take your time enjoying the beautiful mountain wildlife — hundreds of species of birds can be seen, and there are many plants that don’t exist anywhere else in the world due to the Blue Mountains’ unique climate.

Before your visit ends, find some Blue Mountain Coffee to take home. Not as bitter as most coffee, it’s considered some of the best in the world, and there’s no better place to get it.

Make sure to plan your trip in advance. You’ll want to avoid rain at all costs, as flooding is common in the Blue Mountains. Stick to the dry season if you can — December to April.

Since rain often washes trails away, hiring a guide for your hike is always a must.

Exploring the Blue Mountains might be a little more challenging than hanging out at the beach, but the experience is well worth the effort.

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Jamaica’s restaurants are among the finest in the Caribbean.

For seasonal, traditional Jamaican cuisine with an international twist, you can’t do better than one of acclaimed chef Norma Shirley’s restaurants, like Norma’s on the Terrace. Located inside the historic Devon House, a meal at Norma’s on the Terrace combines fine dining with relaxation and elegance.

The Rockhouse Restaurant in Negril has it’s own delicious take on New Jamaican cuisine, making it a favorite for both tourists and locals. Or go next door to the Rockhouse Pushcart Restaurant & Rum Bar, where you can try the best Caribbean rums along with a menu inspired by street food and home cooking. Even if not for the food, the Rockhouse is worth a visit for the spectacular view; both restaurants sit on the edge of a cliff, over the ocean waves.

Get even closer to the waves at Floyd’s Pelican Bar, which is located about a mile from shore and can only be reached by boat. It might be the most scenic place in the world to have a drink or try a Jamaican beer, like Red Stripe.

Finally, no matter where you are on the island, be sure to explore the small local restaurants and street food stalls to get a taste of real Jamaican cuisine. Try dishes like salt fish and ackee, jerk chicken, or even just fresh fruit– locals should be able to point you to the best spots.

Eating local Jamaican favorites is a delicious way to support the community you visit, and make fabulous food memories.

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If you’re not planning to spend all your time on the grounds of a resort during your stay in Jamaica, you’ll need a way to get around. Fortunately, you have a few options.

Buses connect most of the towns in Jamaica and are very inexpensive, but they also tend to be crowded and don’t operate on strict schedules. However, there are a few luxury bus services–just be sure to reserve ahead of time.

Taxis are also available, both for shorter trips and for traveling between towns, but since price is based on car and multiple passengers will be taken, you shouldn’t necessarily expect this to be the more comfortable option. If you want to take a taxi, flag one down or call a taxi service to pick you up; remember that official taxis will have red license plates.

Car rental is really your best bet if you want to go far. Just remember — Drive on the left side of the road and bring plenty of cash, as many gas stations don’t take credit. During the high season, cars will be in high demand, so reserve ahead of time. If you want something smaller, you can also rent mopeds and motorcycles through most car services and hotels.

Whatever you choose, set aside plenty of time for your travels–you came to Jamaica to relax, not to rush.

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It’s hard to find a truly bad time to go to Jamaica. One of the island’s biggest attractions is the beautiful beach weather that lasts year round.

On the coast, which is where you’ll probably want to spend most of your time, the temperature generally stays between 70 and 90 degrees all year long.

Even during the rainy season from May to December, usually there will only be short periods of rain which will be followed immediately by sunshine.

If you visit during the rainy season, you can expect lower prices, fewer crowds, and a truly relaxed setting.

On the other hand, winter is high tourist season, so if you want to get away from the snow at home be sure to book ahead and be ready for high prices.

During March and April, Jamaica is also popular for students on spring break, so if you’re not one of them you might want to ask the hotel you’re booking with if they’ll be hosting a large group.

For the absolute best chance of sunshine and low prices, visit from October to early December, after the worst of the rainy season but before the high tourist season starts.

As long as you book your hotel and activities ahead of time, you’re sure to have a great vacation in Jamaica, whether you visit in January or July.

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There’s a lot more to Jamaica than it’s notable beaches. Where better to get acquainted with the island’s culture than at one of Jamaica’s many museums?

Jamaica is known for its rum production, so touring the Appleton Estate distillery is a fun way to get a taste of Jamaican history….and some delicious rum!

At the National Gallery of Jamaica, you can see the works of great Jamaican artists like Kapo, Edna Manley, Albert Huie, and Cecil Baugh. It’s considered the best collection of Jamaican art around and unique to Jamaica so it’s worth a visit.

If you’re interested in music, you can’t miss the Bob Marley Museum, inside the legendary Jamaican musician’s old house. Take a tour to see pictures and memorabilia, and to learn more about his fascinating life and accomplishments.

Finally, if you’re into ghost stories, visit the Great House on the Rose Hall Plantation, once home to the legendary White Witch, Annie Palmer. It’s said that she still haunts the house today. But…even if you don’t see any ghosts on your tour of Rose Hall, you’ll hear plenty of the old stories of the historic estate.

Jamaica offers some of the best beaches in the world but taking some time out from the sun and fun to explore the Jamaican history and culture is highly recommended!

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Jamaica is the perfect place to relax, and there are a lot of ways to do it. If you only do one thing in Jamaica, spend some time on a beach–there are plenty to choose from.

Doctor’s Cave Beach is famous for its white sand and clear, calm water.

When you’re tired of the beach, cool off in the Blue Mountains, and find some delicious Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee to take home. From Blue Mountain Peak, you can take in the best views of the island.

How about exploring a waterfall — Jamaica’s most famous waterfall, Dunn’s River Falls offers beautiful swimming opportunities and it’s a much easier climb than the Blue Mountains.

Not interested in doing any climbing at all? That’s okay. Go underground instead, and see the subterranean lake in the Green Grotto Caves.

And for a change of pace and a more cultural experience learn about Jamaica’s complex history on a tour of one of the historic estates, like Prospect Plantation, where you can learn about Jamaican crops like bananas and sugar cane. Or visit the Rose Hall Estate’s Great House, and maybe you’ll see the ghost rumored to haunt it. Ghost sitings not your thing — the Rose Hall Estate also has some of the best golf courses in all of the the Caribbean.

Whatever you choose to do in Jamaica, the trip is sure to leave you feeling recharged.

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Jamaica is small enough that you can visit a lot of it in a pretty short amount of time, and there’s enough variety in its cities to make traveling worth it.

Kingston, Jamaica’s capital and largest city, is the island’s most bustling, urban area. Check out the museums, clubs, and bars. And if the city gets to be too much, there’s easy access to the Blue Mountains a beautiful nature spot!

Montego Bay is Jamaica’s second largest city and a tourist favorite. This is where some of Jamaica’s most popular resorts are, as well as Doctor’s Cave Beach, one of Jamaica’s most famous beaches.

Just east of Montego Bay is Ocho Rios, a calmer, less metropolitan resort town — the kind of place you can get lost in idle time.

When you’re tired of the beach, cool off in Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica’s most famous waterfall.

For a quiet vacation, head further east to Port Antonio. It’s a more secluded getaway than most of Jamaica’s tourist hubs, but the rocky beaches and lush greenery are no less beautiful than any other place on the island. Port Antonio is just the place for nature lovers.

On the other hand, the city of Negril’s beautiful white sand beaches make it a popular destination for lots of people looking to relax in the day and party at night.

There’s plenty of variety in Jamaica, so if you’d like to travel around you can experience all the flavors of Jamaican culture. On the other hand if you all you’d like to do is take it easy in one place — it should be easy to choose one with exactly the atmosphere you want.