Jamaica
There's nothing nondescript about Jamaica. For some it is vibrant and compelling, for others it's relentless and too intense. People tend to love or hate it: Noël Coward, Ian Fleming and Errol Flynn all loved it. One thing is for sure, Jamaica will never allow you to forget it.
Lying in the western Caribbean, the island is 100 miles south of Cuba and about 500 miles from Florida. It is the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean and the third largest in the region. With a total land area of 4442 square miles (10991 sq. km.), the island is 146 miles long with widths varying between 22 and 51 miles (35 and 82 km).
The terrain is very mountainous with much of the land rising above 1,000 feet (305 km). The highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, is 7402 feet (2256m) above sea level. Natural rivers and springs abound in Jamaica. Over 120 rivers flow through the land from the central mountain region to the coasts. The rivers on the north side tend to be shorter and swifter than those on the south side. There are several mineral springs, recognized for their therapeutic value. Some have been developed with facilities for bathing and/or accommodation, namely Milk River Bath, Bath Fountain, the Spa at Grand Lido San Souci and the Rockfort Mineral Bath. Others remain little-known gems in communities across the island.
Jamaica has a tropical climate at sea level and a temperate climate towards the highlands of the interior. The island sees two rainy seasons from May to June and September to November. Many Jamaicans characterize the seasons according to the fruits available at that time! Some of the most important ‘seasons’ are mango season (May to July), guinep season (July to late September) and cane crop season (late October to about January). Of note also is the hurricane season from June to September, during which time large storms may, but rarely do, pass over the island.
Jamaica has wonderful beaches all around the island and has plenty to offer holidaymakers both on and off the water. There are golf courses, tennis courts, horse riding stables, 4 x 4 safaris, biking rental agencies in many locations. There are plenty of shopping opportunities too! Some interesting excursions are to visit a coffee plantation, climb Dunns River Falls, visit the Bob Marley Museum, swim in the Blue Lagoon, go rafting on the Martha Brae or the Rio Grande rivers - the list is endless.
The impact of introducing marine parks and stricter conservation measures in the last ten years is starting to take effect and Jamaica now has some of the better diving of the popular holiday resort islands. The mooring buoys for dive boats in the Negril area are a particularly good idea. The best wreck diving is off Port Royal and Kingston where in addition to a number of ships you can explore the remains of the old city which sunk into the sea after an earthquake in 1692. There is diving from most of the resort areas though, particularly in the north of the island.
Getting There:
Many charter airlines fly to Jamaica, catering for the huge number of package holiday makers. You are most likely to arrive in Montego Bay on the north coast. Unless you are heading for Port Antonio or Kingston this is the best airport to fly into.
There are also scheduled flights into Kingston (in the southeast of the island). If you intend to travel around the island it is usually possible to fly into one and leave from the other.
Scheduled airlines include British Airways, who fly to Montego Bay and Kingston from Gatwick and Air Jamaica, who fly to both cities from Heathrow.
Some of the charter airlines offer seats-only tickets into Montego Bay. Try Golden Lion, tel: 01293 567800; Air 2000, tel: 08702 401402; or Britannia, tel: 0870 8014030.
Flying time: The approximate flying time to Montego Bay or Kingston from London is 10 hrs 15 minutes.
Departure tax: A departure tax of JA$1000/£15 is payable on leaving Jamaica. It can be paid in Jamaican Dollars or another currency (US dollars is the most popular).
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Much larger than most people realise, Jamaica is diverse – Montego Bay is lively whilst Ocho Rios and Negril have a more select array of attractions. Most hotels also provide a comprehensive entertainment schedule. The bustling street markets provide a glimpse at Jamaican life with street sellers persistent rather than dangerous.
Tourist Board Information
Montego Bay by Trevor Thorpe
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