Visiting Jamaica (or any other Caribbean island) was never high on my travel bucket list. Being born and raised in the Caribbean (Dominican Republic #platanopower 💪🏽) there’s a certain belief: “once you’ve been to one island you’ve been to all of them“.
Well… let me tell YOU! We couldn’t have been more wrong in perpetuating this misconception. Yes, Jamaica has some similarities to the Dominican Republic, but it also has things uniquely to Jamaican culture that I hope I can enlight in this post.
THINGS NOT TO MISS IN JAMAICA
From the food to people’s warm and welcoming attitude. Shoot! Even the air hits different in Jamaica! The lushness of the scenery in any given town makes you feel like you are in a magical forest! In the middle of Kingston, you can find so much Green all over the city.
THE BEACHES
LISTEN. Them beaches were BOMB. Granted 5 days IS NOT enough to see ALL of Jamaica BUT we did cover some ground. From Kingston, to Montego Bay to Ocho Rios. All the beaches we were able to see DID NOT disappoint.
WATERFALLS
Remember what I said about Green all over? It shows in their waterfalls, rivers and beaches. We decided to visit Dunns River Falls and it such a great decision! The Falls were well preserved, and water was so refreshing! Definitely a must visit when in town!
THE JAMAICAN FOOD
JAMAICAN JERK CHICKEN
Yes, you’ve had Jerk Chicken or some water down version of it where you live BUT YOU HAVEN’t LIVED UNTIL YOU TRY REAL JAMAICAN JERK CUISINE FOOD IN JAMAICA. Like, where has this food been all my life? I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
JAMAICAN PATTIES
Whatever version you get on your local bodega or supermarket has NO COMPARISON with the real deal in Jamaica. My Favorite was the curry Goat Patty in Devon’s House in Kingston. It’s a whole meal!
They will even sell you a whole case of frozen patties to take home with you. That’s how much people LOVE these amazing patties.
BOAT RIDE
One of the best ways to admire the beauty of it’s shore is a boat ride along the Jamaican coast!
THE JAMAICAN BEER
Drinking Red Stripe under 90F is the only way to quench the thirst. Or at least a great excuse 😉
CATCH A SUNSETS OR SUNRISE
If you are an early bird catch one the beautiful sunrises this island has to offer. I AM NOT, this is why I catch Sunsets on my travels. Both are totally worth it!
FRESH COCONUT & FRUITS
Coconut tastes better fresh cut from a machete man. Yeah, man! All fruits that I tried tasted so fresh and sweet: Mangoes, Pineapples, etc…
THE NIGHT LIFE- HOME OF REGGAE AND DANCEHALL SCENE
Even if you can’t bust a move, the Jamaican Nightlife will have you grooving to the music. Being the home of the Reggae and Dancehall which was the foundation of today’s Latin Reggaeton! Pro Tip: Check out a dancehall event in Kingston. Issa must!
JAMAICA’S STREET ART – GRAFFITI – MURALS
Open your eyes and you’ll see the murals and graffiti’s telling a story. Jamaican street art is one you wouldn’t want to miss.
PERFECT TIME TO VISIT JAMAICA
When my girlfriends and I visited in October, weather was perfect. Not too hot, not windy. Just the right amount of heat and It wasn’t overcrowd with tourists either!
Tell me if this post motivates you to take a trip to this amazing Caribbean Island?! Have you been? What was your experience?
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