Travel Resources: 5 Must Visit Museums and Galleries in Jamaica

Aside from its legendary beaches, stunning vistas, vibrant nightlife and wide array of delectable delights Jamaica is also celebrated for its rich culture. The island has numerous repositories of artistic treasures that display everything from exuberant folk art, prints, paintings, and sculptures to Bob Marley’s famous music studio – there’s no better way to immerse yourself in Jamaican culture than on a visit to one of our many museums and galleries. For the traveler interested in seeing this side of the island, here is a list of 5 Must Visit Museums and Galleries in Jamaica:

Bob Marley Museum, Kingston

The King of Reggae music and still to this day the most influential musician to come out of Jamaica is the legend, Bob Marley and a trip to Kingston is not complete without a visit to Bob Marley Museum. The museum is located on the site of the legendary musician’s home, which he purchased in 1975. This house, featuring 19th-century architecture, was Marley’s home until his death in 1981. It was converted into a museum six years later by his wife, Mrs Rita Marley. Brilliant red, green and yellow colours decorate the exterior of the creaky wooden house on 56 Hope Road where the museum is located.

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December 8, 2011 at 9:23 am | Kingston, Ocho Rios, Travel Resources, What to Do, Where to Visit | No comment

Travel Resources: Top 5 Historical Sites in Jamaica

Jamaica is among the most romantic islands in the Caribbean, not only for its sensuous green landscape and turquoise waters but also for its fascinating history. 450 years of magical fables, stately estates, rich traditions and natural charm await you here. For the history buff looking for the top historical sites to visit in Jamaica, here is a list of 5:

Port Royal

Once known as the ‘Wickedest City on Earth,’ Jamaica’s famed Port Royal is undoubtedly one of the island’s most captivating historical sites still standing and during the late 17th century was one of the largest towns in the English colonies. Due to its prime geographic location in the middle of the Caribbean, the town was once a haven for buccaneers and pirates, including the infamous Sir Henry Morgan. From Port Royal, these privateers preyed upon and plundered the heavily laden treasure fleets departing from the Spanish Main.

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September 23, 2011 at 1:00 pm | Heritage, Kingston, Montego Bay, The South Coast, Travel Resources, Trelawny, What to Do, Where to Visit | 1 comment

Pon Di Road Weekly Roundup: Pon Di Road (Season 2) #1: Happy to be back in Jamaica

Calee and Stephen are an eccentric pair of travel enthusiasts hell bent on uncovering just about every Jamaican travel treasure and sharing their adventures with the whole world. With so many wonderful things to experience on this deceptively small island we can’t say that we blame them (or that we mind). The “Pon Di Road” webisodes keep rolling in and we’re now at the start of a brand new season! Just in case you missed their latest adventure, here is the roundup of “Pon Di Road (Season 2) #1: Happy to be back in Jamaica”:

This time around Calee and Stephen have with them a tiny addition to the family, baby Nyla! Now back in Jamaica for their second epic journey they thought it would be a great idea to finish off their road trip around the island by visiting many of the places they did not get to see last time, especially the eastern part of the Island with it’s quiet and undeveloped beauty. The second season of ‘Pon Di Road’ starts in the capital Kingston with a trip to the famous Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

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September 7, 2011 at 1:20 pm | Kingston, News & Updates | No comment

Vacation Themes: Adventure: 5 Adventure Experiences in Jamaica

There’s more to Jamaica than just scrumptious food, stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife. The island is bejeweled with fascinating hidden gems and natural wonders suited for anyone looking for an off the beaten path adrenaline rush. From exciting hikes through mysterious landscapes to heart-stopping dives into dark caves and deep waters, get ready for a thrill ride in Jamaica.

Cliff Diving

Throw caution to the wind and launch yourself into the warm, blue Caribbean Sea. While the food is to die for and a stunning view of the sunset, without a doubt the main attraction at Rick’s Cafe is the cliff jumping displays. You can either watch the professional cliff jumping displays or participate yourself if you’re feeling the daredevil spirit. Countless visitors and locals have jumped or dived from the cliff and into the crystalline water below. The highest platform jump is 35 feet and ensures the thrill of a lifetime, though some choose to jump from even higher points from tree limbs. Catapult your body from breathtaking heights into the cool embrace of the Caribbean.

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August 16, 2011 at 5:01 pm | Kingston, Ocho Rios, Off the Beaten Path, Vacation Themes | No comment

Weddings & Honeymoons: Weddings at Strawberry Hill, Jamaica

Jamaica is among the most romantic of the Caribbean islands and each year hundreds of lovebirds flock to its vast golden shores and breath-taking vistas to make their dream of a wedding in paradise come true. In addition to awe-inspiring natural scenery there are many resorts equipped with wedding planners and packages designed to cater to your every need. Strawberry Hill, a signature mountaintop oasis, offers an enchanting mix of rich Jamaican heritage balanced by healthy conscious living.

( via Strawberry Hill )

Perched in the Blue Mountains, and located 3,100 feet above sea level, this unique boutique property houses a Living Spa, a Main House, and twelve handcrafted 19th century Georgian style cottages, including one bedrooms, studios and deluxe villas; each is carefully sited in a private tropical haven with magnificent mountainside and city views. Shout your love from the mountaintop in a summit ceremony. Towering above the horizon in this magical mountain range, you’ll feel on top of the world. This stylish retreat just outside of Kingston is a favourite for chic weddings and honeymoons infused with classic Caribbean charm.

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August 11, 2011 at 1:50 pm | Kingston, Weddings & Honeymoons, Where to Stay | No comment

Travel Resources: 5 Seductive Coves, Cays and Bays in Jamaica

Jamaica is one of the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean and the world. The island’s stunning natural beauty and an alluring cultural appeal have been wooing travelers all over the world for decades. Part of its charm is the abundance of access to sparkling shores and tranquil turquoise waters. Jamaica is filled with seductive coves, cays and bays. For travelers interested in visiting them, here is a list of 5 of the most enchanting:

Lime Cay

( via Varun Baker )

Fifteen minutes by boat from the famous former pirate haunt Port Royal is a small, low-lying island cay with one of the most beautiful beaches in Jamaica. The largest of the many small cays off the coast of Port Royal, Lime Cay is a part of Jamaica uninhabitable by humans because it is occasionally submerged when the tide comes in. Lime Cay, and the beaches there are public and open to all who can get out there. Seclusion and privacy are part of the draw to Jamaica’s beaches, and Lime Cay offers a taste of off the beaten path travel without taking you too far away from the city.

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June 10, 2011 at 4:10 pm | Kingston, Negril, Ocho Rios, Portland, The South Coast, Travel Resources, Where to Visit | No comment

Where to Visit: Holywell Recreational Park, Jamaica

The world famous Blue Mountains in Jamaica get their distinctive, almost hypnotic shade of blue from being so far above sea level that they are almost perpetually cushioned in mist sometimes so heavy one feels as though stepping out into a dream. The Blue Mountain range sprawls across the eastern portion of the island for a length of 28 miles and an average width of about 12 miles. They rise steeply in an area so compact that it is possible to drive from the coastal plains to its elevation of over 7,000 feet in less than an hour.

( via )

A majestic and beautiful environment, home to many indigenous flora and fauna, The Blue Mountains are one of the most popular regions for campers and outdoor enthusiasts and is home to Holywell Recreational Park, Jamaica’s only terrestrial national park protecting 1/3 of the island’s natural forests. Located 3,500 ft above sea-level The Blue Mountain and John Crow Mountains National Park spans 3 parishes in Jamaica and Holywell is just a 90 minute drive from the island’s Capital, Kingston. Spanning Hardwar Gap, Holywell protects 120 hectares of remnant woodland, lush with dozens of fern species, epiphytes, impatiens, violets, nasturtiums, wild strawberries and raspberries. The mist-shrouded uppermost slopes are densely forested with rare primary montane forest. Pine trees dominate. It is also one of the best bird-watching spots in the island.

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May 13, 2011 at 1:01 pm | Kingston, Where to Visit | No comment

Travel Resources: 5 Succulent Seafood Spots in Jamaica

Jamaica is already well known for its white sand beaches, vast tropical terrain, vibrant nightlife and vivid culture but “foodies” may also know of the wide array of savory cuisines available on the island and where to find them. With a zesty collection of flavours guaranteed to please the palate Jamaica has some of the best food you will ever taste and seafood is a specialty. There are so many great places to sample succulent seafood in the island and if you are wondering where to eat here are a few choices, just to narrow down your options:

Pelican Bar

( via )

Treasure Beach, in St. Elizabeth is known for being the perfect “get away from it all” experience. Complete with beautiful volcanic black sand beaches, exotic wildlife safaris, and quaint hassle free resorts, the place is like a fantasy isle on it’s own. It is here, well to be exact a quarter of a mile out to sea from here, you will find one of the most unique beach bars in the world, the Pelican Bar. A rustic wooden bar resting on stilts built on a sand bank in the middle of the sea the Pelican Bar is the perfect place to spend the day being busy doing nothing, sunbathe, drink beer, swim or snorkel in the shallow waters.

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May 3, 2011 at 6:09 pm | Kingston, Portland, The South Coast, Travel Resources, Where to Eat | 1 comment

Events: Jamaica Reggae Film Festival 2011

The 4th annual Jamaica Reggae Film Festival is fast approaching and film buffs from all over are anticipating its arrival. Set for May 23-27 at Studio 38, Trafalgar Road, New Kingston. Held each year by the Jamaica Film Academy the Reggae Film Festival attracts productions from all over the world that are part of a growing genre of films depicting aspects of Jamaican culture, music and history and the ways in which this music culture has impacted the world. The event includes premieres, seminars, competitions, new digital media work, live music performances and star-studded gala events.

A main focus of interest at the festival this year is the Make A Film In 24 Hours competition, in which teams will use any media to make a 5-minute film in 24 hours and compete for prizes including cash, Jamaican vacations and entry in international film festivals. Entries in the 2011 Reggae Film Festival have come from the USA, UK, Antigua, Poland, Brazil and Catalonia, with the largest number of entries from Jamaica whose 11 entries include animation, short and long features and documentaries. This year’s festival includes five films by female directors, including the short features Dinner by Tameka Jarvis-George of Antigua, and Reckoning by Jamaican film student Jovel Johnson.

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April 30, 2011 at 5:56 pm | Kingston | No comment

Travel Resources: 5 Hot Spots for Scuba Diving in Jamaica

The warm azure waters of The Caribbean Sea have a magnetic pull that very few (if any) can resist and offer a range of exciting adventures, from parasailing to cliff diving and snorkeling. Just looking at the ocean will tempt you to dive right in and the equally hypnotic island of Jamaica has some of the best points of entry to this enchanting wonderland. It is for this very reason that the island is such an excellent destination for SCUBA enthusiasts the world over.

If you’ve never had the experience, scuba diving in Jamaica’s warm blue waters is a relaxing and an thrilling activity that transports you to another world without really letting you leave the first.The island is scattered with underwater treasures ranging from dazzling corals to colourful tropical marine life and even shipwrecks. Jamaica’s underwater world is rimmed with coral reefs, etched with canyons and grottos, and sheered with vertical walls. Marine life is a kaleidoscope of living color. And, it’s all close at hand. From coast to coast, the dive sites are only a few minutes from shore. Whether you’re an experienced diver or just starting out you’ll want to check out some sites while vacationing in Jamaica, here’s a list of 5 of the island’s hottest scuba diving spots to send you on your way:

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April 11, 2011 at 1:11 pm | Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Portland, Travel Resources, What to Do | No comment

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