This verdant jewel basking in the warm blue waters of the Caribbean is a great place to enjoy exotic scenery and Old World history. Jamaica has excellent facilities for tourists and great beaches and outdoor destinations. You can do many things, from seeing remnants of the island’s history, exploring the verdant jungle on foot and horseback, to tanning on one of the many beaches.

1.) Spanish Town

Visit the old capital of Jamaica, Spanish Town, and get a sense of what made Christopher Columbus enthuse about the beauty of the island. Check out the old buildings, including the San Jago de la Vega Cathedral built by the Spanish. Take a picture at Spanish Town Square, a charming representation of the colonial architecture brought by settlers to the island.

2.) Negril

Those with a passion for activities such as diving, sailing, fishing and windsurfing will be delighted when they visit this town 80 kilometers beyond Montego Bay. A lively nightlife and many small shops are some of the things that tourists will find in this place where an alternative lifestyle was practiced in the past. Watch the sunset from West Point, the westernmost spot on the entire island, and then dance until dawn at the many clubs along the beach.

3.) Eight Rivers

This town whose name means “eight rivers” in Spanish was once a sleepy town that now boasts world-class resorts and hotels. Ochos Ríos is a paradise of gardens, like the Shaw Park Botanical Garden. See the resplendent beauty of Dunn’s River Falls, dine at one of the local restaurants and sample their varied cuisine, and visit Brimmer Hall, a plantation where, just like in the old days, crops are still grown and harvested according to ancient methods.

4.) Montego Bay

This large and modern city is the second largest in Jamaica. While you’re there, stop by Rose Hall, a restored house that belongs to an old sugar plantation. Gaze at the Caribbean blue from the city’s avenues with that special someone, and then take them out for some fun at one of the city’s three main beaches.

5.) Falmouth

Located 40 km west of Montego Bay, this resort town contains the Church of Saint Paul. Visit Greenwood Great House, once owned by poet Elizabeth Barrett-Browning and her husband. For the energetic, the Martha Brae can be rafted from Rafters Village.

6.) Kingston

Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, offers much to see and do. Learn about the island’s past by visiting the White Marl Museum, dedicated to the Arawak Indians who lived in Jamaica, and the Port Royal, which features exhibits and information on the dark days of the buccaneers. Sample cuisine at local restaurants and pick up a souvenir from the Mercado de Artesanías, and if you’re feeling lucky, you can bet on the horse races at Parque Cuyamas.

7.) Treasure Reef

Swim with marine life at this water park located near Dunn’s River Falls. Make swimming friends as you feed the sharks and interact with the dolphins at Dolphin Cove. Or, if getting wet doesn’t suit you, explore the lush greenery of the Jungle Trail Walk.

8.) Green Grotto Caves

Go explore this cavern to the east of Discovery Bay. A sanctuary for people since prehistoric times, these caves have seen occupants such as the Taino Indians, Spanish refugees hiding from the English, smugglers, and rum dealers. Green Grotto is a mile long and contains an underground lake, Grotto Lake.

9.) Water sports

Outdoor activities of all kinds can be found in Jamaica, but among the most prevalent are water sports, which are available in countless places. Freshwater and saltwater fishing is allowed without a license. Paragliding, diving, surfing, rafting and the like are also offered in many places like Negril.

10.) Beaches

Jamaica would be nothing without its beaches. The island offers many types to suit the tastes of any person. From the bustling sands of MoBay and Ocho Rios to the private tranquility of Port Antonio’s beaches, Jamaica offers beachgoers of all kinds just the right combination of sun, fun and friendship.

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