Jamaica [June 2025]

Jamaica

M ost Caribbean getaways fulfill wishes for sand, surf and sun, but Jamaica delivers much more. This distinctive island nation has influenced world culture in ways that are disproportionate to its relatively small size. On its lush shores, danceable rhythms remind you that you’re in the birthplace of reggae. The scent of jerk seasoning mingled with the salty ocean breeze induces a kind of craving that can only be satisfied here. And the warm hospitality you’ll encounter—whether at a pampering all-inclusive resort or a family-owned boutique inn—will likely have you returning again and again. Adventurous types will find hidden beaches, jungle-covered mountains and picturesque waterfalls to explore. Family travelers will find everything from the creature comforts of all-inclusive resorts to cultural immersion. Foodies, rum enthusiasts, honeymooners and luxury seekers will all find just what they’re after, too. Whether you go this summer to get in on renowned music and food festivals, or you’re planning a fall or winter escape, you won’t miss a beat on your getaway with this guide.

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Nature & adventure

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Plan your trip

Ocho Rios

Port Antonio

Grilled lobster

DJ dance party

Island Gully Falls

Mento band

Enjoy the freshest seafood in Jamaica

Jamaica Inn

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Reffen Street Food Market Photo credits: Lukas Bukoven (left); Reffen - Copenhagen Street Food (right)

The BLOX Building (left); The Black Diamond (right) Photo credit: Daniel Rasmussen

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A trip to Jamaica—even without a spa visit—may boost well-being simply because of its inherent de-stressing effects. But you can also make wellness a more intentional part of your Jamaica getaway. At any given time, there are dozens of retreats available across the island, with themes like chakra healing, yoga, midlife resets, plant-based nutrition, couples therapy and digital detoxing. Of course, each resort area is home to a wide selection of spas and wellness centers, too. Most larger hotels have their own facilities on site, with many offering outdoor massage where lapping waves and ocean breezes make for a most relaxing backdrop. Specialized treatments incorporate locally harvested herbs, reiki therapy, warm bamboo canes and scrubs made of Blue Mountain coffee beans.

Bespoke experiences

Travelers can enjoy a 5-star experience right from the start of their trips when they book VIP arrival service at the Montego Bay and Kingston airports. For a reasonable fee, you'll be greeted by a dedicated representative, escorted through an expedited immigration and customs process and brought to an arrival lounge with Wi-Fi, snacks, beverages and more helpful amenities. The fast-track departure service zips guests through security to a pampering lounge where a full bar, sandwiches and tapas await. Beyond the airport, many more bespoke experiences are at your fingertips, with the help of Jamaica travel planning experts. Private yacht charters, expertly planned events and celebrations and curated farm-to-table dining experiences are just the beginning of what's possible on your Jamaica dream vacation.

Wellness

Grand accommodations

When you're seeking a vacation experience that's nothing short of lavish, Jamaica should be high on your list. Over-the-top accommodations options abound, from expansive seaside villas to adults-only luxury resorts with butler service. There are overwater bungalows, suites with private pools and even beachfront estates where friend groups can spread out in their own private paradise. Many hotels offer honeymoon and anniversary packages that cover Champagne, chocolates, spa services, private beachfront dinners or fresh flower decorations in your room. In other words, Jamaica is your go-to destination for dream getaways you and your partner won't soon forget.

Coffee & rum

Java lovers will have an extra reason to look forward to waking up in Jamaica: the exceptional coffee grown right on the island. The fertile Blue Mountains are the growing grounds for what's considered by many connoisseurs to be some of the best coffee in the world. Most resorts on the island brew locally produced beans, and you can purchase more to take home at gift shops, grocers and the airport. When it's time to unwind, Jamaican rum is of course the drink of choice. Ask for an island specialty cocktail like rum punch, a Jamaican mule or a "frozen Bob Marley," in which blended fruit and spirits create icy layers of green, yellow and red in your glass. Rums to choose include Wray & Nephew, a brand that's distilled and sold only in Jamaica. Appleton Estate is another favorite, and you can even tour the facility and grounds in Siloah, St. Elizabeth.

Unmistakable flavors

Jamaica's status as the birthplace of jerk puts it in a culinary league of its own—and you can experience this phenomenon on a new level if you head in for the Portland Jerk Festival (July 6) in Port Antonio, or the MoBay Jerk Festival (Aug. 1) in Montego Bay. As outstanding as that signature spice blend is, though, there are many more Jamaican specialties to try while you're on the island. Savory stuffed patties, ackee and saltfish (the national dish of Jamaica, prepared with tropical ackee fruit and salted cod) and flavor-soaked, flash-fried escovitch fish are just a few more addictive Jamaican dishes to discover. True Caribbean food fans might want to schedule their trips to coincide with events like the Jamaica Food & Drink Festival (Nov. 13-16) or the Port Royal Seafood Festival (usually held in October; 2025 date TBD) to sample the widest possible array of island flavors.

Cultural exchange

Get to know the warm, witty and proud people of Jamaica to gain a deeper understanding of island culture on your trip. Day trips to Kingston are one of the best ways to immerse. Visit the bustling Coronation Market—the island's largest produce market—to browse island-grown fruits, vegetables and spices, plus handmade crafts. You may also hear vendors and patrons communicating in Jamaican Patois, the lilting English-based, West African-, Arawak- and Spanish-influenced language that gives Jamaican music special flavor. Speaking of reggae, the Bob Marley Museum is another Kingston staple, set in the music legend's former home and filled with his music, history and personal mementos. Other must-see stops in Kingston include Devon House, a historic 19th-century mansion owned by Jamaica's first Black millionaire; and the National Gallery of Jamaica, where a broad collection of works by Jamaican artists will delight art fans of all ages.

Family-favorite all-inclusive resorts

Jamaica has one of the widest selections of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, dozens of which cater to all ages. With scenic beachside locations plus meals, drinks, snacks and activities all covered, these getaways are ideal settings for family and multigenerational trips that provide maximum relaxation and fun with minimal planning. If you've got little kids in tow, consider resorts that have onsite splash pads or water parks. Activity-loaded kids clubs, kid-favorite costumed character appearances and family-friendly magic shows and concerts make Jamaica's all-inclusive resorts an easy win for the whole family.

Inland adventures

You can do more than admire the densely forested hills and mountains of Jamaica's inland regions from afar. The island is home to countless natural attractions beyond the beach, including dozens of waterfalls, especially in the Ocho Rios area. Some, like Island Gully Falls (pictured), can be reached via a drive or a short walk, while others require a bit more hiking. The 3-mile One Love Trail, which leads trekkers to popular Dunn's River Falls, is a favorite for active families. Fit travelers looking to challenge themselves can brave the 14-mile Blue Mountain Peak trail, an out-and-back trek to Jamaica's highest point (7,402 feet) about 20 miles east of Kingston. The journey takes about seven hours to complete, and the trailhead requires some offroad driving—all of which to say that enlisting the services of a knowledgeable local guide is a must. Tour packages that include zipline, ATV or river tubing adventures are among the other ways travelers can get their thrills while enjoying the island's lush landscapes.

Beaches

Jamaica’s diverse geography makes its beaches especially paradisiacal. Around the island, you’ll find sands in a range of colors and textures, from fine white to volcanic black. Views of the lush green mountains behind you rival the vivid turquoise Caribbean Sea ahead. Sip straight from a coconut on Montego Bay’s Doctor’s Cave Beach, set on the northwest side of the island. It’s so named thanks to a British MD who claimed its waters had healing properties in the early 1900s. The Ocho Rios resort area on the north coast is home to a handful of lovely beaches, including the small but picturesque James Bond Beach, where scenes from the very first Bond movie were filmed. Less-traveled and nature-rich, Jamaica’s South Coast harbors Treasure Beach, a 6-mile stretch of quiet sands, coves and rocky shores. On the western coast, Negril is home to famous Seven Mile Beach, where you’ll find every amenity imaginable—and also serene hideaways like Half Moon Beach, where a tranquil crescent-shaped shoreline plus a low-key restaurant and bar await.

Another unique facet of Jamaica's culinary culture is its Rastafarian Ital food scene. The word "Ital" means "vital," signifying the pure and health-promoting nature of foods prepared this way. Meat, salt and artificial colorings, flavorings and preservatives are excluded, though some fish is allowed. At the same time, ingredients like coconut milk, garlic, herbs and Scotch bonnet peppers ensure dishes have plenty of flavor. Stews, sauteed dishes and salads incorporating a rainbow of fruits, vegetables and legumes are at the core of the Ital approach to food. To get a taste for yourself, you can visit Ital eateries and roadside stands around the island—or fully immerse in Rastafarian culture with a visit to Rastafari Indigenous Village outside Montego Bay. Many traditional Jamaican restaurants and resorts also offer plant-based, Ital-inspired dishes—so vegetarians and vegans will find an abundance of delicious options as they travel through Jamaica.

Ital cooking

All-ages tours give family travelers a chance to experience Jamaica's authentic character and beauty. Catamaran cruises, horseback riding and nature tours are just a few of the memorable ways to get to know more of the island. Or glide across crystalline river waters with a uniquely Jamaican bamboo raft tour. Best of all, it's easy to try something new. Many of these tours offer pickup and drop-off services directly from resorts.

Authentic experiences

While travelers to Jamaica certainly have the option to spend their entire vacations sprawled out on the sand, active types will find every manner of adventure at their fingertips. Many resorts offer the use of water sports equipment like sea kayaks, paddle boards and snorkel gear for use between icy drinks and lounging sessions. Meanwhile, tour operators all along the island’s 1000+ mile coastline provide excursions ranging from parasailing rides to sport fishing trips. Snorkel tours are popular, as are dive trips to explore the island's colorful reefs, walls and underwater caves—including 6 square miles of protected waters in the Montego Bay Marine Park. Whether you're a beginner or an undersea veteran, there are dozens of PADI-certified resorts and dive centers to choose from.

Water sports

Columbus Cove, Ocho Rios

Dunn's River Falls

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Boating in Jamaica

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Nature & adventure | family travel | eat & drink | luxury

Ocho Rios

Bamboo rafting (left); Montego Bay (right)

Fruit stand (left); drink fresh coconut water (right)

Still firming up summer travel plans?

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Book a trip that coincides with some of Jamaica’s most exciting annual events. Montego Bay’s Reggae Sumfest (July 13-19), the Caribbean’s largest music festival, will be headlined by 7-time Grammy winner Toni Braxton, along with some of the biggest names in reggae music. Dream Wknd in Negril (Aug. 1-5) is a weeklong party fueled by music from all genres—dancehall, pop, house, rap and soca included. Fans of Jamaican cuisine should also snag tickets to the Montego Bay Jerk & Food Festival (Aug. 1).

Nature & adventure | family travel | eat & drink | luxury