Jamaica x Transat [Best Bet]

resort regions | vibrant flavours | romance | sustainable fun | The air transat difference

Jamaica

J amaica, small in size and big in personality, is home to world-famous white sand beaches and breathtaking mountains. And while Jamaica has long been a beach destination for Canadians, it’s a particular vibe that brings people back time and time again. With might and main, this Caribbean island offers much more than relaxing resort experiences—there’s deeply rooted cultural history, an energetic music scene and adrenaline-fuelled adventures. Vibes are high in Jamaica. Canadians in search of the vibe can find terrific all-inclusive Jamaica holiday packages with Transat. Air Transat also flies direct from Toronto to Montego Bay five times a week and three times a week from Montreal. Even East Coasters can take advantage of once-a-week direct flights from Halifax.

With almost one thousand kilometres of coastline, the beach vibes in Jamaica go way beyond the pristine stretches in front of your resort. The electric-blue waters that circle the island are one of the main attractions—with gentle waves on the island's western and northern shores and surf-ready swells on the eastern end of the island. Sunseekers can choose from more than 55 beaches across the island; here are three of the most popular regions for Canadian sun-seekers.

Come for the beach, stay for the vibe

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Columbus Cove, Ocho Rios

Resort regions

Vibrant flavours

Romance

Sustainable fun

Frenchman's Cove, Port Antonio

Oyster Bay

Plan your trip

Columbus Cove, Ocho Rios

Sample local foods at a fruit stand

Frenchman's Cove

Spanish Bridge

Doctor's Cave Beach

Seven Mile Beach

Oxtail stew

Dancing in Ocho Rios

Dunn's River Falls

Relaxing in nature, Port Antonio

Seven Mile Beach, Negril

Jamaican fruit stand

Port Antonio

Rafting in Port Antonio

Montego Bay Most Canadians arrive through Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, where you’ll have easy access to the sophisticated resorts of Montego Bay and surrounding areas, Doctor’s Cave Beach is one of Jamaica’s most famous stretches of sand. It’s just off Montego Bay’s Hip Strip, with sunbeds and beach bars to enjoy.

Negril White sandy beaches, sparkling waters and tropical breezes await you in Negril. Also known as the Capital of Casual, Jamaica’s westernmost town offers up plenty of relaxation opportunities. Seven Mile Beach is the longest in the country, with its turquoise waters and white powder sand.

Every Caribbean nation has its own proud culinary tradition, and Jamaica is no exception. Bold flavours and diverse dishes shaped by multiple cultural influences characterise Jamaica’s cuisine. Many hotels and all-inclusive resorts provide ample opportunity to experience Jamaica's signature culinary creations.

Vibrant flavours abound Obviously, you’re going to be eating multiple variations on the spicy jerk chicken known the world over. But don't miss the opportunity to try more adventurous dishes like ackee and saltfish—the national dish, composed of the ackee fruit (a member of the soapberry family, as are lychees) and salted cod. It's not uncommon to find this savoury combination on breakfast menus, though the versatile meal can be eaten any time of day. Enjoying a Jamaican vacation also means digging into Ital stews (developed by the Rastafarians), a bounty of fresh seafood and tropical fruits.

Culture on a plate You'll taste the island's South Asian influences in recipes like curry goat and roti flatbread, and get a sense of its love for satisfying stews and soups with bowls of hearty oxtail stew plus rich and spicy pepper pot soup, among others. At beach bars, street stalls and restaurants, you'll have the chance to sample island specialties fresh from local kitchens. Think patties stuffed with spiced meats or vegetables (vegetarians, take note: there are quite a few veg-friendly Jamaican foods), crispy and aromatic escovitch fish (spiced fried snapper) and toasty slices of bammy, a flatbread made from cassava root that hearkens back to the island's Native inhabitants. All this flavourful fare pairs exceptionally well with a bottle of Red Stripe or a Jamaican rum punch.

There’s a reason why Jamaica is one of the world’s honeymoon capitals. White sandy beaches and sunsets with cotton candy clouds are paired with couples’ massages and private dinners to create passion-filled vacations. But there’s also heart-shaped rock formations and bioluminescent bays which make Jamaica naturally romantic.

Pick your paradise Throughout Jamaica there are resort and vacation options with plenty of romance vibes. You’ll find heart-shaped overwater bungalows, hotels with honeymoon suites and packages catering to those starting their happily ever after. Of course, you don’t have to be a honeymooner to enjoy spa treatments oceanside, candlelit dinners on the beach and sunset catamaran tours.

Play together The pulse of Jamaica is strongest in its music and culture—just ask UNESCO, which added the island’s reggae music to the Representative List of the Tangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2018. A night out always amps up the romance factor, so hit up a dancehall party with your partner. Couples wanting a relaxing water experience can head to the Martha Brae River to float downstream on a bamboo raft or Reach Falls in Portland where the waterfall has a natural heart-shaped stone jacuzzi. A trip to Luminous Lagoon, home to millions of dinoflagellates which cause the water to sparkle and glow, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The lush rainforests, beautiful beaches and swelling mountains of Jamaica make it a uniquely diverse destination for outdoor adventure. Hiking and biking, windsurfing and paragliding, golfing and horseback riding are just some of the memory-making experiences.

Get some air Cliff-jumping at Rick’s Cafe, one of the island’s famous bars, is a bucket list item in Jamaica. Trekkers head into the Blue Mountains to hike to its peak, or to Cockpit Country to explore the rainforest trails. Jamaica is also known for excellent caving. The mystical Green Grotto Caves on the north coast offer a pageant of stalactites and subterranean lakes to experience. And then there are the waterfalls, including Dunn’s River, where adrenalin seekers climb to the top of the falls or face the currents rafting.

Renewable experiences The word Jamaica derives from the Arawak word Xaymaca which means “land of wood and water.” With lush forests and waterfalls in abundance it's no wonder efforts are underway to preserve this beautiful landscape. The shift to focus on Jamaica’s environmental, social, and economic sustainability has resulted in the augmentation of beloved community experiences and a whole new wave of unique ones.

Best Bet 2025

Jamaica was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2025. Only five worldwide destinations were selected for this honour, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.

Best Bet 2025

Errol Flynn Marina

The Air Transat difference

When flying with Air Transat, the relaxing part of your vacation starts right away (they have won World’s Best Leisure Airline more than five times for a reason). With direct flights to Montego Bay available from major Canadian hubs like Toronto, Montréal and Halifax, flying to this dream destination is fast and easy. From friendly staff to the touchscreen in-flight entertainment and charging ports, the Transat experience is elevated before you even take off. Transat’s all-inclusive Jamaica packages include roundtrip flights from Montréal, Toronto, and Halifax. Use their “best price per month” calendar to find the lowest fare from your departure city. For an even more relaxing experience, opt for Option plus in Economy Class. Treat yourself to seat selection, priority boarding and one piece of baggage with priority handling. With this option, you’ll receive a comfort kit, earbuds, an alcoholic drink and a snack on board.

Rockhouse Hotel & Spa, Negril

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We think Jamaica is so appealing that we’ve chosen it as a Travelzoo 2025 Best Bet. That means it’s one of five destinations around the world we recommend for travel next year, thanks to a combination of incredible experiences, value for money and convenience for Canadians. Read on to find out more about Jamaica and how to make your vacation dreams happen with Transat.

Ocho Rios Set on Jamaica’s north coast, about 60 miles east of Montego Bay, Ocho Rios is home to a variety of boutique inns and beach hotels—including a handful of luxurious all-inclusive resorts. Natural attractions like the epic Blue Hole—a turquoise swimming hole found within a series of waterfalls and natural pools—plus famed Dunn's River Falls make it an ideal spot for those eager to explore the island’s raw beauty. Bay Beach in Ocho Rios is famous for its waves; windsurfers and wakeboarders love this area.

Drink it all in Rum is synonymous with Jamaica. The country produces some of the best in the world, thanks to its strong aroma and deep, dark flavours. Enjoy a great rum cocktail anywhere, or head to Appleton Estates, Hampden Estates or Worthy Park for tastings. Along Montego’s Bay’s Hip Strip (also known as Jimmy Cliff Boulevard) there are dozens of bars to drink in. Or take a swig of beer from those iconic stubby bottles of Red Stripe at Floyd’s Pelican Bar, propped up on stilts in the ocean. Coffee lovers will fall in love with the estates producing Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. With chocolatey floral notes, these beans are some of the best in the world.

Café (left); coffee beans (right)

Second nature Sustainable activities offer appreciation of the natural landscapes of Jamaica. Experience the Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary, established in 2010 to protect the area’s marine ecosystem, and its beaches James Bond and Reggae. In Negril, feed the enchanting hummingbirds at Barney’s Hummingbird Garden or head to Shaw Park Gardens to explore more than 25 acres of botanicals. At the Royal Palm Reserve visitors can see more than 114 plants and three hundred animal and bird species.

Fishing boat in Columbus Cove (left); Blue Hole (right)

Jerk chicken (left); Ackee fruit (right)

Swing in Frenchman's Cove (left); Floating on a bamboo raft on the Martha Brae River (right)

Jamacian flora

Fruit stand

Mountain biking

Hiking in the mountains

Parasailing

Golf

resort regions | vibrant flavours | romance | sustainable fun | The air transat difference

Vibrant flavors abound Obviously, you’re going to be eating multiple variations on the spicy jerk chicken known the world over. But don't miss the opportunity to try more adventurous dishes like ackee and saltfish—the national dish, composed of the ackee fruit (a member of the soapberry family, as are lychees) and salted cod. It's not uncommon to find this savoury combination on breakfast menus, though the versatile meal can be eaten any time of day. Enjoying a Jamaican vacation also means digging into Ital stews (developed by the Rastafarians), a bounty of fresh seafood and tropical fruits.