Jamaica's Beautiful Sandy Beaches Are Calling

Jamaica is known for its beautiful sandy beaches, majestic waterfalls, Jamaican rum, and thanks to Bob Marley, reggae nights.

Throw in a good old ghost story, and the island of Jamaica is a pot of magic well worth digging into!

The island is calling 24-7-365

The climate is tropical and hot 365 days of the year, with just a few degrees difference between winter and summer. Winter daytime temperatures are around 27/30 °C (81/86 °F) and night-time temperatures around 20/23 °C (68/73 °F).

Blue Mountain Coffee

High on your shopping list must definitely be Blue Mountain Coffee. The highest mountains in the Caribbean is the Blue Mountains, and it’s home to the production of one of the most sought-after coffee brands globally.

Dunn’s River Falls

The majestic waterfall is a major tourist attraction near Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Water cascades down natural giant terraced stairs from about 55 meters above into the Caribbean Sea. The waterfall is one of only a few travertine waterfalls that empties directly into the ocean.

Bob Marley Museum, Kingston

Music lovers and reggae-fans will not be disappointed in this excursion. Discover the former home and recording studio (1975 to 1981) of a reggae legend in Kingston, Jamaica. The museum is pricelessly filled with rich memories and treasured mementos. Also, see relics of his old van.

Tuff Gong, Kingston

Ziggy Marley, the son of legendary Bob Marley, achieved what his father could not. Namely, he started a record label that does more than just his own work.

Appleton Estate Rum

Jamaica is also home to the world-famous Appleton Rum, authentic Jamaican rum at its best. It’s the oldest and most famous of all the sugar-cane estates in Jamaica. A visit to the estate is highly recommendable, whether or not you are a rum fan. The rich rums with characteristic Christmas cake and butterscotch flavors will seduce your senses and inspire your soul.

The Spanish Bridge, Ocho Rios

Built by the Spanish in the 17th century, this hidden gem sits over a lazy bend in the captivating White River, surrounded by giant bamboo and shady trees. It’s a popular picnic spot and if you feel like swinging from one side of a river to the other, you are at the right spot. Other activities include diving, tubing, swimming, and fishing.

Black River

Go to Farquharson Wharf (originally Town Wharf) where slaves from Africa and other Caribbean islands were on auction in the early 19th century.

The town is known for having the firsts in Jamaica. Namely, it was the first town in Jamaica using electricity (1893). Also, it was the first Jamaican town to have automobiles (1903).

Things to do

The story of Jamaica’s Annie Palmer

Rose Hall Great House, Montego Bay

Legend has it that…

There once was a girl named Annie. Annie was born in Haiti. Unlike most other little girls, Annie’s parents died of yellow fever, both of them. A woman who practiced witchcraft and voodoo raised the little girl until the little girl was a grown-up, falling in love with a guy named John Palmer. John asked Annie’s hand in marriage and so she moved to his house in Jamaica. Namely, Rose Hall.

Unbeknown to John, Annie was very much into dark magic and had a violent streak. John died at her hand, and so did two other husbands thereafter. Her controlling and violent nature was also exercised upon her male slaves. She would allow them to become her lovers, only to murder them as she tired of their service.

And then one day, Annie got Takoo to be her slave. He too practiced powerful black magic. Combined with physical violence, Takoo murdered the White Witch.

Annie’s tomb on the grounds of Rose Hall was never sealed with a Voodoo ritual, as ritual required. Subsequently, her spirit roams free and her ghost has been seen on the odd occasion.

Go sightseeing to Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay, where you can decide for yourself if you believe in the legendary story.

The alternative version is that Annie married (1820) John Rose Palmer. Not long thereafter John died leaving her with a lot of debt and nor legal right to the plantation. So, Annie had to leave Rose Hall and passed away (1846) in relative obscurity.

Johnny Cash recorded a ballad about the legendary story of Annie Palmer.

Plan your trip

International airport

There are three international airports in Jamaica:

Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay,
Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica’s capital city, and the
Ian Fleming International Airport in picturesque Ocho Rios.