Jamaica's capital is a city full of people, motor vehicles, noise and pollution. With 691,600 natives, it is the largest English-speaking city south of Miami. A tourist traveling to Jamaica to escape the hustle and bustle may find Kingston to be a disappointment. However, a visitor looking for historical sites, great food and lively music will be more than content with this eclectic city.
This harborside city is located on Jamaica's southeast coastline and boasts scenery that is nothing more than spectacular. In the distance, the Blue Mountains reach the heavens and the countryside is dotted with coffee plantations.
On the contrary, downtown is a bustling business district with skyscrapers. The older districts are dispersed throughout the city with buildings such as Devon House mansion, a 19th-century, million-dollar house.
The Bob Marley Museum at the reggae legend's former home is the city's famed attraction. Highlights include the singer's bedroom with Marley's star-shaped guitar, the bullet holes that still remain from an assassination attempt in 1976, and the tree under which Marley would smoke ganja and play music.
Downtown Kingston's waterfront area is undergoing a major restoration, but it's still a good place for a stroll along the water. You can visit the craft market set up on the docks for your choice of local artwork.
A few blocks westward is the National Gallery, displays a complete collection of Jamaican art. Every December it hosts a national exhibition of contemporary art.
A hike through the 200,000-acre Blue Mountains National Park is best appreciated when departing from Kingston. This nature sanctuary is home to many exotic plants and animals indigenous to Jamaica.
A relaxing day trip to Port Royal is a lovely way to evade the busy, commercial atmosphere of the city. Located across the harbor, Port Royal was once the hideout for pirates and bandits. It is now a slow-paced, fishing village with an abundance of charm.

The second largest city on the island, Montego Bay is a Mecca of tourist activity. Duty-free shopping allows for great deals on china, crystal and cigars. The Crafts Market sells regional specialties, such as straw baskets and hand woven cloth.
Outside the city, you can tour several working plantations and historic mansions. The tours explain how coffee, pineapples and other indigenous crops are cultivated.
The Rose Hall Great House, now restored, is the former home of Annie Palmer, who allegedly killed three men. It is said that her ghost still haunts the manor.
Appleton Estate is the home of the Appleton rum family. You can tour the distillery and sample the rum.
A typical pastime for visitors is the ever-so-popular river rafting adventures along the Martha Brae River. You can relax in the sun as you cruise through the beautiful overgrowth lining the water.
For a more active pursuit, you will want to stop by the 6,000-acre marine reserve with everything from pristine beaches to hip nightclubs. Montego Bay Marine Park offers divers, snorkelers, sailors and windsurfers a paradise of clear, tranquil waters and magnificent coral reefs. Land-dwellers can practice their swing at one of the four championship links or choose form several tennis courts. The amusement park, a new addition, guarantees fun in the sun with waterslides and go-karts. Finish of the day with a drink at a sports bar or listen to the newest hits at an updated disco.

Situated on the western point of the island, Negril boasts many luxury resorts and is characterized as tranquil and unhurried. It is ideal for romantic getaways because of its limestone cliffs and secluded coves. It also harbors the famous seven-mile beach, perfect for lazy days in the sun and watersports.
The main part of town has many sun-kissed beaches but no snorkeling, so you have to take a boat. On the western side of the city, known appropriately as West End or The Rock, there are beautiful cliffs that drop straight into the spray of the ocean waves. Exquisite caves and natural reefs make for an excellent day of snorkeling and exploring. However, there are no beaches along this part of the coast, so plan on staying around town for sunbathing.
Kingfish Point features beautiful underwater scenery with 90 to 110 feet depths. You are sure to see some fascinating marine life and exotic landscapes. A historical monument worth checking out is the Negril Point Lighthouse. It is 100 years old and is picturesque at night.

Ocho Rios, on the northern coast, is a natural haven of tropical flora and fauna. Shaw Park Gardens boasts cascading waterfalls and 250 species of birds in addition to the regional foliage.
This area is also home to Fern Gully, a three-mile long stretch of overgrown native ferns with some as tall as 30 feet.
The beaches along Ocho Rios are nothing but spectacular. Dunn's River Beach has limestone cliffs as a backdrop and is home to the infamous Dunn's River Falls. Many visitors venture to climb the infamous waterfalls only to plunge into the turquoise waters below.
The once home of the late British playwright Noel Coward is situated a few miles east of Ocho Rios. It is a quaint chalet atop a cliff overlooking the water - a truly postcard-perfect setting.
The nearby Port Marina has several examples of 19th-century architecture including the former home of Jamaican lieutenant governor Henry Morgan. Also, there is a working plantation known as Brimmer Hall.

It has an atmosphere unlike any other town in Jamaica with some superb old public buildings. It is an excellent base from which to explore inland or along the coast. The rainfall in this part of the island is very high. Consequently, the vegetation is verdant and overgrown.
Boston Bay, a popular bathing beach, is famous for its local jerk food. Several roadside cafes serve hot spicy chicken, pork or fish dishes that are mouthwatering. Surfers tend to migrate there, as the waves are relatively high.
Also worth visiting is Nonsuch Cave located a few miles to the southeast. Fossilized sea sponge, clamshells and a frozen waterfall on a mountainside can all be discovered here. There is also a plantation called the Seven Hills of Athenry.
Somerset Falls and Folly, a turn-of-the-century mansion that exemplifies Roman and Greek architecture, is about half an hour's walk around the bay. It is falling apart, but resembles a romantic tradition of greathouses in an open field with lovely views and grazing cows.
Only a seven-minute boat ride away, the 68-acre Navy Island, once owned by Errol Flynn, has pristine beaches including one 'au naturel' section, and a moderately expensive restaurant. Snorkeling is available at the nudist beach, but there are strong currents and not many fish. Also a popular attraction, the Errol Flynn Gallery has a display of movie stills and screenings of his golden oldies.
River rafting down the Rio Grande proves to be a relaxing day in the sun with beautiful landscapes all around. Each raft takes two passengers through magnificent scenery with an opportunity to stop along the way for lunch and some refreshing drinks.
The Rio Grande valley is also well worth exploring, including a trip to the Maroons, descendants of escaped slaves at Moore Town. Ancient artifacts and remnants of a time passed can be found at the museum.
To the west of the Rio Grande lie the north slopes of the Blue Mountains. Hiking is an unforgettable experience with incomparable vistas of the island and uncharted trails.
The majestic Blue Lagoon is just a few hours away from Port Antonio and boasts a 180-foot-deep 'Blue Hole' bordered by lush tropical vegetation. The water is an awe-inspiring shade of turquoise.