GUIDE TO Jamaica INSIDER GUIDE TO JAMAICA Jamaica Picture Jamaica. Can you hear the twinkling steel drums and reggae beats? Are you walking across those white sands, bright blue waters gently lapping at your feet? Tasting a mouthwatering jerk dish, morsels covered in that exquisite sweet, fruity, spicy sauce? Wherever your mind wanders to when you picture Jamaica, welcome to our mini destination guide to this adventurous and laidback Caribbean paradise. With miles of coastline, brilliant green flora as far as the eye can see, and a rich and fascinating culture, Jamaica is a Caribbean destination that constantly surprises travellers. Population: 2.6 million Capital: Kingston National Anthem: Jamaica, Land We Love National motto: Out of Many, One People Currency: Jamaican dollar Official Language: English Climate Jamaica has a tropical climate, with a wet and a dry season, but is generally warm and sunny all year round. Hurricane season usually runs from June to November. Average Monthly Temperature: Jamaica Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 30° 30° 31° 31° 32° 32° 33° 33° 32° 32° 31° 31° Interesting facts... Jamaica is home to the largest Christopher Columbus landed in Jamaica on The mongoose was botanical gardens in the 5th May 1494 and the first Spanish colonists introduced to the island, from Caribbean, Hope Gardens, at arrived in 1509. On 10th May 1655, Britain India, to kill snakes in the 200 acres in size defeated the Spanish, granting Jamaica sugar cane fields independence in 1962 The first James Bond film, Dr ‘Negril’ is thought to be named after the Ian Fleming wrote the Bond No, released in 1962, was large amount of black eels along the novels from his home, filmed in Ocho Rios, and Negril coast or the black cliffs south of the GoldenEye, in Jamaica and it’s Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise, area. The name is a shortened version of now part of 52-acre GoldenEye was filmed in Port Antonio ‘Negrillo’, which means ‘little back ones’, Resort & Spa and was given by the Spanish in 1494 There are 290 bird species in Jamaica has mountains! Although it’s often Jamaica’s national flower Jamaica, more than on any thought of as a flat tropical island, Jamaica’s is the Lignum vitae, meaning other island in the Caribbean highest point is Blue Mountain Peak at 2,256m ‘Tree of Life’ (7,402ft) above sea level Try something different Gaze at hidden waterfalls Hike to the highest point on the island Jamaica’s mountainous interior, along with plenty of Lace up your hiking boots and set yourself a challenge rainfall, have created magnificent waterfalls for visitors to – to hike up the Blue Mountain Peak to Jamaica’s highest marvel at. point. This giant peak stands inside the dramatic Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, awarded Head just nine miles outside of Kingston to discover UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2015. Cane River Falls, nestled inside Cane River Falls Park. This secluded waterfall is popular with locals and was At 2,256m (7,402ft) above sea level, it takes about four reputedly frequented by Bob Marley who would go hours to make the seven-mile climb to the top of Blue there to wash his dreadlocks! Mountain Peak - plus another three or so for the journey In Ocho Rios, take a trip to Turtle River Falls and Gardens. down. The path is narrow, rugged, and steep but the Located within the 15-acre tropical garden lies Turtle view at the top is unbeatable, not to mention the River Falls, a combination of 14 cascading waterfalls incredible scenery you’ll clamber past. Make sure to surrounded by an abundance of exotic birds and plants. keep your camera handy as you walk through the brilliant green canopy, it’s a perfect opportunity to spot a For panoramic views of Ocho Ricos and the Caribbean Jamaican Tody or swallow-tailed hummingbird. Sea, visit Mahoe Falls. Situated within the spectacular Coyaba River Gardens, it’s a delightful spot to head to after taking a relaxing swim in the sparkling pools. Explore underground caves Head off the beaten track and explore Jamaica’s scenic northern coast and its intriguing underground world. Delve into the Green Grotto Caves, which take their name from green algae that covers the walls, and learn about their fascinating and diverse history as shelter, hideout, and rum storehouse! Located near Runaway Bay, on a trip to the caves you’ll be guided through a maze of stalactites and stalagmites, passageways and chambers until you reach the grotto, where you’ll find translucent water in the mesmerising underground lake. TC Recommended: Jamaica Take a look at some of our Travel Counsellors’ recommendations for a unique, once in a lifetime experience in Jamaica “My family and I visited Jamaica in January 2016. We absolutely loved it! The beauty that is Jamaica, the culture, the music and the food is not to be missed. It’s a wonderful part of the world. My absolute must-do is a visit to the Blue Hole in Ocho Rios. It’s not overrun with tourists as yet as the cruise ships don't include it on their shore excursions, and you’ll find pristine waterfalls amidst a beautiful tropical backdrop. The guides at the Blue Hole are brilliant and will ensure that you take the best memories with you. They are also great with helping younger children make their way up the waterfall climb. My other recommendations? Montego Bay would have to be on the list. Dr Caves beach has a cover charge, but is certainly beautiful, and Rose Hall is also an interesting visit.” Travel Counsellor Donna “We stayed at Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spa and had a great time. Negril is located on the “My top tip is to make sure you visit Dunn's River west of the island and we were based on seven Falls – it’s a must for everyone, as well as great fun! mile beach. Pristine white powdery sand that I also recommend the Jamaica Bobsled Tranopy, leads to a beautiful turquoise calm sea…picture- which is not for the fainthearted!” postcard stuff!” Travel Counsellor Joanne Travel Counsellor Derek To share your special holiday memories, please upload your images to your social media account using #TCexperience 6 must-try flavours of Jamaica Here, we’ve compiled our six favourite nibbles and tipples to inspire you to take a foodie journey around Jamaica. If you don’t have time to sample all of the specialties this Caribbean island has to offer, make sure you taste the tingling, mouthwatering flavours of jerk chicken! 1. JERK CHICKEN Of course, we couldn’t indulge in Jamaican cuisine without covering the infamous dish that is jerk. Jerk is a style of cooking originating from Jamaica in which meat is dry rubbed or marinated in a special blend of jerk spices, including Scotch bonnet peppers and allspice. This seasoning was traditionally applied to pork and chicken but can just about be added to any meat or fish. We definitely recommend sampling this vibrant delicacy during your stay and it’s available at traditional jerk shacks as well as restaurants all around the island. 2. ACKEE AND SALTFISH Jamaica’s national dish, ackee and saltfish, is a mouthwatering concoction of salted cod and ackee, a fruit originally imported from Ghana but cooked and used as a vegetable. This is a delicious sweet and salty treat that can be enjoyed both at breakfast and dinner! 3. CURRIED LOBSTER What better way to have a true Jamaican experience than sampling fresh flavours straight from the sea? From fine dining to the quirky and authentic marketplaces, Jamaica’s seafood dishes are aplenty. Infused with local spices, we recommend trying curried lobster or coconut shrimp. Bursting with flavour, these dishes are a perfect blend of fresh crustaceans and seasoning. 4. RUM First distilled on the sugarcane plantations of the Caribbean in the 17th century, Jamaica holds great pride in the divine rum available across the island, and rightly so. From light to gold, dark to spiced, you are guaranteed to find a flavour you love. Whether you sip rum neat or in a cooling cocktail on the beach, you’ll probably find yourself seeking a rum souvenir to take home! 5. BREADFRUIT The name is something of a giveaway with this unusual yet delicious fruit. One of Jamaica’s most versatile fruits, this exotic delicacy actually tastes of bread! The potato-like consistency of this carbohydrate means breadfruit can be used in all sorts of dishes. You’ll see it baked, fried and boiled, making breadfruit chips, puddings, and even porridge! 6. JAMAICA BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE Caffeine fiends will delight in the chance to sample the most expensive bean in the world - Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee. With a mellow, sweet, aromatic and mild flavour, the blue-green bean is extremely rare as it’s only grown in the Blue Mountains and the prestigious plantations produce very small quantities, regulated by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica. If you love a cup of joe, don’t miss the chance to sip this exceptional coffee in its native environment. Our favourite sights Dunn’s River Falls, Ocho Rios Slip on your trainers or water shoes, grab the hand of the person in front of you, and get ready to slowly clamber up the waterfall’s slippery rocks, through rockpools and cascading water. 180m (600ft) of clear (and cold!) mountain water runs down the rocks, and climbing up through the waterfall is an experience in itself.