10 Reasons To Book A Jamaica Holiday Right Now
From jaw dropping waterfalls to jerk chicken, river rafting to Reggae – a Jamaica holiday offers much more than stunning beaches and luxury hotels.
Jamaica has some of the Caribbean’s best beaches, best nightlife, and the best food! Located in the centre of the Caribbean Sea, this naturally beautiful island is a paradise for active holidaymakers too: you can hike the Blue Mountains, climb to the top of Duns River Falls, enjoy countless water sports in the Caribbean Sea or dance all night with its reggae-loving locals! Isn’t it about time you added a Jamaica holiday to your bucket list?
I have teamed up with the long haul travel experts at Tropical Sky, who offer a wide range of holidays to Jamaica. They can price your preferred date and duration, add on a stopover in the US, or arrange a twin or multi-centre holiday in the Caribbean. Tropical Sky can be contacted online, by phone, or you can visit their Customer Lounge in Dublin if you prefer to arrange a holiday in person.
Some of the world’s best adult only all inclusive resorts are located in Jamaica, but there are fabulous family hotels and unique stays too. I’ve highlighted some the best places to stay in Jamaica, and my top reasons to consider booking a Jamaica holiday this year.
1. The Flight Connections are Superb
As well as numerous flight options via the US from Irish airports, there are direct flights to Montego Bay from Heathrow four times weekly at 3.45pm with Virgin Atlantic. Montego Bay is not only a more convenient airport than Kingston for holidays in Jamaica, from 29th March, its afternoon flight options mean you won’t have to worry about overnight layovers in London or catching early red-eye flights, these are common hassles with holidays to many other Caribbean destinations.
2. Jamaica has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean
There are over 50 public beaches in Jamaica, as well as hidden coves and pristine private beaches, but if I had to pick one to visit, it has to be Seven Mile Beach in Negril. This is regarded one of the Caribbean’s best beaches, and not just because of its stunning white sands and crystal clear waters – there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and water sports available there too. The once peaceful village of Negril is now one of the best resorts in Jamaica, and boasts a laid back party atmosphere with a host of luxury hotels – see more on these below.
Top Tip: Make sure to pop over to Rick’s Cafe and watch the sunset, it is just a short drive away. Rick’s Cafe is a landmark in Jamaica and has been perched on the West End Cliffs for 50 years! Sunsets and parties are legendary here, as are the mesmerising cliff divers, it is one of the top places to visit in Jamaica.
3. There are amazing adult only hotels in Jamaica
Jamaica is home to some of the best adult-only resorts in the Caribbean. There are seven Sandals Resorts here, four Couples Resorts and two Secrets Resorts, as well as ultra luxury options such as Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall. For a romantic stay, Couples all inclusive resorts in Jamaica are hard to beat. You will find a more boutique-style offering at Couples, compared to some of the larger all inclusive resorts. I have chosen two here that are guaranteed to give you the wow factor!
Couples Swept Away is located just steps away from Seven Mile Beach in Negril. This fun romantic resort boasts 24 hour dining with unlimited premium brand drinks, fabulous rooms, and a host of complimentary activities including water sports, tennis, golf, and a scuba diving resort course.
Couples Sans Souci is another show-stopper located on the north coast of Ocho Rios. Its hill top location offers stunning views of the sea and mountains from your private balcony. Similarly it offers 24 hour dining and premium brand drinks, as well as as wellness activities such as Yoga, Pilates and meditation classes. Make sure to pop over to Charlie’s Veggie Bar afterwards and enjoy some freshly made smoothies, or grab a coconut and the bar tenders will split it open for you!
4. You can climb a waterfall!
There are over 100 waterfalls and rivers to discover in Jamaica, but Dunn’s River Falls is the most famous, and a must do in Jamaica. I recall climbing Dunn’s River Falls many moons ago and absolutely loved the experience!
Dunn’s River Falls are 960ft tall and are a living and growing phenomenon that draw thousands of tourists each year. Not only are the falls visually beautiful, but you will experience an immense sense of achievement once you reach the top!
The unique terraced falls make them relatively easy to climb, assuming you have a reasonable level of fitness, but don’t worry if you feel you may not reach the top – there are paths at either side that you can move to if the need arises.
5. Jamaica has some fabulous family resorts
You may be forgiven for thinking Jamaica is an adults only paradise, and while this may be true in some resorts, there are lots of things to do with kids in Jamaica, they can even climb their very own waterfall at Konoko Falls & Park.
Tropical Sky has six resorts which pass their checks for great family holidays in Jamaica. All offer babysitting and kids clubs, most have interconnecting rooms for larger families, and some have water slides by the pool.
Azul Beach Resort offers great value for a family stay and has seven pools, a splash park and kids club for younger families – make sure to check out the Family Loft Suite! Another great choice is the Hilton Rose Hall. With a lazy river, huge water park, kids and teens clubs, championship golf course, and a spa, it definitely keeps all the family amused. And for families looking for luxury villas, and don’t want a typical All Inclusive resort, then enjoy ultra luxury at Half Moon.
For families looking for one of the best all inclusive family hotels in Jamaica, make sure to check out Beaches Negril. Set in 20 acres of tropical gardens with a water park, kids camps from infants to teens, as well as Sesame Street® adventure, children will be spoilt for choice here. Parents will love the 11 chef inspired restaurants, 7 bars including swim-up bars, and the host of complimentary water sports and activities available on the fabulous Seven Mile Beach, including scuba diving.
6. Go river rafting or river-tubing through the rainforest
Jamaica may be famous for its stunning beaches and unique waterfalls, but it’s rivers are another top attraction in Jamaica. You can choose a relaxing trip on a 30-foot bamboo raft along the Martha Brae River, while a local raftsman steers you through Jamaica’s enchanting jungle, or a try a thrilling river-tubing adventure down Jamaica’s Rio Bueno – both are great activities you should consider during your Jamaica holiday.
7. Jamaica has amazing nightlife
The home of Bob Marley and Reggae music, it should come as no surprise that Jamaica is considered the liveliest island in the Caribbean. It’s energetic, fun and lively atmosphere have been attracting travellers for many years.
From open-air beach parties to pulsating nightclubs, upmarket cocktail bars to reggae beach bars, Jamaica has nightlife to cater for every type of traveller. And if you want to combine a little culture while you party, take a Bob Marley tour, book a Reggae catamaran cruise, or enjoy the electrifying Reggae Sumfest festival that takes place in July.
If you want to party into the small hours then perhaps you should choose a hotel that offers great nightlife too! Breathless Montego Bay is a contemporary adult-only all-inclusive hotel that has a DJ at the pool’s swim up bar, and rooftop pool and bar that is open until 2 am. The Unlimited Luxury All Inclusive arrangement includes premium brand drinks, limitless dining and 24 hour room service, as well as access to Secrets Resorts next door, including their bars, restaurants and activities.
8. Jamaica is a paradise for food lovers
Home of Jerk Chicken, and unique spicy cuisine, Jamaica is a foodie’s paradise. You may see Jerk Chicken on menus at home, but if you want authentic jerk chicken then you have to come to Jamaica! You will find it in gourmet style restaurants as well as street-food outlets, but don’t leave until you have tried it!
Jamaica’s location in the Caribbean Sea means you can expect delicious seafood too – make sure to try mahi-mahi. Jamaica also has great comfort street-food, as well as authentic vegan dishes. Long before vegan food became fashionable, Jamaica’s Ital diet was practiced by Rastafarians for vitality and energy, so you if you are a vegetarian or a vegan, you won’t be left wanting in Jamaica.
9. Jamaica offers superb unique stays
If you want to swap the large all inclusive resorts for an authentic Jamaica holiday, Tropical Sky has a choice of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
The stylish 33-roomed Sandy Haven Resort offers a great value boutique stay on Jamaica’s Seven Mile Beach in Negril, while the Round Hill Hotel and Villas offers a luxurious stay in a former sugar plantation. With interiors designed by Ralph Lauren and a choice of rooms including two to six-bedroom villas, this exclusive resort is one of the best hotels in Jamaica.
The Jamaica Inn has been welcoming Hollywood legends since the 1950s and offers timeless elegance in a luxurious but relaxed setting. Its colonial-style interiors where antiques blend seamlessly with modern furnishings, add to its unique character. You can stay on a B&B, Half Board or All Inclusive basis, although this is not a typical all inclusive Jamaica hotel. The all inclusive arrangements allows you to enjoy a meal in local restaurants, once you stay for five nights or more.
10. You can swim in the Blue Lagoon
Jamaica is home to numerous Blue Holes or Blue Lagoons, named for the striking colour of their mineral-rich pools. The most famous Blue Hole is located in the hills above Ocho Rios at the Island Gully Falls. Along with nearby Dunn’s River Falls, it is one Jamaica’s top instagram locations.
It is worth a visit just to see this natural beauty and to enjoy the walking trails that surround it, but if you are brave enough you can climb the lower cliffs and jump off into the pools below, and stand beneath the falls to feel the force of water!
The Blue Lagoon in Portland is also a popular choice as there is more room to swim here. This is where the Brooke Shields movie The Blue Lagoon was made, and it is also located close to Cocktail Beach where some of the movie Cocktail was filmed.
I hope my recommendations on where to stay in Jamaica and top things to do there will help you plan a fabulous Jamaica holiday soon. These are just a small sample of the many Jamaica holidays that Tropical Sky offer, you can see more on TropicalSky.ie. You can submit an enquiry online, contact them by phone, or you can visit their Customer Lounge in Dublin if you prefer to arrange a holiday in person.
While every effort was made to ensure accuracy, descriptions and activities are subject to change. This post was sponsored by Tropical Sky, but all views, as always, are my own.
