This Caribbean Island Is Famous For Beautiful Beaches and All-inclusive Resorts—and It's the Birthplace of Reggae and Jerk Cooking

Travel + Leisure

2 days ago

For over 70 years, Half Moon has been one of the most iconic resorts in the Caribbean, exuding a refined elegance that stands the test of time.
From Doctor's Cave Beach in Montego Bay to hidden stretches of sand at the far reaches of the island, there's a beach for every occasion in Jamaica.
Head to the hillside near Ocho Rios for a family-run, farm-to-table dining experience at Stush in the Bush, getting to the heart of Jamaica's tropical bounty with authentic island flavors.
Visit the sprawling estates of the island's interior to sip some of the world's best coffee amidst the untouched expanses of the Blue Mountains.
Less-visited Port Antonio feels remote and removed, hiding some of the island's best beaches and surprisingly cool accommodations in a destination that is nothing short of a tropical paradise.
Amidst a sea of indistinguishable beaches and impersonal all-inclusive resorts, only a lucky few Caribbean-bound travelers dive deeper to explore the profound depths and unbridled richness of what the region has to offer. However, even the casual observer can sense that one island breaks the mold of all the others.
Jamaica conjures captivating images all its own: the rhythms of reggae, jerk chicken best served beachside, and a shoreline punctuated by stretches of sand spanning every shade from white to glimmering gold. Even so, any local or seasoned Jamaica traveler who has gone further than the resort strip of Montego Bay can tell you that the island has still more to explore and experience.
"Adventure-seekers can go cliff-jumping or hike the Blue Mountains. Foodies can try the best of jerk cuisine and fresh seafood. If you're looking for wellness, find peaceful resorts that offer yoga, luxurious spas, Ital cuisine, and excursions to natural springs and waterfalls," says Shernette Crichton, general manager at the historic Half Moon in Montego Bay.
It's that profound abundance of appeal that has, for decades, made Jamaica one of the most perennially popular and captivating destinations in the Caribbean, drawing return visitors year after year. More than just the sum of its stereotypes, Jamaica is a force all its own, "an island that truly meets you where you're at," she muses.
Courtesy of Sandals Resorts
One of the most iconic resorts in the Caribbean, Half Moon has spread gracefully across the white sands of Montego Bay for more than 70 years. 400 seaside acres hide a championship golf course, multiple award-winning restaurants, an equestrian center, and an expansive spa and wellness space. But Half Moon is much more than its amenities; its most defining feature is how it effortlessly wears its decades of elegance while seamlessly integrating modern luxuries in a way that has kept it at the cutting edge. Choose from accommodations within the historic Founder's Cove or more modern rooms, suites, and residences at Eclipse by Half Moon. Coming soon, the refreshed Villas at Half Moon will offer getaways with space for the whole family.
Nestled between a championship golf course and the shimmering expanses of the Caribbean Sea, The Tryall Club is a collection of 74 private villas that, in many ways, is far from a classic Caribbean resort experience. Each villa at this 2,200-acre seaside property outside of Montego Bay has its dedicated staff, including a butler, chef, housekeeper, and more, giving it a home-away-from-home feel. Escape to the new spa or the Great House for gatherings with fellow guests. The brand-new Ooshan Bar and Restaurant is another highlight, featuring a modern twist on classic Jamaican flavors for lunch and dinner, though sunset hour cocktails with views over the water are hard to beat.
Clinging to the cliffside in Negril, Tensing Pen is a historic boutique hotel so special that it was chosen by Travel + Leisure readers as one of the best hotels in the world last year. Natural materials like local stone and wood used throughout the property's design make it meld into the island's rocky, rugged coastline, while amenities like a spa, yoga studio, and culinary experiences highlighting colorful Caribbean cuisine lend it a refinement that has long made it a stand-out place to stay. Its boutique size and tucked-away feel make it a romantic destination perfect for a reclusive vacation.
Celebrity guests like the Rolling Stones and Bob Marley have been plunging from the cliffs at Rockhouse Hotel & Spa in Negril since the 1970s, a storied past that lends an impossibly cool air to this 40-room property considered among the island's best boutique hotels. There are a number of different room styles to choose from here, though the thatched-roof villas made with hewn stone that dot the cliffside are breathtaking with their ocean views. Amidst so many other highlights, the culinary experience deserves attention, with menus at both restaurants that read like love letters to the island with ingredients from the oversized hydroponic greenhouse.
Jamaica didn't invent the all-inclusive vacation, but it certainly perfected it. Emerging from a top-to-toe transformation, Sandals Dunn's River is one of the best adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica. The property is newly foodie-focused with more than a dozen restaurants, and it feels deeply rooted in place with local art and design. 260 rooms come in 14 different categories, lending the property the unique ability to cater to every style of traveler and size of group. Still to come? The stretch of sand next door to this Ocho Rios institution is set to be transformed into Sandals Royal Dunn's River. Rafting in Martha Brae River.
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It's impossible to overstate the beachy beauty of Jamaica. Make Doctor's Cave Beach in Montego Bay your first stop before escaping to the world-famous Seven Mile Beach near Negril for, you guessed it, seven pristine miles of blissfully white sand. For more untouched shores, Frenchman's Cove in Portland is just as renowned for its natural feel as for the jerk chicken stands that set up shop nearby. South coast beaches, barely visited, feel like one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean.
There are a million and one reasons to venture into the verdant, rainforest-coated interior of Jamaica, but if we have to pick just one, we will choose rafting down the Martha Brae River outside of Montego Bay every single time. This is a rafting experience without a rapid in sight. Instead, slink slowly down the gentle river on a flat bamboo raft, drifting beneath tropical foliage. It's just as dreamy as it sounds, though it's best to avoid days when cruise ships are in port, as the river can feel busy.
The Bob Marley Museum, housed within the musician's former Kingston home, is an obligatory stop in Jamaica for any music lover. Pair the experience of an hour-long guided visit with a musical salute to the star by stopping at some of the island's most beloved reggae venues: Dubwise in the capital, Roots Bamboo in Negril, or the famous Pier 1 in Montego Bay. Diehard fans will want to plan their entire visit around Reggae Sumfest in July or Rebel Salute in January, with unforgettable shows that feature the homegrown and internationally renowned stars of reggae.
Travelers tend to flock to the stunning ultramarine sinkhole known as the Blue Hole in Ocho Rios, but we recommend skipping it in favor of the Blue Lagoon instead. Far fewer visitors make it to this stunning natural attraction, known for its impenetrably turquoise water, so mesmerizing that it was once thought to be bottomless. Visitors can paddle across its still surface on flat bamboo rafts or swim out to nearby monkey-less Monkey Island and spend the afternoon relaxing on its beautiful beach.
Grown in just a sliver of the high altitudes of the Blue and John Crow Mountain ranges, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is highly coveted, offering a unique flavor experience that coffee fans can't miss. Try it straight from the source at the historic Craighton Estate overlooking Kingston, or sign up for a tour that includes hiking and biking across multiple spots in the mountains. Spend the night at nearby Strawberry Hill, a boutique mountain property owned by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, to get the full Blue Mountain experience. A Jamaican curry dish.
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A winding route out of Ocho Rios through the immense lushness of the island's interior leads to Stush in the Bush, a vegan farm-to-table dining experience lovingly curated by Chris and Lisa Binns. This creative couple champions Ital cuisine, a plant-based culinary movement particular to Jamaica, welcoming visitors into their world with a farm tour and thoughtful dinner of handcrafted, locally-grown delights. Make sure to book ahead; this dining experience and mountainside destination is so beloved it made our list of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean.
Tucked into the mountainside that starts just meters from the sand, Half Moon's famed Sugar Mill is one of the most celebrated restaurants in the Caribbean. It offers a white tablecloth fine dining experience inside an 18th-century sugar mill surrounded by magical gardens illuminated by hanging lights. The menu calls on beloved Caribbean flavors and staple ingredients for highlights ranging from pumpkin soup to jerk-seasoned grilled short ribs and fresh fish. When it comes to fine dining in Jamaica, it is only potentially upstaged by Half Moon's newer Delmare restaurant, where Italian influences meet local flavors for inspirational dishes like Blue Mountain coffee-infused pasta.
"Scotchies is iconic for a reason–make sure to try the jerk chicken and pork," says Crichton of this Montego Bay institution, which many argue is the best jerk on the island. The rustic setup under thatched roofs is all part of the appeal as diners await large portions of expertly grilled and seasoned meats with rice and beans best enjoyed with a crisp, cold Red Stripe.
"For a more romantic setting, try The HouseBoat Grill, a floating restaurant in a marina that is great for seafood lovers," says Crichton. Just as its name implies, this oversized two-story vessel sits moored in the tranquil waters of Montego Bay, serving an extensive menu of mostly seafood dishes, but with a little something for every diner. A small ship ferries locals and visitors alike across the waves for lunch and dinner service, though sunset is the best time to enjoy. A person enjoying a beach near Montego Bay.
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Montego Bay is the undisputed beach capital of the island, with hotels and resorts of every shape and size lining its powdery fine sands. This is the ultimate destination for travelers looking for a convenient and quick fly-and-flop style getaway, though there are still quite a number of things to see and do in the area. Visit Martha Brae River and enjoy ziplining and hiking in the hillsides, or visit Rose Hall Great House for a look into the island's history.
The coastline of Negril, located on the west side of the island, feels impossibly varied, ranging from beautiful stretches of sand to craggy cliffs that plunge dramatically into the sea. Stay at Tensing Pen or Rockhouse Hotel & Spa for the raw beauty of the rocky shoreline, or something more classically Caribbean like Beaches Negril for a family-friendly stay along a white-sand beach.
Ocho Rios feels like a getaway within a getaway, home to an impressive number of resorts and hotels yet removed and relaxed enough for some serious R&R. Make sure to swim in the Blue Hole and hike to nearby Dunn's River Falls, or head to Mystic Mountain for ziplining and jungle bobsledding. Fans of 007 rejoice: Ocho Rios is also home to GoldenEye, where Ian Fleming wrote the original James Bond stories, and James Bond Beach, where Dr. No was filmed in 1962.
Even if you're itching to hit the beach, don't skip Kingston. There is plenty to see and do in Jamaica's vibrant capital city, from the must-visit Bob Marley Museum and the National Gallery of Jamaica to award-winning restaurants and buzzing dance halls. Cap your visit to the city with a stop at Devon House, part monument and part gastronomic destination, where visitors can chow down on everything from lobster-stuffed patties and jerk chicken to Jamaican stout-flavored ice cream.
On Jamaica's less-visited eastern side, Port Antonio feels utterly tranquil and untouched compared to some of the island's more sizeable seaside towns. Come here for surfing, hidden cove beaches, and delicious local food at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Starting this year, guests can even stay at Diplo's house, one of the most hotly anticipated new properties in the Caribbean, for sweeping views overlooking the mountainside and ocean. People on a Jamaica beach during sunset.
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The best time to visit Jamaica is between December and April, when crystal-clear skies and slightly cooler temps make for gorgeous stretches of weeks on end that seem tailor-made for a trip to the beach. Such dreamy weather draws visitors escaping snow and ice back home, so expect beaches to be busier and prices higher during this season.
May provides a small window where visitors can enjoy nice weather with smaller crowds and lower prices, but with the start of the Atlantic hurricane season in June comes an increased likelihood of warmer, wetter weather. Hurricane season lasts through November, but travelers who don't mind a higher risk of rainy skies will quickly find that Jamaica can be a beautiful destination year-round.
"For a cultural high, plan to visit around Carnival in April," advises Kenton Jones, managing director of The Tryall Club. Jamaica's Carnival celebrations are some of the biggest and most boisterous in the Caribbean, complete with parades, parties, and over-the-top costumes made for getting down to calypso and soca music. Music lovers will want to plan a trip to Montego Bay's annual Reggae Sumfest, which draws a lineup of the biggest names in reggae for parties that last from dawn to dusk.
Jamaica has two primary international airports: Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay and Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston. For travelers headed to the beach, flying into Montego Bay tends to be the best option, offering decent proximity and shorter travel times to popular destinations on the north and west coasts, like Ocho Rios and Negril. Kingston is the best choice for travelers sticking to the city or headed to destinations like the Blue Mountains and Port Antonio on the east side of the island.
Whether flying through Montego Bay or Kingston, travelers should have no problem finding convenient flights; these airports are among the busiest and best-served in the Caribbean. Aerial over Falmouth port in Jamaica.
You may be just as surprised as I was to learn that driving around the entire island of Jamaica can take up to 16 hours. Distances here are further than expected, so leave plenty of travel time in your itinerary if you plan to crisscross the island. "Renting a car is an option if you like flexibility and do not mind driving Jamaican-style," says Jones, though drivers should be aware that traffic flows on the left side of the road, a vestige of British rule.
For those who'd prefer to leave navigating island roads to the more experienced, "I'd recommend hiring a private driver to get around the island," says Crichton. "It makes day trips easier and allows you to have flexibility while customizing your own tour of Jamaica." Or, for a more budget-friendly option, consider Knutsford Express for reliable and air-conditioned coach service.
For local trips, travelers can rely on taxis. While rideshare apps like Uber exist in major cities in Jamaica, driver shortages can make rides expensive. Uber has also faced pushback from local leaders, making upcoming changes in usage and fees likely.