Fun activities in Jamaica

(Fri Jul 16th, 2010, by Karen Thompson)

Jamaica is synonymous with the sun, sand and sea but there is much that you can do besides lounging away on the beach, enjoying the sight of the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea. If it is a private beach that you want, know that there are some Jamaica accommodation rentals such as silver sands vills that encompass their own private beach where you can laze away in the sun away from the crowds, build sand castles with your kids, make friends with other guests should you wish to socialize, and if the sun gets too hot, go swimming or snorkelling into the turquoise waters. Outside the comfort of your Jamaica villas, cottages or apartments, here are some activities that you can consider.

Land activities

There are many ways to experience the invigorating beauty of this island. Go hiking, horse back riding, biking or take ATV tours to explore the terrain. Also, if you are in Jamaica, you have to visit its beaches. Some of the best ones are to be found in Negril, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. The beaches are teeming with activity with tourists, vendors of knick knacks, hair braiders, and chefs making and selling jerked meat all sharing space. Some of the notable beaches include Seven Miles Beach, Frenchman's Cove and Boston Beach. In fact it is at Boston Beach that jerked meat acquired its fame.

You can also climb up the Dunn's River Falls, zip through the jungle canopy or spend the day in a jeep safari. If you are looking for something less adventurous, you can visit plantation houses, parks, reserves and botanical gardens. Kingston is the cultural and arts centre of the island and here you can browse through galleries and museums such as Marley Museum, more so if you are a reggae fan.

Water activities

Jamaica is home to some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean. There are plenty of opportunities available for snorkelling, kayaking, jet skiing, sailing and deep sea fishing. Most of the rivers in Jamaica are navigable and you can for white water rafting and bamboo rafting. Some of the best sites for water activities are Ocho Rios, Negril and Montego Bay.

Food

If you are staying in jamica villes, you can prepare your own food or have the cook prepare you the choicest of local dishes. This is another advantage of staying in private rentals – you can save money by eating in. Should you wish to go out, you can ask the staff of the villas about the best restaurants and roadside stands where you can try out local or other cuisine.