Gardens to See in Jamaica

While there are a number of things to do and see in Jamaica, you won’t want to miss some of the most beautiful gardens found in the world. Jamaica is home to numerous botanical gardens, including Castleton, Bath, Cinchona, Hope Gardens, and Clydesdale.

To listen to an Audio Version of this Jamaica Travel Tip, click this arrow:
 

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Castleton Botanical Garden is located in St. Mary. It was established in 1862, and has a wide variety of plants. The garden was originally home to more than four thousand plants that originated from the English Garden at Kew. Special plants that were first introduced to Jamaica, starting here, include Navel Orange, Tangerine, Spathodea, Bombay Mango, and Poinciana. Here, you will also find Strychnos, which is what many medicines, as well as the poison Strychnine, are made of.

The Bath Botanical Gardens are much smaller than the Castleton Gardens, but they have historical value, as this was the second botanical garden to be developed in the western hemisphere. Bath is located in St. Thomas, but it was destroyed in the 19th century when the Sulphur River flooded. While it is still maintained, the project was relocated to Castleton in 1862.

The Cinchona Botanical Gardens were planted in 1868 in St. Andrew. Nothing is currently cultivated or studied here, however, there are plans to get things started here again in the near future. It is still worth a visit for the spectacular views of the Blue Mountains, the Liguanea Plains, Kingston, and Strawberry Hill.

The Hope Gardens were established in 1881 in St. Andrew, covering two hundred acres of the Hope Estate. The land was acquired by the Government for experimental gardening, where new varieties of sugar cane were planted, covering most of the gardens, with ten acres reserved for planting teak, Trinidad Cocoa, Pineapples, and Liberian Coffee.

The Clydesdale Gardens, in St. Andrew, has become a national park. It is very relaxing and secluded, and hidden in the hills of the Blue Mountains. Coffee was once produced here, and you can still see the water wheel and the barbecues.

Of all of the botanical gardens, the Castleton is the one that you definitely don’t want to miss, as this is the one that is still well maintained today. The Wag Water River runs through Castleton, and you are free to swim here.

There are other lush and beautiful parks throughout Jamaica that are not considered botanical gardens. These include the Hollywell National Park, National Heros Park, St. William Grant Park, Claude Stuart Park, Seville Heritage Park, Nelson Mandela Park, Wynter’s Park, Serenity Park, Independence Park, Blue Mountain Peak, and Long Mountain.

Of these parks, Blue Mountain Peak is not to be missed. From here, you can see points of the Caribbean Ocean as it meets Jamaica, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Cuba. Seville Heritage Park is also something special. It is located in St. Ann, on the historic Seville Estate. Here, you will be able to view a collection of artifacts in the Great House from the Tainos culture, as well as the African and European cultures.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , ,

All Inclusive Montego Bay Vacation

Montego Bay is the second largest city of Jamaica. It is widely known as MoBay. Miles and miles of steamy beaches and coconut grooves surround the city. The city houses the international airport of Jamaica; therefore, most of the international tourists start their Jamaica vacations from this city. The surroundings of the city are attractive and gorgeous.

If you want to laze around in sea, sun and sand, then Montego Bay Jamaica all inclusive vacation offers a nice chance to experience all these things. The tours include a visit to picturesque beaches, fascinating mountains and a wide range of beach activities.

Montego Bay is the flourishing corporate hub of Jamaica and it serves as the major market city for most of western Jamaica. The city sponsors both a rising industrial center and cruise ship tourism. Tourists can visit various tourist attractions of the city during their Montego Bay Jamaica all inclusive vacation tours.

Some major tourist places in and around Montego Bay are Fort Montego, Georgian house, The Cage, Parish church, Old Fort Craft Park and Sam Sharpe Square. Besides, there are many beachfront resorts at Montego and all of them provide various beach activities, adventure and fun to the tourists.

Fort Montego is one of the major attractions of the city. The fort is located up the Miranda Hill. Earlier, there were 17 field guns in the fort, but today there is only one of them. The fort had seen more comedian Jamaican films than battles. Georgian House is another attractive building in the city, which houses two bungalows. Wealthy businesspersons who thought that one would serves as residence of his wife and another as the house for his mistress constructed the building.

Tourists should not miss a visit to the Old Fort Craft Park in the Montego Bay Jamaica all inclusive vacation. The place is flooded with beautiful shell jewelry, t-shirts and attractive woodcarvings. You can purchase various eye-catching souvenirs from this market. The streets of the market are full with vegetables and fruit stalls. Sam Sharpe Square is an open place named after Sam Sharpe, a local idol who organized the Christmas Rebellion of 1831. The revolution finally resulted in the liberation of Jamaican slaves.

The Cage is an ancient building in the city constructed with bricks. Name of the building is suitable, as it served as a confine for runaway slaves and drunks that were detained on the streets.

If you are looking for excitement and enjoyment during Montego Bay Jamaica all inclusive vacation, then visit the Rose Hall. It is the most famous Grand House of Montego. The house is restructured on a sugar plantation. The structure of this ancient house is eye-catching and it represents the architectural marvels of bygone Jamaica.

You may have gone to many places for family vacations but the experience with Montego Bay Jamaica all inclusive vacation is always enthralling and exciting. Arrange Montego vacations to enjoy various beach activities and scenic glory of the beaches.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Legal Formalities For A Wedding In Jamaica

There are many reasons why getting married abroad is popular, and when it comes to getting married in Jamaica, one of the main reasons is the location! What could be more romantic than being married on a beautiful beach, or in an air conditional hotel reception room overlooking the ocean? At one time this was no more than a fleeting dream many brides-to-be would have as they stressed their way through the seemingly endless decisions associated with a traditional wedding at home. These days, more and more couples are opting for a Jamaican wedding in paradise where the emphasis is on them and not the “details”. But how legal is it?

If your intention of going to Jamaica is to get married, then there are some things you need to make sure that you have in order beforehand.

First of all, you must be over the age of 18. If one or both of you are under 18 then written parental consent must be supplied for whoever is underage.

Both the bride and groom must also supply a birth certificate which shows their nationality, and father’s name.

If either the bride or the groom (or both) has been married before then additional paperwork that proves they are now free to remarry must be shown, such as a death certificate, or a certificate of divorce.

There are other restrictions as regards place, and time of marriages but the legal paperwork is very straightforward. If you are staying at a hotel, it would be advisable to put your arrangements in the hands of their wedding planner. They will ensure that all the formalities are completed, that you obtain your license on time, and can be married when you want. They can also advise on such things as venue, and if necessary even secure you the services of a photographer or someone to video the marriage.

As long as you comply with all the local necessities, and obtain your license, you can find yourself married in less than 48 hours! Remember, if you get married in Jamaica, you’re legally married! The marriage is recognized by the US, so don’t do something that you’ll regret later.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , ,

Amazing Beaches in Jamaica

The beaches in Jamaica are amazing and worth visiting. Some of the major Jamaican beaches are Doctor’s Cave Beach, Seven Mile Beach, Boston Bay Beach, Treasure Beach, Cornwall Beach, Fairy Hill Beach, Hellshire Beach, James Bond Beach and Mallards Beach. On the beaches of Jamaica, you can laze around in the rich sunlight, observe the unending sea or taste a sip of unusual hot drinks. Resting on the sunny sands is always a nice experience.

Tourists can enjoy various beach activities on the beaches of Jamaica. You can try water sailing, windsurfing, parasailing and scuba diving on these beaches. All the beaches serve as a haven for swimmers and adventure lovers. Deep-water fishing facilities are also available on some of the beaches. The location of some of these beaches are so charming and gorgeous that you will forget everything while observing the glory of the nature here.

Ocho Rios is one of the popular Jamaican beaches. The beach is famous for the Blue Mountains, the kingdom of flora and fauna. The mountains are full with dense plantations of coffee and you can taste the world famous coffee here during your visit. Mallard Beach is another beautiful beach in this region, which is sited in the center of Ocho Rios. The beach is surrounded by many hotels. The specialty of this beach is that the beach is untouched by modern civilization; therefore, it is the perfect place getting away from the workloads of daily life.

Grande Beach is an eye-catching community beach on Jamaica’s rich shores. The beach is not far from the colonized areas of Jamaica, yet people do not heavily occupy it. The scenery of Grande Beach increases the glory of it.

Boston Bay Beach is located near Port Antonio. The beach is known for its white sands, plain waters and grand jerk pork stands. This beach has the biggest waves in Jamaica, and you can hire surfboards here to enjoy surfing.

Cornwall Beach is one of the most famous Jamaican beaches. The beach is located near the Montego Bay and it is surrounded by smooth, pasty, sugary sand.

Doctor’s Cave Beach is famous for its five-mile stretch of fair sand. The water here is easygoing and suitable for swimming. The are beach houses, some changing rooms and a bar. It is one of the perfect spots to enjoy vacation with your family.

Negril beaches are famous for many reasons. Seven Mile Beach is the major attraction of Negril. This picturesque beach is extended 7-miles beside the west coast and golden sands cover it. The beach is suitable for the whole family to enjoy various beach activities. You must be carful though as there are some nudist patches where you will find all the tourists naked. So be aware of your surroundings, especially if you have children.

Thus, Jamaican beaches are full off various beach activities and one should not miss a them while visiting the islands of West Indies.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Is A Jamaican Vacation Right For You

Negril, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay are the major beaches of Jamaica. All of them are eye-catching and famous for plain turquoise Caribbean waters. Tourists can explore all these beaches during their Jamaica Vacations.

There are many tourist attractions near Jamaica including the Doctor’s Cave Beach, Seven Mile Beach, Boston Bay Beach, Treasure Beach, Cornwall Beach, The Black River, Somerset Falls and Green Grotto Caves. Do not miss a visit to some of these picturesque places during Jamaica vacations. Many hotels and beachfront resorts are waiting for you in Jamaica. All the hotels and resorts offer various modern amenities and facilities to the guests during their stay in the resort.

Negril is one of the main tourist attractions of Jamaica. The beach is world famous for its seven-mile extend of pasty sand. Negril is an ideal place to enjoy the Caribbean surroundings. Negril is also famous for the Black River Safari. Here you can go for a dip in quiet waters of Black river or can trial Jamaican rum at the Appleton Estate.

The Black River is a dwelling for crocodiles, so in the river you can find various rare species of crocodiles. Tourists can spend some of the time in shopping in the street shops of Negril. Shops of Negril are full with a wide range of craft goods and artifact items.

Ocho Rios is another most gorgeous tourist attraction of Jamaica. The place is renowned for Blue Mountains. A visit to Ocho Rios takes you in the territory of flora and fauna of the Blue Mountains. Besides, the world famous coffee is cultivated in this region of Jamaica. There are many coffee plantations in this area. Tourists can taste the world famous coffee during their Jamaica vacations.

Montego Bay is another busy tourist destination of Jamaica, where you can take pleasure in Bamboo River rafting and swimming in the waterfalls of Dunn’s River. Cornwall beach is also sited near Montego Bay. The beach is always crowded and is surrounded by smooth, pasty, sugary sand.

The water of the beach is clear and humid and it is the perfect place to take the whole family. There are another three beaches near Montego including Walter Fletcher Beach, Doctor’s Cave Beach and Cornwall Beach. All the three beaches are famous for water sports and sightseeing.

Treasure Beach is one of the scenic beaches of Jamaica, which is located on the south coast of the island. The beach is crowd free; therefore, one should not miss a visit to the place during Jamaica vacations. Swimming is risky here because of the roaring waves.

Tourists can also visit the Green Grotto Caves during Jamaica tours. The sandstone caves are beautiful and worth visiting. Thus, Jamaica vacations offer a fine opportunity of exploring the natural beauty and various beaches of Jamaica.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , ,

Celebrate Your Wedding in Jamaica

Imagine yourself out for long vacations in the exciting beaches of Jamaica, the land of Caribbean ocean and you plan your wedding there. Nothing could be more exciting than a Jamaica vacation wedding. Many couples come here to celebrate their wedding ceremonies.

Coral cove is an excellently beautiful piece of heaven that is positioned on five acres with a personal bay and beach. This part of land has been designed with an idea of wedding. Coral Cove is completely dedicated to provide you all wedding facilities and to convert your every wish into an actuality. The Coral Cove has built a gorgeous open reception pavilion at the top of the Turtle beach, because of the high demand for better weddings.

You can celebrate your Jamaica vacation wedding at Coral Cove with a group of your family and friends to make the ceremony memorable one. The Coral Cove provides personal services, the marriage certificate, and an official person to carry out the ceremony.

Wedding ceremony can be organized in the garden or on the beach. You will also get several brides’ garlands from Coral Cove. Apart from that, the group also provides a staff photographer to shoot your photographs, a tasty traditional Jamaican wedding cake and a bottle of champagne.

You will have to provide several documents to celebrate your Jamaica vacation wedding successfully. The papers that are essential for wedding in Jamaica are licensed copies of birth certificates of both of you & your partner with your fathers’ names, a letter that states about your respective professions and the date and time of wedding.

If you are imaging your wedding day on seashore at sunset with smooth white sand under your feet, then arrange Jamaica vacation wedding. In Jamaica, you can arrange your wedding in a beautiful garden setting with juicy plants blossoming flowers all around you.

Jamaica is a very famous preference for Caribbean destination weddings and honeymoons. The island is full with eye-catching scenery and many wedding packages and resorts are available there. If you wish, you can be tied here in one day by completing some legal requirements.

There are many wedding locations in Jamaica including Negril, Montego Bay, Dunn’s river falls and Ocho Rios. Jamaica villa wedding is an exclusive and cherished destination-wedding incident for everyone. Here luxurious lodging is available for more than 35 people.

The wedding ceremony takes place here in a very secretive setting. Thus, Jamaica vacation wedding is a unique experience and you can have it if you celebrate your wedding ceremony at Jamaica beaches.

Technorati Tags: , , , , ,

Vacation Villas in Jamaica

If you are looking for excitement, enjoyment and lazing in the beaches, then you should find any one of the Jamaica vacation villas. There are many villas on this island that provide luxurious accommodation and several beach activities to the tourists.

Ocho Rios Villa is one of the finest Jamaica vacation villas. The villa offers real Jamaica vacation fun and enjoyment. The villa is located on a steamy hillside between Port Maria and Ocho Rios. This open Jamaican villa displays wonderful views of the Blue Mountains and Caribbean Sea. The location of the villa is convenient to enjoy various beach activities and stimulating nightlife of Ocho Rios.

Tourists can visit Dunn’s River Falls, Black Sand Beach, Port Antonio, Boston Bay, and Blue Lagoon staying in the villa. Dolphin Cove is the famous bay near the villa where tourists can enjoy swimming with the dolphins. The villa has maintained the environment of harmony and silence at its location.

Tourists can enjoy various beach activities in the villa including diving, windsurfing, boating, fishing, golf, hiking and bicycling. Apart from that, the Ocho Rios provides all modern amenities and facilities to the guests including TV in rooms, refrigerator, radio, stove, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, iron and games and toys for children. All these facilities are provided to make your stay in the villa more relaxed and pleasurable.

If you are looking for any of the Jamaica vacation villas that are near to several local attractions, sights, and amusement, then go to the Hill Sea View Villa. The villa is situated around three miles east of down town Ocho Rios. This wonderful 2-story villa is the perfect place to see the amazing views of the Caribbean Sea. The staff of the villa is polite and is always prepared to make your stay a calm, private and unforgettable one.

Hill Sea View Villa has two units including the upper floor and the lower floor and both of them have six bedrooms. All the rooms are air conditioned and well appointed with modern amenities like TV, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, stove, phone, fax machine, toaster, and dishwasher. You can enjoy various beach activities staying in the Hill Sea View Villa including diving, windsurfing, golf, boating, fishing and tennis.

If you are looking for the haven on earth, then Jamaica vacation villas are the best place to relish several heavenly entertainments. El Cielo is one of the beautiful Jamaica vacation villas. This superb villa is situated in Port Antonio, the most peaceful area of Jamaica. The villa provides various facilities to the tourists including personal fitness center, swimming pool and steam showers in fitness center.

The villa houses a restaurant that caters palatable Jamaican and intercontinental cuisines to you. Thus, you can make your Jamaica tours more pleasurable and memorable by staying in one of the Jamaica vacation villas.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , ,

Activities to Do Around Kingston on Your Jamaican Visit

Kingston is full of activities for you to experience while you’re in Jamaica, from walking tours to festivals and from water sports to museums.

As far as festivities go the best way to find out what is going on is through the local daily paper, “The Gleaner” it’ll have a list of events going on while you are down there. In 2007 Kingston will be holding the Cricket’s World Cup, which is sure to bring in a lot of entertainment and tourists.  March is a big month for festivals that’ll include a 3K walk, street dancing and then in April there’ll be a Road parade and a concert at the National stadium.

To make sure that you exercise off the extra calories consumed at one of the local restaurants with their tempting array of local cuisine, there are walking, hiking and biking tours.  These are a great way to explore the city.

Blue Mountain’s peak is at 2,256 m.  If you are looking to hike up to the summit with a group, prepare yourself to rise before the sun comes up.  Blue Mountain treks begin around 1am, so book a night’s sleep nearby at Pine Grove, Whitefield Hall or Wildflower Lodge.   If hiking really isn’t your thing, Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours will also take you up through the mountains.   The best time of year to do this particular activity is from December thru April since it isn’t wet during these months. Always make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes and a warm jacket, and just because the sun doesn’t seem to be shining doesn’t mean you should leave the suntan lotion at home.

If none of these sounds exciting to you why not try your hand at snorkeling, diving, dancing, shopping, cruising or partying. There is fun to be had in Kingston during your Jamaican stay, all you have to do is decide what you want to do and then find where it’s at!

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , ,

Are Drugs Prevalent in Jamaica

Jamaica is a laid-back country.  It’s a country of “chilling”.  One of the reasons for this could be that it’s hard to avoid the abundance of marijuana – locally known as “Ganja”.  Despite drugs being illegal in Jamaica, ganja and cocaine are relatively easy to obtain, and you may even find yourself being approached by street or beach hustlers who are hoping you could use a quick fix of one or the other!

There are two warnings for tourists when it comes to drugs.  First of all, don’t buy them and don’t take them from anyone offering you a free smoke.  Just avoid them completely!  Tourist status, American passport and all, is not going to save you from an obligatory sightseeing tour of the inside of a probably overcrowded Jamaican cell!  Even if they clear you of everything except using, you will still have had an experience you’d rather not remember.

If they are able to charge you with anything more than using – then you could be facing gaol time in the local penitentiary.  The Jamaican culture is known for its connection with drugs, but it’s not so well known for the tough penalties it gives out for those who are caught, so just avoid finding out the hard way and stay well clear of any drugs.

The second warning is in respect of your belongings.  We are becoming a society where we are wary of leaving our luggage lying around anywhere, or of carrying a bag for someone else because of the risk of a terrorism attack.  Use this to back up your resolve not to carry a doll or even a baby across the airport boundaries from one country’s laws to another!

If you’re holding it, when the officials check it and find illegal drugs, you’re the owner – so don’t put yourself in that position.  Make sure you don’t take care of anything belonging to someone else, and that your own luggage is never left unattended and open for someone to put something into it.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , ,

Jamaican Vacation Resorts

Jamaica is one of the major tourist destinations and beautiful islands of West Indies. The picturesque glory of the island invites many tourists from all over the globe. The island is filled with music, palatable food, rum and scenic beaches. Thousands of tourists and vacationers come here to enjoy their vacations.

If you are looking for luxurious and relaxed accommodation in Jamaica, then you should select one of the Jamaica vacation resorts for a memorable stay.  There are many all-inclusive family resorts in Jamaica.

Beaches Boscobel Spa Resort is one of the hottest Jamaica vacation resorts. The resort offers various beach activities and adventure sports to the guests. There is a special kid’s camp in the resort that provides several fun activities to the kids. The resort has something special for everyone.

Beaches Boscobel Spa resort offers luxurious accommodation to the guests. Here you can stay with your whole family or can come to enjoy loving getaway. The resort houses many restaurants that provide palatable local and international food. The resort has its own piano bar where you can indulge your evening period.

All the rooms of the resort are well equipped with modern amenities like satellite cable TV, refrigerator, phone, coffee/tea maker, internet access, ironing board, and in room safe.

There is a game room in the resort, where you can play various games. Besides, you can also play here golf, billiards, tennis and other games. Thus, the resort always tries to make your stay memorable and pleasurable one.

Beaches Negril Resort and Spa is one of the most famous Jamaica vacation resorts. The resort is located at superbly attractive and environmentally untouched location. This is the perfect place for honeymooners and couples. They can generate some of the unending memories during their stay in the resort. All the guests are free to enjoy various activities and facilities in the resort.

Beaches Negril Resort and Spa provides spacious and relaxed rooms to the guests. All the rooms are well appointed with modern facilities including bathtub, hairdryer, phone, satellite TV, laundry service and ironing board. Apart from that, the resort provides several extra facilities including babysitting, gym, internet access, swimming pool, game room and free parking zone.

If you are looking for relaxed accommodation during Jamaica vacations, then go to Breezes Montego Bay Resort. The resort is situated on Doctor’s Cave Beach, only five minutes journey from the airport. The resort offers you an array of Caribbean lavishness and amusement. The resort tries to make your stay unforgettable one.

Breezes Montego Bay has many rooms that are suitable to anyone. All the rooms are air-conditioned and are well appointed with modern facilities. Several room facilities are satellite cable TV, voice mail phone, hair dryer, ironing board and complimentary toilets.

Beaches Sandy Bay is one of the major Jamaica vacation resorts. The resort is famous for its hospitality and warmly reception. The resort offers relaxed accommodation in its several suites. The courteous staff of the resort is always ready to meet up your requirements.

Thus, you can make your Jamaica tours more pleasurable and unforgettable by staying in one of the prominent Jamaica vacation resorts.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

Next Page »

Jamaica Travel Tips

The Jamaica Travel Tips Blog and Jamaica-Travel-Tips.com are a proud part of The Champigny Web.