The best city in Jamaica?

[caribbean_stew]

I'm just wondering whats the best places and cities around jamaica? Just as im thinking of going to jamaica sometime.

[Wahalla]

Re: The best city in Jamaica?

I beleive there are only two cities in Jamaica.. Did they make Portmore a city yet ????

[MsPeaches]

Re: The best city in Jamaica?



It depends on what sort of thing you like! Different parts of Jamaica are very different, so you have to think whether you'd like the scenic and rural parts or the beaches and tourist-y parts, or maybe Mandeville high up in the mountains.

Also how close you'd want to be to the people. There are lots of 'all-inclusive' resorts where you could spend your whole time without seeing more than a handful of Jamaicans. If you want to 'get closer' to things, I recommend looking up the latest LONELY PLANET TOURIST GUIDE TO JAMAICA.

Jamaica is an extremely beautiful country but if you want to see the beauty you need to understand how to get there. It also depends on how long you intend to stay. If you can put out feelers where you are, you might be able to find somebody who knows somebody in Jamaica who rents rooms in their house to tourists. That would make the lodgings a lot less expensive.

The biggest city is Kingston - but there are a lot of JAMAICANS who won't even venture there!
So do your research and you will know where to go and what to do. Lots of luck!

[caribbean_stew]

Re: The best city in Jamaica?

Thanks for the info. Im not really into staying at those beach resorts. I rather like to go about and see th real jamaica. I'm more into seeing the senic parts and beaches. Also I like to get to know more about the place in where i visit. I will have a look on the lonley planet guide.

[Tulip]

Re: The best city in Jamaica?

I like the all-inclusives especially when I'm going somewhere new. I wish more places had them.

It's not like I'm locked in a compound; I'm free to come and go as I please. I don't find that they hinder anything but do give me something to fall back on, a Plan B if you will. Also, having a large staff was a God-send for jump-starting my "things to do" list. They even told me the cheapest place to withdraw and exchange money which was definitely not at their resort.

Arranging transportation was easier because there was always a taxi waiting outside the grounds. I might have been stuck on a tour bus and never set foot in one of the plain car taxis had the staff not already explained it to me.

Also, I doubt I ever would have found the lady who was willing to cook callaloo for me every night if the sailing guy had not taken me there and talked to her about it. (I really like callaloo lol.)

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed exploring and going off the beaten path, I did also like the security of knowing that if push came to shove my next meal or drink was paid for already.

[ohliz]

Re: The best city in Jamaica?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: caribbean_stew</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the info. Im not really into staying at those beach resorts. I rather like to go about and see th real jamaica. I'm more into seeing the senic parts and beaches. Also I like to get to know more about the place in where i visit. I will have a look on the lonley planet guide. </div></div>

Consider vising Portland...Treasure Beach in St. Elizabeth...maybe visit the Blue Mountains, Kingston is close by if you'd like to visit there too....some areas of JA are quiet, some are very busy.

There are beaches, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, farms, caves, great houses, music studios, museums, art galleries, rafting, zip lining, tubing, horseback riding, boat trips, bars, restaurants, night clubs, live music, all kinds of attractions....and then just regular towns where nothing particularly for tourists is there but many lovely things often around...a nice swimming spot on a river, or nice view from a mountain.

Lonely Planet is a great start if you like guidebooks.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: The best city in Jamaica?

Dumb Jamaicans wont go to Kingston.
No other city offers the range of social activities or choice in any area of life!!

As for security, no where is more secure then Kingston.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MsPeaches</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

It depends on what sort of thing you like! Different parts of Jamaica are very different, so you have to think whether you'd like the scenic and rural parts or the beaches and tourist-y parts, or maybe Mandeville high up in the mountains.

Also how close you'd want to be to the people. There are lots of 'all-inclusive' resorts where you could spend your whole time without seeing more than a handful of Jamaicans. If you want to 'get closer' to things, I recommend looking up the latest LONELY PLANET TOURIST GUIDE TO JAMAICA.

Jamaica is an extremely beautiful country but if you want to see the beauty you need to understand how to get there. It also depends on how long you intend to stay. If you can put out feelers where you are, you might be able to find somebody who knows somebody in Jamaica who rents rooms in their house to tourists. That would make the lodgings a lot less expensive.

The biggest city is Kingston - but there are a lot of JAMAICANS who won't even venture there!
So do your research and you will know where to go and what to do. Lots of luck!

</div></div>

[ackeepod]

Re: The best city in Jamaica?

I have to say that I agree with you, Dr Dudd . its only Simple minded ppl who avoid going Kingston... LOTs and LOTs to do there!!
Of course , a visitor may choose NOT to visit there because a big city experience is not what he/she wats but for a Jamaican to say that , just seems backward !

[Bizzy]

Re: The best city in Jamaica?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: caribbean_stew</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm just wondering whats the best places and cities around jamaica? Just as im thinking of going to jamaica sometime. </div></div>

KINGSTON CITY

[Magician]

Re: The best city in Jamaica?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: haki</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have to say that I agree with you, Dr Dudd . its only Simple minded ppl who avoid going Kingston... LOTs and LOTs to do there!!
Of course , a visitor may choose NOT to visit there because a big city experience is not what he/she wats but for a Jamaican to say that , just seems backward ! </div></div>

Cliftwang said in one of his interviews that he only goes to Town on 'special occasions'.


I gree wid Bizi. Town a de Bess!

[mountaingal]

Re: The best city in Jamaica?

add me to the chorus of Kingston lovers especially at independence time.