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Three Quick Tips
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Take part in our Meet-the-People program. Our Meet the People program matches you up with a local Jamaican who shares a similar interest, profession or hobby with you. Your new friend will expose you to local traditions, customs and hidden gems that make Jamaica so special. |
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Learn to speak Jamaican. While English is Jamaica's national language, Patois is commonly spoken in many of the less touristy areas of the island. Showing a genuine interest in learning Patois, i.e., carrying a dictionary or memorising some greetings, will make you a hit with the locals. |
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Don't miss out on roadside attractions. Whether you rent a car, hire a taxi driver or ride on a minibus - try to make several roadside stops on the way to your destination. From jerk stands to rum bars to craft shacks to fruit markets, the Jamaican roadside is a window into Jamaica's unique culture. |
Spotlight On
With over 17,000 kilometres of road linking Jamaica’s towns and cities, our colourful highways and byways are destinations unto themselves. Winding down mountains, zigzagging through woodlands, and circling the coastline, a road trip through Jamaica reveals many faces of our rich culture. > Learn More
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May Pen is one of the largest towns in Jamaica and is the parish capital of Clarendon. The town was created in the 18th century on land belonging to a cattle estate owned by a Rev William May, who came to Jamaica as rector of the Kingston Parish Church. Named for the estate, May Pen is said to have first existed as two inns located across from each other on opposite banks of the Rio Minho. > Learn More
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Getting High On Water:
Around the 18th century fashionable young men in Jamaica discovered a novel method of intoxication – water! This was medicinal water which flows the mineral springs at Bathe, St. Thomas. Historian Edward Long noted that taking the first drink diffuses a thrilling glow over the body, and continued use enlivens the spirits.
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