Jamaica is home to many golf courses, with more being built all the time. They are mostly concentrated on the North Coast and connected to resorts.
Likewise, many properties have a gym as well as various watersports activities for guests. Tours may be arranged for activities such as hiking, horseback riding and nature tours.
Beaches abound; however, it is safest to use only those at resorts, as well as those recommended by the Jamaica Tourist Board and the Tourism Product Development Company.
Shopping
Among the items available are rum, Blue Mountain coffee, gemstone jewelry, shells, local art (everything from neo-expressionist to primitive), colorful clothing and fabric, preserves and spices, musical instruments, hand-carved mahogany items, local handicrafts, woven straw baskets, embroidery, leather goods, and CDs and cassettes of reggae music. Local street stalls and markets are the best places to buy crafts directly from the artisans.
You can get Cuban cigars, but if you're a U.S. resident, be aware that they may be confiscated if you try to take them home. The sale of black and white coral is banned (for good reason—some of Jamaica's reefs have been heavily damaged). Turtles are also protected by law, so don't buy turtle products, such as tortoiseshell jewelry.
Duty-free shopping is available at most large hotels, at the Kingston and Montego Bay airports and in select stores in Ocho Rios, Kingston and Montego Bay (everything from watches and crystal to local liqueurs).
Shopping will put you in contact with many aggressive vendors, who can be intimidating. If you aren't interested, a firm "No thank you" should suffice. And keep walking. If you do see something you like, expect to bargain: It is a time-honored tradition, always conducted with humor and mutual respect. Never pay a street or market vendor the first asking price.
Shopping Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am-6 pm; Saturday 10 am-6 pm.
Local Tours
Tourists tend to visit Dunn's River Falls, Black River Safari and the Blue Mountains. Tours are available to a wide variety of parks, working estates and natural attractions.
Day By Day
The average visitor stays in Jamaica eight days and splits time among Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. We recommend exploring the relatively untouristed south central coast and cool highlands in addition to these major cites.
Day 1—Arrive Montego Bay and drive to Negril.
Days 2 and 3—Negril. Explore Royal Negril National Park or Kool Runnings Water Park.
Day 4—Treasure Beach. If you drive there, stop at Black River to see crocodiles and birdlife. Have seafood at the famous beachside restaurant Little Ochie.
Days 5-6—Ocho Rios.
Day 7—Drive to Mandeville and continue to Montego Bay.
Day 8—Depart Jamaica.
Those with more time, or repeat visitors who have fallen in love with the charms of Jamaica, should consider longer stays in Montego Bay, Kingston, Port Antonio or the Blue Mountains.
