Jamaica Tourism

The island of Jamaica, situated in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba has been an extremely popular tourist destination for many decades now. Famous for its magnificent beaches and crystal clear waters, Jamaica proves to be an ideal location for tourists who wish to relax on its picturesque white sand beaches placed against a background of swaying palm trees.

The British colonized the island of Jamaica in 1670. In the 18th century, the English planters began importing slaves from Africa to work in the sugar plantations. As a result, the Jamaican culture and customs today bear strong resemblance to its British and African roots. The name ‘Jamaica' has originated from the Native American word Xaymaca, which means ‘land of wood and water.'

The island of Jamaica enjoys the status of being the third largest country in the entire Caribbean. The total area of the country is 4,244 sq Mt. It has a maximum length of 146 miles from the east to the west while its maximum width is approximately 50 miles. The country of Jamaica is an ideal getaway destination for couples and families alike. The local inhabitants of this beautiful island, known as Jamaicans exhibit pure enthusiasm. Jamaica is well known for its scenic beauty, reggae music, and tantalizing cuisine, and most tourists find the interaction with locals most appealing. Kingston, the capital of Jamaica is its largest city and is famous for its large commercial seaport. It reflects a sharp contrast compared to the other beach destinations in Jamaica. It hosts a number of galleries, theatres and cultural programs that exhibit the true cultural side of Jamaica.

Though the island of Jamaica is extremely beautiful, tourists cannot miss the widespread poverty that plagues the land. Intense poverty, high unemployment rates and distressing economic opportunities have created a serious crime problem. However, the tourism board and the government are banking on the islands natural and scenic beauty for building up economic reforms.