Things to Do in Jamaica
Jamaica is the largest island in the Caribbean Sea. Located in the Greater Antilles, this beautiful nation has been known by its residents as "The Land of Wood and Water" and "The Land of Springs." With a warm, tropical climate and plenty of natural scenery including beaches, mountains, and more, there is plenty to do and see on this lovely island.
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History
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A good historical area to visit in Jamaica is Spanish Town, which is a brief drive west of the capital city, Kingston. Spanish Town was formerly both the Spanish and English capital of Jamaica (sixteenth to nineteenth centuries). There are many memorials, historical landmarks, and national archives here. One of the oldest Anglican churches (outside of the United Kingdom) is located in Spanish Town. St. Jago de la Vega is the oldest cathedral in the West Indies. This is a wonderful place to see lovely examples of Georgian architecture.
Benefits
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Mandeville is located in the center of Jamaica's thriving citrus industry. With charming gardens and fruits galore, Mandeville is a pleasant place to spend the day. In the highest town in Jamaica, located two-thousand feet above sea level, the weather is cool here compared to the coastal heat. The town center has many interesting nineteenth-century residences as well as a parish church and clock tower. The town is also the home of Jamaica's bauxite industry.
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Geography
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On Jamaica's North Coast, visitors will find the resort Falmouth (just east of Montego Bay), which is a fun place to relax and bask in the glory of Jamaica. If you want to go rafting, you can do that here on the Martha Brae - just go to Rafters Village. If you want to see crocodiles up close, you can do that here also, by going to the Jamaica Swamp Safaris, which is an intriguing crocodile farm. Other than that, visitors will come across a house that was owned by the Barrett Brownings, as well as a plantation mansion.
Time Frame
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A good question to ask yourself before visiting Jamaica is... when is the best time of year? Well, you might not really even have to bother yourself with that, because like one famous Jamaican poem recites, "We have instead the days when the gold sun shines on the lush green cane fields," and it's pretty much like that all year round. With the tropical weather, the island can be a little hot, but that's what swimming in the ocean is for. The mountains can be cooler but nothing a light jacket can't fix. However, having said that, the best time of year to visit Jamaica is probably during the "dry season" of December to April.
Warning
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Jamaica sometimes has a bad reputation as being dangerous both for locals and tourists alike. Kingston is probably the most dangerous city in Jamaica, with a higher amount of thefts and armed robberies directed at tourists. The best way to combat these situations is to always make sure you don't leave your valuables unattended, pay attention to where you're walking (especially at night), keep an eye on your more expensive items (such as cameras) when walking, and avoid the more dangerous areas.
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