Kingston Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Kingston

Jamaica's tropical-metropolis capital is a mixture of the best of all possible travel adventures and, arguably, the worst. The latter is fuelled by widespread poverty. Nevertheless, evenings in Kingston feature almost surreal scenes aided by musical magic. Kingston, after all, is the city of ska, limbo, Calypso and of course reggae, made famous by the late Bob Marley. Jamaica was also the boyhood home of Harry Belafonte, the singer of songs about Jamaican banana boats and such.

It is the largest English-speaking city south of Miami, lying on a wide plain with the world's seventh-largest natural harbour to the south, and the Blue Mountains behind.

Jamaica itself may have the image of being laid back and rather slow, but cosmopolitan Kingston moves at a fast pace, in keeping with its importance as the dominant force on the island politically, commercially and culturally.

Kingston has a wide selection of world-class hotels and restaurants. It is one of the best places to try the specialities of island cuisine. Ackee, a fruit that looks like scrambled eggs, is an island staple. Breadfruit was brought from Tahiti to Jamaica by Britain's famed Captain William Bligh. It is now Jamaica's starchy alternative to bread and potatoes. Then there is "jerk," the highly spiced chicken and pork for which Jamaica is famous. In addition to being a gourmet paradise, Kingston is also a viable convention venue.

For the best of Kingston, check out the ultra-modern commercial centre called New Kingston, and/or the mansions and villas that cling to Kingston mountainsides. For a look at the rich lifestyle of the late 1800s, visit Devon House with its louvred balconies, antique furnishings, and palm-patterned silk wall hangings. Then there is Jamaica House, built in the 1960s to house the Prime Minister, and Kings House, official residence of the island nation's Governor-General. The city's zoo and botanical gardens are also highly recommended tourist destinations.

Bob Marley fans will want to visit the Bob Marley Museum. The Mona campus of the University of the West Indies is another place worth visiting, as are the many art galleries. Kingston is ground zero for the nation's lively art scene. Jamaica produces some of the finest paintings and pottery in the Caribbean. National Heroes Park pays tribute to Jamaican political leaders Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamente. Also remembered is Simon Bolivar, liberator of Spanish South America. Bolivar spent time in Jamaica as an exile planning the liberation of his people in Venezuela, Colombia and elsewhere.

King Street, one of the capital's main shopping areas, leads to The Parade. That's where colonial soldiers used to parade, hence the name. The Parade serves as the main bus terminal, usually a scene of mass chaos with hagglers and hustlers by the score. The east section of downtown is somewhat rundown, many of the businesses having moved to New Kinston in the 1960s. Nevertheless, the area features many of the fine timber-frame buildings evoking Kingston's architectural past.

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Population: 2.731.800
Languages: English, Jamaican Creole
Currency: Jamaican dollar
Currency code: JMD
Local Times:
Jamaica - Kingston

Country Dialling Code: +1809
Voltage: 110V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel flat prongs

2 Parallel flat prongs with an earth connector

On the map, Jamaica looks like a turtle, surfacing to draw breath as it swims west to the Yucatan. It is certainly a fantastically beautiful place - one of the most scenic islands of the Caribbean. The rivers, rainforests and high mountains are magnificent and when the sun shines - which it does often - the sea is a surreal shade of blue.

Thanks to all the rivers and the rainfall, Jamaica is lush and green - as you travel around the countryside you will see swathes of banana and sugar-cane plantations and the small plots belonging to local farmers. The shoreline has some classic beaches, mostly white sand, from the near-endless stretch at Negril in the west to the tiny, idyllic coves in the east. Jamaica is a true tropical paradise with alluring white sandy beaches, lush green mountains and sparkling waterfalls. The N and W coastlines are crowded with tourist resorts and 'all-inclusive' hotels. Natural attractions have been commercialised to cope with the crowds and make the most of tourists spending money. Beyond the coastal fringe of massive package hotels you will find plenty of unexpectedly refined and charming smaller hotels.

Despite much commercialisation, Jamaica has not been spoiled and still dazzles the senses with its natural beauty and cultural charm. There is however a significant enough crime rate in the country to keep an eye on your situation. Jamaican's are poor people and unlicensed taxi's and crime can be a problem. Most tourists tend to stick with hotels excursions and organised activities by tour reps which is advisable and a great way to see.

Jamaica sounds fantastic. Reggae music is played everywhere, all day long (as are ska and dancehall, which were also invented here). Even if you don't usually like it, when you're actually in Jamaica it seems to belong - like a well-matched soundtrack.

As a tourist you are extremely unlikely to come across any trouble, though you won't be able to avoid being hassled in the main tourist towns. You could avoid this by never stepping outside the confines of your hotel compound, but that would be to miss out on one of the most extraordinary countries in the Caribbean. However, the crime rate in Jamaica is quite high with unlicensed taxi drivers and opportunistic muggings certainly something to mindful of but not overly paranoid about.

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