Jamaica is an island that has been popularised through many cultural icons – Hollywood romanticised the nation and its people, the music press idolised one of its sons – a certain Mr. Marley, and Disney made their bobsled team known throughout the world. Whilst there have been problems over the years and there are still issues to this day, the island is still a wonderful place to visit and offers anyone who stays the chance to see a truly unique and wonderful way of life – if one is so inclined. Those who simply want to lap up the sun and sand can stay safely in the confines of their resort, never having to worry about avoiding a street-seller.

The capital, Kingston, is not the stop off point for most tourists to the country – the North of the island serves that purpose. Nevertheless, this city offers more than enough to see and do on a cultural level, and more than enough activities to keep anyone busy. The National Gallery of Art, the Port Royal and the University of the West Indies are all worth seeing, along with Kingston’s many other attractions. It isn’t home to the oft-touted laid back way of life of the Jamaicans, but this cosmopolitan city beats with a passion filled heart and is worth a look around by anyone.

The North and West of the country is where the majority of the tourists end up, with many resorts built on and around the spectacular sandy beaches, offering relaxation and luxury to those that can afford it, as well as the ubiquitous beach weddings that the old romantics love so much. These regions are far more commercialised than anywhere else in the country, and offer a somewhat sanitised view of the nation as a whole. Nevertheless, those who simply want to get away from it all and relax in the luxury they can afford could do a lot worse than staying in Jamaica, with some of the finest resorts in the Caribbean on offer.

Whilst Montego Bay and Negril do attract the vast majority of tourism in Jamaica, the rest of the country doesn’t let the side down, with things like the Blue Mountains offering excursion opportunities, Somerset Falls in Port Antonio offering a popular picnic point and the Shaw Park Botanical Gardens, located in Ocho Rios, giving those with green fingers the chance to see some lovely sights. Elsewhere are any number of different attractions, and all kinds of activities can be partaken in from sunbathing to snorkelling, fishing to climbing and every water sport one could imagine.

Jamaica has garnered itself something of a reputation over the years for violence and corruption – this reputation may not be unfounded, but it is greatly exaggerated. The country is safe in the vast majority and a holiday to the country is still sure to be one to remember, with the tropical paradise sure to intoxicate all who visit.