Jamaica: Much More Than Just Reggae and Beaches

Jamaica is one of the most sought-after Caribbean destinations—and one of the least understood. Most travelers fly in, head to an all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay or Negril, and leave having seen very little of what the island truly has to offer. Those who venture outside the resorts with a local guide discover a different Jamaica.

Kingston is Jamaica’s true cultural capital and one of the most fascinating cities in Latin America. The Trench Town neighborhood, the birthplace of reggae and ska; the Bob Marley Museum in the house where he lived and recorded; the Tuff Gong Records studios, which are still in operation—your Kingston guide will take you to the dancehalls and sound systems on Thursday nights, to the markets at Coronation Market at dawn, and to the workshops of luthiers who craft guitars for the country’s musicians.

The Blue Mountains, which tower over Kingston’s hinterland, produce one of the world’s most renowned coffees. The hike to Blue Mountain Peak (2,256 meters) begins at 2 a.m. to reach the summit at sunrise. Your local guide knows the coffee farmers along the way, the farms where coffee cherries are sun-dried, and the viewpoints from which Cuba is visible on a clear day.

Negril and its 7 Mile Beach remain one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. But your local Jamaican guide will also take you to the south coast—Treasure Beach, Pelican Bar, and the Parrotee wetlands—where the Jamaica of fishermen and farmers lives, far from mass tourism.

**Jamaica is best experienced from the inside. Find your So-Guide. **