The Journal

Jamaica travel guides

Honest, local-first advice: where to go, what things really cost, and how to travel the island like you know it.

Pelican Bar Treasure Beach: How to Visit Floyd's Spot
Nov 8, 2026

Pelican Bar Treasure Beach: How to Visit Floyd's Spot

Learn how to visit Floyd's Pelican Bar from Treasure Beach, Jamaica. Find boat departure options, cash tips, packing advice, and safety info.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Blue Mountains in Jamaica?
Nov 7, 2026

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Blue Mountains in Jamaica?

Discover the best time to visit Jamaica's Blue Mountains for hiking, coffee tours, and clear summit views. Detailed monthly weather and seasonal advice.

Blue Hole Ocho Rios Tips for First-Timers: What to Know Before You Go
Nov 6, 2026

Blue Hole Ocho Rios Tips for First-Timers: What to Know Before You Go

Visiting Blue Hole Ocho Rios for the first time? Learn essential tips on entry fees, local guides, cliff jumping safety, water shoes, and what to bring.

Jamaica Immigration Form Online (C5): Free Official Guide 2026
Nov 6, 2026

Jamaica Immigration Form Online (C5): Free Official Guide 2026

Fill in the Jamaica immigration form (C5) free online at enterjamaica.gov.jm. Step-by-step guide, customs questions, kids and paid-site scams to avoid.

Christmas in Jamaica for Tourists: Holiday Weather, Food & Culture
Nov 6, 2026

Christmas in Jamaica for Tourists: Holiday Weather, Food & Culture

Planning a warm holiday trip? Discover what Christmas in Jamaica for tourists is really like, from sunny weather and Jonkonnu dances to festive foods.

Jamaica Emergency Numbers List: Police 119, Fire & Ambulance 110
Nov 6, 2026

Jamaica Emergency Numbers List: Police 119, Fire & Ambulance 110

The emergency numbers in Jamaica: dial 119 for police and 110 for fire and ambulance, plus embassy tips and a printable contacts checklist.

Tipping at Jamaica All-Inclusives: USD vs JMD & Staff Preference
Nov 6, 2026

Tipping at Jamaica All-Inclusives: USD vs JMD & Staff Preference

Do Jamaica resort staff prefer USD or Jamaican dollars? How all-inclusive tipping works when gratuities are included, and typical amounts where tipping is allowed.

Why Tipping Is Discouraged at Some Jamaica Resorts
Nov 6, 2026

Why Tipping Is Discouraged at Some Jamaica Resorts

Why Sandals, Couples and other Jamaica all-inclusives discourage or ban tipping — and what to do instead to thank staff.

Jamaica Excursion Tipping Guide: Tours, Falls & Drivers
Nov 6, 2026

Jamaica Excursion Tipping Guide: Tours, Falls & Drivers

How much to tip on Jamaica excursions: tour guides, waterfall helpers, raft captains, boat crews and drivers — in USD and JMD.

Checklist for Jamaica: Free Printable Travel PDF
Nov 6, 2026

Checklist for Jamaica: Free Printable Travel PDF

Download a free printable Jamaica travel checklist PDF: documents, packing, sun and bug protection, money and emergency numbers.

Peak Travel Season in Jamaica 2027: Best Time to Visit
Nov 6, 2026

Peak Travel Season in Jamaica 2027: Best Time to Visit

When is peak travel season in Jamaica for 2027? Winter high season dates, shoulder value months, hurricane season and Easter 2027.

Konoko Falls vs Dunn's River Falls in November
Nov 6, 2026

Konoko Falls vs Dunn's River Falls in November

Konoko Falls vs Dunn's River Falls in November: crowds, weather, entry prices, who each climb suits, and which to book.

Buying a Holiday Home in Jamaica: What Visitors Should Sort Out First
Nov 3, 2026

Buying a Holiday Home in Jamaica: What Visitors Should Sort Out First

Fell in love with Jamaica and thinking of buying a villa or holiday home? Title checks, attorneys, costs, renting it out, and making a Jamaican will so your heirs are not stuck.

Going Home to Jamaica? A Diaspora Homecoming Checklist (Family Land, Papers & Wills)
Nov 3, 2026

Going Home to Jamaica? A Diaspora Homecoming Checklist (Family Land, Papers & Wills)

Planning a trip home to Jamaica? Use the visit to sort family land titles, documents, bank accounts and your Jamaican will, plus what to bring and which offices to book.

Things to Do in Negril: Seven Mile Beach, Cliffs & Sunsets (Insider Guide)
Oct 31, 2026

Things to Do in Negril: Seven Mile Beach, Cliffs & Sunsets (Insider Guide)

The best things to do in Negril, Jamaica: Seven Mile Beach vs West End cliffs, Rick's Café sunsets, Booby Cay, snorkelling, day trips and where to stay.

Things to Do in Montego Bay: Beaches, History & Day Trips Beyond the Resort
Oct 31, 2026

Things to Do in Montego Bay: Beaches, History & Day Trips Beyond the Resort

Insider list of things to do in Montego Bay, Jamaica: Doctor's Cave Beach, the Hip Strip, Rose Hall, Martha Brae rafting, Falmouth, Luminous Lagoon and safe transport.

Jamaica Honeymoon Guide: Best Areas, Villas & Romantic Experiences
Oct 31, 2026

Jamaica Honeymoon Guide: Best Areas, Villas & Romantic Experiences

Plan a Jamaica honeymoon: Negril cliffs vs Ocho Rios vs Port Antonio, all-inclusive or private villa, romantic experiences, a 7-night itinerary and arrival tips.

Jamaica on a Budget: How to Do a Week for Less (2026)
Oct 29, 2026

Jamaica on a Budget: How to Do a Week for Less (2026)

How to travel Jamaica cheaply: route taxis, Knutsford Express, guesthouses, cookshop meals, free beaches and the paid sights actually worth it.

Dunn’s River Falls Alternatives: 6 Quieter Jamaican Waterfalls
Oct 29, 2026

Dunn’s River Falls Alternatives: 6 Quieter Jamaican Waterfalls

Skip the cruise-day crowds: YS Falls, Reach Falls, Mayfield, Konoko, Somerset and Blue Hole compared, with tips on timing, access and costs.

Kingston Day Trip: Bob Marley Museum, Devon House & Port Royal in One Day
Oct 29, 2026

Kingston Day Trip: Bob Marley Museum, Devon House & Port Royal in One Day

A practical one-day Kingston itinerary from Ocho Rios or Montego Bay: Bob Marley Museum, Devon House, downtown art, Port Royal and Hellshire fish.

Blue Mountain Coffee Tour: DIY Guide to Farms, Cafés & the Peak
Oct 29, 2026

Blue Mountain Coffee Tour: DIY Guide to Farms, Cafés & the Peak

How to visit Jamaica's Blue Mountains yourself: coffee estates near Irish Town and Mavis Bank, Holywell park, the sunrise Peak hike and what to buy.

Treasure Beach, Jamaica: The South Coast Guide (Pelican Bar, YS Falls & More)
Oct 29, 2026

Treasure Beach, Jamaica: The South Coast Guide (Pelican Bar, YS Falls & More)

Plan a laid-back south coast trip: where to stay in Treasure Beach, Pelican Bar by boat, Black River safari, YS Falls, Lovers' Leap and Little Ochie.

Portland, Jamaica Travel Guide: Port Antonio, Rafting, Beaches & Boston Jerk
Oct 29, 2026

Portland, Jamaica Travel Guide: Port Antonio, Rafting, Beaches & Boston Jerk

How to plan Portland, Jamaica: Port Antonio bases, Rio Grande rafting, Frenchman's Cove vs Winnifred, Reach Falls, Boston Bay jerk and rainy-season tips.

All-Inclusive vs Villa in Jamaica: Which Is Better Value?
Oct 29, 2026

All-Inclusive vs Villa in Jamaica: Which Is Better Value?

Honest comparison of Jamaica all-inclusive resorts vs private villas: real costs per person, food, privacy, families and how to stock a villa fridge before you land.

Jamaican Street Food Guide: What to Eat, Where, and How Not to Overpay
Oct 29, 2026

Jamaican Street Food Guide: What to Eat, Where, and How Not to Overpay

What to order at Jamaican jerk centres, patty shops, fish fries and roadside stalls: festival, roast breadfruit, pepper shrimp, coconut water, plus safety and price tips.

Is Jamaica Safe for Tourists? Practical Safety Tips for 2026
Oct 29, 2026

Is Jamaica Safe for Tourists? Practical Safety Tips for 2026

Balanced, practical Jamaica safety advice: which areas visitors use, licensed transport, beach and water safety, money habits, and what to do in an emergency.

Best Time to Visit Jamaica: Month-by-Month Weather, Prices & Festivals
Oct 29, 2026

Best Time to Visit Jamaica: Month-by-Month Weather, Prices & Festivals

When to go to Jamaica: dry vs rainy season, hurricane season, cheapest months, and key festivals like Reggae Sumfest, Carnival and Accompong Maroon celebrations.

Free Things to Do in Jamaica: What Locals Actually Do
Oct 27, 2026

Free Things to Do in Jamaica: What Locals Actually Do

Free beaches, cliff sunsets, scenic drives, parks and nearly-free roadside food in Jamaica, plus the best-value paid swaps.

Jamaica Prices 2026: Real Gate Fees & How to Avoid Tourist Traps
Oct 27, 2026

Jamaica Prices 2026: Real Gate Fees & How to Avoid Tourist Traps

Real entry prices for Dunn's River, Reach Falls, Rio Grande rafting and more, plus five habits to avoid overpaying in Jamaica.

Tipping in Jamaica: How Much to Tip (2026 Guide)
Oct 27, 2026

Tipping in Jamaica: How Much to Tip (2026 Guide)

How much to tip in Jamaica for restaurants, drivers, tour guides, hotel staff and all-inclusives — in USD and JMD.

Montego Bay Airport Transfer (MBJ): Tips, Times & Prices
Oct 27, 2026

Montego Bay Airport Transfer (MBJ): Tips, Times & Prices

Everything about getting from Sangster International (MBJ) to your hotel: shared vs private transfers, travel times and avoiding touts.

What to Pack for a Jamaica Vacation: The Complete List
Oct 27, 2026

What to Pack for a Jamaica Vacation: The Complete List

A practical Jamaica packing list by season and activity, plus what not to bring and what to buy on arrival.

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