Jamaica is located just south of Cuba in the Caribbean Sea. You can get there by air from the United States, usually connecting through Miami, or by boat or cruise ship. There are several different regions on the island, and each has distinct beaches. In the Kingston area, you can access the remote beaches of Lime Cay by charter boat. Famous beaches in Ocho Rios include tourist-oriented spots like Turtle Beach and Mallard Beach, which have plenty of food, fun and activities, as does James Bond Beach, where the movie "Dr. No" was filmed. For a spectacular waterfall, head to Dunns River Beach. Negril, host to the hippie movement in the 1960s, has a number of clothing-optional beaches and Montego Bay offers excellent swimming opportunities in its calmer waters.
Water-lovers can snorkel and scuba-dive, or go deep-sea fishing and sailing. If you prefer to keep your toes dry, you can bask in the sun, try your hand at a game of volleyball or take a leisurely stroll along the shore. For the adventurous, there are options like horseback riding on the sand or soaring above the sea on a parasail. Many of these activities can be arranged through your hotel.
Jamaica is famous for being the birthplace of the all-inclusive resort. All-inclusive resorts provide lodging, all food and beverages, and most activities for one fee. Three of the biggest providers of all-inclusive Jamaican beach stays at a number of resorts around the island are Superclubs (www.superclubs.com), Sandals (www.sandals.com) and Couples (www.couples.com). Those wishing for a more traditional hotel can find numerous options from the luxurious to a quaint bed-and-breakfast inn.
Jamaica's beaches lay claim to some of the most ideal vacation weather around, with a near-constant temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit along the coastline. The rainy season starts in the summer months and carries over into fall. The heaviest rain usually comes in October, though it typically falls in short bursts, only temporarily disrupting the sunshine. Jamaica does fall within the "hurricane belt," though it has rarely been in the direct path of such extreme weather.
Jamaica has often been depicted as a dangerous place to travel, but thanks to extensive tourism and heavy efforts to curb crime, it has a lower crime rate per capita than other countries, including the United States, according to the Jamaican information website all-jamaica.com. The government has installed special tourist police officers in major tourism areas to ensure pleasant stays for travelers. As with any major tourist destination, if you are on your own or off resort property, you should be aware of your surroundings and guard your valuables, as the most common crime is petty thievery.
