Jamaica’s attractions are by no means restricted to the signature beaches, rivers and waterfalls that lure in hordes of tourists to the north coast resorts. Head inland or around the often overlooked capital, Kingston, for a glimpse of the island’s historic past.
The Bob Marley Museum in Kingston was formerly the home of the legendary reggae star at the height of his fame. Today, the 19th century house serves as a museum where fans can browse displays of the musician’s personal effects -- including his guitar, Land Rover -- and photos. Over the Blue Mountains in Nine Mile, near Ocho Rios, a tranquil, understated shrine marks Marley’s final resting place close to the simple two-room cottage where he was born. Visitors can take a tour with local Rastafarian guides with a museum, gift shop and café also on site.
Jamaica’s historic houses provide a fascinating insight into life from the plantation era onwards. Rose Hall, built in 1770, is most famous for its “White Witch” phantom which allegedly roams the house and grounds, but the hilltop Georgian mansion is well worth the trip from nearby Montego Bay, with tours available by day or on selected nights, including a chilling trip to the dungeon. Near Kingston, the elegant Devon House Mansion was built by Jamaica’s first black millionaire in the 19th century and dazzles with its wood panel and silk screen interiors, antique furniture and symmetrical Georgian-style facade.
Until it was razed by an earthquake in 1692, Port Royal was an infamous hotbed of piracy and debauchery where the Royal Navy also maintained its base for the Caribbean fleet. Today, the majority of the paved roads, buildings and quay are underwater, but visitors can take a walking tour that starts at the imposing Fort Charles and takes in ruins and reclaimed buildings including the 18th century post office, former jail and the Anglican church dating from 1726, where there is a museum hosting artifacts from Henry Morgan, among others. On the eastern tip of the island, Morant Point Lighthouse stands just 100 feet tall but has magnificent views from the top of the surrounding coastline and cane fields. Built from cast iron in 1841 by West African indentured workers, the lighthouse dominates a secluded area where African customs are still practiced.
Appleton Estate in Nassau Valley on the south coast is Jamaica’s oldest working rum distillery. Visitors can take tours of the distillery with its copper pot stills, as well as the aging houses where the rums reach maturity in oak barrels. The island’s other signature export is Blue Mountain Coffee. Just outside Newcastle, visitors can tour the 200-year-old Craighton Coffee Estate, a Georgian mansion 2,600 feet above sea level with impeccable views over the surrounding valleys where Jamaica’s exclusive arabica coffee crop flourishes. A visit includes complimentary tastings and tours of the coffee-growing groves, as well as an introduction to the coffee-making process.
