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Jamaica’s capital city is often passed over in favor of beachier destinations in the northern part of the island. But for fans of reggae music and anyone wanting to get their finger on the pulse of Jamaican culture, a visit to Kingston is a must. You can learn about the evolution of reggae music in Trench Town and at the Bob Marley Museum, immerse yourself in art at the National Gallery, and sample tasty jerk cuisine before nipping off on an excursion to the lush Blue Mountains.
The best time to visit Kingston is between December and April/May, when there’s less rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures than during the rest of the year. The rainy hurricane season runs from June through November. If you like reggae, come for the annual Bob Marley Week, which takes place over the first week of February and includes concerts, exhibitions, and other festivities.
Kingston has a well-developed public transportation system, the Jamaica Urban Transport Company, which runs air-conditioned buses throughout the city. Traditional taxis, rideshares, and route taxis (shared taxis that pick up and drop off passengers along specific routes) are also widely available. If you’re traveling from the airport into the city, you can pre-book a transfer or arrange a taxi after you land.
Jamaica is known for its “jerk” style of cooking, which involves seasoning meat (usually chicken) and sometimes veggies with fragrant herbs and scotch bonnet peppers. One of the best places to try this traditional style of cooking is at the Chateau 7 Jerk Centre, a simple, unassuming roadside spot that’s considered one of the best jerk spots in the country—and it’s just a 10-minute walk from Emancipation Park.
Yes, Kingston is absolutely worth visiting. The capital of Jamaica is often overlooked in favor of beach destinations elsewhere on the island, but anyone interested in music or history should make a stop in the city, if only to see Bob Marley’s former home and the extensive art collection at the National Gallery.
...MoreKingston is known for its cultural institutions, parks, dining, and nightlife. The city’s best-known attractions include the Bob Marley Museum (housed in the former home of the celebrated musician); Trench Town, where Marley spent much of his younger years; and the 17th-century sea-facing Fort Charles.
...MoreNo, Kingston is not better than Montego Bay—it just offers a very different experience. While Montego Bay is a great spot to visit if you want to spend time at the beach, Kingston is a better option for travelers more interested in museums and history.
...MoreYes, people vacation in Kingston. There’s plenty to do in the city, from checking out museums, restaurants, and nightlife right in town to taking a day trip to the nearby Blue Mountains area, known for its beautiful scenery and delicious locally grown coffee.
...MoreYes, parts of Kingston are walkable, particularly in the downtown area and around Emancipation Park. Trench Town is better visited with a tour guide, for safety reasons; and the Bob Marley Museum, while in a perfectly safe area, is too far from downtown to easily reach on foot.
...MoreYou can get a good feel for Kingston and its attractions with just two full days in the city. This will give you enough time to visit the Bob Marley Museum, take a tour of Trench Town, and check out the fantastic collection of art on display at the National Gallery of Jamaica.
...MoreNumber of Attractions | 8 |
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Number of Tours | 203 |
Number of Reviews | 506 |