Jamaica is 11,000 square kilometres of pure beauty – an island of luscious green mountains, rainforests and spectacular beaches. It’s such an impressive destination that Hollywood directors have been using the island as a backdrop for some of their most famous films, think Pirates of the Caribbean and Cool Runnings. There’s no question why millions of tourists choose this idyllic island as their holiday spot.

Whether you’re choosing a holiday to Jamaica to lay out on the golden sands, savour some jerk chicken or adventure the isolated parts of the island, it’s a holiday you’ll want to experience all over again. For those wanting wall-to-wall luxury, Jamaica is host to a range of 4 and 5 star resorts which will certainly impress. Plus, those looking for budget options, as well as family friendly retreats will be well served too.

There’s plenty of activities to satisfy all ages and tastes – after all, there’s 11,000 square kilometres to explore!

Jamaica holiday highlights

You may already have a few sites picked out that you want to explore – maybe your favourite spot from Pirates of the Caribbean? There’s so much natural beauty to explore on holiday in Jamaica, and nothing will prepare you for seeing it in real life.

The Reggae Style Mayfield Falls, just a stone’s throw from Negril, make a great starting point. Experience the thrills of the waterfalls and natural pools, take a dip or capture that impressive Instagram picture. There are tours and guides available to explore the falls, or you can save the pennies and take it at your own pace.

A short journey in the opposite direction, in Ocho Rios, will have you end up at the thrill-seeking Mystic Mountain. Hit the Sky Explorer to be taken in a chairlift that ascends some 700 feet over the rainforest, while you enjoying the breathtaking views.

Jamaica’s never ending coastline

Jamaica holidays are renowned for the stunning beaches on offer, in fact, there’s over 50 public beaches, as well as some private spots that come with the impressive All Inclusive hotels. It’ll be easy to find your sandy spot.

Montego Bay’s Cornwall Beach is one of the longest stretches of sand on the island, where you can chill out on a lounger, snorkel to explore what’s beneath the waves or enjoy a game of beach volleyball. Head to Waves Beach, in the southeast of the island, if you want entertainment and family days jam packed with fun.

The most famous, Seven Mile Beach, sits close to Negril and offers the most surreal setting for a day of sunbathing and paddling. You’ll find an abundance of kiosks lining the sand for everything you could need, as well as beachfront bars that come alive after dusk.

Runaway Bay offers some of the island’s most uncrowded stretches of sand, like Cardiff Hall Beach and Fisherman’s Beach. Here, dreamy days are spent topping up your tan, sipping cheap cocktails in one of the many beach bars and cooling off in the calm waters. What more could a cheap Jamaica holiday need?

Dance the night away

Jamaica holidays may be all about the stunning beaches, but the nightlife is certainly another winner. There’s plenty of lively nightspots around the island offering a variety of fun evenings for all. Whether you’d like to party on the beach until the sun rises, or head to a nightclub in bustling Montego Bay, you’re definitely going to enjoy the sweet beats of reggae and other Caribbean sounds.

There are some seriously extraordinary venues where you can get your boogie on. Take the ice bar in Montego Bay called Chillin’, where even the shot glasses are made from ice, or you can drink cocktails by a luminous lagoon in Falmouth.

Rum is usually the drink of choice in Jamaica, but Red Stripe beer comes a close second if you don’t enjoy spirits or cocktails – hotels tend to offer a range of local spirits, so while rum is a specialty, you can enjoy your drink of choice.

You’ll typically find the drinks prices are reasonable and less than you’d spend at home, so even if you’re on a strict cheap Jamaica holiday budget, several good nights out can certainly be on the agenda.

Let there be jerk

You’ll enjoy endless delicious dishes in Jamaica, and there’s so much to try you may need more than one holiday! Most meat and fish dishes are cooked in jerk seasoning and scotch bonnet peppers are a key ingredient, so you may find that these dishes are slightly on the fiery side. Rice and peas are also very popular here, as are yams, plantain and beef patties.

Seafood is a great pick when dining out as it’s invariably fresh from the sea that day. If you’re an adventure seeker and love to try something new, a holiday in Jamaica is the perfect time! Jamaican cuisine is a key part to achieving the full Jamaican experience – plus, who knows what dishes you might want to remake at home.

Being the most populated resort, the restaurants in Montego Bay offer a whole variety. Whether it’s seafront dining, a good stack of ribs, or a fancy and romantic spot, you’re bound to find exactly what you’re looking for.

As with drinking in Jamaica, dining out is very reasonably priced and with the array of options available to you, you have the luxury of choice.

Shopping heaven

Retail therapy is yet another thing that makes Jamaica holidays so special. Forget about large scale shopping mall experiences, shopping in Jamaica is all about sourcing the unique and the special. There are craft stalls and markets all over the island where you’ll be able to find unique gifts, like wooden carvings, to take home a little bit of Jamaica’s style. Bustling markets are the perfect place to hunt for a bargain!

Island Village shopping complex in Ocho Rios offers you a beautiful environment, as well as a wide range of shops. You’ll be able to browse to your heart’s content and admire the lagoon and flowering trees that make up this intriguing centre. Even if your cheap holiday to Jamaica doesn’t leave room for new bits, window shopping is always fun!