Jamaica All-Inclusive Vacations: Ya Mon

Just 154 miles south of Cuba, the island of Jamaica is closer than you think. With a varied terrain of mountains, rain forests and waterfalls, Jamaica is a jewel in the western Caribbean, a vacation destination with a unique beat. Jamaica is the home of jerk chicken, reggae music, and Bob Marley.

Even the language of Jamaica is unique: English is the official language, but locals speak their own brand of Creole, called Patois. They say hello like this: Waa gwaan (what’s going on?). Although it sounds comical in translation, the way to say goodbye is, “mi gaan.”

If you’re planning a visit to Jamaica, you’re in for an unforgettable all-inclusive vacation full of warm sunshine, reef-lined beaches, some of the world’s friendliest people, and a cuisine rich with spices and fruits. Your accommodation is likely to be in Montego Bay or Negril, where oceanfront resorts line the soft-sand beaches, offering drinks, delectable meals and reggae music that fills the air day and night.

The largest cities, Montego Bay and Kingston, are on opposite sides of the island. Montego Bay is the tourist capital while Kingston is the government seat and the commercial hub. If you come to the island on a cruise ship, you’ll dock at one of three cruise ports along the north coast. Montego Bay in the west and Ocho Rios on the central region take the larger vessels, while Port Antonio to the east takes smaller ships.

If you are flying to Jamaica, you have a choice of three international airports. In Kingston, the Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) serves the Blue Mountain region, Port Antonio, and the capital city. For the resort areas around Montego Bay, you can fly into Sangster International Airport (MBJ). This is where most tourists land, as it is the best route to Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril. Local flights on smaller planes take off from here as well. The third, and newest, airport is Ian Fleming International (OCJ), located in Ocho Rios. If you’re curious about the name, yes, the author Ian Fleming wrote all 14 James Bond novels in Jamaica and is almost as beloved here as Bob Marley.