If you want to travel to the Caribbean, you certainly have no shortage of wonderful destinations from which to choose. One of

the most popular places for tourists in the Caribbean, however, is Jamaica. The country of Jamaica is about 150 miles long

and 50 miles wide. So it isn’t huge, but it is mighty in the world of tourism, and is actually the third largest island in

the Caribbean. It is found less than 100 miles south of Cuba and a little over 100 miles from Hispaniola, the island on which

Haiti and the Dominican Republic is found. It was formally a possession of Spain, and late of the United Kingdom, but is now

its own nation.

Although Jamaica is small, it has had a large cultural influence on the world. Reggae, ska, dancehall, and ragga are just a

few of the many musical genres that originated in Jamaica. Jungle music in the United Kingdom and hip-hop in the United

States are also largely accredited to the Jamaican immigrant population. The Rastafari movement also began in Jamaica.

When you are visiting Jamaica, there are a number of fun activities for you to do. Of course, like most other Caribbean

islands, Jamaica is home to a number of beautiful beaches, so it is a real island paradise. While there, you can try diving,

parasailing, boating, swimming, snorkeling, jet and water skiing, and surfing. Fishing is also very popular in Jamaica,

and you can see a variety of great plants and animals when you are visiting this island.

For those who are not interested in fun in the sun, the nightlife in Jamaica is also great. You can dance the night away in a

number of clubs and visit bars to try some of the local drinks. The restaurants there serve both foreign and cultural cuisine, and shopping is great for tourists who want to pick up lots of gifts to take home.

If you plan to go to Jamaica on your next vacation, you can fly directly there or you can take a cruise through the Caribbean

Islands. Make sure that you check with your airport to see what kinds of travel paperwork are required to visit Jamaica from

your country and be prepared to experience this fun island culture by reading up on the many things you can see and do while

there. Jamaica can be your own island paradise when you visit. So the vacation is definitely worth the trouble of making travel plans.

Posted on October 11th, 2007 by John
Filed under: Caribbean vacations, Vacation Tips