November 3, 2015 | Leave a comment Home to good vibes from Bob Marley and more of his like, this Caribbean neighbor with a badass flag is not swarming with backpackers. It totally should be, based on the lagoons and waterfalls alone. Most people fear for their safety, but done right, you won’t have to miss out on the more than photogenic nature, exciting historic sentiment, and impressively distinct, flavorful cuisine. When we consider the actual size of the island, Jamaica holds a disproportionate amount of cultural influence that deserves firsthand experience. BUDGET BREAKDOWN: Airfare- 180 Hostels- 10-20/nt. Meals- 2-5 off the streets, 5-10 in restaurants Entry fees- 20 for Dunn’s River Falls Rental van- 90/day For four days, including airfare and rental cars/gas costs in two countries, my total was around $400USD. TRANSPORTATION: While we went with a 10-seater van, I did see typical public transport options for backpacking purposes. Busses are most affordable and require the most time. “Route taxis” seem to be a shared taxi system that charges by distance and combines passengers for optimal efficiency. Between these two options you should be able to cover everything! For more info see http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Travel-g147309-s303/Jamaica:Caribbean:Public.Transportation.html Pick-up trucks can be waved down and paid to bring you down mountains (VJ found ours at Jah B’s Guesthouse), but I wouldn’t hitchhike beyond this, and I definitely wouldn’t do this alone. The four-wheel-drive getting us to the mountain’s trailhead was pre-arranged by calling Whitfield hostel, but can be arranged without prior planning at the police station next to Mavis Bank. Negotiate prices for these two options. WHAT TO DO: Blue Mountain Peak I’ve never seen a sky bleed so much. Famed for coffee and the country’s highest point, my favorite part was the blood-orange skies that caught us in a trance for the last hour of our summit. The dawn lighting that immediately followed was lovely. It’s a great escape if the tropical heat becomes unbearable. Even on less clear days, an unmistakable dark blue mountain range surrounds you. The hike takes half a day and is beginner friendly. A local guide is recommended and can be arranged with Whitfield Hostel, which is extremely close to the trail head. Cabins for campers, as well as outhouses, are available once inside the park. If you have bad knees, bring hiking poles for the occasional muddy spots during descent. Dunn’s River Falls A top destination and fun challenge for all ages. The gushing falls feed straight into the warm ocean waters, offering swimming opportunities in both fresh and salt water. A congratulatory sign makes you feel good about yourself, and laying out on the sand will make you feel even better. It’s touristy, so come early if you can. Hold hands, or expect to lose your step. Tacky Waterfalls is a less crowded alternative. Explore Kingston History was what felt emphasized the most in this area, although our group decided not to actually enter town. Popular sites include the Bob Marley Museum, outdoor markets, pirate history. I enjoyed passing time a bit further out at Port Royal, but didn’t engage in any official activities, which is perhaps the ideal way to experience the world. Negril The Seven Mile Beach is a favorite stroll spot, but the section I explored was mediocre. There’s also jumping, snorkeling, and cave opportunities at Negril Cliffs. If I had an extra day here, I’d explore and jump the faces, then walk the whole strip, and enjoy the sunset with a fruity drink. For wildly inappropriate dancing from sundown to sun up, head here and pick a hostel on the beach. I hear if you can handle back to back shots of the authentic 130-proof white rum, you’ll fit right in. We didn’t participate. Other destinations to consider that are most notable for their natural beauty: Blue Lagoon Tacky Falls Ocho Rios WHERE TO STAY: None of the lodging choices were particularly noteworthy, I like to list places I’d make an effort to book if I ever returned to the same places. In my narrative I list where we stayed; they weren’t bad. WHAT TO EAT: Drink out of a Caribbean coconut dammit Saltfish and Ackee Fried bammy Roasted breadfruit Soursop and Sweetsop tropical fruits Brown sauce fish Rice and peas with goat curry SAFETY: I stuck with our group and felt fine the whole time. At the gas station where the worker who stayed with us while we waited for each other at the bathroom said last week a someone “got jumped” so don’t go without a buddy and stay in at night. Special thanks to Vijaya for helping me record these details <3