If you have 3 days in Kingston then you have time to enjoy the island’s capital, the idyllic beaches along the coast and the lush Blue Mountains. The itinerary includes a little of everything – beaches, history, natural beauty, reggae music and Jamaican culture.
Day 1 – Kingston
Spend your first day getting to know the island’s capital, take a walk along the Parade and browse in Coronation Market or the Craft Market. Visit the famous Bob Marley Museum and the historic Devon House a 19th century mansion which was the home of Jamaica’s first black millionaire. Take a stroll through one of the many Kingston parks like Emancipation Park or National Heroes Park where many of the nation’s heroes are buried. Visit the unique 100 year old Shaare Shalom Synagogue which has a sand floor so that the original worshipers who were forbidden to practice their faith would not be heard moving about within the synagogue. Swing by the Redemption Song statue which commemorates the end of slavery. Have lunch in one of the well know local eateries like Carlos Café, Redbones the Blues Café or Akbar Restaurant. Visit the Trench Town Culture Yard where Bob Marley grew up and learnt to play the guitar. Trench Town is where reggae was born and if you want to see more of this neighborhood then there are organized tours of Trench Town. It will give you a glimpse into Marley’s humble beginnings. Spend your evening in Kingston enjoying the bars and nightclubs.
Day 2 – Blue Mountains
Spend the day in the beautiful 192 acre Blue Mountain John Crow Mountain National Park where there is lush rainforest with waterfalls, indigenous plants, isolated traditional communities and wildlife. This is a nature lovers paradise and whether you want to hike, bike (there are bike rentals in the area), walk or drive it is worth seeing. If you have the energy then climb the Blue Mountain Peak, Jamaica’s highest mountain (2.255km high) and on a clear day you can see as far as Cuba. It is possible to follow the hike trails by yourself or take a guided tour.
Day 3 – Port Royal
Today you can spend exploring the coastline near Kingston. Start with the “pirate haven” of Port Royal where the famous pirate Sir Henry Morgan would ambush Spanish ships. The city suffered a major earthquake in 1962 when most of the city was submerged beneath the sea but the city is still interesting to visit. On the way see the remains of Fort Charles, Fort Rocky and the 18th century Saint Peter’s Church. If you want you can visit the local museum which focuses on the history of the city. Port Royal is known for its seafood so try some of the fried fish. Spend what remainder of the day on one of the beach, if you want to mix with the locals, listen to music and taste the local jerk then try Gunboat Beach or visit Hellshire Beach. For a small secluded beach take a 15 minute boat ride from Port Royal to the small islet of Lime Cay. On the small island there is not much more than forests, sand and the surrounding ocean but the “oyster man” is famous for his delicious oysters and hot “backshot” sauce.
