Hellshire, St Catherine, Jamaica

Jamaica Holidays

A Caribbean favourite. Be sure to take in everything Jamaica offers on your tailored itinerary – there’s shining golden beaches, forest trails, crocodile excursions and a whole island of options to explore.

This iconic Caribbean island has been a favourite for British travellers since the early 1900s. What might surprise you is the size of Jamaica.

The third-largest island in the Caribbean, it measures 146 miles long and rises to a height of 2,200m in the Blue Mountains of the interior. From here, rivers tumble down the island’s famous waterfalls emerging on palm-fringed shorelines with white sand beaches and turquoise water. Jerk chicken, reggae, rum and Bob Marley, where else could you be but Jamaica. Rocky coves, stunning white beaches, a vibrant capital and the outstanding scenery of the Blue Mountains makes Jamaica one of the most interesting Caribbean islands to visit. Excellent boutique hotels such as GoldenEye, Strawberry Hill or The Caves ensure a very comfortable stay.

Floyd's Pelican Bar
Floyd's Pelican Bar, Treasure Beach, Jamaica

Highlights of Jamaica

Striking a careful balance between exploration and relaxation, our journeys to Jamaica aim to move beyond the tourist trail and offer an in-depth and highly customisable insight into the Caribbean island.
Encompassing everything from farmland horseback rides to private beach lounging, we can curate a fully-tailored trip bursting with extraordinary experiences for solo travellers, honeymooners and families alike.

13 days

from £4,660 pp

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Tropical Beach, Jamaica
Jamaica

Why we like Jamaica

White sandy beaches, a lush tropical interior, a whole range of hotels and villas catering to every level of budget and a never-ending supply of rum. Frequent flights and some really gorgeous places to stay. It is time to take another look.

Green Turtle, Caribbean
Jamaica

Jamaica: What to Expect

Travelling around Jamaica is fun and well worth the odd pothole, common on the bone-rattling roads. Jamaica’s somewhat turbulent colonial past is evident in Spanish and English place names, as well as in the architecture of the plantation houses built by their British owners, and whose continued production links past and present. Modern Jamaica is a proud independent nation that marches to a fantastic soundtrack of reggae, ska and dancehall washed down by Jamaican rum.

Experiences

Discover some of our suggested activities to include on your Jamaica holiday.

Montego Bay Marine Park, Jamaica
Jamaica

Sail in Montego Bay Marine Park

Cruise to the Montego Bay Marine Park, an area of protected ocean on Jamaica’s northern coast, to learn about habitat restoration projects and coast clean-ups. This stretch of coastline is a beautiful spot to go swimming or snorkelling, and there are some delicious eateries on land.

Suggested Holiday Idea

YS Falls, Jamaica, Caribbean
Jamaica

Picnic at the YS Falls

Travel to YS Falls, one of the best waterfalls in Jamaica, to witness its cascades and natural pools and swim in the mineral-rich waters. Nestled in the hills of St. Elizabeth, the falls really feel like a secret paradise and are an ideal spot for picnicing.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Rafting, Martha Brae, Jamaica, Caribbean
Jamaica

Go Rafting on Martha Brae

In the company of an experienced raft captain, float on a thirty-foot-long bamboo raft along a three mile stretch of the Martha Brae River. During the hour-long traverse, learn about “The Legend of Martha Brae” or perhaps take a dip in the cool water.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Hampden Estate, Jamaica, Caribbean
Jamaica

Hampden Estate Rum Tour

Journey into the heart of a working distillery that has been operating since 1753 to learn about the 260-year-old rum-making process that is still in use today. Be sure to taste the award-winning Rum Fire and Hampden Gold varieties and explore the picturesque grounds.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Glowing Water, Luminous Bay, Falmouth, Jamaica, Caribbean
Jamaica

Night Sailing on Luminous Lagoon

See one of the world’s largest concentrations of bio–luminescent microorganisms at the Luminous Lagoon in the town of Falmouth.
Board a sunset boat tour and travel through the mangrove-surrounded lagoon  to see the glowing water up close. Put the camera down and watch as silhouetted fish dart around and even hope for rainfall – rain lights up the lagoon as the drops of water dance on the surface.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Craighton Estate Coffee, Jamaica, Caribbean
Jamaica

Coffee Tour at Craighton Estate

Embark on a one-hour tour the 200-year-old Craighton Coffee Estate, walking around its working coffee farm and historic great house while learning all about the history of coffee production in Jamaica (and taking time to sample a cup or two).

Suggested Holiday Idea

Cockpit Country, Jamaica, Caribbean
Jamaica

Jamaica’s Last Remaining Wilderness

Hike the Burnt Hill Nature Walk to Cockpit Country, the rugged natural paradise located in the heart of the island, to observe endemic species, understand the ecology, learn about the medicinal herbs and get insights into the local folklore of Maroon traditions.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Port Antonio, Jamaica, Caribbean
Jamaica

Port Antonio with a Guide

Tour Port Antonio, the island’s third largest port, which was once an epicentre of banana, spices and coconut shipping and learn all about how it is one of the most important ecological preservation locations in Jamaica.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Suriname River, Suriname
Jamaica

Meet the Maroon Tribe

Set off in dugout canoes to experience the traditions and daily life of the Maroon tribe and old colonial plantations.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Goldeneye £££££

  • Jamaica
  • Beach and Island Escapes

The former estate of James Bond author, Ian Fleming, GoldenEye is one of Jamaica’s most luxurious and exclusive coastal resorts. A series of private villas and cottages line the coast, tucked away in tropical gardens. The four original villas are spacious and beautifully decorated and have private gardens, terraces or verandas overlooking the sea or the lagoon. The Fleming Villa is the author’s original house.

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Jakes £££££

  • Jamaica
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Jakes is a charming seaside resort nestled in the quaint fishing village of Treasure Beach, offering a mix of adobe-like cottages, guestrooms and villas. Set in the relaxed beauty of Jamaica’s sandy south coast landscape, the accommodation is bright and bohemian. Deluxe rooms are typically large and have good sea views, generous double beds, air conditioning, a sun deck or terrace and an outdoor daybed. The garden cottages are surrounded by vegetation and the oceanfront options are supremely private, opening out onto wooden decks that look straight out to sea.

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Strawberry Hill £££££

  • Jamaica
  • Boutique

Originally a coffee estate, Strawberry Hill is located 3,100ft. up into the Blue Mountains, offering sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea and surrounding mountain range. This tranquil property features 12 Georgian-style cottages, whose rooms are beautifully furnished with mahogany four-poster beds, Jamaican antiques and delicate muslin drapes.

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The Caves £££££

  • Jamaica
  • Boutique

The Caves are a colourful collection of 12 Cottages, Suites and a Four-bedroom Villa. There are also two main dining gazebos and ‘cave-like’ Blackwell Rum Bar. The Caves offers a Jacuzzi, sauna, Aveda Concept Spa and saltwater swimming pool.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Rachael Tallents

Adventure, discovery and my curiosity for people and the natural world is what drives my love of travelling.  I am grateful for my parents’ desire to explore, and from an early age my eyes were open to diverse landscapes, cultures, and underwater worlds.

For the last 16 years, I have worked for a leading luxury tour operator designing incredible journeys for discerning clients and travelled to some magical places. I am excited to have joined Steppes Travel, and to be working for a company with such strong ethical and sustainable values.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

John Faithfull

On an early Caribbean jaunt, John was lucky enough to stay in the Ian Fleming residence at the author’s iconic Caribbean home, Goldeneye, eschewing the beach to spend hours with rum in hand at the famous corner desk where many of the Bond books were penned.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Frequently asked questions about Jamaica

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