JAMAICA

When we talk about Jamaica at Caribtours, we’re not talking about the big mass-market resorts with crowded buffets and watered-down rum punch. Jamaica was our very first destination when we started selling holidays back in 1979, and we’ve always sought out the coolest, quirkiest and most luxurious hotels on the island.

We’re talking about places like Jamaica Inn, charming its guests since the 1950s (even longer than us!); Round Hill, with its interiors by Ralph Lauren; or GoldenEye, the exclusive former hideaway of James Bond author Ian Fleming. And what better time to visit Jamaica, with the new Bond film, ‘No Time to Die’, arriving in November this year! Jamaica is justifiably famous for its golden beaches and calm Caribbean waters, but there’s so much more to entice the curious traveller. This is a great destination for foodies, offering everything from rustic eateries serving the classics - jerk chicken, curried goat, ackee and saltfish - to more sophisticated settings cooking up the best of modern Jamaican cuisine, from crayfish bisque to octopus carpaccio.

Jamaica’s outstanding musical heritage is another compelling reason to explore beyond the confines of your resort. This is the island that brought the world reggae, ska, dancehall, dub and much more besides, and you’re never far from a rocking sound system. Top festivals and events for your calendar include Carnival in April, Reggae Sumfest in July and Negril’s unique Reggae Marathon in December.