Explore the Real Jamaica
I’m in Jamaica, where are you?! I’ve been to Jamaica once before, to Montego Bay but this time I took it to Kingston, the real Ja! I didn’t know what to expect, as any capital, there’s things to do, famous places to dine and a rich history to learn about. Luckily, I experienced all three. Jamaica is a great long weekend getaway from NYC, with non-stop flights on Jet Blue-hate her or love her, she gets you where you need to go and safely. My friend and I took an early flight out (6 am early) and landed around 8: 45 am.
Day 1
Food stop: KFC and Tastee for patties
If you haven’t heard of how good Jamaican KFC is before now, consider this your invitation to try it the next time you visit! As a KFC connoisseur abroad, y’all judge your mother, this KFC is soooo good. I usually get both spicy and BBQ flavor!
The first time I visited Jamaica, I learned how to eat beef pattie right, and that was with cocoa bread (fluffy, white, sweet bread) and it changed my life! Tastees is a popular chain that sells amazing beef, jerk chicken and other types of patties.
Trench Town, the birthplace of reggae
If you arrive on one of the early flights and you need time to kill before check in, I suggest you fill your time exploring some local attractions. If you know anything about Jamaica then you know how precious music is to the soul of this country, especially reggae and dancehall.
Bob Marley Museum
Trench Town Culture Yard Museum
Oceano
Very cute, very demure, upscale date night restaurant for couples or friends, that serves Japanese inspired dishes. The drinks were amazing, try the lychee martini and the sushi was very tasty but the entrees fell flat a bit to me. They were just ok.
Republic Speakeasy
After dinner drinks, yes please! This is technically a members only speakeasy but they do take outside reservations on certain days. Thursday happened to be cigar and scotch night, and although I didn't partake in either, the DJ was good and the company there was pleasant and of the mature crowd, generous kind, wink wink.
Other bars and clubs
Ribbiz
Uptown Mondays
Taboo
Mecca
Day 2
Started the day getting a standard Jamaican breakfast at the Cafe Blu: ackee, sailfish, festival, and fried and boiled dumplings.
Hellshire beach
I love a good beach day on vacay! Part of this trip was to experience the real Jamaica and Hellshire beach is just that. It’s a place of solitude, no frills but with nice water and great beachside restaurants, serving fresh food.
BYOE: towels, chairs, cooler, umbrella, entertainment (games, speaker) etc. When I said no frills, I meant it.
Mama Flos: take your pick of fresh seafood from lobster to snapper to shrimp (you’re charged by the weight) and how you want it prepared i.e. grilled or fried with garlic butter or curried. We went overboard and took two of everything haha, no regrets.
Di Lot
An all-in-one entertainment spot to enjoy on your Friday night. It’s a bi-level multi use center with bars, food stands, games, hookah and a DJ.
Enjoy different themed nights and hosted parties depending on the night. I went on a Friday, and, though I had a good time with my friends, I had to leave after a while because the crowd got very young.
Day 3
Pretty Close 1876: riverside restaurant and waterfall excursion
This is a great experience, one that I can’t say I experienced before. Give me an activity and food any day and I'm happy! Located in Gordon Town, which is about 30 minutes from Kingston. The drive up to the restaurant, my God, was treacherous! Jamaican drivers are seriously on a another level of chaos that I haven’t seen!
You must make a reservation in order to visit the visit and have guided access to the waterfall, which can be booked via their Instagram, on WhatsApp. There is a breakfast or lunch option to choose from.
Once there, you’ll get cozy in a spot, enjoy a delicious bowl of Jamaican Ital soup (pumpkin, vegan soup), and from there, have the choice to relax or head to the waterfall.
The hike to the waterfall is about 10-15 minutes, light-medium activity level, appropriate for all ages. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, that you don’t mind getting wet (sneakers, water shoes) and comfortable clothing and wear your swimsuits underneath.
The hike and waterfall is quaint and beautiful. Change, relax and enjoy the waterfall for a bit before heading back.
Back at the restaurant, the chef/owner is preparing the meals. For lunch we had: fried snapper, ackee, rice and peas, cabbage and plantain, with fresh coconut water. Amazing!
Day 4
It was a beautiful Sunday and technically our last full day in Kingston and we made the best of it! We explored these sites in the heart of Kingston.
Try Sonia’s Homestyle Restaurant for a classic Jamaican breakfast. Down to the decor and atmosphere, it’ll feel like you’re visiting your Jamaican grandma’s house and I mean that in the most wholesome way.
Emancipation Park
This beautiful park serves as a tribute to Jamaica’s journey to freedom. You will learn about Jamaica’s road to freedom and the people most notable behind it with historical tributes, It’s also a great place to take pictures, go on a stroll or jog or have a picnic.
Devon’s House
This historic mansion was built in the late 19th century, by Jamaica’s 1st millionaire, George Stiebel. You can choose to explore the actual mansion (it is closed on Sundays), stroll around the grounds and explore the shops, but most importantly you have to get ice at the famous Devon House I-Scream.
Someone put me on to getting the “Crunchie Munchie” flavor and it was phenomenal, so now I’m telling you!
Shopping
There’s no trip I go on where I don’t go shopping, but this time, shopping consisted only of food. I love Jamaican cuisine, and I definitely wanted to bring back some jerk seasoning, bun & cheese, scotch bonnet seasoning, and Tastee patties.
You can actually pick up most staple Jamaican seasonings, items, coffee, and frozen patties at the airport. I didn’t want to take the chance of the airport store not being open, since our flight was so late, almost 2 am, but the airport store was open.
Dinner at the Coppers: beautiful, romantically lit, the ambience was there. The appetizers were amazing! We had the oxtail gnocchi and crab dumplings. The entree of lobster in scampi sauce was ok, definitely had better.
Sunday Funday
I love a good day party situation and that was no different in Jamaica!
Day party at Republic *members only speakeasy but tickets are available for purchase
Soca Sundays at Di Lot
Day 5
Departure
Late checkout was so crucial on Sunday! My friend has Marriott status, so we were able to check out at 4pm and hold our bags there until we needed to head to the airport. This is not sponsored, but shout out to the AC Marriott for a lovely stay, in the best location in Kingston.
Travel Jawn Tips
Driving vs Uber: Drive in Jamaica at your own risk. The steering wheel is on the right-hand side and roads are similar to Britain.
Food in Jamaica vs Jamaican food in the US is different. Not in a bad way, I personally think, food in Jamaica is fresher, and less salty.
Get cash. This will always be my recommendation for most destinations, especially if you like to visit markets but cards are wildly accepted.
Beware traveling at night. Staying in new Kingston is probably your best bet, but if you’re traveling through other areas outside of Kingston be on alert, especially at red lights.
