Jamaica: the Caribbean island that has it all

Where to Drink

Red Stripe and rum are two very good reasons to visit Jamaica. There are roadside bars dotted all over the island, offering welcome relief from the midday sun. At Rick’s Cafe in Negril (below), nab yourself a seat on the upstairs deck and watch the psychedelic pink and purple sunset while sipping a rum cocktail.

Get a Guide

A great way to see Jamaica is with a guide. David from Paradise Travels, a local who knows all the best spots, showed us where to get the sweetest roadside coconuts, hidden away food shacks and even took us to visit his wonderful father, who lives in a beautiful village. Daily prices from £89 (paradisetravelsinjamaica.com)

Where to Eat

Jamaica is home to the best jerk cooking in the world. Visit Miss T’s Kitchen (below) in Ocho Rios and the lady herself will fill you up with homemade dishes such as jerk chicken. Little Ochie, a seafood restaurant on a black-sand beach in the south of the island, was founded by Evrol Christian in 1989 and he has refused to change anything since, including the tables, most of which are old wooden canoes. You choose your fish from the daily catch and it goes straight on the charcoal grill.

Where to Dance

You can’t visit Jamaica without experiencing the island’s music. While most of the club and concert venues are situated in the capital, Kingston, there is music to be found everywhere you go. In Negril, head to The Jungle on Saturday night, pay £15 and spend the early hours letting loose to classic dancehall tracks while enjoying the free bar.

What to Visit

Negril can be touristy, with places like Dunn’s River Falls visited by thousands of holidaymakers every year. Drive a short distance, however, and you will soon reach some of the most beautiful, lesser-known natural spots on the island. Take the Luminous Lagoon: visit after dark and the water seems lit from within, thanks to the distinctive plankton that illuminate the water when disturbed. More intrepid types should try Black River Safari, a nature reserve that’s home to the Crocodile Nursery & Museum. Take a cruise and meet George, David and Henry — resident crocodiles that live alongside the locals.

Where to Stay

Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, on the north coast, was frequented by Marilyn Monroe, Ian Fleming and Sir Winston Churchill. Step straight on to the beach from your suite (there are 52 suites and cottages in total) and order a rum punch from Teddy, the legendary 75-year-old, who has been running the bar here for 59 years. For a more boutique experience, try the Rockhouse hotel, which sits on the cliff face of Negril. With totally tropical sunsets, pools nestled in the rocky cliffs and suites housed in individual huts, it’s barefoot bliss at its best.

Helen Gibson was a guest of Jamaica Inn, rooms from £246 (jamaicainn.com), and Rockhouse Hotel, rooms from £67 (rockhouse.com). She flew with British Airways. Return flights from £690 (britishairways.com)