JAMAICA HOLIDAYS - TRAVEL GUIDE - ACTIVITIES & SIGHTS

The popular Montego Bay area is famous for its exquisite sands, two of the nicest being Doctor's Cove beach and Walter Fletcher beach, home to a wide range of water sports. For funky beach bars and a chilled out vibe, Negril is the place to be - with an impressive array of them lined up along the 7km strip of sand. Ocho Rios is a tropical paradise, with lush foliage and inviting palm trees, perfect to relax under.

The former capital of Jamaica under both Spanish and English rule, Spanish Town still clearly displays elements of its eventful past. The town boasts a number of structures of architectural importance, most notably the oldest iron bridge in the Western Hemisphere, which stands at the entrance to the town, and the impressive Anglican cathedral, which stands on the former site of the Spanish Chapel of the Red Cross. Spanish influences are still in abundance in the town's street names, such as the Red Church and White Church Streets.

Experience the Jamaican culture and soak up the atmosphere at one of the island's colourful carnivals, which are held over the Easter week in the capital cities of Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril. Alive with colourful costumes and the lively sounds of calypso and reggae, the event has grown in popularity in recent years, and is now a clear rival to the revered Rio Carnival in Brazil.

The Blue Mountains is the rugged, mountainous region in the heart of the Island. Home to Jamaica's highest peak, it is possible to see both the North and South coastlines from the summit, whilst in fairer weather the neighbouring island of Cuba is also clearly visible. In 1992, The Blue Mountain and John Crow mountain national park was established to help preserve the region's forests, with their abundance rare flora and fauna. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is also cultivated on the lower slopes, where fertile soils make the area ideal for farming.