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Living and Teaching English in Jamaica - Habits, Customs & Curiosities

The colorful and laid-back island of Jamaica is one of the most popular destinations in the whole of the Caribbean.

Although famous for its golden sand beaches and swaying palm trees, Jamaica offers a whole lot more than just lazy days in a hammock.

The following guides provide a small insight into the attractions to look forward to, as well as a few pointers on the local customs and culture.

The handy guide to Negril also highlights the attractions of one of the island’s most popular spots, and if you are looking for something other than the beach check out the top ten things to do in Jamaica.

As one of the most well-known islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica has been attracting foreign visitors to its palm tree-lined beaches for decades. Thanks to the country’s varied cultural history visitors will find the local cuisine to be a real mix of flavors from across the world, however, the famous Jamaican jerk spice is one thing you will always find on the menu. Have a quick look at this list before setting off.

The laid back nature of everyday life on the island is one of its great attractions, along with the countless miles of golden sands that can be found along its coastline. Although the official language of Jamaica is English, you are sure to come across many words and phrases that are unique to the island.

Located on the western tip of Jamaica, the small town of Negril is one of the country’s most popular destinations. At the heart of the area is Seven Mile Beach where you will find a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets. If you fancy a break from the beach you can pay a visit to the local water park, check out the views from atop the Negril Lighthouse or chill-out to some live reggae music.

As it has largely resisted the urge to over-develop, Negril has consistently been ranked in the world’s top ten resorts for the quality of its beaches. The smaller but equally stunning Bloody Bay Beach and the tranquil Half Moon Beach are also well worth spending some time relaxing on.

Although a large percentage of visitors to Jamaica see very little of it away from their hotel beach, there are plenty of other great experiences to be had if you know where to look. Inland Jamaica has miles of unspoiled landscape that can be explored on foot or by car, particularly the stunning Blue Mountains which offer plenty of great hiking options. Food lovers will also be spoiled for choice as there are dozens of special eateries to discover all over the island.

This list of ten things to do offers some unique opportunities to enjoy during your visit to the island. The history of the island is steeped in music and you can enjoy many fantastic nights out, with all genres of music covered at a wide range of different venues.