Kingston

Kingston is at the heart of Jamaican life, and is a wonderful place to really get under the skin of the country and its people, away from the exclusive beach resorts. Sitting at the foot of the Blue Mountains, the city is home to both wealth and extreme poverty, giving a sense of what life is really like for the people who live here.

The Bob Marley Museum offers a wonderful insight into the music and life of a man who gave a voice to the powerless of the city, and of the world. Growing up in impoverished Trench Town, Marley’s lyrics concentrated on issues of oppression and poor people’s politics, and went on to make him the most famous reggae musician the world has ever seen.

Bob Marley was a Rastafarian, and you can visit one of the most significant Rastafarian communities here at Bull Bay.

On the other side of the coin, you can visit the decadent 19th-century mansion of millionaire George Stiebel, or the Royal Botanical Gardens. The latter are found in Hope Gardens, one of the many green public spaces in Kingston – other favourites include Emancipation Park and Mandela Park, and you can also take in the public botanical gardens found in Castleton. Halfway Tree, the shopping and commercial hub of the city, is well worth a visit too.

Heading for the harbour, you can visit the Palisadoes, a 17th-century safe port for the pirates of the Caribbean. Admire the ruins of Port Royal, fatally damaged by a 1692 earthquake, but where you can still see cannons and the remains of Saint Peter’s Church.

To travel to Kingston, you can take a flight to Norman Manley International Airport or the Tinson Pen aerodrome or, alternatively, you can book a cruise. There are minibuses, taxis and a bus system to help you get around. Common sense and caution while walking in more deprived areas are recommended.