Experience why Jamaica is one of the most special places on earth. Immerse yourself in our culture. It’s as vibrant as our art, as unique as each sunset and as diverse as our people.

In just 4,244 square miles, Mother Nature has packed you one of the most interesting combinations of flora, fauna and physical geographical features: Jamaica, the Heartbeat of the Caribbean. 235 kilometres long and 93 kilometres at the widest point, the island of Jamaica is the third largest in the Caribbean Sea, located approximately 18 N, 77 W, in the heart of the Caribbean Basin. Just fewer than 3 million people live on the island, mostly in the cities of Kingston and Montego Bay, but large towns such as Portmore, Spanish Town and Mandeville have significant populations. Jamaica is a land of mountains, plateaux and plains, dominated by a series of mountain ranges that run across the centre of the island. Almost half the island is above 300 metres, and the highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, rises 2,256 metres above sea level. Many of Jamaica’s 120 rivers originate in these highlands, watering the land on their way to the Caribbean Sea. The climate varies from tropical on the coastal plains, to temperate in the highlands of the interior, and the flora is a highly diverse combination of tropical and sub-tropical vegetation. There are 1,022 kilometres of coastline; reef-protected white sand beaches characterise the north, while the coastline of the south has predominantly black sand beaches.

Truly a nation “out of many, one people” Jamaica is a multifaceted mosaic of international customs and traditions. Our ancestors, from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, have helped to shape our culture, creating one that is uniquely Jamaican. When visiting our island home, take time to experience our culture… it’s what sets us apart from other Caribbean destinations. Reason with a Rastafarian about life, love or politics. Lose yourself in the rhythms and movements of a people who still refuse to be constrained. Visit one of our many theatres or stage shows and delight in our performing arts, showcasing everything from Jonkonnu to jazz. Want to dance too? Join in the wild revelry of Carnival and Augus’ Mawnin or just follow the reggae beat, pulsing from street corners and rum bars island wide. After that, share a meal with us –ackee and saltfish with roast breadfruit, escoveitched fish, bammy and festival – our epicurean feasts will tantalize your taste buds. In Jamaica, you’ll discover new worlds, and familiar ones too, lots to learn about, and even more to love. No wonder we’ve been called ‘the biggest little island in the world…’ It’s a title we can live with.

Jamaica is a natural muse. Our land gleams in Technicolor, as lofty Blue Mountains spill onto verdant plains, shimmering sands and turquoise seas. Our people are bold, brash and bubbly, hailing from around the globe to give a spectrum of skin tones, customs and traditions. Our rich history and culture provide a plethora of ideas, images and untold stories. Given all this, it’s no wonder Jamaicans pulse with a creative energy that overflows into whatever we do. It’s in the way we talk, walk, dance, dress and in the countless other nuances making up the fabric of our everyday lives. Our creativity, however, is perhaps most tangible in our visual art, which uses our country’s inspirational palette to give a physical reflection of everything we are, have been and will be.