The Most Unique Experiences To Have In Kingston Jamaica

The capital city of Kingston in Jamaica is the centre of culture and commerce on the island. The growing metropolitan area buzzes with activity and events on any given day of the week, and some of the most popular can be found in the city. Here are the most unique experiences you can have in Kingston.

Go hiking in the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is the longest mountain range in Jamaica on the eastern side of the island. The cool temperatures and majestic scenery make it the best and most popular spot in Jamaica for hiking. Guests can follow the well-travelled mountain trails up to the 2256-metre (7400-foot) mountain peak. On the way, you’ll pass a few cottages, waterfalls, restaurants and, of course, the famous Blue Mountain Coffee Plantation.

Take a boat ride to Lime Cay

Go to a dancehall street party

At any given day during the week, you can find a street dance happening in Jamaica. The street dances, an important part of dancehall culture, involve the setting up of sound systems in small communities. A local DJ plays music while locals and tourists dress up and come out to dance, enjoy the music, and mingle. Theme nights are popular among street dances; some of the most famous being Weddy Weddy Wednesday, Throwback Thursdays, and British/US Linkup.

Tour the historical city of Port Royal

Port Royal is one of the Caribbean’s oldest and most historic cities. Located at the mouth of the Kingston Harbour, the city was founded in 1518 and once had the reputation of being the richest and wickedest city in the world! Port Royal was also home to generations of pirates and was the headquarters of pirate pillaging escapades. The city is home to many of Kingston’s most popular landmarks, including the famous Giddy House, Fort Charles and Museum, and the underwater pirate city that sunk as a result of the famous earthquake in 1692.

Experience Jamaican Bacchanal

Once a year, for the past 15 years, Jamaica embarks on its massive Bacchanal season, beginning at the start of February and ending in April. The carnival events are centred in Kingston, with smaller events in other cities across the island, and attract more than 100,000 locals and tourists. Guests come out in costumes to enjoy themselves and dance to the bands playing reggae, calypso and soca. A children’s parade takes place near the end of the season, leading up to the most anticipated event: the colourful adult’s parade, on the last day of Bacchanal, at Beach Jouvert.

Visit the Bob Marley Museum

The Bob Marley Museum is located on Hope Road and is where the famous reggae singer lived and recorded from 1975 until his death in 1981. The museum has a large collection of significant memorabilia and some of Marley’s most prized possessions. The museum also features his former recording studio, now transformed into an exhibition hall, the legendary Bob Marley café and gift shop, which sell the famous Marley coffee.

View beautiful artwork at the National Gallery

The National Gallery of Jamaica, established in 1974, is the oldest and largest public art museum in the English-speaking Caribbean. The gallery features an extensive collection of early, modern and contemporary art from many Jamaican artists, along with pieces from other Caribbean artists. There are permanent as well as temporary exhibitions that promote Jamaican art, some even showcasing works from Jamaica’s youngest artists.

Party at Club Privilege

The underlying theme of Club Privilege is exactly what the name suggests: privileges. This nightclub is one of the most luxurious, exclusive clubs in Kingston and a popular spot for clubbing on the weekends. The massive, 800-square-foot (75-square-metre) venue features two VIP lounges, a main bar, a champagne bar, and a large dance floor with walls covered in mood lighting. Club Privilege usually hosts theme nights and popular club events during the week, while it’s also a regular hang-out spot for celebrities visiting Jamaica, adding to its luxurious quality.

Relax in Emancipation Park

Nestled in the heart of New Kingston, Emancipation Park is an oasis of lush greenery and serenity. The park was built and opened to the public in 2002 and has since become a popular spot for those who want to relax, have a picnic, read a book or go for a jog. The park features three water fountains, lush gardens, various stonework and an 11-foot (three-metre) bronze sculpture called Redemption Song.

Have Devon House I-Scream

Perhaps the best and most delicious ice cream in Jamaica is to be found at the Devon House I-Scream shop. With more than 20 flavours, Devon House is a popular spot where locals get ice cream, especially on Sunday afternoons. Enjoy the signature flavour, Devon Stout, while touring the beautiful grounds of the Devon House property.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.