caribbean travelers choice winners
News

Jamaica Is Back. Here’s How to Visit.

By: Alexander Britell and Guy Britton - July 11, 2021

Whether it’s serenity of the cliffs of Negril, the sands of Montego Bay’s crescent shores or the sizzle of jerk in Port Antonio, Jamaica is the Caribbean’s sensory feast, a vibrant, endlessly energetic destination that never ceases to make you feel. 

And that hasn’t changed. 

After reopening for tourism in the summer of 2020, the island’s easy-to-follow travel protocols make visiting Jamaica a breeze right now — and that means the Jamaica you’re longing for is exactly what you’ll get. 

jamaica visit how why
Miss Lily’s, the Seven Mile Beach outpost of the New York hotspot.

So what do travelers need to know? 

All visitors need to apply for a Travel Authorization (you can find it here). 

It’s a quick digital form to fill out, and you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken and received within three days before traveling to Jamaica. 

It’s one of the Caribbean’s simplest travel entry protocols — and it means that when you arrive in Jamaica you’ll find that Jamaica’s tourism industry has implemented a strong series of protocols, from regular sanitizing to broad mask wearing — meaning you’ll feel safe the moment you land at the airport. 

And that’s it — you land and enter one of Jamaica’s tourism-safe “resilient corridors” and you can go about enjoying your vacation, discovering a buzzing Jamaica — one that has seen its tourism industry recover ahead of schedule. 

The cliffs of Negril.

And that’s true across the island. 

In Montego Bay, you’ll find as impressive a collection of hotels and resorts as ever — whether you’re checking in to the dazzling Eclipse at Half Moon resort or the hip new S Hotel Montego Bay, the latter a sister hotel to Kingston’s popular Spanish Court. 

jamaica visit how why
The stunning infinity pool at Eclipse at Half Moon in Jamaica.

In Negril, you can dive right in — the magical cliffs of Negril at inimitable hotels like Rockhouse; the low-key charm of Bloody Bay; and, yes, Seven Mile Beach is still, well, Seven Mile Beach, a never-ending array of beach sights and sounds, from bopping meals at Miss Lily’s to the art of sandy souvenir hunting.

In Port Antonio, you can spend your days on the beach at the edge of the rainforest, and the nights with the sound of Mento. 

Geejam in Jamaica.

In other words, Jamaica is back — and that means you need to be, too. 

For more, visit Jamaica. (Here’s what you need to do before traveling).

— CJ

Popular Posts cape santa maria

From Anguilla to Aruba, the Best Caribbean Beaches to Visit This Summer

Forget the Hamptons, forget Santorini. And Florida? There’s a reason snowbirds go home in the summer. If you’re looking for a summertime beach getaway, the Caribbean is it. The water is deliciously warm, the trade winds keep you cool and […]


The Winners of the 2024 Caribbean Green Awards 

caribbean green

With almost 20,000 votes, the winners of the Caribbean Green Awards 2024 Presented by E-Finity have been crowned.  From state-of-the-art marine conservation projects to hotels that are redefining sustainability, the Green movement has never been stronger in the Caribbean.  “This […]


Curacao’s Newest All-Inclusive Resort Reinvents the Beach Bungalow

beach bungalow on the sand with reflection of water

Hyatt’s Dreams brand first debuted on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao back in 2019, a transformation of what had been the Hilton Curacao. In many ways, Dreams’ debut helped change the game for the island, helping to kick off […]


Related Posts negril blue water next to cliffs

Caribbean Photo of the Week: The Blue in Negril

The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Robert Mand, who sent in this sparkling photo of the blue water in Negril, Jamaica. Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean? Send it to news@caribjournal.com with CPOTW in […]


The Ultimate Island-Hopping Vacation in The Bahamas

boats in turquoise water in abaco bahamas

Island-hopping across places like Green Turtle Cay and Great Guana in The Abacos. Taking your dinghy to pristine sandbars and islands with swimming pigs in the Exumas. Journeying through history in Hope Town. The undersea coves of Manjack Cay. A […]


TripAdvisor: This Montego Bay Resort Is Jamaica’s Top All-Inclusive 

Montego Bay Jamaica Flights

One of the Caribbean’s hottest all-inclusive resorts has just gotten a major new accolade from TripAdvisor: the S Hotel Montego Bay, which has been named number three all-inclusive in the region and the top all-inclusive in Jamaica in its Travelers’ […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You