Look to All Inclusive Resorts in Jamaica For the Time of Your Life!

If you’re looking for a great travel bargain take a look at all inclusive resorts Jamaica where food, drink, recreation, and tips are covered with one upfront price. Jamaica is part of the Greater Antilles islands, a sovereign nation just 145 miles long and 50 miles wide. The original inhabitants were Taino Indians who named the island Xaymaca which means The Land of Springs. When Cristopher Columbus came in 1494 he found more than two hundred villages ruled by local Taino chiefs and he promptly declared the island a Spanish colony.

The first Spanish settlement on Jamaica was called Sevilla, near St. Ann’s Bay, but it had to be eventually abandoned in 1554 due to frequent pirate attacks. In 1655 the English, led by Admiral William Penn ousted the Spanish, and made Jamaica a Crown Colony. Jamaica gained independence in 1962 where it remains a member of the British Commonwealth. During the two centuries of British rule Jamaica became a largely slave-populated producer of sugar for export. Eventually the black population of Jamaica came to outnumber the white population twenty to one. The final emancipation of Jamaica’s slaves was decreed in 1838. When the slave trade was abolished in 1807 the British brought Chinese and Indian indentured servants in order to augment the labor pool, and descendants of these Asian workers still live in Jamaica and have influenced the island’s culture and cuisine.

One of the most popular beach resort areas in Jamaica is Negril, which comes from the Spanish word for black and refers to the black cliffs south of the village. Many travel magazines have rated Negril on Jamaica’s southwest coast as one of the world’s ten best beaches. Besides its beach resort, Negril also lies in an area of great natural beauty. The Royal Palm Reserve on the Negril River has protected wetlands which help in the formation of coral sand on the beachfront. The Negril Marine Park with its varied coral reef ecosystems brings snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world. The lighthouse on West End Road offers scenic vistas of the beach. Don’t miss the watching the cliff jumpers and the spectacular sunsets.

Another great scuba diving and water sport destination is Ocho Rios on Jamaica’s northern coast. Ocho Rios was originally a fishing village but it has now become the second most popular tourist destination in Jamaica. It is located an hour and forty-five minutes’ drive from the Montego Bay International Airport. Besides its luxurious resorts, Ocho Rios hotels are located near the fabulous Dunn’s River Falls where water cascades down a 695 foot high drop into the sea. Visitors can climb the falls, which is fed by springs in the hills beyond. Another popular attraction is Dophin Cove where visitors can swim and interact with live dolphins. Besides the local entertainment scene, nearby Margaritaville boasts lively night clubs and world-class gourmet dining.