Going to Jamaica has always been a dream of mine! I mean I grew up hearing about this place where the ocean is the bluest you’ve ever seen and the sands as white as they come … so you know I HAD to go when opportunity arose. I packed some of my favorite swimsuits and resort wear and I was off! I visited Kingston as I didn’t want to be in the ‘touristy’ Montego Bay Area. I wanted to be able to meet the locals, learn some of the slang and bus a whine with my friends. So Kingston it was!
I had so much fun thanks to my gorgeous host Steffanie. Her family welcome some of my favorite girls and I for a week into their beautiful home. Their generosity was reflective of the city and I absolutely want to share what we did and where we went so that you too can have the same experience! So I decided to put together a list of things to do when in Kingston, Jamaica!
1. Beach Day At Puerto Seco Beach Resort
We stopped by Puerto Seco Beach for a fun beach day! We soaked in some sunshine and busted a whine or two on the beach! My friends Stef and Tara had brought portable speakers – a must for any beach day – which we used to play some of our favorite soca music while we tanned all day on the beach.
I needed a beach day while in Jamaica because I had to experience the beautiful beaches that I had pictured in my mind and seen in ads. Also, how do you go to Jamaica and not go to the beach?!
2. BOB MARLEY MUSEUM & TUFF GONG INTERNATIONAL TOURS
Kingston is where the legendary Bob Marley’s home is located. Since his death, Bob Marley’s home has been converted into a museum where visitors can get tours and learn about his life and work. This tour is a must do when in Kingston! Our tour guide was so entertaining. He knew all the songs, got our group singing and we even had him take some of our photos! He made getting to know Bob Marley and his legacy such a reflective experience. Hearing about how one man moved so many using music and his impact in today’s music was very inspiring.
We visited Tuff Gong International where many artists including Damien Marley, Jay Z, Sean Paul … all recorded their music! It was an honor to be in the studio. My girls and I took advantage and sang a song or two as well! When else would I say that I had sang in the same studio as Jay?
The murals below depict Bob and Rita Marley.
One of my favorite murals at the Bob Marley museum’s entrance.
Bob Marley famously sang with the I-3’s. The I-3’s included Bob Marley’s wife Rita, who sang backup for him during his concerts. During the tour we got to see where they recorded and practiced. Our tour guide let us live our best Marley lives and my girls and I got on the instruments and called ourselves the I-7’s! We sang and danced in the same room Bob Marley and the I-3’s prepped for shows!
Below is one of my favorite feature walls … a whole wall where Bob Marley lyrics are made using license plates!
3. BLUE MOUNTAIN CULINARY TRAIL: EITS CAFE
Ever had Blue Mountain Coffee? I suggest a trip to Blue Mountain and a couple of stops on the culinary trail. There are several restaurants all on the mountain but my favorite hands down is EITS Café. EITS stands for Europe In The Summer. This café serves local Jamaican dishes like ackee and salt fish. They also have what seemed like an endless supply of coconut water and their best feature: views. The views at this location cannot be beat! The rolling mountain views and chirps from the humming birds made our breakfast stop at EITS so memorable.
4. Devon House
Devon House is a stately estate in Kingston. It was the home of Jamaica’s first black millionaire George Stiebel. This was one of my favorite stops as it had a very southern feel. The estate itself has the main house, some restaurants, boutiques, a bakery and an ice cream parlor!
I had to take a photo with one of the tour guides at Devon House who is in traditional dress.
5. Carnival
Another reason I was in Kingston was for Jamaica Carnival. Carnival is a celebration of culture, history and bodies! To know that you are liberated and can fully express yourself is a privilege that carnival goers get to enjoy.
So when my friend suggested that we experience carnival, I was all for it! We don’t really have carnival in the African countries that I have lived in so this would be a first that I couldn’t wait to experience!
The whole carnival experience is something that I will blog about in a future post. For now, it’s an event that should be on your calendar next year!
So there you have it folks! These are my must visit locations when in Kingston! Have you been to Kingston before?
Special thanks to my host family in Kingston. They made this entire experience so memorable!
