Sun, Sand & Sips: 8 Must-Drink Beverages in Jamaica

My beautiful island is renown for its reggae, stunning beaches and vibrant culture, but is also home to some of the most delicious and refreshing beverages you’ll ever taste. Whether you’re soaking up the sun on a white sandy beach, hiking through the lush Blue Mountains, or exploring the island’s rich cultural heritage, these drinks are the perfect accompaniment to your Jamaican adventure. Here are eight must-drink beverages that capture the essence of Jamaica, each offering a unique taste of the island’s spirit and flavour. Feel free to scroll past the first four drinks if you’re not an alcohol drinker.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle28 Comments

Panama Stopover Program: Steal My Itinerary + Budget

I try to be as transparent as possible about my travels, including sharing how much things cost. Quitting one’s job and traveling full time sounds appealing but it’s not feasible for most people (me included) and comes with its own problems. As such, I aim to show that while travel is a privilege, it can be attainable for people with a busy career, on a budget and even with a “weak passport” as Panama is visa-free for Jamaicans. Thus, here’s what I did with a 3 night stopover in Panama + how much it costed me. Feel free to steal my itinerary and use my budget as a guide for your 2026 Panama travel plans.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle10 Comments

48 Hours in Panama City

Panama owes me nothing! The idea of visiting Panama on a stopover entered my head in 2022 after I flew to Peru with Copa Airlines, Panama’s flagship carrier. Copa has a stopover program which allows tourists in transit to spend up to seven days in Panama for the price of one ticket. Perfect, right? Well, I finally made use of this exciting deal en route to Medellín, Colombia and had the time of my life. Here’s how this trip went. Feel free to steal my Panama City 2 Day itinerary, and check out my favourite Panamanian excursions.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle20 Comments

Visiting the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a manmade 82 km waterway which cuts across the isthmus of Panama to connect the world’s two largest oceans. This engineering marvel serves as an important conduit for global maritime trade, earning it a spot on ASCE’s list of Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Thousands of Caribbean people, including Jamaicans, were instrumental to the construction of the Panama Canal and even lost their lives as a result. As such, visiting the Panama Canal is a dream come true for me, allowing me to pay homage to my Caribbean ancestors. With that said, let’s talk about the history of the Canal and how to plan a visit in 2026 & beyond.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle10 Comments

How to Avoid Getting Sick When You Travel

By time you’re reading this, I’m celebrating my 29th birthday in a foreign country. While vacations are a time to unwind, explore new places and create lasting memories, what they don’t tell you about travel is that falling ill on vacation can derail a perfect holiday. Whether you’re traveling to a tropical paradise, a bustling city, or a serene countryside, it’s important to take steps to protect your health. Below is my comprehensive guide on how to avoid getting sick during vacation, covering everything from vaccinations to hydration and then some.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle19 Comments

River Rendezvous at Tapioca Village Retreat

The best adventures are spontaneous ones. With summer coming to a close and finally having a mutual day-off with my partner, we decided that a river trip was a must. Deciding on Tapioca was easy because they answered the phone on my first try, and pleasantly confirmed that walk-ins were indeed welcome! Even better, Tapioca was super easy to find along the Junction main road (A3) in St. Mary. Here’s how this adventure went + why you should add the Tapioca Village Retreat to your Jamaican bucket list.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle16 Comments

5 Unique Airbnbs in Jamaica for Under $100 Per Night

It’s no secret– Jamaica and the wider Caribbean are expensive destinations to visit because our economies rely heavily on tourism. That being said, a visit to Jamaica doesn’t have to break the bank if you know where to go. There is a wide variety of accommodations in Jamaica ranging from high end all-inclusive hotels and luxury villas, to more affordable nature lodges and even hostels. If you’re on a budget, feast your eyes on these five unique cabins and apartments, all for under $100USD per night. Each are steeped in nature and local culture, the best way to experience the island.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle6 Comments

How Arah Rides Is Revolutionizing Car Rental in Jamaica

The best way to experience Jamaica is by car because the island has over 17,000 kilometers of road network which connects all major towns and cities. A new player has entered Jamaica’s vibrant car rental market, bringing a fresh and innovative approach for travelers and locals alike. If you’ve ever rented a car in Jamaica, you may have experienced an element of surprise and perhaps even disappointment with what showed up as most local car rental companies don’t show you the actual vehicle until it’s time to collect the keys. Arah Rides launched in April 2024 to fill that niche and redefine the customer experience of renting a car in Jamaica through a unique blend of transparency, convenience, affordability, and modern technology. Here are 5 features which sets Arah Rides apart from other car rental companies.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle8 Comments

A Beginner’s Guide to Booking Foreign Trips

This is a question I’ve been getting with increasing frequency over the past few months, so I thought it best to write an article in case anyone else would like some help. Jamaicans have grown increasingly more curious about the world around them in recent years, and that’s wonderful to see given our visa-free access to 90+ countries on a Jamaican passport. I plan all my trips myself because it adds to the excitement, and I get to learn about the country I’m visiting in the process. I don’t consider myself an expert because as it stands, I’ve only been to 5 countries, but read on for my advice on how to book a good trip from scratch.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle12 Comments
Sunset and fog over the mountains with bird perched on tree branch

Alpinia: An Urban Oasis In Kingston, Jamaica

As a proud native of Kingston, Jamaica, I’m always happy to show off my city. This diverse city is the capital of Jamaica, and boasts a rich vibrant culture- home to the best of the island’s music, art, food, sports and cultural events. Kingston city is closely intertwined with the parish of St. Andrew, and boasts unbridled natural beauty in its three suburban city limits. Tucked away in the city’s sublime suburbs of Stony Hill lies Alpinia– an affordable one bedroom apartment and Kingston’s newest Airbnb. Here’s why you should book Alpinia on your next visit to Kingston, Jamaica.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle16 Comments