Did you know that at one point in history, Jamaica was Spanish speaking? The first Europeans to colonize Jamaica were the Spanish and they occupied the island from 1509 until 1655 when the British invaded and captured Jamaica. Though their time in Jamaica was relatively brief, Spanish colonization in Jamaica still left a lasting impact. Today, let’s talk about four legacies of former Spanish rule and settlement in Jamaica.
Continue reading “Beyond Conquest: What the Spanish Left in Jamaica”
As a local travel blogger, I often get asked where to visit by first-time visitors. Jamaica, a vibrant and culturally rich island in the Caribbean, is renowned for its stunning landscapes, reggae music, and warm hospitality. Each town in Jamaica possesses its own unique charm, so to get an authentic Jamaican experience you have to visit at least two or three towns. If you think an all-inclusive hotel stay where you never leave the resort, or visiting one corner of the island will give you an accurate representation of Jamaica, forget about it! In this article, we will take a journey through some of Jamaica’s seven best towns and cities (including pros and cons!) to help you make the best choice about where to visit in Jamaica for a real taste of the island.
Continue reading “Where’s the Best Place to Visit in Jamaica?”
Port Royal is a historic town located on Jamaica’s southeastern coast in the capital city of Kingston, the island’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site. Port Royal is famous for its rich maritime history, vibrant culture, and significant role in Caribbean piracy during the 17th century. Originally settled by the Spanish in the late 15th century, the British captured Port Royal in 1655 and quickly developed the town into a major centre of commerce and trade due to its strategic location, natural harbour and proximity to shipping routes. During the late 17th century, Port Royal gained notoriety as a hub for piracy, privateering and lawlessness, earning it the nickname “Wickedest City of the West.”
Continue reading “8 Things to Do in Port Royal for 2025 & Beyond”
Where to start? What a year it has been! For starters, Adventures from Elle turned seven (7) years old yesterday, which means it’s been seven years of intentionally exploring Jamaica and recording it all in this public journal. When I started Adventures from Elle in 2016, I had no idea it’d bring me this much joy, or allow me to meet or e-meet so many persons, or even have paid opportunities and collaborations. My blog has brought a lot of meaning to my life, and I’ve seen growth in my audience, style of writing and more. I’ve also managed to keep my blog alive with new posts every Friday despite often having weeks or months on end with no new adventures. With that said, here’s a recap of my 2023.
Continue reading “2023 Year in Review”
Nestled in the heart of Kingston, Jamaica’s capital city, the Olympia Gallery stands as a testament to the island’s rich artistic heritage and its thriving contemporary art scene. What’s interesting about this gallery is that it is housed inside a residential complex, designed and built in the mid-1970s by Jamaican civil engineer A.D. Scott. As an avid art patron and sometime sculptor, he wanted to create a residential hotel within a centre for the arts. Forty years later, his vision still lives on. Here’s why you should pay a visit to this free art gallery in Kingston, Jamaica: the Olympia Gallery.
Continue reading “The Olympia Art Gallery in Saint Andrew”
Abeokuta Paradise Nature Park is the closest I’ll get to visiting Nigeria for a bit. When the first indentured Nigerian labourers were taken to Westmoreland, Jamaica after Emancipation, they noticed the similarities of their plantation to the beautiful plains and highlands of Abeokuta in southern Nigeria. Thus, when the Abeokuta Paradise Nature Park was officially opened on January 5, 2003 by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica, it was renamed to honour its resilient ancestors. Located in Dean’s Valley/Water Works, Westmoreland, the park occupies 15 acres of land and possesses the oldest swimming pool in Jamaica which is nearly 500 years old! In fact, this is possibly one of the world’s oldest infinity pools and nears Olympic pool dimensions at an astounding 71 feet long and 47 feet wide, ranging from 4 to 10 feet in depth. Here’s what to expect at this hidden gem and historic slice of paradise.
Continue reading “Abeokuta Paradise Nature Park, Westmoreland”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As such, I’ve written many articles about Christmas in Jamaica, including one about our unique Christmas carols and another about the interesting phenomenon of Christmas breeze. Most of those articles were written in 2020 for Blogmas when I had had more time to spare. Nonetheless, I think it’s time for a sequel to my 2020 article on festive eats as so many other restaurants and bars have hopped on the seasonal menu bandwagon and I’m here for it!
Continue reading “Festive Menus to Try This Christmas in Jamaica”
When do you take a break? Is it after working hard until you wear yourself thin, or do you schedule regular periods of rest? I’d say I fall into the latter group, but even I often struggle with achieving work-life balance. After working hard for several consecutive weeks, I got some much needed R&R and the best sleep I’d had in ages at the Casas de Tierra in Runaway Bay, St. Ann. With that said, today I’m here to recount my recent weekend experience at the beautiful adobe-style poolside Cattleya Cottage, and share why you should consider a stay at Casas de Tierra the next time you need to reconnect with nature.
Continue reading “Connect to Nature at Casas de Tierra in Runaway Bay”
Today’s WordPress prompt asks: do you have a favourite place that you’ve visited? I love my island home of Kingston, Jamaica very much as it’s warm and vibrant and filled with lots of spots for great food, live reggae music, mountain views and even has nearby beaches, rivers and waterfalls: all of my favourite things! Kingston is fast becoming a melting pot of cultures too, with influences from China, India, Latin America, the Middle East and more. Tourism drives the physical development and entertainment options available in the city too, which is great. While Jamaica will always hold the #1 spot in my heart, and I haven’t been outside the country a lot (yet), here’s why Peru is the favourite place I’ve visited (so far). Note: I visited in May 2022.
Continue reading “Do You Have A Favourite Place Visited? Here’s Mine.”
Derived from an Arawakan word which means “Land of Wood and Water,” Jamaica is a popular Caribbean destination known for its beautiful rivers, lush rainforests, stunning beaches, vibrant culture and warm hospitality. While Jamaica is a tourist hotspot, like any other travel destination, it’s essential to be mindful of safety concerns in order to ensure a secure and enjoyable trip, especially if you’re traveling solo! With that said, today I sat down with solo traveler Amanda of Amanda’s 876 Adventures to find out if Jamaica is safe for tourists + get some great tips for tourists traveling to Jamaica.
TL;DR: Yes, Jamaica is safe for tourists with a 0.01% chance of visitors ever experiencing any crime here!
Continue reading “Is Jamaica Safe for Tourists?”
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