Tropical Terror: The Wrath of Hurricane Beryl

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 every year. Jamaica’s most devastating hurricane was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, and as a child, it’s something all the grown-ups spoke about every time storms came up in conversation. I think they were all traumatized from the lack of electricity and running water for weeks as the country grappled with billions of damages and had a delay in restoring these vital connections. Jamaicans learnt a lot about how to prepare for hurricanes since then. My first hurricane was Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and I feel foolish that I’d wanted to experience one in my child-like ignorance; now I wish to NEVER experience one again. Since then we’ve had a string of other dangerous storms such as Hurricanes Dennis and Emily in 2005, Dean in 2008 and Sandy in 2012, but Beryl has surpassed them all.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle30 Comments

8 Ways to Beat the Heat this Summer in Jamaica

Every summer seems to get hotter and hotter in Jamaica, and you would be right! The hottest meteorological summer ever recorded in Jamaica was from June to August 2023 with an average daily temperature of 30.6 °C. The Caribbean region is one of the most vulnerable parts of the world to the effects of climate change. In Jamaica, like the wider Caribbean, we feel these effects in the form of heat waves, droughts, water scarcity, food insecurity and mountain wildfires. Hurricanes and flash floods may also become more intense. The heat can have deleterious effects on our health too, increasing our risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Some persons are at greater risk of being affected by the sweltering heat, such as the elderly, bedridden persons, infants, children, overweight persons and those with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.  As the summer heat intensifies, staying cool has to be a top priority. Whether you’re a local or visitor, these eight practical tips will help you beat the heat and enjoy our vibrant island life to the fullest.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle13 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

5 Islands Jamaicans Can Visit Without A Passport

Did you know that several captivating islands lie within reach that Jamaicans can explore without the hassle of a passport? Jamaica has over 40 islands excluding the main landmass of Jamaica, therefore perhaps Jamaica should be described as an archipelago too, much like the Bahamas. Sure, these islands are tiny and lie within Jamaica’s waters and won’t add to your country count but they do make for a unique daytrip as each of these islands offers its own unique charm and allure. Let’s take a journey to discover the five best Jamaican islands worth exploring.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle22 Comments

6 Jamaican Rivers You Can Visit Without Leaving Kingston & St. Andrew

Jamaica is renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture and lush landscapes. While locals and visitors alike usually flock to the coast, the interior regions of Kingston & St. Andrew offer a treasure trove of natural wonders waiting to be discovered. Among these treasures are beautiful rivers, each with its own unique charm and allure. From cascading waterfalls to serene swimming spots, here are six rivers you can explore without a long drive, paying toll or leaving Kingston & St. Andrew.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle13 Comments

Visa Free Countries for Jamaicans (2026)

I’m the proud owner of a Jamaican passport, but there’s no denying that this makes travel a bit difficult sometimes. Over the past decade, I’ve watched Jamaicans grow more curious about the world around them and I love to see it!  Jamaica has three international airports with daily flights to the USA, Canada and UK, but flights to other parts of the world, even within the Caribbean, are much more difficult and expensive to obtain. Another serious limitation is that Jamaicans often need visas which can prove expensive and unattainable. However, times are changing and the world is becoming more accessible to Jamaicans as our income and interests grow. Don’t qualify for a visa to the “Big Three” yet? No problem! Here are the places you can travel to instead and my favourite excursions, updated for 2026.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle10 Comments

Experience Jamaican Maroon Culture at These Three Festivals

Jamaica, with its rich history and vibrant culture, boasts numerous festivals and celebrations that are deeply rooted in its heritage. Among these are the Maroon Festivals which pay homage to the resilient spirit and traditions of the Jamaican Maroons – direct African descendants who escaped slavery and formed their own communities in the rugged interior of the island. The island’s three Maroon Festivals each offer a unique insight into Jamaica’s African cultural retention: namely the Accompong Maroon Festival, the Charles Town Maroon Festival, and Kromanti Fest. Here’s why you should pay these three festivals a visit.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle10 Comments

3 Jamaican Festivals Worth the Journey

The jewel of the Caribbean, Jamaica, is not only famed for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture but also for its lively festivals that celebrate the island’s rich heritage. Among the myriad of events that dot our calendar, several stand out as must-visit experiences for any traveler seeking to immerse themselves in the essence of Jamaican culture. I wrote about our annual Jamaican food festivals and music festivals last year, however there are some more experiences which didn’t fit into these categories but deserved the mention. Each of these 3 festivals offers a unique glimpse into different aspects of Jamaica’s soul, from its literary prowess to its sporting legacy. With that said, today let’s talk about three Jamaican festivals worth the journey.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle12 Comments

5 Places in Jamaica Which Remind Me Of “Foreign”

For now, my travels have mostly been local because it’s cheaper, involves less planning, less packing and little to no time-off. It’s also very satisfying to explore my own home. However, I still dream of traveling to distant shores when the time is right and as such, I spend an enormous amount of time watching and reading about travel. During my local adventures and travel research, here are five places in Jamaica which remind me of foreign destinations I’ve seen online.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle12 Comments

Shafston Great House, Westmoreland

Great houses are remnants of colonialism in Jamaica, built between the early 1700s to the mid-1800s. A great house was the seat of authority on the plantation, home to its owner or representative. Generally speaking, greathouses had two floors typically made of brick or cut stone, but the second floor was sometimes constructed of wood. At slavery’s peak, there were about 700 of these homes across Jamaica but fewer than 100 remain today due to a combination of fires from slave revolts and eventual neglect or demolition by its owners. Exploring great houses may be seen as morbid given the ghastly history of enslavement they represent, but I enjoy visiting for the architecture. They also serve as a reminder to celebrate how far my people have come. With that said, here’s how I ended up at the Shafston Great House in Westmoreland.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle21 Comments