5 Reasons Why Jamaica is an Ecotourist's Dream Vacation
Ecotourism in Jamaica: 5 Reasons Why Jamaica is an Ecotourist's Dream Vacation
When you hear the name Jamaica what do you think about? What comes to mind? Do you think of legends like Bob Marley? Harry Belafonte? Usain Bolt perhaps? The every awe-inspiring Grace Jones possibly?
Maybe you’re more of a foodie and your mind and stomach drifts to thoughts of jerk chicken, curried goat, beef patties, Red stripe beer, Blue mountain coffee, Appleton rum or one of the many other scrumptious delicacies that we seduce your taste buds with in every bite. Or, maybe your more of a 4/20 lover and you think about the good weed, and people who say ‘yeh mon’ a lot. Fun fact we don’t say ‘Yeh mon’ we say ‘Yeah man’. And with all slangs, words evolve and new slangs emerge every day. Just like we hardly say ‘on fleek’ anymore. The average Jamaican doesn’t say ‘Yeah man’ that often either. But I digress. Back to Jamaica.
No matter what you think about. One thing is absolutely undeniable is how beautiful a place Jamaica is. A land of pure lure and luster that seduces you with every trip and every travel. And for this reason Jamaica is a traveler’s haven.
Jamaica is world renowned for being one of the best tourist travel destinations in the world. Infamously known for its enchanting white sandy beaches, tantalizing luxurious hotel escapes and spectacular and completely engrossing cultural diversity that envelopes visitors in its delectable food and siren-like music on first encounter. Jamaica truly has something for every kind of traveler.
With Earth day just happening a few days ago, I thought it would be a great idea to showcase one of the underrepresented travel areas of this beautiful place I call home. And that is Ecotourism in Jamaica. For those of you unfamiliar with the term; ecotourism refers to tourism directed towards natural environments. It involves visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife. It is responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of the local people. Ecotourism aims to combine a love of adventure, the inspiration of natural beauty and responsible travel to create the perfect life experience.
Blessed with lush landscapes and an abundance of foliage, forests and flora; and encased by long stretches of finely milled white sand and world-class coral reefs; Jamaica is truly a destination of ecological and cultural diversity. There is no shortage of hidden gems to discover across the island. As a result, Jamaica has made an undeniable stamp as one of the world’s best ecotourism destinations. It’s a signature natural beauty and travel experience that can never truly be described but only felt while it’s occurring.
Below are 5 reasons why Jamaica is an ecotourist’s dream vacation destination. Hopefully this will inspire you to explore more beyond the hotels when you book your next Jamaica vacation.
1. An abundance of waterfalls and rivers
More than just beaches and resorts; Jamaica is a diverse landscape of flora, fauna and water bodies. Did you know that Jamaica has more than 15 waterfalls and approximately 120 rivers scattered across the island? Whoa Nelly! That’s a lot of water. I think it’s safe to say that describing Jamaica as the land of wood and water was a mere surface description of the liquids free flow and intimate nature with the country. Breathtakingly beautiful cascades trickling down to form deep turquoise pools. Cool refreshing rivers to lay perched in until your heart is content. On the background of majestic scenery. Can you say #lifegoals?
2. Breath-taking Beaches
Remember those beaches I’ve been raving about Jamaica being famous for? You know the miles and stretches of salty air, deep azure and finely-milled sand that we’ve come to being known for. Well-known for some of the most revered and beloved beaches, Jamaica's coastline is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean and the world at large. This makes Jamaica a perfect tropical escape for all your mermaid fantasies and beach bum tendencies. Imagine digging your toes into the softest white sand amidst the shore of the crystal clear of the ocean. Soaking up the sun; working on your tan just until the day is ended by the most mesmerizing sunsets you’ve ever seen.
3. Glorious mountains with amazing views
Do you absolutely love the outdoors? Fancy watching captivating sunsets surrounded by tranquil mountain air? Perhaps you are a hiking enthusiast and in the mood for a way to not only relax the mind but challenge the body. Allow me to introduce you to the mountains of Jamaica. The most famous and the highest in the country is the Blue Mountains but it is most definitely not the only prized goose in the gaggle. What was once a strategic vantage point used by the country’s first liberated slaves, the Maroons to ward off their British colonial masters; now serves as adventurous treks for the hiking aficionados among us. A day’s trip to the mountains will lure you in to experience tranquility of some of the most serene adventures you’ll ever have. To find out a little more check out this post here.
4. Tranquil villa escapes
Eco-lodges in Jamaica have introduced a new outlook of the idea of a tropical vacation. While many larger hotels and hotel chains have made more of an effort to be environmentally friendly and eco-conscious, it’s the small guest lodgings that seem to be the stars of the eco-lodging show in Jamaica. Often times small and family owned or community operated, eco-lodges tend to be intimate housing nestled among the tranquility of nature. Places like Strawberry Fields Together give you the opportunity to experience nature’s bliss in comfortable and cozy accommodations. Plus they often offer the best opportunity to interact with locals, immerse yourself in the culture and get a real taste of the full Jamaican experience.
5 Rustic adventures
Ziplining through lush evergreen rainforests. Rafting down the Rio Grande river. Dune buggy and ATV adventures over mounds of hill and mountains. Cliff diving from high peaks to make a great splash into crystal pools. Explore secret coves and traverse extensive underground cave systems. Snorkel and explore Jamaica’s extensive coral reef and discover new aquatic life. Day trips to maroon towns rich with history and rooted in ancient traditions. Surfing, bird watching, nature trails and mountain climbing are just some of the adventures you can embark on. There is no shortage of rustic and environmentally conscious activities in Jamaica. Rooting in an idealism of conservation and blending old and new experiences; Jamaica has successfully combined an adventurist’s thirst for an adrenaline rush, the inquisitive’s thirst for knowledge and the nature' lover’s enjoyment of protected spaces to creating unique travel experiences.
Ecotourism has really transformed the shape of the perfect tourist adventure. Jamaica’s captivating beauty and ecological and cultural diversity offers visitors a unique and authentic experience. Whether you’re looking for your next eco-lodging destination or for day activities to supplement your vacation, Jamaica has more than a plethora of activities to quench your ecotourism needs. With a CV like this, no wonder Jamaica is one of the Caribbean’s best ecotourism destinations. And dare I say it, the world.