All direct flights to Kingston from the UK & Ireland

Mark Says

This gritty, working port city is an absolute must for those that want to experience the "real" Jamaica – the perfect tonic to the rum and reefa cliché that instantly spring to mind when thinking about the island. ; Kingston had only been the Jamaican capital for 40 years before disaster struck in 1907. Much of downtown Kingston was destroyed in an earthquake, and subsequently re-built in ugly concrete. The surrounding shanty towns, including Bob Marley's birthplace, Trenchtown, add to the higgledy-piggledy feel of the city. The city's streets bounce to a constant beat of dancehall music and the din of car horns, whilst the pungent aroma of makeshift jerk stalls and grills add to the stimulating atmosphere. At night the noise increases as the dancehall sounds take over in the heaving bars and discos. Kingston can be intimidating and has an alarming violent crime rate. Few places have suffered the ravages of crack cocaine more than Kingston, and with a volatile political situation thrown into the mix, it makes for a heady cocktail. Most tourists do not face any problems, but take sensible precautions (ie – leave the bling at home) nonetheless. The main attraction in Kingston is the Bob Marley Museum. The reggae legend's former home traces his story from his childhood to his tragic death from brain cancer in 1981 aged just 36. Other attractions in the city include the 130 year-old Hope Botanical Gardens, the grand Devon House, which includes a museum of antique furniture, and the atmospheric Sabina Park cricket ground.