Soak Up The Local Color On Your Jamaica Vacation

Heading off to Jamaica for vacation? There are so many fun things to do and see when you're in Jamaica. When you're there make sure that you take the time to really experience some of the local culture because the Jamaican people have a rich and interesting history and culture and it would be a shame if you didn't experience some of that when you're there. One of the best ways to experience local culture when you're in Jamaica is to get out of the hotel and visit some of the local attractions. Obviously you need to be a little concerned about safety but if you are careful you should be able to head out on your own and not be at risk of having your wallet stolen or having something like that happen to you. You should eat in some local restaurants for sure. Jamaica has some wonderful traditional dishes that combine the flavors of African, Chinese, American, European and Indian cooking. Jamaican food also is known for its freshness. Since Jamaican food consists mainly of local, unprocessed fruits and vegetables, spices, and seafood with very little red meat Jamaican food is very healthy. Eating local food and trying local flavors is a great way to experience some of the Jamaican culture. Another great way to experience Jamaican culture is to find some local music clubs and listen to some local music. Reggae is the most well known Jamaican music. Reggae comes from Jamaica so you will hear Reggae everywhere but you have probably never heard traditional Reggae unless you have spend some time in Jamaica before. You will have an entirely new appreciation for Reggae music after hearing it played by traditional Reggae musicians in Jamaica. During the day a fun way to experience local culture is to find a local market. There are many famous marketplaces in Jamaica like the Arts and Crafts market in Kingston where you will find some of the best examples of traditional Jamaican arts and crafts. More than just great souvenirs or gifts for loved ones pieces of traditional Jamaican artwork are a great way to learn about the history and culture of Jamaica because often you will be buying the piece directly from the person who made it and that person can tell you a lot about the history of the craft and how the item was made. Sometimes you can sit and watch craftsmen carving, weaving, or doing other traditional crafts.

Jamaica has some wonderful local culture and you should definitely try to experience as much of it as you can. In Jamaica most people speak Patois, which is a blend on English and African and has the same rhythm as Creole speech that can be found in Louisiana. It can be hard to understand Patois at first but if you make an effort to pick up a few words or phrases of Patois the local people that you deal with will greatly appreciate it. Jamaican culture also is very respectful so you should be extra polite to people you encounter while you're on vacation. Respect for the elderly is expected and you would be wise to address the elderly as “sir” or “ma'am” while you're there. Your vacation will be so much more enjoyable if you get out and really experience the rich and vibrant culture of Jamaica.