Simply Local
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Read articles and in-depth feature stories that highlight Jamaican outings, culture, and products, plus travel lifestyle + tips. SimplyLocal.life was started by creator and writer Jhunelle as a creative outlet in 2017 to inspire travel in Jamaica by residents as well as visitors and connect those people to worthwhile attractions.
Simply Local
1M ago
Despite being Jamaica’s metropolis, Kingston is an often-overlooked destination beyond acclaimed events and doing business. Though its coast may not be filled with beachfront resorts, there are still plenty of reasons (and spots) to explore in this culture capital! Kingston is a bundled collection of history, gastronomy, nature, and social events. Whether you have a few hours or a few days to spare here there are a bundle of things to do around Kingston, Jamaica. It’s worth finding out why it has become a rising destination for visitors, including some of your favourite celebrities, in recen ..read more
Simply Local
2M ago
Trelawny— an often overlooked northern parish of Jamaica, smack between tourist-centric Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. If you’re seeking a cool break from the heat, one of the best things to do is visit a river, and in Trelawny there are multiple ways you can enjoy them. From leisurely cruises down a river to daring hikes off the beaten path, continue reading for 5 Trelawny river adventures that are certainly worth the trip!
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Simply Local
4M ago
S Hotel Jamaica opened as a boutique hotel with a bit over 100 rooms in 2019 on the buzzing Jimmy Cliff Boulevard before transitioning to an all-inclusive hotel in early 2022. Since its inception it has gained multiple local and international accolades― both as a boutique resort and now as a boutique all-inclusive resort. It has also been voted the best all-inclusive hotel in not just Jamaica but the entire Caribbean! As a proud Jamaican (and after 4 stays there myself), my 10 reasons why S Hotel should top your wish list of accommodations in Jamaica are noted below.
S Hotel Jamaica voted Be ..read more
Simply Local
4M ago
When you hear Jamaica, 1 of the first tourist attractions that is probably mentioned is Dunn’s River Falls, right? The iconic, stair-like cascade and water park in the heart of Ocho Rios is on almost every visitor’s Jamaican bucket list. Did you know there is also a separate (and less touristy) attraction nearby called Little Dunn’s River Falls? This smaller waterfall is affectionately seen as “the locals’ Dunn’s River Falls” where residents flock for waterside outings and cookouts.
Little Dunn’s River Falls and Beach Jamaica
From the main roadway above, you may be able to see (and hear) lymi ..read more
Simply Local
5M ago
Within rural hillsides of Westmoreland Jamaica, RastaSafari grants a true insider experience by combining adventure with community tourism. The guided excursion lies in the backyard of the Shrewsbury community. These green lands are rich in nature, culture and history. You and a companion will drive comfortably through the countryside within a 2-seater utility terrain vehicle (UTV), in the company of 2 community guides on bikes. The UTVs handle the jerky terrains with ease, navigating dirt roads and pasture trails in the verdant village.
We had one of the first tours of the morning. A hand ..read more
Simply Local
5M ago
A number of music-filled corner shops, roaming farm animals, and lyming residents were the scene of the Roaring River and Caves heritage park. This aquatic lifeline and one of the island’s few commercial caverns lie near the villages of Shrewsbury and Petersfield in Westmoreland, Jamaica.
Roaring River & Caves Park
It is said that the lush Roaring River estate was formerly owned by one of the first English families to settle in Jamaica, the Beckfords, after the Spanish were defeated in the late 17th century. Today, it is an attraction rooted in Mother Nature’s bounty and community touris ..read more
Simply Local
5M ago
Chilitos JaMexican Restaurant has kicked off the Christmas season with a festive twist on some of their menu favouites. Their JaMexmus (Jamaican-Mexican Christmas) offerings are available as of Friday December 1, 2023 and should grace tables throughout the holiday season. This year’s main ingredients for the cheerful selection are no other than pork and sorrel – a Jamaican holiday favourite! These Chilitos Christmas menu items are only available for a limited time so try them before the 2023 holiday season ends.
I alongside other members of the Chilitos Creator Community got a holiday-style ..read more
Simply Local
7M ago
If you think Jamaica’s beachy resort town of Ocho Rios has 8 rivers, you’re probably in good company. After all, the destination’s Spanish name does translate to “Eight Rivers”, but can you name 8 rivers in Ocho Rios? I could only name 4 of the assumed 8, so figured there must be a handful of hidden waterways in the area waiting to be explored. However, it appears we have been misled. Plot twist: Ocho Rios does NOT actually have 8 rivers, it has 4― Dunn’s River, Roaring River, Turtle River and Cave River!
8 Rivers in Ocho Rios and Nearby Towns
This post features breathtaking waterfalls, swim ..read more
Simply Local
8M ago
“Which Jamaican parish has no rivers?”, an exam question I remember from my childhood days in school. “Manchester is the only parish with no rivers”, a sentence that turns out to be a widespread local folklore, echoes in my memory. It may still surprise many Jamaicans that Manchester parish– one of the most mountainous on the island– does indeed have rivers (plural). I’ve visited a few and wanted the 1st one shared here to be the most impressive of my trips so far: Noisy River in a district called Oxford. I have also heard it referred to as Oxford River, named after the community in which i ..read more
Simply Local
9M ago
As its name suggests, Pretty Close 876 is not far off the beaten path. It is a refreshing oasis in the hills of Kingston & St. Andrew that contrasts the fast pace of the nearby city. The cool waters of natural pools provide relief for Kingston Jamaica’s characteristic heat. Its rustic, eco-friendly ambiance was brought to life by Omar ‘Ramo’ Edwards, a local Rastafarian who curated this idyllic chill out spot on land that has been in his family for generations. Continue reading to learn what to expect once you step through its bamboo doors and just how easy it is to find Pretty Close fro ..read more