Hostels in KINGSTON, JAMAICA

Kingston – The Bustling Jamaican Capital City

Kingston, the Jamaican capital, located on the nation’s south-eastern coast, is one of the most important and historic cities in the Americas. Its modern infrastructure and natural and man-made attractions make it a popular tourist destination.

History
Kingston’s history goes back to 1692 when it was founded for settling earthquake survivors and refugees. The city was deadly diseases and fires till 1703. It started to really grow only after the land reforms in 1716. The city harbour played a crucial role in most of the 18th century naval wars. It was during this time that Kingston started to take up most of Spanish Town’s functions, the prior Jamaican capital. It gained the capital status in 1872 and retained it even after Jamaica got independent in 1962.

Popular Places and Attractions
The Devon House is a historic Jamaican mansion depicting the glory of the past days through its architecture and craft shops. Port Royal is another such monument. This 17th century port also contains the Parish church. The port provided a haven for pirates of the bygone era.

Museums of National Gallery, Natural History and Bob Marley feature the artworks of Jamaican artists, exhibits of prehistoric plants and animals and life traces of the famous Rastafarian reggae musician Bob Marley respectively.

The John Crow and Blue Mountains National Park greets visitors with beautiful waterfalls, mountain vistas, rain forests and wildlife. This park is home to the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly and is a popular venue for mountain biking. The Hope Botanical Gardens feature several plant and tree species along with the Orchard House, Lily Pond, Coconut Museum and Sunken Gardens. Lime Cay, Spanish Town and Revolution Gallery are some other popular city attractions.

Getting Around
Rented scooters, cars and JUTA approved buses and route and charter taxis are the usual modes of getting around Kingston, a good guide to smooth travel is to have some change handy to pay for your travel.

Places for Entertainment
Cinemas, theatres featuring plays and Jamaican Pantomimes, restaurants, and dance and music clubs are available in abundance in Kingston. The music is all about reggae. Popular Kingston events to look forward to are January’s Annual Exhibition by the National Gallery, February’s Bob Marley Bash and West Indies carnival featuring soca jump ups, steel bands, mas players and parades, December’s Devon House Christmas Fair and the dance festivals of July and August. Kingston’s night life is marked by strip clubs, pubs, bars, discos, karaoke and jazz venues with reggae and mento bands and open-air nightspots.

Accommodation
Villas, budget hotels, holiday resorts, youth hostels, rented houses, guesthouse,  B&B (bed and breakfast) and country inns are the various kinds of tourist accommodations available in Kingston.

Currency
Jamaica has adopted the Jamaican Dollar as its official currency, for the latest exchange rates check the news and internet. The U.S Dollar, credit cards, traveller’s cheques and International bank cards are also widely accepted at most city places but change is given in local currency. According to the July 2009 exchange rate, each U.S Dollar is worth 88 Jamaican Dollars.

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