'''Kingston''' is the capital of Jamaica.
Understand
Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, is located on the southeastern coast of the island. There are two major sections to this city: 'downtown' and 'uptown,' also referred to as 'New Kingston.' Kingston was for some time Jamaica's only city and is still the commercial and cultural capital. You will notice that the city is assigned the equivalent of zip codes, (Kingston 5, Kingston 10, etc.) which is a good representation of how truly large this city is, especially for an island such as Jamaica.
Get in
Public transit
Buses leave from Half-Way Tree (HWT) and the massive Parade country bus park to all of Jamaica. For Port_Antonio, there are buses leaving from HWT. For Negril/Montego Bay and Ocho Rios ("Ochi"), the Parade country bus park is the best bet. Only totally packed buses leave, so try to get on the fullest you can find, and keep a tight hold of your bags.
By plane
'''Norman Manley International Airport''' ({{IATA|KIN}}), Phone: 1-888-247-7678, [http://www.manley-airport.com.jm]. Located in the southeastern part of the island, overlooking Kingston Harbour on the Palisadoes peninsula.
By car
Island Rental Cars has offices at the NMIA airport, in downtown Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, and will allow you to do one-way rentals. Remember to drive on the left!
By bus
Kingston has an extensive bus system that is not too well documented. Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) runs the bus system for the government, while private contractors also run the same routes. Buses generally go through one or more of the 3 central transportation hubs 1 downtown, 2. Half-Way Tree or 3. Cross Roads. Maps of the bus system can be found on whagwan.org.
By boat
Get around
By bus
The bus service in Jamaica has now been ungraded with express buses cost ranging from $80 to $100, and another bus which is also air conditioned which can be found in yellow with the Jamaican flag at the front, costs regular fares $15 for children under 12 and $50 12+(prices are expected to raise for the new buses soon because of the increase of gas). The original unconditioned buses still functioning, but who know when will they last... Check out the interactive bus map [http://whagwan.org/cgi-bin/pcj/businfo.cgi] for some guidance.
By taxi
Route Taxis (a taxi that has a set route and picks up multiple people along it) are also common and often mirror bus routes. These are a bit more complicated to get used to, so ask for help.
Charter Taxis (normal taxis) - negotiate a price before getting in the car. Fares range from J$100 to J$1000 for long routes.
Rental cars
With some practice, bravery, and chutzpah you can rent a car (Island Rent a car allows for one-way car rental). Take a good map and be willing to ask (and keep asking to get a consensus) for directions along the way. It's not safe to drive in the countryside after dark. If you get in a wreck/hit someone, drive to the nearest police station.
See
'''Bob Marley Museum''', 56 Hope Road, Phone: +1 876-927-9152.
'''Devon House''', 26 Hope Road, Phone: +1 876-926-0815. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. Nice classic Jamaican mansion. The courtyard has craft shops, a few restaurants, and the most famous ice cream shop on the island. US$6 includes tour.
'''Hope Botanical Gardens''' The Largest Botanical Garden in the Caribbean.
'''Hope Zoo''' Next door
'''Institute of Jamaica''', 12 East St., Phone: +1 876-922-0620. M-Th 9:30AM-5PM, F 9:30AM-4PM. Home to the museums of Jamaican national and West Indian history, art galleries and a West Indian Reference Library with the world's largest collection of its kind.
'''National Gallery of Jamaica''', 12 Ocean Blvd, Phone: +1 876-922-1561, [http://www.instituteofjamaica.org.jm]. Works by Jamaican artists on display.
'''Port Royal Area''', Notorious 17th century pirate haven
'''Lime Kay''', Beach off the coast of Port Royale must take a boat from Port Royal fisherman or the hotel to island. Island is famous as the location for final scene in The Harder they Come. Crowded party spot on the weekends with food and drink available for purchase, much more sedate and often deserted on weekdays. You can camp overnight if you pre-arrange a next-day pickup time, but be careful, as you can't exactly swim to shore!
Emancipation Park - that offers free concert occasionally in the summer and during the Christmas
Putt and Play which offers miniature golf and pool tables for a nice round of pool
Do
Kingston is the host of many great clubs. Found in New Kingston, there are many clubs that party until the early morning hours. The Quad, and Asylum are only a couple of the very popular clubs.
QUAD Nightclub . 0-22 Trinidad Terrace . n the middle of New Kingston. 76-754-QUAD. 2 USD . the only multi level nightclub in Jamaica. jazz, reggae, dancehall, r & b .
Learn
Work
Buy
'''Kingston Crafts Market'''
'''Blue Mountain Coffee''' from the supermarket for cheap or get premium beans direct from the JABLUM manufacturers or craft/single estate roasters. Look into Rum Roast and Royals at Devon House for some better selections.
Parade's '''Coronation Market''' on weekends, where you can buy fruit and vegetables from across the island.
Eat
'''Jerk, curried, fricasseed or brown stew chicken, pork or fish
'''Escoveitch fish -- Warning, spicy!
'''Ackee and saltfish (codfish)''' -- the national dish of Jamaica
'''Curried mutton (goat)
'''Fruit:''' Mangoes, sugar cane, paw-paw (papaya), guava, june plum, jackfruit, star apples, guinep, naseberries...
'''roasted corn
'''bammy'''
'''patties from a bakery''' (Devon House makes excellent curried chicken patties, and both Juicy and Tastee are "fast food" patty restaurants. In Liguanea there's a vegetarian/vegan patty restaurant, across the parking lot from the Wendy's
'''ice cream from Devon House
Budget
Tastee Patty, Juicy Patty, Mother's - fast food, mostly "patties", though Mother's also does hamburgers and fried foods (Various places around town)
Island Grill - upscale slightly westernized Jamaica fast food and jerk, in New Kingston.
Jerk pans - see them on the street smelling good - get Jerked Chicken, rice and peas!
Mid-range
Akbar. 1 Holborn Rd., New Kingston 10 Jamaica, W.I.. 876 926-3480. Indian food served in a wonderful calm atmosphere. Sister Thai restaurant next door with equally pleasing menu
Splurge
Red Bones Blues Cafe. 1 Braemar Avenue, New Kingston 10 Jamaica, W.I.. (876) 978-6091" url="http://www.redbonesbluescafe.com/about_us.htm. Southern/US and Jamaican fusion cuisine with Jazz, blues, and other arts events.
Drink
Drink Red Stripe and Appleton Rum. If you've got the guts, try some Wray & Nephew overproof white rum (locals refer to it as "whites"): a drink that is usually around 180 proof.
There's also refreshing coconut water, cane juice, sorrel (only served around Christmas time), Irish Moss, and tamarind drink or genuine Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee (according to experts it is perhaps the best tasting, most expensive and most sought after coffee in the world). You can get premium beans from Rum, Roast and Royals in the Devon House complex.
Good bars include Red Bones Blues Cafe (also a good restaurant).
Sleep
Budget
'''Chelsea Hotel''' US$40.
'''Indie's''' and Mrs. J's Guest House on Holborn road.
'''Hope Pastures Great House Bed and Breakfast''', 40 Charlemont Avenue Kingston 6, (876) 632 2030
(876) 809 7510 US$75. Contact Lance Watson Manager. Wi fi Internet and cable. See review in Moons Guide to Jamaica.
Mid-range
Altamont Court Hotel. -5 Altamont Terrace New Kingston Jamaica, W.I.. (876) 929-5931. (876) 929-2118. ttp://www.altamontcourt.com/index.php. S$110.
Christar Villas Hotel. 9a Hope Rd., Kingston 6, Jamaica, W.I.. 876-978-3933. ttp://www.christarvillashotel.com/. S$115. Fascinating mid-range Jamaican hotel with a wide range of facilities and Jamaican mojo.
Splurge
'''The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites''', 85 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5 (876)-929-9000, [http://www.courtleigh.com]. The charming Courtleigh Hotel is the select hotel for discerning visitors to Kingston. This boutique property features up-scale mahogany furnishings in a traditional Caribbean setting. This hotel offers luxurious deluxe rooms and suites with executive work desks and many other amenities. Perfect for business or leisure travelers alike you will find unparalleled personalized service. The property is home to the renowned Mingles Pub and the award-winning Alexander's restaurant. Don't miss Saturday Latin Mingle! Meeting and banqueting facilities available. Offers handicapped access.
'''The Knutsford Court Hotel''', 16 Chelsea Avenue, Kingston 5 (876)-929-1000, [http://www.knutsfordcourt.com]. A great new addition to New Kingston. This 170 room, newly refurbished garden style property offers today's modern conveniences in a relaxed tropical setting catering to business and leisure travelers alike. Ideally located in the heart of the financial and shopping district of New Kingston and just two minutes walk from Knutsford Boulevard. Many embassies, attractions, restaurants and night clubs within walking distance. Just 25 minutes from Norman Manley International.
Contact
Stay safe
It should be noted, however, to exercise general safety precautions while in Kingston. Like any large city anywhere in the world, it is home to a higher number of crimes than the rest of the island. Kingston has been rated most dangerous city in the world in previous years when it comes to murder rate. Common sense and precaution should ensure a pleasant experience. If you find yourself in need of police, the emergency number is '''119'''.
Cope
Tourists, especially white tourists, tend to stick out and garner lots of attention, not all of it positive. Hissing and cat calls at women (even accompanied ones) is common. Reply to overzealous touts with "No badda (bother) me" can help.
Homosexuality is not at all condoned and can elicit violent reactions.
Get out
Organize an overnight climb of Blue Mountain. Many outfits will come and pick you up from in town for an additional fee.
Visit Hellshire beach for a taste of the authentic Jamaican beach going experience
Take a fisherman's boat from Port Royal (or a fancier boat from Morgan's Harbour Hotel) to Lime Cay for the day -- bring your snorkel!
Visit the JABLUM Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee factory
Relax and have a beer in Port Royal, visit the museum and learn about the piracy history[http://nautarch.tamu.edu/portroyal/]
Visit Gap Cafe and Strawberry Hill in the Blue Mountains
Cross the Blue Mountains into Portland (Jamaica)