While most people know Kingston to be the capital of Jamaica, it’s really so much more than just a booming metropolis. Yes, the city may be the island’s core when it comes to economy but that doesn’t mean that it’s not without its natural beauty. Kingston is located on the Liguanea Plain, surrounded by the Kingston Harbor, red hills and the gorgeous Blue Mountains so if you’re visiting on business, you’ll see more beautiful landscaping than what you’re probably bargaining for.
Rich in History
It’s challenging to find a more historically rich city in all of the Caribbean. July of 1692 is when Kingston was founded for not only refugees but also for the survivors affected by the earthquake that shook Port Royal that year. Prior to this earthquake, the area was primarily agricultural, housing a few fishing shacks and pig farmers.
As the 18th century rolled in, the natural harbor here empowered the city to become a very important sea port. Traders who profited on the activity built townhouses and many immigrant workers and freed slaves moved into the area, anxious to be part of the development. Nearly a century later, the island finally recognized Kingston as its capital and the city began to see obvious division in the population. The poor huddled along the edges while the rich moved uptown and to the northern outskirts.
Natural disasters attacked Kingston beginning in 1784 with a massive hurricane, followed by a tremendous fire in 1993. If that wasn’t enough, there was an epidemic of cholera in 1850, another fire in 1862 and then the 1907 earthquake destroyed the city. It wasn’t until the 1960s that Kingston began to show a spark of being that vibrant city once again.
Things to Do and See
- Blue Mountains – Aside from just walking out of your room and being captivated by the Blue Mountains, you can certainly find some nice hiking trails. The Blue Mountain peak offers a 7000-ft elevation with unparalleled views of the surrounding area. There are plenty of tours to take you there as well and a lot guest houses along the way to buy coffee.
- Port Royal – Half the city remains in the ocean due to an earthquake and although a second one caused more damage, the fortress here still partially remains erect. This is a nice place to wander around for a day.
- Devon House – Nestled in the heart of Kingston is this restored house, built by a millionaire in 1889 who lived there with his family until the 1920s. Tours begin every 15 minutes and you can even catch a glimpse of an illegal gambling room.
- Rockford Mineral Baths – After the 1907 earthquake, these natural springs emerged. You can soak in these mineral waters that are said to take away all your aches and pains.
- Scuba Diving – There are many outstanding dive opportunities to be found here including Wreck Reef, Texas Wreck, The Edge (advanced dive) and Cayman Trader, where you’ll find plenty of sea life, including Nurse sharks.
- Hope Zoo and Botanical Gardens – This 50-acre getaway features Caribbean wildlife and the largest botanical garden found in the West Indies. There’s even cacti gardens, orchid gardens and rare palms.
- Spanish Town – History buffs must make a visit to Spanish Town. Here you’ll find the Jamaican People’s Museum of Technology and Crafts as well as St. James Cathedral, the 1523 historic church.
- Flat Bridge – The slaves built the bridge in the 1970s. There is no railing because each time one gets added, the river always rises and it gets washed away. The area is said to be haunted due to two slaves being murdered and their bodies were added into the mortar.
- Bob Marley Museum – Fans from around the world come to see the shrine created for this legendary reggae star in his old home.
- Institute of Jamaica – Looking for your fix of culture? This natural history museum lays out the island’s history to you back to the Arawak Indians.
Kingston is a city you simply must visit if you’re coming to Jamaica. The only way to truly appreciate the people, the culture and the tragic hardship the area has endured is to be surrounded by it. This is a city that will come back fighting no matter how many times it falls.