This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Kingston.
Situated on the southeastern coast of the island, Kingston, Jamaica, is the largest city by population and the capital of the country. More than six hundred sixty thousand people live in the metropolitan area of Kingston. The island has a rich and changing history. At first under Spanish rule, the English conquered the island in the seventeenth century and founded Kingston around the same time. The city has been the cultural and commercial centre of the country for many decades. The Norman Manley International Airport offers many international flight links; be prepared for long queues at the airport, since customs and immigration are fairly strict.
The city is divided into two major sections -- Uptown and Downtown. In Uptown, you will find modern restaurants, upper-class hotels, and tall business buildings. Downtown offers historic buildings, famous art museums, and worth-seeing local street markets. Since in some parts of Kingston the crime rate is high, it is recommendable to ask at the reception of your Kingston, Jamaica hostel about the best areas to go to and which areas should be avoided.
The climate in Kingston is tropical and fairly humid. The temperature difference between day and night is way bigger than the temperature differences throughout the year. The average maximum temperatures range from thirty to thirty-three degrees Celsius. At night, the temperatures rarely drop below twenty degrees Celsius. Temperatures between twenty-one and twenty-four degrees Celsius are common.
Kingston is a popular tourist destination and therefore you can find any sort of accommodation. From top-notch hotels to inexpensive hostels in Kingston, Jamaica, the capital has them all. The Kingston, Jamaica hostels and guesthouses are spread out in the city centre, so you can choose your favourite area. It is recommendable to get some information about the neighbourhood and safety in the area before booking a Kingston, Jamaica hostel, so that you can avoid concerns and disappointments.
Visiting Kingston, you can experience some real Jamaican culture and art. The National Gallery of Jamaica is very recommendable; it boasts the finest local pieces of arts from the eighteenth century to the present. It also shows a very Jamaican way of expressing artistic trends. Jamaica and Kingston are obviously linked to Bob Marley and his life. If you want to know more about this influential character, visiting the Bob Marley Museum is a must. Inside the museum, you can find his gold and platinum records as well as personal items. In this wooden house Bob Marley lived from for a few years in the seventies until his death in the early eighties. Nowadays, it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Kingston. Nature lovers cannot miss the Hope Botanical Gardens. The Royal Botanical Gardens are the largest of its kind in the Caribbean and occupy more than two hundred acres of land. There you can find many rare and beautiful specials of trees and tropical plants.
Written by local enthusiast for Kingston hostels
Flo
