Rural Jamaica
6 Reasons To Stay In "The Country" On Vacation

Men In Rural Jamaica Enjoying A Game Of Dominoes

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by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

If you want to experience the real, authentic Jamaica, staying in the rural parts of the island during your visits is your best bet. These areas rarely get the recognition they deserve and are often overlooked for the more popular towns and cities. But what rural Jamaica, or "the country" as we call it offers, cannot be found in the urban areas. Here are the 6 main reasons you should choose to stay in the country for your next visit.

1. Affordability

Finding a place in a rural area to stay if you are on vacation will cost you a mere fraction of what it would if you were to choose to stay in a more upscale hotel in the urban areas. Food, gas, and utilities are also cheaper if you were to rent somewhere in the country compared to if you were renting somewhere in the town.

3. The Food

You won't find any fine dining restaurants in rural Jamaica. What you will find is authentic Jamaican foods being prepared by the sides of the street or in cosy cook shops. You may think you’ll have more variety in the cities but the truth is, the rural areas provide a wider spread of authentic Jamaican dishes. Yes, the popular dishes will be there, so you will get to enjoy Jerk Chicken and Oxtail with Rice and Peas.

But, the cooks in the rural areas also prepare and serve some of the best tasting Brown Stewed Chicken or Turkey Neck, Tripe and Beans, Cow Skin Soup, Peppered Shrimp, and many other unpopular Jamaican Dishes that are just as delicious.

Also, walking down the street and being able to just stop and pick cherries off a tree (for free!) is quite a treat don’t you think?

4. Unpopular Gems

Most persons who visit Jamaica already know about all the popular attractions like Dunn's River Falls or rafting on the Rio Grande. They know about hiking up the Blue Mountains and feeding the turtles at Turtle River Park. But what many of our visitors don’t know is that there are hundreds of beautiful attractions to visit all over the island, especially in rural Jamaica.

For example, Benta River is a beautiful natural attraction tucked away in Petersfield, a little known part of  Westmoreland. With a river, falls and beautiful open areas, it is perfect for a family picnic, a chill out day or a riverside cookout.

Treasure Beach in St. Elizabeth is another of the many laid back communities where you can experience Jamaica in her undisturbed beauty. Some of the most beautiful spots in Jamaica are hidden away in the small communities where only locals have knowledge of them. Your only chance to experience authentic Jamaica might be vacationing in those little communities off the beaten path.

5. Elderly Knowledge

I always marvel at the wealth of information the older ones among us can provide. Elderly community members have a world of knowledge about Jamaica and all it takes for us to know is just to ask. Knowledge passed down through word of mouth from one generation to the next. Many of these things are not generally known by others.

If you truly want to know about the roots of Jamaica and where we are coming from, speak to the elderly, no one knows it quite as well as they do. Why? Because they have lived it.

Curious about the different herbs and medicinal plants that we use and what we use them for? The community elders are the source of that knowledge and they are always ready to share.

Watch Video! The History of Jamaica

In rural Jamaica, you will find people like Mr. Kenneth Brewster, who know so much about the history and culture of Jamaica. He shared some real life accounts with us. You can watch it here:

5. Nightlife

I guess when you think of rural areas, you think of sleepy towns where everything closes at 5pm. Well, it might be difficult to leave at that time on public transportation. But, you definitely won’t be bored in the community. There is always something happening.

Nightlife in rural Jamaica is a complete 180 to that of the city. It is more relaxed and casual, with many activities to choose from. During the week you will find people gathered at small shops and bars playing dominoes or card games.

You will see the youngsters gathering in small groups, challenging each other to complete the latest dancehall moves or to DJ the popular dancehall songs.

On the weekends, there is an extra dose of festivities. The offerings range from fish fries to “dead yards” or from church socials to round robins (parties). These events will give you first hand experience of what a Jamaican party is really like. You'll get to hear many different Jamaican artistes, not just the popular ones and you might learn a new dance or two.

There will always be gatherings filled with community members, families, and friends to attend. Every community I know has some type of competition going on, whether it be football (soccer), cricket, dancing or singing.

And don’t worry, Jamaicans are some of the friendliest people on earth, you will be more than welcome to join in. and on Sunday mornings you can stand on your porch and listen as the community band marches around the neighbourhood.

6. Fresh Air

This is something many of us take for granted and it is something that you won’t begin to understand until you’ve been in the city for a while, then take a drive into the country. But the fresh air that rural Jamaica provides is completely different.

Whether you choose a little fishing village by the sea or a community in the hills surrounded by lush, green tropical forests, you will be able to tell the difference between that and the city. Imagine waking up on a daily basis to that freshness, that is what rural Jamaica has to offer.

The lack of reliable internet and being so far removed from the hustle and excitement of the city is usually the main reasons visitors opt to stay in the urban areas instead. But think about it. Is being a little bit off the grid and a bit more in tune with nature, people and culture for a few days not worth it?

Jamaica has a healthy, diverse culture and heritage. Unfortunately, as urban areas develop, a little of our culture is sacrificed for convenience or appeal. So if you are planning to visit Jamaica and your aim is to experience authentic Jamaica, that is Jamaica in its pure unspoilt form, you must start with rural communities.

Other Pages Related To Rural Jamaica

You will also find these pages quite helpful as well:

• Free Jamaican Recipes
  
• Exciting Jamaican Attractions
• Unpopular Jamaican Dishes

Return to Jamaican Attractions from Rural Jamaica
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from Rural Jamaica

References & Sources For Rural Jamaica

1. Benta Falls Attraction Review | Perfect Cookout & Adventure Spot, https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/benta_falls.html 
2. Treasure Beach Jamaica - History, Attractions and Accommodations, https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/treasure_beach_jamaica.html

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