Travel Guide to Jamaica: what to visit if you like reggae and Rastafarianism

Nowadays Jamaica is one of the most visited islands in the Caribbean. Each year, it receives thousands of tourists from all over the world who come to visit its beaches, landscapes, activities or religion.

Jamaican flag

colors of reggae

Unlike many islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica has a great personality as a country and culture. It is common to see that many islands that were formerly colonies (or it still are) share very similar aspects such as their gastronomy, architecture, etc. Nevertheless, Jamaica has become a cultural reference for its reggae and Rastafarians.

The ideology arises in 1930 when Haile Selassie is crowned similar to the king of Ethiopia, being descendant of king Salomón (founder of Ethiopia) and the first king of color that managed to arrive at the crown in all Africa.

Haile was considered a reincarnation of God due to a prophecy that appears in the Bible, which states: when the first black king to the crown arrives, this will be the beginning of liberation for the people of color.

The Rastafarians as a formal religion began to gain support in the 1960s; they sought peace, unification and the supreme black race. While he was alive, Haile visited Jamaica where he gave away land in Ethiopia so they could return to their homeland. He also asked the liberation of the Jamaican people so they could return to the sacred land.

The Rastafarians are peaceful and transmit their messages to the world through music, hoping to return to their sacred land some day.

Reggae was born in 1960 inside the working class community of Kingston, Jamaica. It emerges as a combination of American jazz and blues with a fusion of Jamaican music.

Over the years, reggae began to gain popularity as their lyrics were like poems and served to convey their beliefs, injustices, love, and thoughts.

With Bob Marley, this genre became globally recognized and resulted in one of the most significant genres worldwide. In the beginning, reggae and Rastafarian religion went hand in hand, as great stars of the genre such as Bob Marley practiced these beliefs and reflected them in many of his songs.

Bob Marley Museum

This did not please many believers since they considered reggae as something commercial, however, it caused us to associate reggae and Jamaica with colorful clothes from the Ethiopian flag, dreadlocks, and marijuana (a sacred plant used in Rastafarian rituals)

The Rastafarians consider marijuana sacred because they believe that the plant was discovered next to the grave of Solomon (founder of their sacred territory). Bob Marley and company followed their religious practices while they became famous, causing people to see marijuana, dreadlocks and their clothes as part of this genre when in reality it is part of their religion.

Jamaica offers different activities that allow lovers of reggae and Rastafarian religion to learn more about their history and everything they are. If you are a lover of reggae and Rastafarianism, we welcome you to visit the three main cities in Jamaica along with other activities that will make your trip the best of all.

Kingston is the cradle of reggae, a must for all those who love this genre and the culture of the country. The Devon house, historic for being the home of the first Caribbean black millionaire and Spanish town, traditional neighborhood of the city.

Montego Bay is a city in the north of the country, located two and a half hours from Kingston. It is famous for its beaches, coral reefs, and colorful lagoons. However, not everything is natural beauties, on your visit to Montego Bay,” the experience of Bob Marley” is a must! A tour that takes you to the town of Nine Mile, and tells all about the enigmatic singer. For Rastafarian enthusiasts, there is a tour to the village Rastafari, a village in which you can take an interactive tour and learn all about the customs, practices and daily life of the people who practice this religion.

Finally, there is one last tour that is a must for all dolphin lovers! Dolphin Cove Montego Bay, located only 42 minutes from downtown. Here you can swim with dolphins, interact with different mammals or experience an encounter with sharks.

Ocho Rios in one of the most visited cities in Jamaica due to its tourist attractions, among which is the mausoleum of Bob Marley. Here you can find the remains of the singer and is a sacred temple for Rastafarians which is forbidden to enter with shoes on and smoking and buying marijuana inside and outside the mausoleum is allowed due to the Rastafarian influence from town.

Other activities which are more focused on discovering the charms of the island are Dunn’s River Falls, these are Jamaica’s signature waterfalls which you can swim and use to compliment your dolphin swim program in Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios for an unforgettable day.

If you like adventure and extreme activities then Yaaman Park is the place to be! Located a couple of minutes from the city of Ocho Rios. Yaaman is a park that offers various activities such as ATV’s, dune buggies, camel ride, Jamaican culinary classes, an aviary, and coffee plantation tour and more!

Jamaica is an area rich in culture, where you can learn more about their people, as well as carry out activities full of energy and knowledge. Come live the experience!