The third-largest island in the Caribbean is also one of the most colourful. Idyllic white sand beaches and vibrant tropical blooms sit on a backdrop of blue mountain peaks. As the adopted home of the Rasta, Jamaica is also a riot of red, gold, and green. Renowned as the birthplace of Bob Marley, reggae remains at the island's musical heart. Rice-and-peas, rum, coffee and cricket are its soul. Local pastimes centre on oral traditions, such as discussing an idea to exhaustion, often over a fiercely fought game of dominoes on a veranda or front porch.

Excellent tourist facilities and attractions range from leafy parks to handsome colonial towns and neon-lit nightlife. Negril and Montego Bay are Jamaica's two main coastal resorts, attracting a mix of tourists with exquisite sands, lively clubs, fine restaurants and world-class golf. Laid-back Negril boasts an 11km (7-mile) beach lined with funky beach bars painted in bubblegum hues. Known to one and all as Mo' Bay, sizzling Montego Bay has a reputation as a party town, but is also a paradise for shoppers.

Journey a short distance along the coast to discover ‘the real Jamaica', amidst street markets of ackee, yam and breadfruit and vendors hawking kulu kulu rum. Explore the quaint fishing villages of Treasure Beach, Port Antonio and Oracabessa, sleepy retreats that offer a glimpse of Jamaica's quieter side.

Music is inherent to Jamaica, be it roots, rock, reggae or reggaeton. In historic Kingston, the island's spirited capital, grand Georgian plazas and elegant mansions are serenaded by soca rhythms and the pulsating buzz of the city. The Tuff Gong and the Bob Marley Museum celebrate Jamaica's musical heritage and African roots.

Geography

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean. The island is home to the Blue Mountains inland and is surrounded by a narrow coastal plain. Most major towns and cities are located on the coast. Chief towns and cities include the capital Kingston, Portmore, Spanish Town, Mandeville, Ocho Ríos, Port Antonio, Negril, and Montego Bay. The Kingston Harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world. There are several tourist attractions scattered across the country, including Dunn's River Falls in St. Ann, YS Falls in St. Elizabeth, the Blue Lagoon in Portland, and Port Royal, which was the site of an earthquake that helped form the island's Palisadoes.

The climate in Jamaica is tropical, with hot and humid weather, although higher inland regions are more temperate. Some regions on the south coast, such as the Liguanea Plain and the Pedro Plains, are relatively dry rain-shadow areas. Jamaica lies in the hurricane belt of the Atlantic Ocean; as a result, the island sometimes experiences significant storm damage. Hurricanes Charlie and Gilbert hit Jamaica directly in 1951 and 1988, respectively, causing major damage and many deaths. In the 2000s, hurricanes Ivan, Dean, and Gustav also brought severe weather to the island.

Religion

Spirituality takes many forms in Jamaica, but all are reflected in the local culture. The Guinness Book of World Records determined Jamaica to have the most churches per square mile of any place on the planet. The island hosts many different Christian denominations, including Anglicans, Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, Seventh Day Adventists, and Presbyterians. But the religious are not only Christians: Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Bahai's, and Rastafarians call Jamaica home.

The Arts, Music, and Dance

Jamaicans also take pride in their artistic style. Influenced by the island's unique culture as well as European, American, and African art forms, islanders have mastered a style all their own. The nation has produced many famous artists including sculptor and painter Edna Manley, painter Albert Huie and the self-taught artist Kapo.

Medical Tourism is also known as Medical Travel, Health Tourism, Health Travel, Medical Value Travel, Healthcare Abroad, Medical Overseas, Overseas Medical, Surgery Overseas, Medical Outsourcing and Offshore Medical. Medical tourism can be described as a healthy holiday. In most cases, medical tourists are not your average vacationers opting for medical or cosmetic treatment, just because it is available, but patients with significant health concerns for whom the cost of their health-care is a primary concern and the vacation aspect a secondary one. Indeed, someone needing medical or cosmetic treatment would not go abroad if the 'affordable healthcare' factor-quality of treatment, cost savings and wait time did not justify it. As long as you are healthy enough to travel, you stand to benefit from medical tourism’s offerings.

Medical Tourism is a combination of wellness and healthcare coupled with leisure and relaxation which is aimed at rejuvenating a person mentally, physically and emotionally, drawing away from his daily routine to a relaxed environment in an exotic location. Medical Tourism is the process of traveling abroad to receive superior medical, and cosmetic care by highly skilled surgeons at some of the most modern and state-of-the-art medical facilities in the world. This means that those who choose medical tourism are able to utilize the services of some of the top surgeons in the world, all while enjoying exotic locales and accommodations. Patients can put the money they are saving on the procedure into turning their journey into a magnificent, world-class retreat. For millions of patients, it is the only way to get the needed or desired medical treatment, without wiping out their entire life-savings.

People And History

Arawaks from South America had settled in Jamaica prior to Christopher Columbus' first arrival at the island in 1494. During Spain's occupation of the island, starting in 1510, the Arawaks were exterminated by disease, slavery, and war. Spain brought the first African slaves to Jamaica in 1517. In 1655, British forces seized the island, and in 1670, Great Britain gained formal possession.

Sugar made Jamaica one of the most valuable possessions in the world for more than 150 years. The British Parliament abolished slavery as of August 1, 1834. After a long period of direct British colonial rule, Jamaica gained a degree of local political control in the late 1930s, and held its first election under full universal adult suffrage in 1944. Jamaica joined nine other U.K. territories in the West Indies Federation in 1958 but withdrew after Jamaican voters rejected membership in 1961. Jamaica gained independence in 1962, remaining a member of the Commonwealth.

Historically, Jamaican emigration has been heavy. Since the United Kingdom restricted emigration in 1967, the major flow has been to the United States and Canada. About 20,000 Jamaicans emigrate to the United States each year; another 200,000 visit annually. New York, Miami, Chicago, and Hartford are among the U.S. cities with a significant Jamaican population. Remittances from the expatriate communities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, estimated at up to $1.6 billion per year, make increasingly significant contributions to Jamaica's economy.

Culture

Jamaican culture represents a rich blend of cultures that have inhabited the Greater Antilles island, Jamaica. The original Taino Settlers, followed by their Spanish conquerors (who were in turn conquered by the British), all made major contributions. However, it is the blacks and slaves who became the dominant cultural force as they suffered and resisted the harsh conditions of forced labour. After the abolition of slavery, Chinese and Indian migrants were transported to the island as indentured workers, bringing with them ideas from the Far East. The official national language is English, heavily spiced with local idioms and Elizabethan usage. The primary local language is patois, or Jamaican Creole.

Jamaicans have a musical heritage that stems from their African and European roots. Reggae music is Jamaica's most recognized sound. These thumping sounds are rich and infectious and encompass expression of personal freedom, independence, religion, and gossip. Jamaica's most famous is Bob Marley whose influence helped bring Reggae music into the Jamaican main stream.

Jamaica's lush colorful landscapes act as muse for its people. These vibrant colors are reflected in the visual arts. Jamaicans have produced some of the best paintings, sculptures, and pottery in the Caribbean. Jamaican artists draw influences from their diverse culture. These colorful works of art include precious treasures produced by unconventional artists ranging from the academic to the self-taught artisan.

Places To Visit

Falmouth
The town of Falmouth is the capital of parish Trelawny in Jamaica. It is often referred to as one of the best preserved Georgian town of the Caribbean island. Falmouth is located at the northern coast of Jamaica, nearly 18 miles away from Montego Bay.

Lucea
Lucea is a coastal town and the capital of the parish of Hanover in Jamaica. Hanover was founded in 1723 and Lucea is the main town of this parish. Lucea has a population of 5,739 inhabitants most of which are Blacks and the rest being Latino, Asians, Whites and others.

Mandeville
Mandeville is Manchester’s largest town situated west of Kingston in Middlesex country, Jamaica. According to 2005 census, the population of Mandeville is 50000. The altitude of this city is 628 meters. The town was a gift by the Duke of Manchester to his elder son Viscount Mandeville. As the place is located at the Tower of the Don Finguerero Mountains, it is often referred to as the coolest town of Jamaica.

May Pen
May Pen is located in the Clarendon Parish in the southern region of the island country of Jamaica. With a population of approximately 50,000 inhabitants, this town is the capital of the parish.May Pen lies in the plain region of the parish; the plain is crisscrossed by several rivers. As it is located in the interiors, May Pen experiences oppressive heat during summer.

Kingston
Kingston,the largest city and the capital of Jamaica, is located on the south-eastern coast of the island. It is the seventh largest natural harbour in the world and has a bustling port, exporting sugar, rum and bananas. It has a population of 7,50,000 inhabitants

Dunns River Falls
Ocho Rios. An exciting yet easy climb up the waterfalls. Swimsuits and sea shoes are recommended. Open daily from 8am-5pm. This is a very popular place for all tourists so to beat the crowds go early in the morning or later in the day.

Noel Coward’s Firefly House
Ocho Rios. The famous British writers cliff-top home. Opn daily from 8am to 5.30 pm.

Seven Mile Beach
Negril. A good east coast beach with sands which stretch as far as the eye can see. Open 365 days a year, 24 hours.

Black River Safari
Along the south coast. A great afternoon lazy cruise among the crocodiles. No fear of danger. Daily 9am, 11 am, 2 pm, 4pm.

The Bob Marley Museum.
Kingston. A 19th century house once the musicians home and studios. A great sight for all Bob Marley fans. Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9.30am - 5pm. Wed, Sat and publica holidays 12.30am – 6pm.

Rose Hall
Montego Bay. The home of white witch Annie Palmer. Very popular house. Open daily 9am – 6pm.

Hollywell Park
Blue Mountains. A great area for hikers, nature lovers.

Bamboo Avenue
Mandeville. A romantic natural canopy of bamboo trees running east-west from Mandeville.

Transportation

Roadways

The Jamaican road network consists of almost 13 049 miles of roads, of which over 9 321 miles is paved.The Jamaican Government has, since the late 1990s and in cooperation with private investors, embarked on a campaign of infrastructural improvement projects, one of which includes the creation of a system of freeways, the first such access-controlled roadways of their kind on the island, connecting the main population centers of the island.

Air transport

There are two international airports in Jamaica with modern terminals, long runways, and the navigational equipment required to accommodate the large jet aircraft used in modern air travel: Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and Sangster International Airport in the resort town of Montego Bay. Both airports are home to the country's national airline, Air Jamaica. In addition there are local commuter airports at Tinson Pen (Kingston), Port Antonio, Ocho Ríos, and Negril which cater to internal flights only.

Jamaican Hospitals listed below are the most popular for Medical Tourism. Thousand of International patients  receive high quality medical treatment  at these hospitals annually. Our Network hospitals provide exclusive services to our clients due to our long Term relationships,stringent operational rules and contracts that favors our clients comfort and safety. To understand more about these hospitals, with details about its services, specializations, comforts, doctors and staff resumes, accreditation , certifications, specific treatments and success rates, you can discuss in detail with our Professional Medical Case Managers.

The hospitals in SurgeryPlanet Network have state of the art facilities and services with excellent and highly trained staff. Many of them have independent sections and departments to provide Specialized services to our International Customers. 

The exclusive Guarantees, International Patient Agreements, Special services and comforts that are provided by  our Network hospitals and Providers  exclusively to SurgeryPlanet Customers, due to our International Service Agreements , may not be provided to customers that approach the Hospital/Providers directly and  are not enrolled with SurgeryPlanet. Once you have contacted the hospitals/providers directly and your customer name/details has been entered in the Providers enrollment system, you will not be able to avail  SurgeryPlanet exclusive special services and guarantees, which will protect your rights, and comforts at the overseas destination/Provider.

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To browse all our Network hospitals at this  or other destinations, click Find Hospitals.Below is a brief List of Hospitals at this destination.