Once the crown jewel of the British sugar empire, its coastal plains and lofty jungles are still dotted with colonnaded mansions, thriving plantations, and ruins of others that did not survive the slave rebellions. Many of the remaining mansions are now opulent inns flanked not only by the sugar fields, but also by golf courses, while the beaches that once harbored ruthless, notorious pirates now harbor vacationers seeking the perfect tan. And you'll note that music is the heartbeat of Jamaica; nearly everywhere you go you feel its rhythm pulsing through the air, the marketplaces, through the locals and, soon enough, through you. For vacationers with a free and festive spirit, Jamaica is your place to shine!

The island of Jamaica is dominated by the magnificent Blue Mountain Range, which runs east to west across the island and reaches its highest point at the Blue Mountain Peak 7,402 feet above sea level. The terrain and climate of the Blue Mountains make them the ideal location for growing the world's finest coffee.