Be Loved and Be Loved – Honeymoon in Jamaica
Of all the Caribbean honeymoon destinations to choose from, one country stands apart for its identity, history, and iconic contributions to global pop culture. As the third-largest island in the Caribbean, Jamaica is rich in everything couples could hope to experience during their honeymoon travels. Friendly smiles and rum punch are presented upon arrival at many luxury resorts. Fine dining and comforting, down-home favorites like jerk chicken and festival (a deep-fried bread) are both available in abundance. Rainforests, mountains, and crystal-clear waters are ready to be explored. Whether newlyweds are looking for adventure, culture, relaxation, or the ultimate combination of all three, a honeymoon in Jamaica allows them to experience one of the world’s most beloved destinations in their own unique way.
Planning a Honeymoon in Jamaica
Jamaica welcomed 4.1 million visitors in 2023, and that number is expected to rise. As its wedding and luxury travel industries have developed, more people are discovering how perfect the island is for destination weddings, honeymoons, and romance travel in general. Logistically, there are multiple international flight routes available, making Jamaica an easily accessible honeymoon destination. The island also has several different regions to explore, each with its own distinct characteristics, so couples can choose which part of the island suits them best.
One of the most popular cities is Montego Bay, located on the northern coast. Often called “Mo’Bay” for short, Montego Bay is known as “the complete resort area.” Its nickname is self-explanatory, as Mo’Bay truly has it all – from nightlife to luxury resorts, to golf courses, to picturesque beaches. Jamaica’s South Coast, by contrast, is a hub of tranquility and resonates more with honeymooners who want something off the beaten path.
Ocho Rios is renowned for its beaches, rainforests, waterfalls, and luxury villas. Negril, however, is the “capital of casual” with soft white sand, turquoise waters, and a seven-mile stretch of beaches that serve as the most exquisite place to enjoy the sunset.
Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, is a cultural hotspot and currently trending among couples who want to host a traditional-style wedding in a Georgian great house. Once the festivities are over and it’s time to enjoy a honeymoon in Jamaica, newlyweds may wish to venture to Port Antonio for lush rainforests, blue mountains, gorgeous villas, and secluded swimming holes.
5-Star Luxury at Half Moon Jamaica
For honeymooners who choose to center their trip around Montego Bay, Half Moon Jamaica is a 5-star property that has all the style and anticipatory service of a world-class resort, but without the pretense. Half Moon offers a selection of incredible villas and beautifully appointed guest rooms – many, with direct access to the beach – and a vibe that changes significantly with the travel season. During late summer and early autumn, the resort is quiet, and visitors may feel as if they have the entire property to themselves. Once December arrives, the crowds return and transform Half Moon into a buzzy, lively wedding and honeymoon destination.
After checking in to the resort, couples can plan their honeymoon around Half Moon’s extensive list of activities. Rated as one of the world’s Top 100 Golf Resorts, golf enthusiasts will enjoy teeing off at the Half Moon Golf Course. Equestrians and horse lovers alike can visit the Equestrian Center for a day of polo lessons, horseback riding, or even swimming with horses at beach. There’s also an onsite water sports center that will arrange everything including snorkeling, private scuba diving tours, and sailing adventures.
With environmental and social practices that have been certified by Green Globe, Half Moon was the first hotel to be inducted into the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference Green Hotel Hall of Fame. As a pioneer of ecological programs and sea turtle conservation, the resort actively protects any sections of the beach that mother turtles have turned into nesting sites. The endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle is a popular friend of the resort, and lucky honeymooners may find themselves present to watch hatchlings making their way to the sea.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper honeymoon in Jamaica without some quality time at a luxury spa. Half Moon couples will love unwinding at Fern Tree, a Salamander Spa, with its relaxing ambiance and indulgent spa treatments. It’s an absolute treat for the senses, with light essential oils scenting the air, plush robes, endless glasses of spa water, and thoughtfully designed interiors. For an extra romantic spa day, try the “Magic Moments” treatment which includes a coconut oil couples massage and a private soak in the secluded Fern Tree Garden.
Jamaican Adventures and Experiences
Jamaica was originally named “Xaymaca” by the indigenous Taíno people, which translates to “The Land of Wood and Water” – a reference to the land’s dense rainforests and flowing river system. Today, visitors can explore the magnificent topography through activities like ATV riding with Chukkah Caribbean Adventures, or touring the Blue Hole Great House for a Jamaican history and cooking lesson followed by a farm-to-table lunch.
Honeymooners will especially love spending a leisurely afternoon rafting down the famous Martha Brae River. During the colonial era, the river provided a major transport system for sugar and other crops to be taken from plantations to the Port of Falmouth. Using the same type of bamboo rafts that were built hundreds of years ago, visitors can float down the river, escorted by local experts like Raft Captain Roland. Think of it as Jamaica’s version of the canal rides in Venice, but within a magical setting that looks like a scene from the movie FernGully: The Last Rainforest. Visitors can even jump off the raft for a swim in the pure, drinking water-quality river, or purchase some freshly cut sugar cane while drifting by vendors along the bank.
The Land of One Love
While it may be “The Land of Wood and Water” in name, Jamaica is “The Land of One Love” in spirit. The locals are as diverse as it gets, but one collective sentiment remains clear: the island is for everybody.
Despite being a popular tourist destination, Jamaica’s identity is very much intact. Visitors don’t have to go out of their way to get a true sense of the people and culture, and a large part of Jamaica’s charm is that it remains inherently “Jamaican.” The island has become a beacon for couples who want to celebrate love with new and unique experiences. Yet even with all its visual, culinary, cultural, and adventurous offerings, it’s the genuine, feelgood energy of the people that makes a honeymoon in Jamaica so special.
Learn more at visitjamaica.com.
>Written By: Lauren Malamala