Kingston - a modern, bustling, sprawling city that never seems to sleep. It is the seat of Government, has an international airport, busy port and modern cruise ship facilities as well as a wealth of tourist facilities from accommodation to restaurants and gift shops to galleries.

Kingston Jamaica is a far cry from most sleepy Caribbean capitals. A sprawling city of over 700,000 people, Kingston is the largest English-speaking city in the West Indies and the vibrant center of Jamaican cultural life.

Repeatedly devastated by fire, flood, earthquake and hurricane, not to mention real estate developers and urban planners, Kingston is a city with very little visible history but its long and colourful past has been well documented.

Originally the city had been laid out in a compact square enclosed by North Street, West Street, East Street and the sea. Kingston is a good vacation destination for tourist though it has a bad reputation due to crime and periodic civil disturbances.

Top Attractions in Kingston, Jamaica

Castleton Botanical Garden - established in 1862, it has 15 acres divided by the main road with river bordering. Notable for ferns, palms & various exotic trees.

Bob Marley Museum - Interesting collection of Marley's memorabilia, films, posters, records, books, etc. Admission fee required.

National Art Gallery - Pre 20th century gallery. Also includes Edna Manley and Kap collection. Admission fee required.

Port Royal - known as the evilest place on earth. It was home to swashbuckling pirate and buccaneers who roam the seas stealing and looting. Later in the 17th century it was home to the Brish Nav. Now it is a sleepy fishing village and draws visitors interested in learning about the island's heritage or just to enjoy the views of the seas while eating fish and bammy at the waters edge.

Kingston is the capital and the commercial, administrative and cultural heart of the island. It is the largest English-speaking city in the Caribbean, has the seventh largest natural harbor in the world, and lies on a wide plain with the sea to the south and the St. Andrew Mountain as its backdrop to the north. It was founded in 1692 after an earthquake devastated the capital Port Royal.