Jamaica is truly a paradise island in the Caribbean; from miles of white sand to gorgeous beaches, every moment of your vacation in Jamaica will seem like a dream. Whether you are sipping on their traditional Jamaican rum or relishing their insanely delicious goat curry and jerk chicken, nothing comes close to a truly relaxing vacation that you can have in the island. Follow our 7 day Jamaica itinerary and make your dream come true!
If you have been wondering how many days in Jamaica is enough, then 7 days is enough for you to have a laid back vacation, while also exploring the scenic and historical attractions that the island is known for.
Where To Stay During Your 7 Day Jamaica Itinerary
There are two prime areas that you can consider for your stay in Jamaica – Montego Bay and Negril. Montego Bay has more of the Jamaican vibe than Negril, which is a major draw for tourists, and has a larger variety of resorts (all-inclusive) that are family-friendly compared to Negril. However, Negril has the better beaches including the famous Seven Mile Beach. If you are more of a nightlife person, then you can’t go wrong with either of the two, since nightlife is plenty in both the areas.
However, one important advantage of staying in Montego Bay is that it has its own international airport (airport code MBJ), into which majority of US carries fly in. To get to Negril, you would have to fly in to Montego Bay, and take a cab to Negril which is 1.5 hours away. We would recommend staying in Montego Bay and doing a day trip to Negril and enjoy its beaches and everything it has to offer.
How To Get Around In Jamaica
Getting around in a cab is the most convenient way in Jamaica, whether you are following our 7 day Jamaica itinerary or otherwise. It is very easy to arrange for a cab at your resort, and we would recommend doing that, since you will go on a few day trips as part of your vacation. Driving a rental car by yourself is not recommended. You will have to drive on the left side of the road, which is the opposite of how you would drive in the US. Besides, the roads are not all that great, and you will find the local drivers are a bit erratic and aggressive.
Your 7 Day Jamaica Itinerary
Before we jump into our 7 day Jamaica itinerary, if you are wondering about the cost of a trip to Jamaica, then read our detailed guide!
Day 1: Visit the sights of Montego Bay
This 7 day Jamaica itinerary is going to be one that’s filled with explorations as well as a lot of relaxation. We will assume you have already landed at Montego Bay the previous day and have spent your time relaxing at the resort, with a Jamaican rum punch in hand.
Start your day with a visit to the Montego Bay Cultural Center. The center is a reflection of Jamaican arts and culture, and has two museums in it, the National Gallery West and the National Museum West. Between the both of them, you will get to explore the rich culture and history of the Jamaican people.
Next, head to the hugely popular Rose Hall Great House. This is an 18th century architectural masterpiece, where you might get to see the White Witch who haunts this mansion. This can be visited only as part of a tour, so advance booking is recommended. There is an option to visit the mansion as part of a night tour, for the brave-hearted!
After spending half a day enjoying the sights of Montego Bay, head back to your resort, change into your swim wear and hit the beach or the pool! If nightlife is your thing, plan to head out to one of the local bars to experience Jamaican nightlife, before wrapping up day one on this 7 day Jamaica itinerary. Do check with the resort staff for recommendations that suit your taste and style.
Day 2: Relax at the resort
Today, you will spend your entire day at the resort, purely chilling at either the beach or by the pool or both. Most of the resorts organize daily activities, so consider participating in them, or pamper yourself with a relaxing massage, possibly at the beach itself! Remember, this is a vacation for you, so go ahead and relax as much as you want.
Day 3: Day trip to Negril
The third day on your 7 day Jamaica itinerary will be spent at Negril, home to the widely known Seven Mile Beach. Negril is around 1.5 hours away from Montego Bay, so plan to arrange a cab from the resort in advance. Start your trip by visiting the 7 mile long white sand beach, the Seven Mile Beach. Try to find a spot in the middle to north-end of the beach, since these areas have the most amount of sand. The beach is huge and there is no lack of space for anybody!
One of the popular things to do at Negril is going on a glass-bottom boat tour. You will go aboard a boat that has a glass-bottom and get to see the wildlife under the crystal clear water. Most of the tours also include snorkeling in the best Carol Reef in Negril. The tour lasts under 1.5 hours, so you will still have most of the day to yourself.
One of the must-visit spots in Negril is Rick’s Cafe. It is a very popular hangout spot on the West End Cliffs, mainly known to provide the best views of the sunset. Choices for food and drinks are plentiful here, so sit back and enjoy the sunset, before you head back to your resort in Montego Bay.
Day 4: Another day to relax at the resort
After a long trip to Negril the previous day, today is for you to enjoy the sand and the beach at your resort, and halfway through the 7 day Jamaica itinerary. One of the things that we love to do is to play a common sport such as beach volleyball. You get to meet other hotel guests and have a nice game at the beach! Explore the resort and its amenities at your leisure for the rest of the day.
Day 5: Explore Nine Mile, birthplace of Bob Marley
One of the highlights of this 7 day Jamaica itinerary is today! Nine Mile is a small village, deep in the rural inland of Jamaica. It is the birthplace of the reggae legend, Bob Marley, and is a 2 hour drive from Montego Bay. Today’s plan is to head to Nine Mile in a cab, and visit The Bob Marley Mausoleum. The mausoleum complex houses the one-bedroom country house where Bob Marley was born, as well as his and his mother’s mausoleum. Plan to spend about an hour here, before heading back to the resort. Rest of the day is for you to soak in the sun at your resort.
Day 6: Day trip to Kingston
Today, you will do a day trip to Kingston, the capital and largest city of Jamaica. The drive to Kingston from Montego Bay is around 2.5 hours, so plan to leave early from the resort.
Head first to The Bob Marley Museum, which is dedicated to one of the world’s finest reggae superstars, Bob Marley. The museum was his original residence, and was later converted into a museum by his wife, Rita Marley. Walk through the various rooms in his house and get a feel of how the reggae superstar lived a life filled with music and cheer. Plan to spend around 1.5 hours here.
If you are into art, consider visiting the famous art galleries in Kingston, such as the National Gallery of Jamaica, Grosvenor Galleries and the Olympia Gallery. Kingston has a huge collection of restaurants and cafes, so depending on what you are craving for, plan to have lunch at one of them.
On your way back from Kingston, take a slight detour to visit the Dunn’s River Falls. This is a touristy site no doubt, but rightly so, since the waterfalls are one of the most photographed locations in Jamaica.
Instead of spending the entire day at the water park, you can plan to spend some time at the water falls and capturing a bunch of photos, before heading back to your resort.
Day 7: Enjoy the last day at the resort
As you wrap up your 7 day Jamaica itinerary and your last day in the paradise island, plan to spend the entire day at the resort, before bidding farewell to the white sand, rum and jerk chicken. If you do not have the seventh day to spend in Jamaica, you can consider visiting Nine Mile and Kingston on the same day, which means you will spend the entire day outside of your resort on day 5, leaving you with day 6 to enjoy at the resort.
The 7 Day Jamaica Itinerary Map
Plan Your 7 Day Jamaica Itinerary With Us
Jamaica is truly a Caribbean paradise, and you deserve such a vacation! Email us if you need our help in putting together a custom 7 day Jamaica itinerary for your vacation to this Caribbean paradise!