It’s a truth universally acknowledged that no matter the location in the world, a Jamaican is sure to be found in every nook and cranny. But the reverse is also true: persons from all corners of the globe make our fair isle a must-do vacation spot. As we continue the countdown to Jamaica’s 50th anniversary celebrations, we look at yet more places and things that make The Rock truly original.

Coronation Market

For an authentic Jamaican market experience, nothing beats Coronation Market, found in the heart of downtown Kingston. Vendors from across the length and bredth of the island converge at the popular spot (partially torched during the Tivoli incursion in 2010 and subsequently rebuilt by Digicel), selling a variety of fresh fruits, produce, and even haberdashdery items. Full of character and colour, Coronation Market is a must-do spot that’s also a crossroads where the working class meets all the classes.

The Oyster Man

Men on The Rock share a special relationship with oysters, with many staunch believers that the mollusc enhances their virility. No surprise, then, that men hawking oysters can be found on beaches (with sauce-squirting bottles in hand) and sometimes even spotted selling in plazas in Half-Way-Tree.

Round Hill Hotel and Villas

Jet into the cashmere chic Round Hill Resort and Villas and bask in the luxe property’s laid-back elegance. Famed for its attention to detail and its inimitable MD Josef Forstmayr, the Hanover-enclave is a haunt for A-listers, royalty and scions who bask in the knowledge that they are able to enjoy the quaint but fabulous villas with private pools and magnificent views in complete privacy.

Mystic Mountain

No touristy (or Rock-based) excursion to Ocho Rios is complete without a visit to Mystic Mountain. Ascend the attraction via the Sky Explorer which affords a view of the rainforest below. Go bobsledding or ziplining while taking in amazing vistas of mountains and the Caribbean Sea.

Dolphin Cove

Listed as one of Jamaica’s finest attractions, Dolphin Cove has given many locals and tourists the delightful experience of swimming and playing with the family of bottlenose dolphins. Still, there is more to do at Dolphin Cove than just to swim around with Ronar and his friends. Visitors can also swim with, hold, feed and learn about the evolutionary secrets of Caribbean sharks. There are, too, the interactive sessions with the stingrays, glass-bottom kayaking, snorkelling and mini boat rides.

Hellshire Beach

Ask any Jamaican where to go for the best seafood in Jamaica and nine out of 10 times, they will tell you Hellshire. What sets Hellshire apart from the other beaches in Jamaica is the quality and variety of seafood. The beach is lined with thatch-roofed restaurants offering a choice of fresh fish and lobster, fried or steamed to your liking, served with vegetables, bammy and festival, and sure to please your palate.

Dominoes

Besides football and cricket, no other sport inspires as much rowdy excitement as a round – sometimes in unbelievable multiples – of domino playing. Slamming of the domino chips onto the tables is to be expected, and wild shouts are also customary. Whether in bars, verandahs at home, or the corner of any avenue, dominoes are an integral part of Jamaican culture.

The Bob Marley Museum

Once the home of Bob Marley, 56 Hope Road is now the address of the reggae icon’s eponymous museum. Frequented by digital and video camera-toting tourists from every continent, a tour of the museum includes a theatre stop that screens interviews with local and international media, life-size newspaper clippings of the singer’s attempted assassination, and a documentation of his rise to fame.

The National Gallery

It is the cultural centrepiece of the capital city and boasts prized pieces from Rock art legends, the likes of Edna Manley, AD Scott, Cecil Baugh, and is currently showcasing a retrospective of master painter Barrington Watson. The National Gallery is a definite go-to spot for art enthusiasts and those curious to discover the evolution of Jamaican art.