Although it is best known for its pristine beaches and famous resorts, Jamaica is also the birthplace of reggae music, made famous by native son Bob Marley. Other popular West Indian music genres such as Soca, Marengue, Dancehall, and Calypso thrive in Jamaica, especially around Carnival time.
Jamaica boasts a culinary tradition as diverse as the people that make up its population. The island is famous for such dishes as jerk chicken, rice and peas, pepperpot soup, and many others. Be sure to check out the Jamaican recipes on the Jamaicans.com recipe page.
Jamaica is also a birder's paradise. The island is home to 29 endemic species (including the Red-billed Streamertail that graces this page) and another 20 or so endemic sub-species. More endemic bird species occur in Jamaica than on any other Caribbean island or most other oceanic islands in the world. The island's diverse landscape encompasses a variety of habitats and elevations, making birding both a challenge and a rewarding way to see the island. If you're planning on birding Jamaica, be sure to get your hands on a copy of James Bond's essential "Birds of the West Indies." A newer guide that features Jamaica-specific bird finding tips and excellent photographs of all of the island's endemics is "Birds of Jamaica - A Photographic Field Guide," by Audrey Downer and Robert Sutton.
