Gap Year Programs in Jamaica

So you’ve decided on a gap year in Jamaica, but don’t know which location is best for you? Well you’re in luck because there are multiple options to choose from, that can best fit your needs. From the capital beach town of Kingston to the calm and rural area of Mandeville, Jamaica has the lifestyle to make your gap year the best yet.  

Kingston. As the largest city, gappers not only embrace meaningful travel during their gap year program in Jamaica, but they indulge in sight-seeing too. From visiting the Bob Marley Museum and National Gallery of Jamaica, to hiking the Blue Mountains or walking through Emancipation Park, gappers have a variety of pastimes to enjoy. This includes the freshest food found at Coronation Market, the colorful farmer’s market in Kingston. 

Montego Bay. Nicknamed “MoBay” by the locals, and known for its duty-free shopping, Montego Bay is the second-largest city in Jamaica. A tourist hotspot, MoBay is home to over 110,000 people who share Doctor’s Cave Beach and Walter Fletcher Beach with those who visit. During their gap year in Jamaica, gappers experience a cultural blend of history and entertainment in Montego Bay. For music and shopping, head to the “Hip Strip” full of reggae bars and boutiques. To know about Jamaica’s colonial history, the downtown area honors the African-Jamaican figure Samuel Sharpe, who helped lead Jamaican slaves to freedom. 

Ocho Rios. Translated to “Eight Rivers” in English, Ocho Rios is a former fishing village on the northern coast of Jamaica. The tropical climate turns gappers into mermaids with the number of water activities available, such as snorkeling, diving, and swimming with dolphins. Gap years in Jamaica aren’t complete without a visit to Ocho Rios’ beautiful Dunn’s River Falls, the calming Irie Blue Hole, or dune buggy rides at Yaaman Adventure Park. Gappers can even reach new heights, zip-lining through the rainforest at Mystic Mountain!

Mandeville, Negril, and Rural Areas. To have a gap year experience outside the big cities, check out the smaller areas of Jamaica. Mandeville, a suburban and residential area, is away from the coast and offers gappers an easygoing year of travel. Mrs. Stephenson’s Garden showcases a bit of nature, and The Jamaican Standard Products Company is the place to indulge in the famous Jamaican coffee. Even though Montego Bay has a relaxed beach vibe, Negril is known for their “Seven Mile Beach” of white sand and turquoise waters. Negril is more of a resort town, and an idyllic getaway for gappers who want tranquility during their gap year in Jamaica.