Across Jamaica, signs of normalcy have started to return with remarkable speed. Airports are open again. Flights are moving on schedule. Cruise calls have resumed. Restaurants, cafés, museums and small shops are starting to get back to their steady rhythms from Kingston to Negril.
Kingston, home to most of the nation’s population, is running smoothly with open hotels, cultural sites and a full complement of dining and entertainment.
In Ocho Rios, Oracabessa, Portland and the Blue Mountains, roads and attractions are clear and functioning. Visitors are again climbing Dunn’s River Falls, wandering craft markets, touring coffee plantations and setting off on rafting excursions.
These reopenings matter deeply for local communities whose livelihoods depend on tourism, and the return of visitors reinforces that the island remains safe and fully prepared for travel.
Within this broader picture, Island Outpost’s boutique hotels—GoldenEye, Strawberry Hill and The Caves— are operating without interruption. Each sits outside the areas that saw more serious effects, and each continues to offer the immersive, soulful experiences that define Jamaica’s creative, cultural and natural spirit.
GoldenEye — Oracabessa / Ocho Rios
GoldenEye is open and welcoming guests, with every amenity, dining venue and on-the-water experience available. The coastal roads into Oracabessa and Ocho Rios are moving smoothly, making it easy to explore the region’s major attractions. Dunn’s River Falls, Mystic Mountain, Yaaman Adventures and the town’s bustling craft markets are all open. Favorite restaurants, from Miss T’s Kitchen and Scotchies to Ciao Bella and the historic courthouse restaurant, are serving steady streams of visitors. When you walk the lagoon paths or step onto Low Cay Beach, the property feels entirely intact, its easygoing creative energy unchanged.
Strawberry Hill — Blue Mountains / Kingston
In the Blue Mountains, Strawberry Hill remains fully accessible, with a calm, steady atmosphere and clear roads leading up from Kingston. The surrounding communities are functioning normally, and utilities across the property—electricity, piped water and Wi-Fi—are reliable. Craighton Estate Coffee Plantation, Gordon Town Trail and nearby hiking routes are all open, offering the full mountain experience. The cafés and eateries around Irish Town, including Café Blue and Crystal Edge, are operating as usual. Kingston itself is active, with museums, restaurants, shops and cultural venues open every day. Staying at Strawberry Hill offers a seamless blend of mountain quiet and easy access to the city.
The Caves — Negril
Negril continues to welcome travelers, and The Caves is fully operational with all its cliffside suites, sea access and dining experiences available. While sections of the far southwestern coast experienced more difficulty, Negril and the immediate area around The Caves were largely spared. Guests arrive to find the cliffs steady, the waters calm and the town functioning with its usual relaxed confidence. The property’s intimate hideaways, private grotto dining and signature vantage points feel as transporting as ever.
The news comes as several resorts are planning reopenings in early and mid-December, including the legendary Half Moon resort and the Round Hill Hotel, along with a number of Sandals resorts.
