Though undeniable, the crime and violence in Kingston is largely confined to the ghettos, and as these are positively not places for casual sightseeing, you're actually no more at risk here than in any other big city. Take the usual precautions - don't walk the downtown streets alone, take cabs after dark, keep jewellery and valuables out of sight - and you're unlikely to run into any problems. If you do decide to visit, you'll find that not only is it easy to steer clear of the troubled areas, but that there's little of the persistent harassment that bedevils parts of the north coast.

A handful of interesting museums, galleries and churches can easily fill a couple of days of sightseeing; the island's best clubs, theatres and some great restaurants will take care of the evenings. In addition to the lovely Blue Mountains, plenty of other attractions surround the city. The area is littered with historic sites, such as the forts of the English buccaneers in atmospheric Port Royal , while white-sand Hellshire and Lime Cay beaches are the perfect places for a dip in the ocean.