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Jamaica🇯🇲 | citiesKingstonMarley sites, recording studios, street food, Hope Road | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Kingston
🌟 Highlightcity ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Kingston has no resort beaches, and the harbor is no place for a swim, so beach days happen outside the city as separate outings. Kingston is Jamaica’s capital, on the south coast below the Blue Mountains, and its draw is recording studios, street food and working neighborhoods. The sights sit far apart in hot, congested districts, so walking between them burns your day. Experienced travelers hire a licensed taxi or driver for set trips and save route taxis for short, known hops. I asked a driver outside Devon House where to find a good patty, and he laughed, said “Not from the tourist counter,” and sent me to a corner bakery where the crust shattered and the pepper arrived late. Skip the souvenir stalls downtown and spend the time on music history and food. Music fans and food-driven travelers will like Kingston most. Anyone after a laid-back beach stay won’t.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Jamaica Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 city in Jamaica
What makes it a must-see city

Kingston earns a place on a Jamaica route because it is where the island’s music was made, and you can still stand in the rooms and yards where it happened. That gives the city a depth the north coast resorts cannot match. It is also the practical hub for the south and east: the airport is close, long-distance buses and shared taxis leave for most major towns, and the Blue Mountains and Port Royal are easy to reach from here. Hostels and guesthouses cluster in the New Kingston and Half Way Tree area, which keeps you near restaurants, supermarkets and transport. Food is a real reason to stay: jerk pits, patty shops and fish-and-bammy spots feed you well. Nightlife centers on dancehall and reggae sessions, and the famous street parties happen on set nights, so check with your hostel first. Walkability … read more 👉
Kingston earns a place on a Jamaica route because it is where the island’s music was made, and you can still stand in the rooms and yards where it happened. That gives the city a depth the north coast resorts cannot match. It is also the practical hub for the south and east: the airport is close, long-distance buses and shared taxis leave for most major towns, and the Blue Mountains and Port Royal are easy to reach from here. Hostels and guesthouses cluster in the New Kingston and Half Way Tree area, which keeps you near restaurants, supermarkets and transport. Food is a real reason to stay: jerk pits, patty shops and fish-and-bammy spots feed you well. Nightlife centers on dancehall and reggae sessions, and the famous street parties happen on set nights, so check with your hostel first. Walkability is poor. You will rely on taxis after dark. Give Kingston two or three days, with Devon House and a studio tour as anchors, and treat it as a cultural stop rather than a place to unwind.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Bob Marley Museum: Marley’s former home and studio on Hope Road, with bullet holes still visible in a wall from the 1976 shooting. Tours are guided only and include his gold records and a short film. Go for the first slot of the morning to avoid groups. Expect about US$25 and 75 minutes.
  2. Trench Town Culture Yard: The government-yard housing where Marley lived as a young man, with his narrow bed and a battered guitar on display. Local guides bring the history of the neighborhood alive. Visit in the morning, with a guide arranged through your hostel. About US$15 to 20 and 1 to 1.5 hours.
  3. Devon House: An 1880s mansion built by Jamaica’s first Black millionaire, George Stiebel, with period furniture and shaded grounds. Come in the late afternoon for the famous ice cream. Grounds are free, a house
… read more 👉
  1. Bob Marley Museum: Marley’s former home and studio on Hope Road, with bullet holes still visible in a wall from the 1976 shooting. Tours are guided only and include his gold records and a short film. Go for the first slot of the morning to avoid groups. Expect about US$25 and 75 minutes.
  2. Trench Town Culture Yard: The government-yard housing where Marley lived as a young man, with his narrow bed and a battered guitar on display. Local guides bring the history of the neighborhood alive. Visit in the morning, with a guide arranged through your hostel. About US$15 to 20 and 1 to 1.5 hours.
  3. Devon House: An 1880s mansion built by Jamaica’s first Black millionaire, George Stiebel, with period furniture and shaded grounds. Come in the late afternoon for the famous ice cream. Grounds are free, a house tour runs around US$10, and a scoop is about US$3. Allow 1.5 hours.
  4. National Gallery of Jamaica: The best collection of Jamaican art, including carvings by Edna Manley and Mallica “Kapo” Reynolds, in a waterfront building downtown. Quiet on weekday mornings. About US$5 to 6 and 1 to 1.5 hours.
  5. Tuff Gong Recording Studio: The label Marley founded, where tours walk through the mixing room and record-pressing area. Book ahead, and go on a weekday when the studio is running. Roughly US$20 to 25 and about an hour.
  6. Hope Royal Botanical Gardens: Jamaica’s largest botanical garden, with palm avenues, a lily pond and wide lawns where locals picnic on weekends. Arrive early, before the heat builds. Entry is a few dollars, and a walk takes 1 to 2 hours.
  7. Emancipation Park: A city park in New Kingston with Laura Facey’s bronze “Redemption Song” statue of two nude figures facing the sky. Late afternoon is when joggers and families fill the paths. Allow 30 to 45 minutes.
From Kingston, the Blue Mountains, the old pirate-era town of Port Royal, and the cays off Port Royal such as Lime Cay all make rewarding day trips. Emancipation Park costs nothing to enter, and the Devon House grounds are free as well.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do in Kingston

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🏘️ NeighborhoodsWhere things are and how it's laid out

Kingston sprawls, and only a few pockets reward a backpacker’s time. Distances look short on a map but traffic is heavy, so an experienced traveler groups stops by area and takes a licensed taxi between them rather than walking across districts.
  • New Kingston: The business district of hotels, offices and chain restaurants. Walkable by day, and useful for banks, ATMs and buses. Skip it for atmosphere, since it empties after work hours.
  • Downtown: The old waterfront and market core, with the National Gallery, Parade and the Coronation Market. Go on a weekday morning, because it is crowded and busy then and quiet and rough-edged after dark. Walk it with a purpose and take taxis in and out.
  • Devon House and Half Way Tree: Devon House has a 19th-century mansion and the famous ice cream, with grounds
… read more 👉
Kingston sprawls, and only a few pockets reward a backpacker’s time. Distances look short on a map but traffic is heavy, so an experienced traveler groups stops by area and takes a licensed taxi between them rather than walking across districts.
  • New Kingston: The business district of hotels, offices and chain restaurants. Walkable by day, and useful for banks, ATMs and buses. Skip it for atmosphere, since it empties after work hours.
  • Downtown: The old waterfront and market core, with the National Gallery, Parade and the Coronation Market. Go on a weekday morning, because it is crowded and busy then and quiet and rough-edged after dark. Walk it with a purpose and take taxis in and out.
  • Devon House and Half Way Tree: Devon House has a 19th-century mansion and the famous ice cream, with grounds that are free to walk. Worth an hour, not a day. Half Way Tree is the transport hub and a loud, everyday commercial center with cheap patty shops.
  • Liguanea and Hope Road: Casual restaurants, bars and the Bob Marley Museum. This is where you eat and drink in the evening. Walkable in short stretches, though sidewalks are patchy.
  • Trench Town: Birthplace of reggae, with the Culture Yard museum. Worth it only with a local guide arranged through the museum, since wandering in unannounced is what gets people uncomfortable.
  • Port Royal: A sleepy fishing village across the harbor with Fort Charles and fried fish. Go for half a day, not as a stop between others.

⌛️ 1 day1-day itinerary for Kingston

8:00 AM: Devon House, Hope Road
Start here because the grounds open early and the crowds don’t arrive until later. Walk the lawns of the 1881 mansion, then buy a coffee or a small cone from the ice cream window (US$2 to 4). Budget about 1 hour.

9:30 AM: Bob Marley Museum, 56 Hope Road
The museum sits a short walk from Devon House, so you don’t need a ride. Tours run about an hour and move through his old home and recording rooms, with bullet holes still visible in the wall from the 1976 attack. Entry is roughly US$25 to 30, and the guides tell the stories well. Book the first or second slot to avoid waiting.

11:30 AM: National Gallery of Jamaica, Ocean Boulevard
Take a taxi down to the waterfront (a short ride). The gallery holds the best collection of Jamaican art on the island, including … read more 👉
8:00 AM: Devon House, Hope Road
Start here because the grounds open early and the crowds don’t arrive until later. Walk the lawns of the 1881 mansion, then buy a coffee or a small cone from the ice cream window (US$2 to 4). Budget about 1 hour.

9:30 AM: Bob Marley Museum, 56 Hope Road
The museum sits a short walk from Devon House, so you don’t need a ride. Tours run about an hour and move through his old home and recording rooms, with bullet holes still visible in the wall from the 1976 attack. Entry is roughly US$25 to 30, and the guides tell the stories well. Book the first or second slot to avoid waiting.

11:30 AM: National Gallery of Jamaica, Ocean Boulevard
Take a taxi down to the waterfront (a short ride). The gallery holds the best collection of Jamaican art on the island, including carved works by Edna Manley and Mallica “Kapo” Reynolds. Allow 1 hour and about US$4 to 6 for entry. The air conditioning is a bonus.

1:00 PM: Lunch at the Downtown Waterfront
Walk over to the nearby Craft Market area and eat a plate of fried fish with festival (a sweet fried dumpling) from a local spot for about US$6 to 10. Keep the walk to daylight hours and stay on the main streets.

2:30 PM: Detour to Port Royal
Catch a taxi or the minibus from the Parade terminal across the harbor to Port Royal, a former pirate port that sank in the 1692 earthquake. Most backpackers never make it out here. Walk through Fort Charles, where Nelson once served, and the small Giddy House, which tilts at a crazy angle. Allow 2 hours. Fort entry is around US$5 to 8.

5:30 PM: Seafood at Gloria’s
Finish with steamed fish and bammy at Gloria’s on the waterfront as the light fades over the harbor. Plates run about US$10 to 18, and the sea breeze keeps the evening comfortable. Book a taxi back before dark rather than hunting for a ride.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

December to April is the most comfortable window for Kingston, with daytime highs of 29 to 31°C (84 to 88°F) and low humidity.
  • Dry Season (December to April): Cooler nights around 20 to 22°C (68 to 72°F), clear skies and about 11 to 12 hours of daylight. Hotel and hostel prices rise, especially over Christmas and for events in February around Bob Marley’s birthday.
  • Hot Season (May to August): Highs reach 32 to 34°C (90 to 93°F), with afternoon showers and heavy humidity. Fewer tourists and lower rates, and it is the best time for beach days at Port Royal.
  • Hurricane Season (June to November): Peak risk is August to October, with the heaviest rain in October. Flooding can close roads, though bargains are easy to find.
  • Reggae Month (February): Concerts, street events and museum programs fill the
… read more 👉
December to April is the most comfortable window for Kingston, with daytime highs of 29 to 31°C (84 to 88°F) and low humidity.
  • Dry Season (December to April): Cooler nights around 20 to 22°C (68 to 72°F), clear skies and about 11 to 12 hours of daylight. Hotel and hostel prices rise, especially over Christmas and for events in February around Bob Marley’s birthday.
  • Hot Season (May to August): Highs reach 32 to 34°C (90 to 93°F), with afternoon showers and heavy humidity. Fewer tourists and lower rates, and it is the best time for beach days at Port Royal.
  • Hurricane Season (June to November): Peak risk is August to October, with the heaviest rain in October. Flooding can close roads, though bargains are easy to find.
  • Reggae Month (February): Concerts, street events and museum programs fill the calendar.
Book ahead for February and do your downtown walking before noon in any month.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutJamaica Travel Guide

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

New Kingston and the Liguanea and Hope Road corridor are the best areas for a budget bed in Kingston. Beds are few compared with Jamaica’s beach towns, so expect a handful of hostels and guesthouses, with dorms at roughly US$20 to 35 and simple private rooms from US$45 to 70.
New Kingston has the widest choice and the best transport links. Route taxis and buses pass at the main roads, Knutsford Express departs from here, and ATMs, supermarkets and licensed taxi stands are close. Streets are lit and patrolled, and it is the most comfortable area to walk in after dark for short distances. The downside … read more 👉
New Kingston and the Liguanea and Hope Road corridor are the best areas for a budget bed in Kingston. Beds are few compared with Jamaica’s beach towns, so expect a handful of hostels and guesthouses, with dorms at roughly US$20 to 35 and simple private rooms from US$45 to 70.
New Kingston has the widest choice and the best transport links. Route taxis and buses pass at the main roads, Knutsford Express departs from here, and ATMs, supermarkets and licensed taxi stands are close. Streets are lit and patrolled, and it is the most comfortable area to walk in after dark for short distances. The downside is noise from traffic and the occasional nightclub, so ask for a room away from the main road.
Liguanea and the Hope Road area is quieter and more residential, with cafés and bars within a short ride, so you can come home late without crossing the city. Transport is slightly harder, so you will rely on taxis or apps in the evening, which is the normal habit anyway.
Avoid booking in downtown. Few beds, empty streets at night and little to do after the shops close make it a poor base. Book ahead in February and over Christmas, when the limited beds fill quickly.

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get around Kingston

Kingston’s most common ride, a shared route taxi or minibus, costs about US$0.50 to 1.50 per trip, and you pay the driver or conductor in cash in Jamaican dollars, so carry small notes. The city is not walkable overall, traffic is slow at rush hour (7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.), and public transport is frequent but informal.
  • Walking: Fine inside New Kingston, Devon House and Liguanea, and in the downtown core by day. Distances between districts are too long and sidewalks too broken, so walk only within a single area.
  • Route taxis and minibuses: Cheapest option, running from about 5 a.m. to roughly 8 or 9 p.m. on main routes. Route taxis carry a red license plate, are shared and fill up before leaving. Tell the driver your stop early, because there are few fixed stops. Avoid them late at night.
… read more 👉
Kingston’s most common ride, a shared route taxi or minibus, costs about US$0.50 to 1.50 per trip, and you pay the driver or conductor in cash in Jamaican dollars, so carry small notes. The city is not walkable overall, traffic is slow at rush hour (7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.), and public transport is frequent but informal.
  • Walking: Fine inside New Kingston, Devon House and Liguanea, and in the downtown core by day. Distances between districts are too long and sidewalks too broken, so walk only within a single area.
  • Route taxis and minibuses: Cheapest option, running from about 5 a.m. to roughly 8 or 9 p.m. on main routes. Route taxis carry a red license plate, are shared and fill up before leaving. Tell the driver your stop early, because there are few fixed stops. Avoid them late at night.
  • JUTC buses: Government buses charge about US$0.60 to 0.80 with exact fare, and Half Way Tree and Parade are the main terminals. They are slower and less frequent than route taxis, but have set stops and rarely overcrowd. Worth using for longer cross-city runs by day.
  • Licensed taxis and ride apps: Taxis with red plates charge about US$8 to 20 across town, and negotiate the fare before you get in. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber operate in the city and show the price upfront. Smarter than flagging unknown cars, especially after dark.
  • Intercity buses: Knutsford Express runs from New Kingston to Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and other towns for about US$15 to 25. Book online for a reserved seat, which beats chasing minibuses at Parade.
There is no metro or tram. If you stay several days, a mix of route taxis by day and apps at night keeps costs down and risk low.

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Kingston costs a backpacker about US$85 a day in high season, mostly because beds and taxis are pricier than elsewhere in Jamaica.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm (high season)US$25 to 35Few hostels, so book ahead from December to April.
Dorm (off-season)US$20 to 28Discounts are modest, more on private rooms.
MealsUS$15 to 25Patties, cook shop plates and jerk keep it cheap.
Local transportUS$8 to 15Route taxis cost US$0.50 to 1.50, apps for evenings.
City transport passUS$0No pass exists, pay per ride in cash.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$10 to 20Bob Marley Museum costs about US$25 to 30, others a few dollars.
MiscellaneousUS$5 to 10Water, SIM data, tips and drinks.
Total Daily BudgetUS$85Based on high-season dorm at US$30, midpoints for the rest.
To save money, eat your main meal at lunchtime … read more 👉
Kingston costs a backpacker about US$85 a day in high season, mostly because beds and taxis are pricier than elsewhere in Jamaica.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm (high season)US$25 to 35Few hostels, so book ahead from December to April.
Dorm (off-season)US$20 to 28Discounts are modest, more on private rooms.
MealsUS$15 to 25Patties, cook shop plates and jerk keep it cheap.
Local transportUS$8 to 15Route taxis cost US$0.50 to 1.50, apps for evenings.
City transport passUS$0No pass exists, pay per ride in cash.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$10 to 20Bob Marley Museum costs about US$25 to 30, others a few dollars.
MiscellaneousUS$5 to 10Water, SIM data, tips and drinks.
Total Daily BudgetUS$85Based on high-season dorm at US$30, midpoints for the rest.
To save money, eat your main meal at lunchtime cook shops and share taxis with other travelers for out-of-town trips.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsShort trips worth adding

Kingston works well as a base for day trips, because the Blue Mountains, the south coast and the old Spanish capital all sit within about two hours.
Blue Mountains:
The road to Newcastle and Holywell climbs into cool forest and coffee farms, 1 to 2 hours from the city. Hikes in Holywell cost about US$5 to 10 for entry, and a taxi round trip with waiting runs US$60 to 100, so share it. Go early, since clouds roll in by midday, and November to April is clearest. First-timers often wear sandals and are caught cold and wet.

Port Royal:
A former pirate port at the end of the Palisadoes spit, about 45 minutes away by route taxi or bus via Harbour View for roughly US$2 to 4. Fort Charles costs a few dollars to enter, and fried fish at the water’s edge is a good lunch for US$8 to 12. Go on a weekday, … read more 👉
Kingston works well as a base for day trips, because the Blue Mountains, the south coast and the old Spanish capital all sit within about two hours.
Blue Mountains:
The road to Newcastle and Holywell climbs into cool forest and coffee farms, 1 to 2 hours from the city. Hikes in Holywell cost about US$5 to 10 for entry, and a taxi round trip with waiting runs US$60 to 100, so share it. Go early, since clouds roll in by midday, and November to April is clearest. First-timers often wear sandals and are caught cold and wet.

Port Royal:
A former pirate port at the end of the Palisadoes spit, about 45 minutes away by route taxi or bus via Harbour View for roughly US$2 to 4. Fort Charles costs a few dollars to enter, and fried fish at the water’s edge is a good lunch for US$8 to 12. Go on a weekday, as it is quiet and the fish stalls are open.
👉 Explore Port Royal
Spanish Town:
Jamaica’s former capital has a Georgian square and a small museum, 30 to 45 minutes from Kingston by bus for about US$1. The town is rough around the edges, so go in the morning and keep the visit to a couple of hours.
👉 Explore Spanish Town
Bob Marley’s Nine Mile:
The birthplace and mausoleum in St. Ann lie about 2.5 to 3 hours by road, so this is a long day. Organized tours cost about US$80 to 120 including transport, and are smarter than public buses, which require several changes.

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

Kingston’s food scene is about patties, jerk and fried fish eaten standing up, plus the city’s Chinese-Jamaican and Indian-influenced cooking. The city is known for Devon House ice cream, with flavors like rum raisin and soursop, at about US$3 to 5 a scoop.
For cheap eating, head to Half Way Tree and downtown for patty shops, cook shops serving rice and peas or ackee and saltfish for US$5 to 9, and lunchtime counters. Roadside jerk stands in the evening cost US$6 to 10 for a plate with festival (a sweet fried dumpling). At Port Royal and Hellshire Beach, escovitch fish with bammy (cassava flatbread) is the local order, usually US$10 to 15.
For drinks, try Red Stripe, fresh sorrel at Christmas, and cold coconut water from street vendors for about US$1 to 2. Liguanea and Hope Road are the places … read more 👉
Kingston’s food scene is about patties, jerk and fried fish eaten standing up, plus the city’s Chinese-Jamaican and Indian-influenced cooking. The city is known for Devon House ice cream, with flavors like rum raisin and soursop, at about US$3 to 5 a scoop.
For cheap eating, head to Half Way Tree and downtown for patty shops, cook shops serving rice and peas or ackee and saltfish for US$5 to 9, and lunchtime counters. Roadside jerk stands in the evening cost US$6 to 10 for a plate with festival (a sweet fried dumpling). At Port Royal and Hellshire Beach, escovitch fish with bammy (cassava flatbread) is the local order, usually US$10 to 15.
For drinks, try Red Stripe, fresh sorrel at Christmas, and cold coconut water from street vendors for about US$1 to 2. Liguanea and Hope Road are the places for casual bars and late evenings. Many sound-system parties start after 10 p.m., so eat early and go out late.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Kingston has a high crime rate by Caribbean standards, but most trouble stays in neighborhoods visitors have no reason to enter. Stick to New Kingston, Liguanea, Devon House and Port Royal, and visit downtown on weekday mornings. Take a licensed taxi or ride app after dark, even for short hops, and never walk between districts at night. Solo travelers do fine with that habit, and women will draw more attention and comments than men, which is best handled with a firm, brief reply and keeping moving.
Everyday annoyances include persistent hustlers selling tours, weed or souvenirs, and unofficial guides who expect payment. A calm no, thank you works. Keep your phone out of sight on the street and carry only the cash you need. Agree taxi fares before you get in. For Trench Town, arrange a guide through the museum rather than going alone.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Two to three days is enough for Kingston. One day covers Devon House, the Bob Marley Museum and downtown, a second suits Port Royal or the Blue Mountains (1 to 2 hours away), and a third lets you add Trench Town or a nightlife evening.
Kingston is manageable for solo backpackers who use common sense, though it is rougher than Jamaica’s resort towns. Stay in New Kingston or Liguanea, use licensed taxis or apps (US$8 to 20 across town) after dark, and visit downtown only on weekday mornings. Women may face more street comments than men.
Kingston is known as the home of reggae and Bob Marley, with the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road and the Culture Yard in Trench Town. It is also Jamaica’s capital, with the National Gallery, Devon House ice cream, and access to the Blue Mountains, where coffee is grown. Port Royal, a former pirate port, lies about 45 minutes away.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Jamaican cities near Kingston

Explore more nearby:

  • Spanish Town—Old capital, Georgian square, iron bridge, half-day stop| 17 km away
  • Montego Bay—Jerk pits, Gloucester Avenue, route taxis, reef snorkeling| 132 km away

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Country photo of Jamaica

We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Kingston works best in two full days, three if you add the Blue Mountains or Port Royal. One day covers the Marley sites and a meal, but you will rush. I would stay in New Kingston, hire a driver for the Trench Town visit, and keep one evening free for live music.

✈️ When did I visit Jamaica?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Jamaica in May 2016.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Jamaica, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.