Splash About at Reach Falls

The most accessible waterfall in Jamaica is Dunn’s River Falls, which receives tons of tourists. However, the waterfalls on the eastern coast are much more stunning and spellbinding and also get much thinner crowds. Reach Falls is, hands down, a must-stop, and, with the help of a local guide, you can walk up the river, take snapshots of the idyllic landscape, splash in the emerald waters of the pools, wander around lush vegetation, get refreshing “smacks” from the water jets in the Washing Machine, and climb up limestone crags or even all the way up to the Bat Cave.

Join a Reggae Festival

The music event of the year is Reggae Sumfest which lasts for seven days and starts with a huge beach party in Montego Bay (on Walter Fletcher Beach) that is followed by several days of non-stop fun and partying at Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre. The festival welcomes some of the biggest names in dancehall and reggae music, such as Alicia Keys, The Mighty Diamonds, Beenie Man, and more, and usually gives way to only short naps (during this 7-day period) on the sand around sunrise!

Another equally exciting reggae festival with a more old-school vibe is the 2-day Rebel Salute festival that invites everybody at Plantation Cove near St. Ann’s Bay in mid-January. Expect night-long parties and celebrations taking place with a distinguishing scent of a particular “herb” swirling in the air.

Chill Out at Treasure Beach

Treasure Beach is the dreamiest seaside destination in Jamaica to experience mellow vibes and largely deserted shores that you can have almost all for yourself. Located on the southern coast of Jamaica, it is a welcoming antithesis to the noisy resorts of Ocho Rios, Negril, and Montego Bay.

Here, it will feel as if time has slowed down significantly, giving you the chance to explore all four amazing coves nearby, the Great Bay, Frenchman’s Bay, Billy’s Bay, and Calabash Bay, which are basically small communities of bohemians and fishermen.

As for the things you can do at Treasure Beach, they range from taking boat rides to the infamous Pelican Bar, dining on delicious seafood at Alligator Pond, staying at charming locally-owned guesthouses, partaking in the Calabash Festival, or opting for a walking tour with a local historian, to name a few!

Hike to the Blue Mountain Peak

If you are an avid hiker or love hiking, then the ascent of Blue Mountain Peak is a must-do in Jamaica. To reach the 2256-metre-high (740 feet) mountain top, the highest in the country, you will first be introduced to a hearty home-cooked meal at a hamlet in the foothills of the mountain range usually featuring oxtails, curry goat, and beans. The challenge begins early in the morning (around 2 am) so you can reach the summit by sunrise.

As you conquer higher spots, you will notice that the jungle vegetation is replaced by evergreens, ferns, lichen, and pine trees, while kittyboo or fireflies will twinkle for you until you lay eyes on perhaps the most spectacular sight human eyes could ever see – the first rays of the sun peeking from behind the mist-shrouded mountain as Cuba’s faint outline waves in the distance.

Raft Rio Grande and Martha Brae

One of the most exciting and popular ventures you can have on the north coast of Jamaica is floating downriver on a traditional bamboo-made raft and propelling through the passages of grassy vegetation along Martha Brae and the Rio Grande. On the same raft, it will be you, a loved one, and a “captain”, who will “steer” the raft using a long pole to give you the most fulfilling experiences. Or stop at popular swimming spots so you can have a revitalising endeavour in the refreshingly cold waters.

Spot a Crocodile (or two) on the Black River Great Morass

The Great Morass is a fantastic mangrove maze and salt marsh on the south coast, and also a place hundreds of American crocodiles like to call home. You can hop on a small boat departing from the former Black River port and admire a unique ecosystem that has more than 100 bird species on its loving laps, including whistling ducks and herons, through a 60-minute (could also be longer) boat tour. As you sail down the waters of the Great Morass, you may spot locals tending to their crayfish traps using the precise way chosen by their ancestors, or even take a dive in safe, designated areas your guide(s) will point out for you.

Other Must-do Things in Jamaica

• Sample local rum and dishes – Centuries-old Hampden Great House Estate is a superb place for rum and lunch tastings as you get details about the rum distillation process surrounded by palms and perfectly landscaped grounds. As for the mouth-watering and iconic local staple, jerk pork, head to any street vendor or fine dining venue in Jamaica and challenge your palate with its spicy taste.
• Vibe at Winnifred Beach along with the Jamaicans – It is a public beach on the north coast that hosts the most lively weekend beach parties. Expect fine, white sand, lots of locals, popular cocktails and drinks, bass booming from several different sound systems, and lots of signature dishes, such as jerk chicken, brown stew fish, and curry goat.
• Tour the Bob Marley Museum – As you walk into the spacious wooden house, you will see everything kept the way they were when Bob Marley was alive and other important details related to his life, such as clippings from his last tour, platinum- and gold-lined walls, the famous singer’s favourite stage shirt, and even the bullet holes that whisper the narrative from Marley’s assassination attempt in 1976.
• Dance the night away at a Kingston nightclub – The never-sleeping Jamaica capital, Kingston, enables visitors to try out the latest moves on the dance floor of elegant night clubs, such as Dub Club, Fiction, and Taboo. And, if you are lucky, you might happen to be around Kingston during an all-night reggae festival starring big-name performers.

Best Things to do in Jamaica With Kids

Jamaica is a particularly family-friendly destination and although you may try almost everything from the list above with the little ones, some specific activities are definitely children-oriented and super fun, such as:

• Visiting Turtle River Falls & Gardens – An area with 14 waterfalls amidst a 15-acre tropical garden is the perfect place for relaxation, intimate experiences, and chances to feed amazing bird species, such as cobalt blue peacocks, search for turtles, see wildlife, and splash around!
• Sunbathe at Seven Mile Beach – You will find it in Negril and has the most tranquil and calm waters to swim, snorkel, build sandcastles, join an open-air cooking course, or enjoy water-sports and sea-related activities, such as glass-bottom boat tours, jet-skiing, and paddleboarding. You may also check out Pirates Island Waterpark not far away from the beach or organise a beach picnic.
• Green Grotto Caves – This national landmark is a maze of underground caverns in Ocho Rios filled with overwhelming natural beauty and history. You may trek down to the Grotti Lake, some 13.716 metres (45 feet), wearing an explorer’s helmet and torch gear and following the tour guide pointing out the indigenous fruit bats that live in these caves while sharing details about the times when the caves were used as hideouts for the Spanish in 1655 and many more.
• Hiking and biking – Blue Mountain Park is an exceptional place to be with the children if you all love adventures like exploring mountains, biking down rolling hills, and hiking steep terrain. In the latter case, you can choose between the Blue Mountain Peak Trail or the Holywell Nature Walk, with the first being the most challenging of the two. Alternatively, you may have a guide help you with a camping experience or opt for a sunrise tour.
• Mystic Mountain – Tucked near the Ocho Rios cruise pier, Mystic Mountain is the ideal place for things like zip lining and bobsledding, while soaking up stunning panoramas of the coastline accompanied by the sounds of the playful hummingbirds. The minimum height requirement is 91.5 cm (36 inches) and the little one must be at least five years old to be able to zipline. There is also a restaurant on the site to recharge your batteries after all that thrill.