I’ve been fortunate enough to have some really close friends who hail from and often revisit Jamaica, allowing me the extraordinary privilege of experiencing the island just like a local. They’ve given me the backstage pass to some of the coolest adventures in Jamaica —way beyond the glossy spreads of travel magazines. From navigating the unforgivable roads, savoring lunch with breathtaking views atop Strawberry Hill and lazily floating on a bamboo raft down the Rio Grande in Portland. Jamaica has so much to offer the adventurous traveler who dares to wander off the beaten path and discover the vibrant soul of this incredible island.
When you think of Jamaica, you immediately think of beaches, music and food. The sounds of Bob Marley come to mind and your mouth starts to water thinking about jerk chicken. And you wouldn’t be wrong. This country puts you in a more relaxed state of being as soon as the ocean breeze hits your face. You can find some fast facts about Jamaica in my country overview. Here, I’ll give you more of an insiders guide to Jamaica.
Natural Wonders
Jamaica is blessed with a number of natural wonders that attract visitors to its shores over and over again. You would be hard pressed to find a visitor post without a view of them slipping and sliding up Dunn’s River Falls. But if this is the only fall you visit, you are missing out.
Reach Falls. Take the two-hour drive outside of Kingston toward Port Antonio to find Reach Falls. Renowned for its emerald-green waters, this place is a treat for the eyes. Hang out under the cascading waters, explore the caves behind the falls, or simply take guided tours of the surrounding rainforest. You won’t go wrong here. It’s a bit far from Montego Bay, so if that’s your starting point, I’d consider another waterfall destination.
YS Falls. Located in the south of Jamaica near the town of Black River, you will find one of the coolest adventures in Jamaica at YS Falls. This stunning seven-tiered waterfall set in the forest provides visitors with the option of swimming in natural pools or stepping out of the water to soar above the treetops on a thrilling zipline adventure. If you are staying in Negril or Montego Bay, this fall is quite accessible in under 2 hours.
Where you have waterfalls, consequently, you have places the feed or are recipients of that water. That said, you can find a few other really cool adventures in Jamaica that gives you a different view of area.
Rafting on the Rio Grande. What could be more relaxing than taking a guided bamboo rafting excursion. Kick back as a skilled navigator guides the raft through tropical rainforests. If you are lucky, you may pass by one of the cascading waterfalls. The journey typically lasts around two to three hours but is totally worth it. This is a really great option if you are staying in the east closer to Port Antonio.
Blue Lagoon. If you want crowds, go to Blue Hole, but if you want serenity head over to the Blue Lagoon in Portland. Once thought to be bottomless, the lagoon offers the most amazing blue/green waters that you will ever see. The color seems to magically change depending on time of day. Spend a few hours taking a dip in the cool water and asking locals about the dragon they thought lived here. However, you should know there are no ‘facilities’ in the area and limited food. It’s the perfect reason to head out to try some local cuisine.
Foodie Adventures
Jamaican cuisine is sorely underrated in the foodie landscape. Personally, I believe we need a bit more diversity in the palates that are identifying top-rated cuisines. But I digress. The food is a top reason to go to Jamaica. From well-known specialties like jerk and patties to insider treats like ackee and saltfish, Jamaicans know how to work their way around the kitchen and the grill. Hit up some of the local favorites listed here.
Scotchies in Montego Bay. This one is not so secret but still one of the coolest foodie spots in Jamaica. The jerk here is what people write about when they think about Jamaican cuisine. Get a little bit of everything. The crunchy bites of pork and roughly cut chicken always do the trick for me. But don’t forget to get some “bammy” or hard dough bread to help calm a bit of the heat.
Gloria’s Seafood in Port Royal. I’m a fish lover and fresh fish is on point at this spot. Get your fish steamed, stewed, fried and even curried. My favorite is the fried fish. Pair that with a side of festival and you will be licking your fingers for real. Just watch out for bones and move those peppers out of the way or you might be in for a hurting.
Devon House Ice Cream. This is an institution in Jamaica. The site is a historical mansion that showcases the colonial history of Jamaica.Tour the grounds and learn more about the history of Devon house while you indulge in the best ice cream Jamaica has to offer. It was recognized by National Geographic so it’s definitely good. Grab a few scoops of the coconut or the rum raisin. You won’t regret it.
In reality, this list only scratches the surface of the cool food adventures in Jamaica. I remember Hellshire Beach from back in the day where the fish seemed to come straight out of the ocean onto the grill. Those fisherman knew how to put a hurting on some fish. Since that’s no longer around, you just have to settle for one the updated options to tickle your palate.
Party Spots
No visit to Jamaica would be complete without testing your dancing skills at one of the local party spots. Order an Appleton and coke to get you in the mood for partying the night away. Jamaica doesn’t just do your typical bars or nightclubs. Here you can go from day parties around a sandbar to super cool spots like The Jungle in Negril. If you stay out late or if your partying extends to sunrise, look up one of the spots for the breakfast parties. Check Eventbrite for dates and location details; however, during Carnival season, they are everywhere.
If you are lucky enough to have a friend with a boat, head out to Maiden Cay. Or put in the work and grab a canoe from one of the local vendors and follow the crowd to one of the best parties in the ocean. Literally. Partygoers pack the small sandbar while the more fortunate hang out on their boats, soaking in the music and the sun. There’s not a lot of shade here, so make sure you bring sunblock and a hat. A day out on Maiden Cay is one of the coolest adventures you can have in Jamaica.
If getting out to a sandbar seems a bit too much. Then, grab a bucket of RedStripe beer and head over to Port Royal. Here you can convince a local fisherman to take you out to Lime Cay. Just 15 minutes off the coast of Port Royal, Lime Cay appears and disappears with the tide. While the Cay is uninhabited, on Sundays it can get pretty busy with locals soaking up the sun on this deserted cay.
Beach Lovers
Jamaica is an island, so it’s surrounded by water, which in turn means lots of beaches. Pick a town and head toward the sounds of the ocean. But if you want to get away from the crowds, head to one of my favorite spots on the entire island; Frenchman’s Cove in Port Antonio. It’s quiet. The sand is oh so soft and the water is a delight. It’s protected in a cove, so the water is pretty calm, making it the perfect spot to really enjoy a beach day. While Dragon’s Bay Beach, made famous in the movie Cocktail with Tom Cruise, has long since shuttered its doors, you can still enjoy the serenity of this area.
My Perspective
You can follow the crowds or you can skip the tourist traps and have the coolest adventures in Jamaica with some of the recommendation in this post. In essence, take the time to explore beyond the typical tourist destinations and immerse yourself in the richness of this island paradise. Jamaica owes me nothing but I owe myself a few more trips back to enjoy this misunderstood wonderland in the Caribbean.
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