There is something magical about Jamaica that keeps visitors coming back. In the space of one week there are a myriad of activities in Jamaica that vacationers can chose from.
First time visitors might have a hard time trying to figure out what to do in Jamaica. If you are looking for fun things to do in Jamaica you can go ziplining, tubing, bobsledding or horseback riding in the ocean; Jamaica has it all.
We have listed some of the best things to do in Jamaica here and we feel they capture the true Jamaican experience. Here is our list of top things to do in Jamaica.
YS Falls
YS Falls along with Dunns River Falls is one of the most beautiful and best run waterfall attractions in Jamaica. YS Falls is one of the more fun places in Jamaica. You can go zip lining over the waterfall or use the Tarzan rope located in the many swimming holes.
Dunns River Falls
Dunns River Falls is the most popular excursion in Jamaica. It is one of the few places where you can climb an actual waterfall and definitely should be on your list of top 10 things to see in Jamaica.
Ahh Ras Natango Art Gallery and Garden Tour
When our team first visited this attraction we left feeling like we had just spent the day with some very good friends.
If you want to learn about Jamaica and experience true Jamaican hospitality this should definitely be on your list of things to do in Jamaica.
Dolphin Cove (Swim with Dolphin and Sharks)
Did you know swimming with the Dolphins is the most common activity on peoples bucket list? There are two main Dolphin Cove Jamaica locations. One in Ocho Rios and one in Lucea. Personally we feel this is one of the most fun activities in Jamaica. Did we mention they also have a shark show, a petting zoo and you can go kayaking.
Go Caving
The beauty of the tourist attractions in Jamaica is that they are so diverse. You can experience an easy caving experience by visiting Green Grotto Caves in Runaway Bay.
If you are feeling adventurous and want to have a real caving experience, you can visit Rock spring Caves in the cockpit country.
Visit Great houses and be transported back in time
Due to its colonial pass Jamaica has a number of Great house attractions. From the more commercialized Rose Hall Great house in Montego Bay to the more authentic Seville Great house and Greenwood Great houses.
Drink a Red Stripe
You cannot travel to Jamaica and not have a red stripe beer. Red Stripe is the premier Jamaican beer and loved by both visitors and locals.
Visit Port Antonio
Port Antonio is not usually visited by many tourists. It is however a favourite of most locals. Port Antonio is one of the most beautiful parts of Jamaica. A few attractions to visit are the Blue Lagoon, Frenchman’s Cove, Rafting on the Rio Grande and Reach Falls.
Visit the Blue Mountains
Jamaica is mostly mountainous. The highest spot in Jamaica is the Blue Mountain Peak. The Blue Mountains is also the home of our world famous Blue Mountain Coffee. You can also go hiking, caving and bird watching.
Luminous Lagoon
Luminous lagoon is the one of the coolest attractions in Jamaica. The water in the luminous lagoon is home to a microscopic organism that has glowing light when the water is disturbed. The water glows a beautiful blue when disturbed.
Blue Hole
The Blue Hole is one of the best things to do in Jamaica. This quintessential Blue Hole has been rated by Trip advisor as the best attraction in Ocho Rios.
Black River Safari
Black River Safari is one of Jamaica’s most popular natural attractions. This tour is a nature lovers paradise and will take you 3 miles up the Black River.
Go on a bobsled ride
Did you know Jamaica sent a Bobsled team to the winter Olympics. You can go bobsledding 700 feet above sea level and experience breath-taking views of Ocho Rios. This popular attraction at Mystic Mountain is sure to please any visitor.
Go to a reggae show, two that come to mind are reggae sumfest and rebel salute
There are not many countries that can claim they have created a whole musical genre. Jamaica is the home of reggae music. The two most popular reggae concerts are Reggae Sumfest and Rebel Salute.
Find out why Jamaican Coffee is rated as one of the best in the world
Tour a coffee plantation and see where our world famous blue mountain coffee is grown. Blue Mountain coffee is known as one of the best coffees in the world and is an ideal souvenir gift for a loved one.
Horseback riding in the Ocean
I think we have all dreamt of going horseback riding in the ocean. This is a great way to experience the beautiful Caribbean Sea.
Golfing
You can find quite a few internationally recognized Golf courses in Jamaica. A few golf courses that should be on your golf to do list are the Tryall, Cinnamon Hill and White Witch golf course.
Rafting in Paradise
Bamboo Rafts were originally used to transport Bananas from the hinterlands to the coast. Today Bamboo Rafting is used to transport tourist along the river. The most popular spots to go rafting in Jamaica (link) are the Rio Grande, the Martha Brae and the Lethe River.
Enjoy the beautiful sunsets
We all have a dream of ending everyday watching a sunset.
We have one of the coolest bars!
Floyds Pelican bar is probably one of the only bars that located in the middle of the ocean. If you are lucky you might see Dolphins swimming buy on your boat trip to the bar
Try some Jerk Chicken
Jerk chicken is one of Jamaica’s most famous exports. Each Jamaican has their own favourite Jerk spot. You can get advice from a local; however, if you are in doubt a good place to try is Scotches Jamaica. Don’t forget to try our Jerk Pork. You can also visit our Jerk festivals in Montego Bay and Port Antonio.
Bob Marley Museum
Jamaica is known as the home of reggae. Visit the home of Jamaicans most famous musical export Bob Marley. The Bob Marley has a lot of reggae memorabilia, Bob Marley personal treasure and a photo gallery that depicts Bob’s life.
Our Beaches
Jamaica has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. What they lack in size they certainly make up for in character.
Some of the beaches that readily come to mind are Laughing Waters on the outskirts of Ocho Rios, which has a waterfall emptying to the sea, the picturesque Frenchman’s Cove in Port Antonio, and of course the Seven Mile beach in Negril.
Reach Falls – Jamaica’s hidden gem
Reach Falls is located in the parish of Portland around 45 minutes from Port Antonio. This hidden gem gets few visitors. If you are intent on exploring Jamaica this attractions should definitely be on your list.
Mayfield Falls
The Drive to get to Mayfield Falls in Jamaica is certainly worth it. These water falls are located in the hills of Westmoreland in one of the most beautiful parts of the island. When visiting make sure you experience the washing machine waterfall.
Visit Little Ochie Seafood Restaurant
Locals are known to drive all the way from Kingston to eat at Little Ochie Seafood restaurant. Keep in mind it is a two hour drive. This rustic seafood restaurant offers you every seafood dish imaginable straight from the sea.
Experience Jamaican Carnival
Jamaica has adapted the carnival culture of its island neighbour Trinidad and added its own Jamaican twist. Carnival events are usually held in March and the culmination of Carnival is the road march in April.
Go Bird watching
Did you know Jamaica has over 29 Endemic species of birds? Some good areas to go bird watching are the cockpit country and the Blue Mountains.
Drink some Rum – Appleton Estate Rum Tour
Appleton Rum is the premier Jamaican Rum. Don’t forget to take some home as a Jamaican souvenir. If you are curious about how rum is made take the Appleton Rum Tour.
Go to a Sports Event (cricket, running or football)
Jamaican culture revolves around sports. Some of the most popular sports in Jamaica are Cricket, Running and Football. Why don’t you attend a running event and see some of the best runners in the world.
Go to an Independence Day Celebration
Independence celebrations are a great way to experience Jamaican culture. A few must do events are the Denbigh agricultural show and the Grand Gala Celebration on Independence Day.
Try our National Dish – Ackee and Salt fish
Ackee and Salt fish is Jamaica’s national dish and is usually eaten during breakfast. It’s best with breadfruit, yam, boiled green bananas and Johnny cake.
Visit Kingston the heartbeat of Jamaica
Kingston the capital of Jamaica is also the cultural capital and the heartbeat of Jamaica. Kingston should be on every visitor’s itinerary.
A few must do attractions are the Bob Marley Museum, The National Art Gallery, Devon House and Port Royal. Don’t forget to go to a street dance at Susie’s or Dub Poetry night on Sunday in Skyline Drive, Jacks Hill.
Experience Jamaican Art at the National Gallery
Jamaica has some of the most beautiful art in the Caribbean. Visit the National Gallery downtown to see the work of some of Jamaica’s most famous artists.
Try some Jamaican Fruits
Try some Jamaican fruits on your next vacation. Some of our favourite fruits are Jackfruit, Star Apple, Sweet Sop, Sour Sop, Naseberry, Mangoes and June Plum. Try all of them and discover your favourite fruit!
Go to a Jamaican Play or to the National Dance Theatre
The performing arts are a big part of Jamaican culture. Go to a Jamaican play to experience a slice of Jamaican culture. You can also visit the National Dance Theatre performance. There are dance performances in July and August.
Try some Jamaican Sweets and Jamaican Pastries
Try some traditional Jamaican sweets and pastries on your next vacation. A few things on your bucket list should be Jamaican Easter bun, bulla, rock cakes, gizzada, coconut drops and Busta Sweet
Biking in the Blue Mountains Take a Ride on the Wild Side down the Blue Mountains
Take a ride on the wild side in the Blue Mountains. Take a downhill bicycle tour, enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery and stop at your very own personal waterfall.
Negril’s Reggae Marathon
For those Running aficionados out there why not take a running vacation. The reggae marathon and half marathon is usually held in December in Negril. When you finish running why not take a dip in the seven mile beach in Negril.
Learn a few words of Patois
Patois is Jamaica’s local dialect. Why not learn a few words before you come to Jamaica.
Visit Milk River Bath
Did you know that Jamaica has one of the best mineral baths in the world? An analysis of the mineral spring has shown it to be more radioactive than the leading European Spas of Baden in Switzerland and Karlbad in Austria.
Try a Jamaican Patty
Patties are staple in the Jamaican diet. They are a flaky pastry with various fillings inside. The most common filling is beef. If you get a chance try the lobster and shrimp patty at Devon House Jamaica. If you are not traveling to Kingston you can purchase a patty at a Tastee location.
Go zip lining over the canopy or river
You can go ziplining in a number of places in Jamaica. A few of our favourites are the zip line at YS Falls, the zip line at Heavens Scent and the zip line in Montego Bay.
Enjoy the Jamaican Vibe
The main reason people keep on coming back to Jamaica is the people. They call it the Jamaican vibe. Why not sign up for a meet the people program and be paired off with Jamaican who will let you experience Jamaica from their point of view. http://www.visitjamaica.com/feel-the-vibe/people/meet-the-people-program/sign-up
Surfs Up!! (Kite surfing and Surfing in Jamaica)
I bet you didn’t think you could go surfing and kite surfing in Jamaica! The best spot to go surfing is in St. Thomas and Portland. If you want to go Kite surfing go to Brians Windsurfing and Kite surfing on Burnwood Beach.
Peer over Lovers Leap
Lovers leap is a sheer 1600 foot cliff by the ocean and is one of the most scenic spots in Jamaica.
Visit the town of former pirates (Port Royal) Follow in the footsteps of Pirates
Did you know Port Royal in Kingston Jamaica was once the home of pirates and was known as the largest and wickedest city in the Caribbean?
Devon house bakery and Great house
Devon house is one of the most popular attractions in Jamaica and is the former home of the first Jamaican black millionaire. This beautifully preserved great house will give some insight into what life used to be like in Jamaica during the colonial period. Don’t forget to visit the Devon House bakery in the adjoining courtyard for some great Jamaican patties when you finish your tour.
Stay in breath-taking hotels with fabulous views.
Jamaica has a wide cross section of accommodations to suit every taste. You can find guesthouses, hostels, luxury villa, all inclusive hotels and non all inclusive hotels.
The most important thing to do when you are in Jamaica is to get out and explore the island. Jamaica has so much to offer a visitor that it’s hard to cover everything in a few days.
If you are looking for a comprehensive list of tourist attractions in Jamaica you can visit our tourist attractions blog post.
