Jamaica — Attractions
Bob Marley Museum
Jamaica's world famous son, singer-songwriter Bob Marley, was responsible for making reggae music a global phenomenon. The popular Rastafarian became a cult figure even before his death caused by cancer in 1981 when he was 36 years old. The museum devoted to his memory is the most-visited sight in Kingston. The simple clapboard house was where Marley lived and recorded his music until he died, and is now packed with Marley memorabilia. There are also screenings of a movie about the singer's life.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- 56 Hope Road
- Phone Number
- 927 9152
- Website
- www.bobmarley-foundation.com/museum.html
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 4pm (tours run every hour)
- Admission
- US$20 (foreign adults), US$10 (foreign children 4-12); local residents pay reduced prices in local currency
National Gallery
Jamaica's important art collection is often overlooked by tourists, but is well worth visiting. The gallery displays the works of Jamaica's talented artists, particularly that of Edna Manley, 19th century sculptor and wife of a former prime minister of Jamaica. Manley's acclaimed Ghetto Motherstands in the main lobby of the national gallery, along with a bronze statue by Christopher Gonzalez of reggae singer Bob Marley. Other highlights of the collection are the religious works of Mallica Reynolds, who has been hailed by art critics as a modern genius.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Roy West Building, Kingston Mall, 12 Ocean Boulevard
- Phone Number
- 922 1561
- Website
- nationalgalleryofjamaica.wordpress.com/
- Hours
- Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 4.30pm, Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm. Guided tours are available
- Admission
- J$250 (adults), concessions available
Hope Botanical Gardens
This 20-hectare (50-acre) oasis of beauty in the middle of downtown Kingston features pleasant paths that meander past manicured lawns and tranquil gardens, including a cactus garden, orchid house, a forest garden and an ornamental pond. The gardens are situated next to the campus of the University of the West Indies, and also contain a small zoo and interesting aviary.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Old Hope Road
- Phone Number
- 927 1257
- Hours
- Gardens: daily 8.30am to 6.30pm. Zoo daily 10am to 5pm
- Admission
- Gardens: free. Zoo: J$20 (adults), J$10 (children 4-12)
Spanish Town
The neighborhood known as Spanish Town is on the western outskirts of Kingston and was capital of the island under Spanish rule between 1662 and 1872. Today the architecture is an interesting mix of Spanish and British Georgian, and there are some historic attractions to explore. St James Cathedral is the oldest Anglican church outside England, having been built in 1523. The Jamaican People's Museum of Crafts and Technology showcases some vintage farm implements, musical instruments and pottery, and the Town Square is overlooked by the Old King's House, former residence of Jamaica's British governors that once hosted Admiral Lord Nelson and Captain Bligh of HMS Bounty infamy. Spanish Town also has a very busy, colorful local market in the Town Square.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
Port Royal
Port Royal was once a 17th century haven for a variety of hedonistic pirates and malcontents dedicated to looting Spanish vessels throughout the Caribbean. One morning in 1692, however, an earthquake and tidal wave destroyed most of the town along with a couple of thousand residents. Today the former haunt of notorious pirates like Henry Morgan, Blackbeard and Calico Jack is just a fishing village, sited at the tip of a narrow peninsula stretching across the entrance to Kingston's harbor. The village can be reached by ferry from West Beach Dock, Kingston, in about 20 minutes. Plans are underway at the site to transform the village into a living history museum. Relics of the town's wicked past can be seen at the Museum of Historical Archaeology, the Maritime Museum and Giddy House (a building that tilts at an angle). Fort Charles is the last remaining of six forts originally built to protect the port.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
Blue Mountains
Towering across eastern Jamaica the 28 mile (45km) long mountain range is constantly shrouded in a mist that gives the mountains their bluish color. The John Crow National Park at the base of the mountains was established to preserve the diverse range of species that call the Blue Mountains home. Among them are more than 800 endemic plant species, 200 bird species and 500 flowering plant varieties as well as the world's second largest butterfly. The mountains are also home to the Jamaica Bamboo, which only flowers every 33 years. The lowest slopes of the mountain are taken up by coffee plantations, as well as patches of vegetable beds and spice cultivation. The coffee is grown on the slopes is world-renowned and visitors can organize tours of some of the larger coffee estates. Visitors to the Blue Mountains can climb the highest peak by way of the Peak Trail, which starts at Abbey Green. Most hikers spend a night in one of the cabins on the mountain and local advice or guides are highly recommended. Bicycle tours of the Blue Mountains can also be arranged through local tour companies. Taking a bicycle tour is an ideal way to explore the foothills of the mountain range.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Admission
- 200 Jamaican Dollars (park entrance fee)
Jablum Coffee Company
At the Blue Mountain hamlet of Mavis Bank on the trail to Blue Mountain Peak is the Jablum Coffee Company. The 100-year-old company is famous for its Blue Mountain coffee, and visitors can tour the working factory to watch the production process along with sampling the brew.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Mavis Bank
- Phone Number
- 977 8015
- Hours
- Monday to Friday 9am to 11am, and 1pm to 3pm
- Admission
- US$8 for tour (by appointment)
Doctor's Cave Beach
The story of Montego Bay's most famous beach began in 1906 when a group of doctors decided to found a bathing club on a beach property donated for the purpose by Dr Alexander James McCatty. Access to the small beach at the time was through a cave - hence the name Doctor's Cave. The cave was destroyed in 1932 in a fierce hurricane, but the bathing club has lived on and the beach has become legendary. The water, fed by mineral springs, is always crystal clear and has a temperature ranging between 78°F and 84°F (22°C and 28°C). Sir Herbert Barker, well-known British osteopath, claimed back in the 1920s that the waters of the beach have curative powers, which made the bathing spot even more alluring for foreign visitors. Today access to the beach, which is located in the middle of Montego Bay's 'Hip Strip', Gloucester Avenue, is controlled through a smart entrance way and a complex of changing rooms, showers, gift shops, and the 'Groovy Grouper' Beach bar.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Phone Number
- 952 2566
- Website
- www.doctorscavebathingclub.com
- Hours
- Open daily
- Admission
- J$350
Rose Hall
The Rose Hall Great House is one of Jamaica's most popular tourist attractions, particularly because of the Gothic horror legend surrounding the monstrous reign of the last mistress to live in the house. Stunningly beautiful Annie Palmer, known latterly as the 'White Witch of Rose Hall', was murdered in 1831, but not before she had rid herself of three husbands allegedly using voodoo magic. Annie herself was killed during a slave uprising on the estate, brought about by her battle with a slave girl for the love of the estate supervisor. The house, originally built in 1780, was abandoned after her death, but has now been restored. A gift shop and pub are in operation in the dungeon where the white witch is said to have imprisoned and tortured slave victims.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Address
- Rose Hall Highway
- Phone Number
- 953 2323
- Hours
- Guided tours run throughout the day, between 9am and 5.15pm daily
- Admission
- US$15 (adults), US$10 (children under 12)
Montego Bay Marine Park
The Montego Bay Marine Park is a large area of sea and shore located adjacent to the city of Montego Bay, proclaimed to protect some of Jamaica's best coral reefs and marine resources. The park is open to all, but has been divided into zones where different activities (for example various watersports and fishing) are allowed or restricted, to conserve the resources. The park's resource center is to be found at Pier One Marina on the waterfront in downtown Montego Bay, and provides information about park use and tours, as well as ecological presentations and use of a comprehensive reference library. Private operators also run undersea submersible tours of the reefs.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Address
- Marine Park Resource Center and Headquarters, Pier One, Howard Cooke Blvd
- Phone Number
- 952 5619
- Email Address
- contact@mbmp.org
- Website
- www.mbmp.org
- Admission
- Free
Bob Marley Experience
Although Jamaica's legendary reggae superstar, Bob Marley, lived in Kingston, his fame could not be ignored in Montego Bay. Devotees of the singer can satisfy their curiosity by visiting the Bob Marley Experience, a theater and memorabilia store complex at the Half Moon Shopping Village in MoBay. Every hour on the hour, between 9am and 6pm daily, a free screening of a special documentary on Marley's life and music takes place in the 68-seat wide screen theater.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Address
- Half Moon Shopping Center
- Phone Number
- 953 3946
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 6pm
- Admission
- Free
Falmouth
The rather derelict Georgian port town of Falmouth is about 23 miles (37km) east of Montego Bay and makes for an interesting walking tour. Center of the town is Water Square, which features the Albert George Shopping and Historical Center, a market full of little craft stalls that dates from 1895. Also of interest is the former residence of John Tharp, notorious slave owner, and the town house of rich plantation owner Edward Barrett. St Peter's Anglican Church, dating from 1795, and the William Knibb Memorial Church (a chapel built in memory of Jamaica's enthusiastic Baptist abolitionist) are also worth a look. Also in the area of Falmouth are a crocodile farm and the Greenwood Great House, once owned by the family of well-known poet, Elizabeth Barret Browning.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Website
- www.falmouthjamaica.org
Croydon in the Mountains
Jamaica's national hero, Samuel Sharpe, the slave who led the bloody 'Christmas Rebellion' of 1831 and helped to expedite the emancipation on Jamaica, was born on this still working plantation in the interior, 24 miles (39km) from Montego Bay. Three hour long guided tours of the Croydon coffee and pineapple plantation, run from Montego Bay, have become a must-see for every visitor to the island. Tours give visitors some interesting insights into coffee and pineapple production, as well as the chance to savour some of Jamaica's exotic fruits.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Phone Number
- 979 8267
- Website
- www.croydonplantation.com
- Hours
- Tour days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10.30am to 3pm
Dunn's River Falls
Just about two miles (3km) west from the center of Ocho Rios is the popular beach and waterfall attraction of Dunn's River. The waterfall cascades down 600ft (183m) forming cool pools among slippery rocks, and a favorite tourist pursuit is to climb to the top of the falls with a guide, enjoying being splashed by cold, clear mountain water en route. There is a restaurant on the beach below.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Phone Number
- 974 2857
- Email Address
- dunnsriver@udcja.com
- Website
- www.dunnsriverfallsja.com
- Hours
- Guided climbs daily between 8.30am and 4pm
- Admission
- US$15 (adults) and US$12 (children 2-11 years)
Dolphin Cove
Alongside the Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios is Dolphin Cove, where visitors can swim with a family of Bottle Nose dolphins. The natural cove is surrounded by four acres of lush tropical rain forest. The cove is also home to other marine species such as rays, eels and sharks as well as tropical birds, like the macaw. There is a gift shop selling souvenirs.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Phone Number
- 974 5335 (information), 9795 2272 (reservations)
- Email Address
- info@dolphincovejamaica.com
- Website
- www.dolphincovejamaica.com
- Hours
- Daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Dolphin programs daily at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm
- Admission
- US$45 (adults), children under 6 are free. Touch Encounter Program: US$67, Encounter Swim Program: US$129, Swim With Program: US$195
Green Grotto Caves
Jamaica's most prominent natural attraction are the caves on the island's north coast, between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, just a few kilometers from Discovery Bay and Runaway Bay. The huge labyrinthine limestone cave found here is 5,003 feet (1,525m) long and characterized by stalactites, stalagmites, overhead ceiling pockets, numerous chambers, light holes, and in its depths a subterranean lake. The caves have played an important role in Jamaican history, from when the Arawak Indians used them for shelter. They have been used as a hideout for Spaniards during the British take-over, a haven for runaway slaves, and even as a den for smugglers running arms to Cuba.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Runaway Bay
- Phone Number
- 973 2841
- Email Address
- greengrottocaves@udcja.com
- Website
- www.greengrottocavesja.com
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 4pm
- Admission
- Non-residents: US$20 (adults) and US$10 (children 4-12 years); 45-minute guided tour, hard hat rental and complimentary drink included
Firefly
The cottage on the cliff above Port Maria, 20 miles (32km) east of Ocho Rios, Firefly was the vacation retreat of famed British playwright and composer, Sir Noel Coward. The house is now a national monument and has been preserved as Coward left it, complete with two grand pianos on which he composed some famous tunes. Coward is buried in the garden under a simple marble gravestone.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Port Maria
- Phone Number
- (876) 974-5830
- Hours
- Mondays to Thursdays, and Saturdays 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- US$10
Bob Marley Mausoleum
Reggae music fans from the world over make the pilgrimage to the famed singer/songwriter's grave site at the village of Nine Mile, about 40 miles (65km) south of Ocho Rios. Marley lived in the Nine Mile hamlet between the age of six and 13. The two-room shack in which he lived is open to view, filled with memorabilia, and alongside it is the mausoleum in which Marley and his half-brother are buried. The site also has a vegetarian restaurant and small shop. Reggae concerts are held at Nine Mile each year on 6 February, Marley's birthday.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Nine Mile
- Phone Number
- 305 665 5379
- Website
- www.bobmarleymovement.com/ninemile
- Hours
- The Bob Marley Center is open daily 9am to 5pm. Tours are 45 minutes to an hour
- Admission
- Tour from Ochos Rios: US$65
Columbus Park Museum
At Discovery Bay this varied and fascinating open-air museum has a vast collection of exhibits to explore. Visitors can stroll around under Pimento trees among artifacts like a tally, used to count bananas on the plantations; a water wheel; a canoe made from a solid piece of wood and a host of other weird and wonderful things.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Discovery Bay
- Phone Number
- 973 2135
- Hours
- 8am to 4pm daily
- Admission
- Free
Seven Mile Beach
The reason for Negril's recent boom as a tourist destination is centered on this seven-mile stretch of beautiful shoreline around Bloody Bay (so-called because of the fierce battle here between Columbus and the Arawak Amerindians) dotted with palm trees and carpeted with pristine white sand. Development has been restricted to palm-tree height, and despite the proliferation of guesthouses and hotels along the strip the natural beauty of the beach has not been compromised. It is now a beach renowned for showing off the world's smallest bikinis; in fact clothing is optional and generally the option is little or nothing! Expect to be hounded by hundreds of vendors, offering everything from hair braiding to illegal 'ganja' (marijuana).
- Region/City Name
- Negril
Negril Lighthouse
The lighthouse on West End Road, built in 1894, is open to visitors every day. The climb to the top (100ft/30m) is arduous, up steep iron steps, but worth it for the breathtaking views of the coast afforded at the summit.
- Region/City Name
- Negril
- Address
- West End Road
- Hours
- Daily 9am to sunset (times can vary and it is worth checking up before visiting)
- Admission
- Free
Rhodes Hall Plantation
Visitors who tire of the beach can head for the countryside to a small estate, Rhodes Hall Plantation, a short distance east of Negril. Here guided horseback excursions give a glimpse of the magic and mystery of the Jamaican countryside, and you don't have to be an experienced rider to participate. Guides give some basic horsemanship tips and then take tourists off through the foothills, pointing out botanical wonders and regaling riders with stories and legends about local landmarks. The tours include riding through forests of banana and coconut palms and along a beach to Crocodile River (which really has crocodiles in residence). The riding tours last from half an hour to two hours, and are inclusive in the round-trip transportation from any hotel in the Negril area.
- Region/City Name
- Negril
- Phone Number
- 957 6334, 957 6883
- Email Address
- rhodes@cwjamaica.com
- Website
- www.jamplified.com/riding
Mayfield Falls
The 22 mini-cascades and numerous swimming holes that make up the Mayfield Falls site in the low-lying Dolphin Head Mountains make a memorable day trip from Negril. The falls are reached through an intriguing maze of country roads, and are difficult to find independently, so an organized tour is advised. Tours offer guided walks through bamboo-shaded cool water holes and splashing falls. It is essential to wear a swimsuit and to bring mosquito repellent. Some parts of the walk through the area involve natural whirlpools; in others blasts of water hit you from the rocks. There is an underwater cave to swim through, smooth rockslide areas and mini cliffs to dive from. This natural water park is edged and overhung with bamboo, flowers, vines, trees and shrubbery. Jamaican dishes are available at the eatery at the entry point.
- Region/City Name
- Negril
- Phone Number
- 610 8612
- Email Address
- info@mayfieldfalls.com
- Website
- www.mayfieldfalls.com
Appleton Rum Estate
Nestling in the sugar cane fields of St Elizabeth parish, the Appleton Rum Estate near the village of Magotty offers the chance to find out all there is to know about the production of rum. There is a small museum with equipment and artifacts from the days gone by, and a resident donkey to demonstrate how sugar cane used to be crushed by turning the teeth of a mill. The estate's vast acreage is still planted with sugar cane, and visitors are shown how it is harvested, crushed, fermented, distilled and aged in handmade oak barrels. Then blending is explained, before the bottling is demonstrated and thirsty tourists can end off their visit at the tavern to sample the estate's rums and liqueurs. Tours include a complimentary bottle of rum.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
- Phone Number
- 963 9215
- Website
- www.appletonrumtour.com
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm
- Admission
- US$12
Black River Town
This town in St Elizabeth parish still displays relics of the days when it was one of the most influential in Jamaica, being a major producer of black textile dye before the days of synthetic dyes. Still to be seen along the waterfront are some old wooden buildings with colonnaded verandas and gingerbread trim, and the Invercauld Hotel, built in 1889, gives a hint of what the great houses of the town in its heyday were like. Today tourists stop off here mainly to take a boat safari on the Black River itself, which at 44 miles (71km) is Jamaica's longest river. Peat moss at the river bottom makes the crystal clear water appear black. The 90-minute boat tours take in the 125-square-mile (324 sq km) area of wetland known as the Great Morass, which is home to crocodiles and diverse birdlife. There are five tours a day leaving from the dock beside the Black River bridge.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
Tuff Gong Recording Studio
Jamaica is about music and beaches and feeling the rhythm, and what better way to learn about Jamaica than a visit to a local recording studio and record shop. The Tuff Gong Studio is the biggest and arguably the best studio in Jamaica. Artists such as Ziggy and Damian Marley have recorded there as well as Roberta Flack. Visitors can organize tours of the studio or visit the record shop attached for a look at the great selection music on sale.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Marcus Garvey Drive, Kingston
- Phone Number
- +876 923 93804
- Website
- www.tuffgong.com
Devon House
Devon House in Kingston is a prime example of Jamaican Georgian architecture. Visitors to Jamaica should definitely visit this national monument and landmark. The house was built by Jamaica's first black millionaire, George Stiebel, at the end of the 19th century. The house is furnished with a number of antiques and evokes the feel of a 'Jamaican Great House' from the period between 1860 and 1870. There are also a number of shopping and dining areas in the house.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Corner of Trafalgar Rd and Hope Rd
- Phone Number
- +876 929 6602
- Website
- www.devonhousejamaica.com
- Admission
- J$300, (adults), J$100 (children under 12); including guided tour
Milk River Spa
The Milk River Spa and hotel, about 30 miles (48km) southeast of Mandeville, is operated by Jamaicas Ministry of Tourism. Analysis of the mineral waters that flow from the nearby hills apparently show that they are richer than the waters of any of the leading European spas, and are reputed to cure numerous ailments like rheumatism, gout, neuralgia and liver disorders. There are two springs, baths and a public mineral water swimming pool open at weekends. The hotel is built against a limestone cliff above the baths. The mineral springs were discovered during the 18th century by an escaped slave.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
- Phone Number
- 902 6902
- Email Address
- milkriverhotel@yahoo.com
- Hours
- The baths are open 24 hours a day for hotel guests and between 7am and 9pm for day visitors
Blue Lagoon
Made famous by 14-year old Brooke Shields in the film 'Blue Lagoon', the sheltered cove is one of the most scenic spots in Jamaica and Port Antonio's most celebrated attraction. It is fed by underground mineral springs, and is believed by many to be bottomless, although it is estimated to be about 185 feet (56m) deep. Surrounded by steep, green hillsides, the Blue Lagoon is a wonderful place to swim if one chooses to ignore the tales of sea monsters deep below the surface that are circulated by locals.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
- Phone Number
- 993 7791
Reach Falls
Reach Falls, on the Driver's River, is a strong contender for the 'most beautiful place in Jamaica', and are the island's loveliest natural waterfalls. A series of cascades tumble into pool after pool of clear, green water and the main falls thunder into a pool deep enough to dive into.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
- Address
- Two miles (3km) from Manchioneal town center
- Website
- www.reachfalls.com/
- Admission
- US$10
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande has been used since 1911 as a means of transporting goods by bamboo rafts, particularly by banana farmers in the Rio Grande Valley who floated bunches of bananas on rafts to the end of the river at St Margaret's Bay. Today bamboo rafting trips are a major tourist attraction, offering an experience that showcases the natural beauty that the Portland area has to offer. Trips last between two and three hours, and the 30-foot (9m) rafts can carry two passengers and are steered by skilled raftsmen who also act as guides. Rafts can be boarded at Berrydale or Grant's Level and end at the mouth of the Rio Grande at St Margaret's Bay.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
Beaches
Port Antonio has some of Jamaica's most beautiful beaches, from free public beaches to managed beaches with facilities and charging an entrance fee. San San Beach is a private strip of sand that has warm and shallow waters, and some offshore reefs that are ideal for snorkeling. In winter the waves make this a perfect spot to windsurf. One of the region's prettiest beaches is Frenchman's Cove with its clear waters and white sand. During the 1960s a luxurious hotel resort, visited by the likes of Prince Philip and Elizabeth Taylor, occupied the headland, but has since closed down and fallen to ruin. The secluded cove at Boston Bay is perhaps more famous for its jerk stands than its public beach, with food stalls lining the road that serve jerk in all its forms. The waves, however, have raised its status as one of the best beaches in Jamaica for windsurfing.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
- Admission
- Some beaches charge admission fees
James Bond Beach
Fans of 007 will not want to miss a visit to James Bond Beach where the 1962 film Dr. Nolaunched the career of the legendary Sean Connery when he took on the role of secret agent James Bond. The pristine stretch of sugary white sand surrounded by lush mountains and lapping crystalline waters is located just 20 minutes from Ochos Rios and is a great place to escape the crowds. Those looking for a bit of excitement should catch a waverunner tour which takes 007 fans past the famous Golden Eye villa, where Ian Fleming wrote the James Bond novels, and head over to the nearby Moonraker Jamaican Bar & Grill for a bite to eat, while the more placid vacationers can relax and enjoy the sun and clear waters.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Oracabessa
Bob Marley Mausoleum
A visit to Jamaica is not complete without a pilgrimage to the birthplace, and final resting place, of the island's most famous citizen. In the small village of Nine Mile, 90 minutes from Ocho Rios in Jamaica is Bob Marley's home and burial place. Visitors to the mausoleum are also taken on a tour of his two-room house containing memorabilia and keepsakes. There is a small gift shop and coffee shop adjacent to the house.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Nine Mile
Mystic Mountain Amusement Park
Visitors to Jamaica should definitely visit the popular Mystic Mountain Amusement Park. Excursions to Mystic Mountain include a number of different adventures. Visitors can zip-line through the treetops or take the Sky Explorer chairlift for spectacular views of the surrounding mountain right down to the beautiful beaches of the island. For a bobsled ride with a difference Bobsled Jamaica offers visitors a plunge through the rainforests with wonderful twists and turns. The park offers a great variety of things to do and visitors to Jamaica should definitely put aside a day for this fun-filled attraction.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Website
- www.rainforestadventure.com/welcome_mystic_mountain_ocho_rios_bobsled_jamaica
- Admission
- $42 (Sky Explorer), $62 (Bobsled), $104 (Zip Line), $125 (Tranopy Tour includes all of the others)
Black River
Jamaica's Black River on the South Coast is a relaxing excursion from the beach activities that can become monotonous on an island getaway. Tourists can visit the river and take a boat tour up the river to explore the wetlands and Mangrove swamps along its banks. The river is home to a number of bird and wildlife species including the endangered American Crocodile.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
YS Falls
Trips to YS Falls are usually included in organized Black River tours. The YS Falls in Jamaica are on a privately owned farm. The waterfall is beautiful with the water flowing over seven tiers to create a spectacular cascading waterfall surrounded by jungle and meadow scenery. Visitors to the falls can also go on a relaxing 20-minute tube ride down the river. Or for the more adventurous, there is a thrilling handheld zip-line that visitors can use to propel themselves over the pools before letting go and landing in one of the deep pools at the base of the waterfall.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
- Phone Number
- +876 997 6360
- Website
- www.ysfalls.com
- Hours
- 9.30am to 3.30pm (closed Mondays and Public Holidays)
- Admission
- US$15 (Adults), US$7.50 (children); Tubing US$6; Zip-line: US$42 (adults), US$20 (children).
Bob Marley Museum
Jamaica's world famous son, singer-songwriter Bob Marley, was responsible for making reggae music a global phenomenon. The popular Rastafarian became a cult figure even before his death caused by cancer in 1981 when he was 36 years old. The museum devoted to his memory is the most-visited sight in Kingston. The simple clapboard house was where Marley lived and recorded his music until he died, and is now packed with Marley memorabilia. There are also screenings of a movie about the singer's life.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- 56 Hope Road
- Phone Number
- 927 9152
- Website
- www.bobmarley-foundation.com/museum.html
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 4pm (tours run every hour)
- Admission
- US$20 (foreign adults), US$10 (foreign children 4-12); local residents pay reduced prices in local currency
National Gallery
Jamaica's important art collection is often overlooked by tourists, but is well worth visiting. The gallery displays the works of Jamaica's talented artists, particularly that of Edna Manley, 19th century sculptor and wife of a former prime minister of Jamaica. Manley's acclaimed Ghetto Motherstands in the main lobby of the national gallery, along with a bronze statue by Christopher Gonzalez of reggae singer Bob Marley. Other highlights of the collection are the religious works of Mallica Reynolds, who has been hailed by art critics as a modern genius.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Roy West Building, Kingston Mall, 12 Ocean Boulevard
- Phone Number
- 922 1561
- Website
- nationalgalleryofjamaica.wordpress.com/
- Hours
- Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 4.30pm, Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm. Guided tours are available
- Admission
- J$250 (adults), concessions available
Hope Botanical Gardens
This 20-hectare (50-acre) oasis of beauty in the middle of downtown Kingston features pleasant paths that meander past manicured lawns and tranquil gardens, including a cactus garden, orchid house, a forest garden and an ornamental pond. The gardens are situated next to the campus of the University of the West Indies, and also contain a small zoo and interesting aviary.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Old Hope Road
- Phone Number
- 927 1257
- Hours
- Gardens: daily 8.30am to 6.30pm. Zoo daily 10am to 5pm
- Admission
- Gardens: free. Zoo: J$20 (adults), J$10 (children 4-12)
Spanish Town
The neighborhood known as Spanish Town is on the western outskirts of Kingston and was capital of the island under Spanish rule between 1662 and 1872. Today the architecture is an interesting mix of Spanish and British Georgian, and there are some historic attractions to explore. St James Cathedral is the oldest Anglican church outside England, having been built in 1523. The Jamaican People's Museum of Crafts and Technology showcases some vintage farm implements, musical instruments and pottery, and the Town Square is overlooked by the Old King's House, former residence of Jamaica's British governors that once hosted Admiral Lord Nelson and Captain Bligh of HMS Bounty infamy. Spanish Town also has a very busy, colorful local market in the Town Square.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
Port Royal
Port Royal was once a 17th century haven for a variety of hedonistic pirates and malcontents dedicated to looting Spanish vessels throughout the Caribbean. One morning in 1692, however, an earthquake and tidal wave destroyed most of the town along with a couple of thousand residents. Today the former haunt of notorious pirates like Henry Morgan, Blackbeard and Calico Jack is just a fishing village, sited at the tip of a narrow peninsula stretching across the entrance to Kingston's harbor. The village can be reached by ferry from West Beach Dock, Kingston, in about 20 minutes. Plans are underway at the site to transform the village into a living history museum. Relics of the town's wicked past can be seen at the Museum of Historical Archaeology, the Maritime Museum and Giddy House (a building that tilts at an angle). Fort Charles is the last remaining of six forts originally built to protect the port.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
Blue Mountains
Towering across eastern Jamaica the 28 mile (45km) long mountain range is constantly shrouded in a mist that gives the mountains their bluish color. The John Crow National Park at the base of the mountains was established to preserve the diverse range of species that call the Blue Mountains home. Among them are more than 800 endemic plant species, 200 bird species and 500 flowering plant varieties as well as the world's second largest butterfly. The mountains are also home to the Jamaica Bamboo, which only flowers every 33 years. The lowest slopes of the mountain are taken up by coffee plantations, as well as patches of vegetable beds and spice cultivation. The coffee is grown on the slopes is world-renowned and visitors can organize tours of some of the larger coffee estates. Visitors to the Blue Mountains can climb the highest peak by way of the Peak Trail, which starts at Abbey Green. Most hikers spend a night in one of the cabins on the mountain and local advice or guides are highly recommended. Bicycle tours of the Blue Mountains can also be arranged through local tour companies. Taking a bicycle tour is an ideal way to explore the foothills of the mountain range.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Admission
- 200 Jamaican Dollars (park entrance fee)
Jablum Coffee Company
At the Blue Mountain hamlet of Mavis Bank on the trail to Blue Mountain Peak is the Jablum Coffee Company. The 100-year-old company is famous for its Blue Mountain coffee, and visitors can tour the working factory to watch the production process along with sampling the brew.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Mavis Bank
- Phone Number
- 977 8015
- Hours
- Monday to Friday 9am to 11am, and 1pm to 3pm
- Admission
- US$8 for tour (by appointment)
Doctor's Cave Beach
The story of Montego Bay's most famous beach began in 1906 when a group of doctors decided to found a bathing club on a beach property donated for the purpose by Dr Alexander James McCatty. Access to the small beach at the time was through a cave - hence the name Doctor's Cave. The cave was destroyed in 1932 in a fierce hurricane, but the bathing club has lived on and the beach has become legendary. The water, fed by mineral springs, is always crystal clear and has a temperature ranging between 78°F and 84°F (22°C and 28°C). Sir Herbert Barker, well-known British osteopath, claimed back in the 1920s that the waters of the beach have curative powers, which made the bathing spot even more alluring for foreign visitors. Today access to the beach, which is located in the middle of Montego Bay's 'Hip Strip', Gloucester Avenue, is controlled through a smart entrance way and a complex of changing rooms, showers, gift shops, and the 'Groovy Grouper' Beach bar.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Phone Number
- 952 2566
- Website
- www.doctorscavebathingclub.com
- Hours
- Open daily
- Admission
- J$350
Rose Hall
The Rose Hall Great House is one of Jamaica's most popular tourist attractions, particularly because of the Gothic horror legend surrounding the monstrous reign of the last mistress to live in the house. Stunningly beautiful Annie Palmer, known latterly as the 'White Witch of Rose Hall', was murdered in 1831, but not before she had rid herself of three husbands allegedly using voodoo magic. Annie herself was killed during a slave uprising on the estate, brought about by her battle with a slave girl for the love of the estate supervisor. The house, originally built in 1780, was abandoned after her death, but has now been restored. A gift shop and pub are in operation in the dungeon where the white witch is said to have imprisoned and tortured slave victims.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Address
- Rose Hall Highway
- Phone Number
- 953 2323
- Hours
- Guided tours run throughout the day, between 9am and 5.15pm daily
- Admission
- US$15 (adults), US$10 (children under 12)
Montego Bay Marine Park
The Montego Bay Marine Park is a large area of sea and shore located adjacent to the city of Montego Bay, proclaimed to protect some of Jamaica's best coral reefs and marine resources. The park is open to all, but has been divided into zones where different activities (for example various watersports and fishing) are allowed or restricted, to conserve the resources. The park's resource center is to be found at Pier One Marina on the waterfront in downtown Montego Bay, and provides information about park use and tours, as well as ecological presentations and use of a comprehensive reference library. Private operators also run undersea submersible tours of the reefs.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Address
- Marine Park Resource Center and Headquarters, Pier One, Howard Cooke Blvd
- Phone Number
- 952 5619
- Email Address
- contact@mbmp.org
- Website
- www.mbmp.org
- Admission
- Free
Bob Marley Experience
Although Jamaica's legendary reggae superstar, Bob Marley, lived in Kingston, his fame could not be ignored in Montego Bay. Devotees of the singer can satisfy their curiosity by visiting the Bob Marley Experience, a theater and memorabilia store complex at the Half Moon Shopping Village in MoBay. Every hour on the hour, between 9am and 6pm daily, a free screening of a special documentary on Marley's life and music takes place in the 68-seat wide screen theater.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Address
- Half Moon Shopping Center
- Phone Number
- 953 3946
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 6pm
- Admission
- Free
Falmouth
The rather derelict Georgian port town of Falmouth is about 23 miles (37km) east of Montego Bay and makes for an interesting walking tour. Center of the town is Water Square, which features the Albert George Shopping and Historical Center, a market full of little craft stalls that dates from 1895. Also of interest is the former residence of John Tharp, notorious slave owner, and the town house of rich plantation owner Edward Barrett. St Peter's Anglican Church, dating from 1795, and the William Knibb Memorial Church (a chapel built in memory of Jamaica's enthusiastic Baptist abolitionist) are also worth a look. Also in the area of Falmouth are a crocodile farm and the Greenwood Great House, once owned by the family of well-known poet, Elizabeth Barret Browning.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Website
- www.falmouthjamaica.org
Croydon in the Mountains
Jamaica's national hero, Samuel Sharpe, the slave who led the bloody 'Christmas Rebellion' of 1831 and helped to expedite the emancipation on Jamaica, was born on this still working plantation in the interior, 24 miles (39km) from Montego Bay. Three hour long guided tours of the Croydon coffee and pineapple plantation, run from Montego Bay, have become a must-see for every visitor to the island. Tours give visitors some interesting insights into coffee and pineapple production, as well as the chance to savour some of Jamaica's exotic fruits.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Phone Number
- 979 8267
- Website
- www.croydonplantation.com
- Hours
- Tour days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10.30am to 3pm
Dunn's River Falls
Just about two miles (3km) west from the center of Ocho Rios is the popular beach and waterfall attraction of Dunn's River. The waterfall cascades down 600ft (183m) forming cool pools among slippery rocks, and a favorite tourist pursuit is to climb to the top of the falls with a guide, enjoying being splashed by cold, clear mountain water en route. There is a restaurant on the beach below.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Phone Number
- 974 2857
- Email Address
- dunnsriver@udcja.com
- Website
- www.dunnsriverfallsja.com
- Hours
- Guided climbs daily between 8.30am and 4pm
- Admission
- US$15 (adults) and US$12 (children 2-11 years)
Dolphin Cove
Alongside the Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios is Dolphin Cove, where visitors can swim with a family of Bottle Nose dolphins. The natural cove is surrounded by four acres of lush tropical rain forest. The cove is also home to other marine species such as rays, eels and sharks as well as tropical birds, like the macaw. There is a gift shop selling souvenirs.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Phone Number
- 974 5335 (information), 9795 2272 (reservations)
- Email Address
- info@dolphincovejamaica.com
- Website
- www.dolphincovejamaica.com
- Hours
- Daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Dolphin programs daily at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm
- Admission
- US$45 (adults), children under 6 are free. Touch Encounter Program: US$67, Encounter Swim Program: US$129, Swim With Program: US$195
Green Grotto Caves
Jamaica's most prominent natural attraction are the caves on the island's north coast, between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, just a few kilometers from Discovery Bay and Runaway Bay. The huge labyrinthine limestone cave found here is 5,003 feet (1,525m) long and characterized by stalactites, stalagmites, overhead ceiling pockets, numerous chambers, light holes, and in its depths a subterranean lake. The caves have played an important role in Jamaican history, from when the Arawak Indians used them for shelter. They have been used as a hideout for Spaniards during the British take-over, a haven for runaway slaves, and even as a den for smugglers running arms to Cuba.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Runaway Bay
- Phone Number
- 973 2841
- Email Address
- greengrottocaves@udcja.com
- Website
- www.greengrottocavesja.com
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 4pm
- Admission
- Non-residents: US$20 (adults) and US$10 (children 4-12 years); 45-minute guided tour, hard hat rental and complimentary drink included
Firefly
The cottage on the cliff above Port Maria, 20 miles (32km) east of Ocho Rios, Firefly was the vacation retreat of famed British playwright and composer, Sir Noel Coward. The house is now a national monument and has been preserved as Coward left it, complete with two grand pianos on which he composed some famous tunes. Coward is buried in the garden under a simple marble gravestone.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Port Maria
- Phone Number
- (876) 974-5830
- Hours
- Mondays to Thursdays, and Saturdays 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- US$10
Bob Marley Mausoleum
Reggae music fans from the world over make the pilgrimage to the famed singer/songwriter's grave site at the village of Nine Mile, about 40 miles (65km) south of Ocho Rios. Marley lived in the Nine Mile hamlet between the age of six and 13. The two-room shack in which he lived is open to view, filled with memorabilia, and alongside it is the mausoleum in which Marley and his half-brother are buried. The site also has a vegetarian restaurant and small shop. Reggae concerts are held at Nine Mile each year on 6 February, Marley's birthday.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Nine Mile
- Phone Number
- 305 665 5379
- Website
- www.bobmarleymovement.com/ninemile
- Hours
- The Bob Marley Center is open daily 9am to 5pm. Tours are 45 minutes to an hour
- Admission
- Tour from Ochos Rios: US$65
Columbus Park Museum
At Discovery Bay this varied and fascinating open-air museum has a vast collection of exhibits to explore. Visitors can stroll around under Pimento trees among artifacts like a tally, used to count bananas on the plantations; a water wheel; a canoe made from a solid piece of wood and a host of other weird and wonderful things.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Discovery Bay
- Phone Number
- 973 2135
- Hours
- 8am to 4pm daily
- Admission
- Free
Seven Mile Beach
The reason for Negril's recent boom as a tourist destination is centered on this seven-mile stretch of beautiful shoreline around Bloody Bay (so-called because of the fierce battle here between Columbus and the Arawak Amerindians) dotted with palm trees and carpeted with pristine white sand. Development has been restricted to palm-tree height, and despite the proliferation of guesthouses and hotels along the strip the natural beauty of the beach has not been compromised. It is now a beach renowned for showing off the world's smallest bikinis; in fact clothing is optional and generally the option is little or nothing! Expect to be hounded by hundreds of vendors, offering everything from hair braiding to illegal 'ganja' (marijuana).
- Region/City Name
- Negril
Negril Lighthouse
The lighthouse on West End Road, built in 1894, is open to visitors every day. The climb to the top (100ft/30m) is arduous, up steep iron steps, but worth it for the breathtaking views of the coast afforded at the summit.
- Region/City Name
- Negril
- Address
- West End Road
- Hours
- Daily 9am to sunset (times can vary and it is worth checking up before visiting)
- Admission
- Free
Rhodes Hall Plantation
Visitors who tire of the beach can head for the countryside to a small estate, Rhodes Hall Plantation, a short distance east of Negril. Here guided horseback excursions give a glimpse of the magic and mystery of the Jamaican countryside, and you don't have to be an experienced rider to participate. Guides give some basic horsemanship tips and then take tourists off through the foothills, pointing out botanical wonders and regaling riders with stories and legends about local landmarks. The tours include riding through forests of banana and coconut palms and along a beach to Crocodile River (which really has crocodiles in residence). The riding tours last from half an hour to two hours, and are inclusive in the round-trip transportation from any hotel in the Negril area.
- Region/City Name
- Negril
- Phone Number
- 957 6334, 957 6883
- Email Address
- rhodes@cwjamaica.com
- Website
- www.jamplified.com/riding
Mayfield Falls
The 22 mini-cascades and numerous swimming holes that make up the Mayfield Falls site in the low-lying Dolphin Head Mountains make a memorable day trip from Negril. The falls are reached through an intriguing maze of country roads, and are difficult to find independently, so an organized tour is advised. Tours offer guided walks through bamboo-shaded cool water holes and splashing falls. It is essential to wear a swimsuit and to bring mosquito repellent. Some parts of the walk through the area involve natural whirlpools; in others blasts of water hit you from the rocks. There is an underwater cave to swim through, smooth rockslide areas and mini cliffs to dive from. This natural water park is edged and overhung with bamboo, flowers, vines, trees and shrubbery. Jamaican dishes are available at the eatery at the entry point.
- Region/City Name
- Negril
- Phone Number
- 610 8612
- Email Address
- info@mayfieldfalls.com
- Website
- www.mayfieldfalls.com
Appleton Rum Estate
Nestling in the sugar cane fields of St Elizabeth parish, the Appleton Rum Estate near the village of Magotty offers the chance to find out all there is to know about the production of rum. There is a small museum with equipment and artifacts from the days gone by, and a resident donkey to demonstrate how sugar cane used to be crushed by turning the teeth of a mill. The estate's vast acreage is still planted with sugar cane, and visitors are shown how it is harvested, crushed, fermented, distilled and aged in handmade oak barrels. Then blending is explained, before the bottling is demonstrated and thirsty tourists can end off their visit at the tavern to sample the estate's rums and liqueurs. Tours include a complimentary bottle of rum.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
- Phone Number
- 963 9215
- Website
- www.appletonrumtour.com
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm
- Admission
- US$12
Black River Town
This town in St Elizabeth parish still displays relics of the days when it was one of the most influential in Jamaica, being a major producer of black textile dye before the days of synthetic dyes. Still to be seen along the waterfront are some old wooden buildings with colonnaded verandas and gingerbread trim, and the Invercauld Hotel, built in 1889, gives a hint of what the great houses of the town in its heyday were like. Today tourists stop off here mainly to take a boat safari on the Black River itself, which at 44 miles (71km) is Jamaica's longest river. Peat moss at the river bottom makes the crystal clear water appear black. The 90-minute boat tours take in the 125-square-mile (324 sq km) area of wetland known as the Great Morass, which is home to crocodiles and diverse birdlife. There are five tours a day leaving from the dock beside the Black River bridge.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
Tuff Gong Recording Studio
Jamaica is about music and beaches and feeling the rhythm, and what better way to learn about Jamaica than a visit to a local recording studio and record shop. The Tuff Gong Studio is the biggest and arguably the best studio in Jamaica. Artists such as Ziggy and Damian Marley have recorded there as well as Roberta Flack. Visitors can organize tours of the studio or visit the record shop attached for a look at the great selection music on sale.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Marcus Garvey Drive, Kingston
- Phone Number
- +876 923 93804
- Website
- www.tuffgong.com
Devon House
Devon House in Kingston is a prime example of Jamaican Georgian architecture. Visitors to Jamaica should definitely visit this national monument and landmark. The house was built by Jamaica's first black millionaire, George Stiebel, at the end of the 19th century. The house is furnished with a number of antiques and evokes the feel of a 'Jamaican Great House' from the period between 1860 and 1870. There are also a number of shopping and dining areas in the house.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Corner of Trafalgar Rd and Hope Rd
- Phone Number
- +876 929 6602
- Website
- www.devonhousejamaica.com
- Admission
- J$300, (adults), J$100 (children under 12); including guided tour
Milk River Spa
The Milk River Spa and hotel, about 30 miles (48km) southeast of Mandeville, is operated by Jamaicas Ministry of Tourism. Analysis of the mineral waters that flow from the nearby hills apparently show that they are richer than the waters of any of the leading European spas, and are reputed to cure numerous ailments like rheumatism, gout, neuralgia and liver disorders. There are two springs, baths and a public mineral water swimming pool open at weekends. The hotel is built against a limestone cliff above the baths. The mineral springs were discovered during the 18th century by an escaped slave.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
- Phone Number
- 902 6902
- Email Address
- milkriverhotel@yahoo.com
- Hours
- The baths are open 24 hours a day for hotel guests and between 7am and 9pm for day visitors
Blue Lagoon
Made famous by 14-year old Brooke Shields in the film 'Blue Lagoon', the sheltered cove is one of the most scenic spots in Jamaica and Port Antonio's most celebrated attraction. It is fed by underground mineral springs, and is believed by many to be bottomless, although it is estimated to be about 185 feet (56m) deep. Surrounded by steep, green hillsides, the Blue Lagoon is a wonderful place to swim if one chooses to ignore the tales of sea monsters deep below the surface that are circulated by locals.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
- Phone Number
- 993 7791
Reach Falls
Reach Falls, on the Driver's River, is a strong contender for the 'most beautiful place in Jamaica', and are the island's loveliest natural waterfalls. A series of cascades tumble into pool after pool of clear, green water and the main falls thunder into a pool deep enough to dive into.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
- Address
- Two miles (3km) from Manchioneal town center
- Website
- www.reachfalls.com/
- Admission
- US$10
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande has been used since 1911 as a means of transporting goods by bamboo rafts, particularly by banana farmers in the Rio Grande Valley who floated bunches of bananas on rafts to the end of the river at St Margaret's Bay. Today bamboo rafting trips are a major tourist attraction, offering an experience that showcases the natural beauty that the Portland area has to offer. Trips last between two and three hours, and the 30-foot (9m) rafts can carry two passengers and are steered by skilled raftsmen who also act as guides. Rafts can be boarded at Berrydale or Grant's Level and end at the mouth of the Rio Grande at St Margaret's Bay.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
Beaches
Port Antonio has some of Jamaica's most beautiful beaches, from free public beaches to managed beaches with facilities and charging an entrance fee. San San Beach is a private strip of sand that has warm and shallow waters, and some offshore reefs that are ideal for snorkeling. In winter the waves make this a perfect spot to windsurf. One of the region's prettiest beaches is Frenchman's Cove with its clear waters and white sand. During the 1960s a luxurious hotel resort, visited by the likes of Prince Philip and Elizabeth Taylor, occupied the headland, but has since closed down and fallen to ruin. The secluded cove at Boston Bay is perhaps more famous for its jerk stands than its public beach, with food stalls lining the road that serve jerk in all its forms. The waves, however, have raised its status as one of the best beaches in Jamaica for windsurfing.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
- Admission
- Some beaches charge admission fees
James Bond Beach
Fans of 007 will not want to miss a visit to James Bond Beach where the 1962 film Dr. Nolaunched the career of the legendary Sean Connery when he took on the role of secret agent James Bond. The pristine stretch of sugary white sand surrounded by lush mountains and lapping crystalline waters is located just 20 minutes from Ochos Rios and is a great place to escape the crowds. Those looking for a bit of excitement should catch a waverunner tour which takes 007 fans past the famous Golden Eye villa, where Ian Fleming wrote the James Bond novels, and head over to the nearby Moonraker Jamaican Bar & Grill for a bite to eat, while the more placid vacationers can relax and enjoy the sun and clear waters.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Oracabessa
Bob Marley Mausoleum
A visit to Jamaica is not complete without a pilgrimage to the birthplace, and final resting place, of the island's most famous citizen. In the small village of Nine Mile, 90 minutes from Ocho Rios in Jamaica is Bob Marley's home and burial place. Visitors to the mausoleum are also taken on a tour of his two-room house containing memorabilia and keepsakes. There is a small gift shop and coffee shop adjacent to the house.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Nine Mile
Mystic Mountain Amusement Park
Visitors to Jamaica should definitely visit the popular Mystic Mountain Amusement Park. Excursions to Mystic Mountain include a number of different adventures. Visitors can zip-line through the treetops or take the Sky Explorer chairlift for spectacular views of the surrounding mountain right down to the beautiful beaches of the island. For a bobsled ride with a difference Bobsled Jamaica offers visitors a plunge through the rainforests with wonderful twists and turns. The park offers a great variety of things to do and visitors to Jamaica should definitely put aside a day for this fun-filled attraction.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Website
- www.rainforestadventure.com/welcome_mystic_mountain_ocho_rios_bobsled_jamaica
- Admission
- $42 (Sky Explorer), $62 (Bobsled), $104 (Zip Line), $125 (Tranopy Tour includes all of the others)
Black River
Jamaica's Black River on the South Coast is a relaxing excursion from the beach activities that can become monotonous on an island getaway. Tourists can visit the river and take a boat tour up the river to explore the wetlands and Mangrove swamps along its banks. The river is home to a number of bird and wildlife species including the endangered American Crocodile.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
YS Falls
Trips to YS Falls are usually included in organized Black River tours. The YS Falls in Jamaica are on a privately owned farm. The waterfall is beautiful with the water flowing over seven tiers to create a spectacular cascading waterfall surrounded by jungle and meadow scenery. Visitors to the falls can also go on a relaxing 20-minute tube ride down the river. Or for the more adventurous, there is a thrilling handheld zip-line that visitors can use to propel themselves over the pools before letting go and landing in one of the deep pools at the base of the waterfall.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
- Phone Number
- +876 997 6360
- Website
- www.ysfalls.com
- Hours
- 9.30am to 3.30pm (closed Mondays and Public Holidays)
- Admission
- US$15 (Adults), US$7.50 (children); Tubing US$6; Zip-line: US$42 (adults), US$20 (children).
Bob Marley Museum
Jamaica's world famous son, singer-songwriter Bob Marley, was responsible for making reggae music a global phenomenon. The popular Rastafarian became a cult figure even before his death caused by cancer in 1981 when he was 36 years old. The museum devoted to his memory is the most-visited sight in Kingston. The simple clapboard house was where Marley lived and recorded his music until he died, and is now packed with Marley memorabilia. There are also screenings of a movie about the singer's life.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- 56 Hope Road
- Phone Number
- 927 9152
- Website
- www.bobmarley-foundation.com/museum.html
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 4pm (tours run every hour)
- Admission
- US$20 (foreign adults), US$10 (foreign children 4-12); local residents pay reduced prices in local currency
National Gallery
Jamaica's important art collection is often overlooked by tourists, but is well worth visiting. The gallery displays the works of Jamaica's talented artists, particularly that of Edna Manley, 19th century sculptor and wife of a former prime minister of Jamaica. Manley's acclaimed Ghetto Motherstands in the main lobby of the national gallery, along with a bronze statue by Christopher Gonzalez of reggae singer Bob Marley. Other highlights of the collection are the religious works of Mallica Reynolds, who has been hailed by art critics as a modern genius.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Roy West Building, Kingston Mall, 12 Ocean Boulevard
- Phone Number
- 922 1561
- Website
- nationalgalleryofjamaica.wordpress.com/
- Hours
- Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 4.30pm, Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm. Guided tours are available
- Admission
- J$250 (adults), concessions available
Hope Botanical Gardens
This 20-hectare (50-acre) oasis of beauty in the middle of downtown Kingston features pleasant paths that meander past manicured lawns and tranquil gardens, including a cactus garden, orchid house, a forest garden and an ornamental pond. The gardens are situated next to the campus of the University of the West Indies, and also contain a small zoo and interesting aviary.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Old Hope Road
- Phone Number
- 927 1257
- Hours
- Gardens: daily 8.30am to 6.30pm. Zoo daily 10am to 5pm
- Admission
- Gardens: free. Zoo: J$20 (adults), J$10 (children 4-12)
Spanish Town
The neighborhood known as Spanish Town is on the western outskirts of Kingston and was capital of the island under Spanish rule between 1662 and 1872. Today the architecture is an interesting mix of Spanish and British Georgian, and there are some historic attractions to explore. St James Cathedral is the oldest Anglican church outside England, having been built in 1523. The Jamaican People's Museum of Crafts and Technology showcases some vintage farm implements, musical instruments and pottery, and the Town Square is overlooked by the Old King's House, former residence of Jamaica's British governors that once hosted Admiral Lord Nelson and Captain Bligh of HMS Bounty infamy. Spanish Town also has a very busy, colorful local market in the Town Square.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
Port Royal
Port Royal was once a 17th century haven for a variety of hedonistic pirates and malcontents dedicated to looting Spanish vessels throughout the Caribbean. One morning in 1692, however, an earthquake and tidal wave destroyed most of the town along with a couple of thousand residents. Today the former haunt of notorious pirates like Henry Morgan, Blackbeard and Calico Jack is just a fishing village, sited at the tip of a narrow peninsula stretching across the entrance to Kingston's harbor. The village can be reached by ferry from West Beach Dock, Kingston, in about 20 minutes. Plans are underway at the site to transform the village into a living history museum. Relics of the town's wicked past can be seen at the Museum of Historical Archaeology, the Maritime Museum and Giddy House (a building that tilts at an angle). Fort Charles is the last remaining of six forts originally built to protect the port.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
Blue Mountains
Towering across eastern Jamaica the 28 mile (45km) long mountain range is constantly shrouded in a mist that gives the mountains their bluish color. The John Crow National Park at the base of the mountains was established to preserve the diverse range of species that call the Blue Mountains home. Among them are more than 800 endemic plant species, 200 bird species and 500 flowering plant varieties as well as the world's second largest butterfly. The mountains are also home to the Jamaica Bamboo, which only flowers every 33 years. The lowest slopes of the mountain are taken up by coffee plantations, as well as patches of vegetable beds and spice cultivation. The coffee is grown on the slopes is world-renowned and visitors can organize tours of some of the larger coffee estates. Visitors to the Blue Mountains can climb the highest peak by way of the Peak Trail, which starts at Abbey Green. Most hikers spend a night in one of the cabins on the mountain and local advice or guides are highly recommended. Bicycle tours of the Blue Mountains can also be arranged through local tour companies. Taking a bicycle tour is an ideal way to explore the foothills of the mountain range.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Admission
- 200 Jamaican Dollars (park entrance fee)
Jablum Coffee Company
At the Blue Mountain hamlet of Mavis Bank on the trail to Blue Mountain Peak is the Jablum Coffee Company. The 100-year-old company is famous for its Blue Mountain coffee, and visitors can tour the working factory to watch the production process along with sampling the brew.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Mavis Bank
- Phone Number
- 977 8015
- Hours
- Monday to Friday 9am to 11am, and 1pm to 3pm
- Admission
- US$8 for tour (by appointment)
Doctor's Cave Beach
The story of Montego Bay's most famous beach began in 1906 when a group of doctors decided to found a bathing club on a beach property donated for the purpose by Dr Alexander James McCatty. Access to the small beach at the time was through a cave - hence the name Doctor's Cave. The cave was destroyed in 1932 in a fierce hurricane, but the bathing club has lived on and the beach has become legendary. The water, fed by mineral springs, is always crystal clear and has a temperature ranging between 78°F and 84°F (22°C and 28°C). Sir Herbert Barker, well-known British osteopath, claimed back in the 1920s that the waters of the beach have curative powers, which made the bathing spot even more alluring for foreign visitors. Today access to the beach, which is located in the middle of Montego Bay's 'Hip Strip', Gloucester Avenue, is controlled through a smart entrance way and a complex of changing rooms, showers, gift shops, and the 'Groovy Grouper' Beach bar.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Phone Number
- 952 2566
- Website
- www.doctorscavebathingclub.com
- Hours
- Open daily
- Admission
- J$350
Rose Hall
The Rose Hall Great House is one of Jamaica's most popular tourist attractions, particularly because of the Gothic horror legend surrounding the monstrous reign of the last mistress to live in the house. Stunningly beautiful Annie Palmer, known latterly as the 'White Witch of Rose Hall', was murdered in 1831, but not before she had rid herself of three husbands allegedly using voodoo magic. Annie herself was killed during a slave uprising on the estate, brought about by her battle with a slave girl for the love of the estate supervisor. The house, originally built in 1780, was abandoned after her death, but has now been restored. A gift shop and pub are in operation in the dungeon where the white witch is said to have imprisoned and tortured slave victims.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Address
- Rose Hall Highway
- Phone Number
- 953 2323
- Hours
- Guided tours run throughout the day, between 9am and 5.15pm daily
- Admission
- US$15 (adults), US$10 (children under 12)
Montego Bay Marine Park
The Montego Bay Marine Park is a large area of sea and shore located adjacent to the city of Montego Bay, proclaimed to protect some of Jamaica's best coral reefs and marine resources. The park is open to all, but has been divided into zones where different activities (for example various watersports and fishing) are allowed or restricted, to conserve the resources. The park's resource center is to be found at Pier One Marina on the waterfront in downtown Montego Bay, and provides information about park use and tours, as well as ecological presentations and use of a comprehensive reference library. Private operators also run undersea submersible tours of the reefs.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Address
- Marine Park Resource Center and Headquarters, Pier One, Howard Cooke Blvd
- Phone Number
- 952 5619
- Email Address
- contact@mbmp.org
- Website
- www.mbmp.org
- Admission
- Free
Bob Marley Experience
Although Jamaica's legendary reggae superstar, Bob Marley, lived in Kingston, his fame could not be ignored in Montego Bay. Devotees of the singer can satisfy their curiosity by visiting the Bob Marley Experience, a theater and memorabilia store complex at the Half Moon Shopping Village in MoBay. Every hour on the hour, between 9am and 6pm daily, a free screening of a special documentary on Marley's life and music takes place in the 68-seat wide screen theater.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Address
- Half Moon Shopping Center
- Phone Number
- 953 3946
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 6pm
- Admission
- Free
Falmouth
The rather derelict Georgian port town of Falmouth is about 23 miles (37km) east of Montego Bay and makes for an interesting walking tour. Center of the town is Water Square, which features the Albert George Shopping and Historical Center, a market full of little craft stalls that dates from 1895. Also of interest is the former residence of John Tharp, notorious slave owner, and the town house of rich plantation owner Edward Barrett. St Peter's Anglican Church, dating from 1795, and the William Knibb Memorial Church (a chapel built in memory of Jamaica's enthusiastic Baptist abolitionist) are also worth a look. Also in the area of Falmouth are a crocodile farm and the Greenwood Great House, once owned by the family of well-known poet, Elizabeth Barret Browning.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Website
- www.falmouthjamaica.org
Croydon in the Mountains
Jamaica's national hero, Samuel Sharpe, the slave who led the bloody 'Christmas Rebellion' of 1831 and helped to expedite the emancipation on Jamaica, was born on this still working plantation in the interior, 24 miles (39km) from Montego Bay. Three hour long guided tours of the Croydon coffee and pineapple plantation, run from Montego Bay, have become a must-see for every visitor to the island. Tours give visitors some interesting insights into coffee and pineapple production, as well as the chance to savour some of Jamaica's exotic fruits.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Phone Number
- 979 8267
- Website
- www.croydonplantation.com
- Hours
- Tour days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10.30am to 3pm
Dunn's River Falls
Just about two miles (3km) west from the center of Ocho Rios is the popular beach and waterfall attraction of Dunn's River. The waterfall cascades down 600ft (183m) forming cool pools among slippery rocks, and a favorite tourist pursuit is to climb to the top of the falls with a guide, enjoying being splashed by cold, clear mountain water en route. There is a restaurant on the beach below.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Phone Number
- 974 2857
- Email Address
- dunnsriver@udcja.com
- Website
- www.dunnsriverfallsja.com
- Hours
- Guided climbs daily between 8.30am and 4pm
- Admission
- US$15 (adults) and US$12 (children 2-11 years)
Dolphin Cove
Alongside the Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios is Dolphin Cove, where visitors can swim with a family of Bottle Nose dolphins. The natural cove is surrounded by four acres of lush tropical rain forest. The cove is also home to other marine species such as rays, eels and sharks as well as tropical birds, like the macaw. There is a gift shop selling souvenirs.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Phone Number
- 974 5335 (information), 9795 2272 (reservations)
- Email Address
- info@dolphincovejamaica.com
- Website
- www.dolphincovejamaica.com
- Hours
- Daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Dolphin programs daily at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm
- Admission
- US$45 (adults), children under 6 are free. Touch Encounter Program: US$67, Encounter Swim Program: US$129, Swim With Program: US$195
Green Grotto Caves
Jamaica's most prominent natural attraction are the caves on the island's north coast, between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, just a few kilometers from Discovery Bay and Runaway Bay. The huge labyrinthine limestone cave found here is 5,003 feet (1,525m) long and characterized by stalactites, stalagmites, overhead ceiling pockets, numerous chambers, light holes, and in its depths a subterranean lake. The caves have played an important role in Jamaican history, from when the Arawak Indians used them for shelter. They have been used as a hideout for Spaniards during the British take-over, a haven for runaway slaves, and even as a den for smugglers running arms to Cuba.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Runaway Bay
- Phone Number
- 973 2841
- Email Address
- greengrottocaves@udcja.com
- Website
- www.greengrottocavesja.com
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 4pm
- Admission
- Non-residents: US$20 (adults) and US$10 (children 4-12 years); 45-minute guided tour, hard hat rental and complimentary drink included
Firefly
The cottage on the cliff above Port Maria, 20 miles (32km) east of Ocho Rios, Firefly was the vacation retreat of famed British playwright and composer, Sir Noel Coward. The house is now a national monument and has been preserved as Coward left it, complete with two grand pianos on which he composed some famous tunes. Coward is buried in the garden under a simple marble gravestone.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Port Maria
- Phone Number
- (876) 974-5830
- Hours
- Mondays to Thursdays, and Saturdays 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- US$10
Bob Marley Mausoleum
Reggae music fans from the world over make the pilgrimage to the famed singer/songwriter's grave site at the village of Nine Mile, about 40 miles (65km) south of Ocho Rios. Marley lived in the Nine Mile hamlet between the age of six and 13. The two-room shack in which he lived is open to view, filled with memorabilia, and alongside it is the mausoleum in which Marley and his half-brother are buried. The site also has a vegetarian restaurant and small shop. Reggae concerts are held at Nine Mile each year on 6 February, Marley's birthday.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Nine Mile
- Phone Number
- 305 665 5379
- Website
- www.bobmarleymovement.com/ninemile
- Hours
- The Bob Marley Center is open daily 9am to 5pm. Tours are 45 minutes to an hour
- Admission
- Tour from Ochos Rios: US$65
Columbus Park Museum
At Discovery Bay this varied and fascinating open-air museum has a vast collection of exhibits to explore. Visitors can stroll around under Pimento trees among artifacts like a tally, used to count bananas on the plantations; a water wheel; a canoe made from a solid piece of wood and a host of other weird and wonderful things.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Discovery Bay
- Phone Number
- 973 2135
- Hours
- 8am to 4pm daily
- Admission
- Free
Seven Mile Beach
The reason for Negril's recent boom as a tourist destination is centered on this seven-mile stretch of beautiful shoreline around Bloody Bay (so-called because of the fierce battle here between Columbus and the Arawak Amerindians) dotted with palm trees and carpeted with pristine white sand. Development has been restricted to palm-tree height, and despite the proliferation of guesthouses and hotels along the strip the natural beauty of the beach has not been compromised. It is now a beach renowned for showing off the world's smallest bikinis; in fact clothing is optional and generally the option is little or nothing! Expect to be hounded by hundreds of vendors, offering everything from hair braiding to illegal 'ganja' (marijuana).
- Region/City Name
- Negril
Negril Lighthouse
The lighthouse on West End Road, built in 1894, is open to visitors every day. The climb to the top (100ft/30m) is arduous, up steep iron steps, but worth it for the breathtaking views of the coast afforded at the summit.
- Region/City Name
- Negril
- Address
- West End Road
- Hours
- Daily 9am to sunset (times can vary and it is worth checking up before visiting)
- Admission
- Free
Rhodes Hall Plantation
Visitors who tire of the beach can head for the countryside to a small estate, Rhodes Hall Plantation, a short distance east of Negril. Here guided horseback excursions give a glimpse of the magic and mystery of the Jamaican countryside, and you don't have to be an experienced rider to participate. Guides give some basic horsemanship tips and then take tourists off through the foothills, pointing out botanical wonders and regaling riders with stories and legends about local landmarks. The tours include riding through forests of banana and coconut palms and along a beach to Crocodile River (which really has crocodiles in residence). The riding tours last from half an hour to two hours, and are inclusive in the round-trip transportation from any hotel in the Negril area.
- Region/City Name
- Negril
- Phone Number
- 957 6334, 957 6883
- Email Address
- rhodes@cwjamaica.com
- Website
- www.jamplified.com/riding
Mayfield Falls
The 22 mini-cascades and numerous swimming holes that make up the Mayfield Falls site in the low-lying Dolphin Head Mountains make a memorable day trip from Negril. The falls are reached through an intriguing maze of country roads, and are difficult to find independently, so an organized tour is advised. Tours offer guided walks through bamboo-shaded cool water holes and splashing falls. It is essential to wear a swimsuit and to bring mosquito repellent. Some parts of the walk through the area involve natural whirlpools; in others blasts of water hit you from the rocks. There is an underwater cave to swim through, smooth rockslide areas and mini cliffs to dive from. This natural water park is edged and overhung with bamboo, flowers, vines, trees and shrubbery. Jamaican dishes are available at the eatery at the entry point.
- Region/City Name
- Negril
- Phone Number
- 610 8612
- Email Address
- info@mayfieldfalls.com
- Website
- www.mayfieldfalls.com
Appleton Rum Estate
Nestling in the sugar cane fields of St Elizabeth parish, the Appleton Rum Estate near the village of Magotty offers the chance to find out all there is to know about the production of rum. There is a small museum with equipment and artifacts from the days gone by, and a resident donkey to demonstrate how sugar cane used to be crushed by turning the teeth of a mill. The estate's vast acreage is still planted with sugar cane, and visitors are shown how it is harvested, crushed, fermented, distilled and aged in handmade oak barrels. Then blending is explained, before the bottling is demonstrated and thirsty tourists can end off their visit at the tavern to sample the estate's rums and liqueurs. Tours include a complimentary bottle of rum.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
- Phone Number
- 963 9215
- Website
- www.appletonrumtour.com
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm
- Admission
- US$12
Black River Town
This town in St Elizabeth parish still displays relics of the days when it was one of the most influential in Jamaica, being a major producer of black textile dye before the days of synthetic dyes. Still to be seen along the waterfront are some old wooden buildings with colonnaded verandas and gingerbread trim, and the Invercauld Hotel, built in 1889, gives a hint of what the great houses of the town in its heyday were like. Today tourists stop off here mainly to take a boat safari on the Black River itself, which at 44 miles (71km) is Jamaica's longest river. Peat moss at the river bottom makes the crystal clear water appear black. The 90-minute boat tours take in the 125-square-mile (324 sq km) area of wetland known as the Great Morass, which is home to crocodiles and diverse birdlife. There are five tours a day leaving from the dock beside the Black River bridge.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
Tuff Gong Recording Studio
Jamaica is about music and beaches and feeling the rhythm, and what better way to learn about Jamaica than a visit to a local recording studio and record shop. The Tuff Gong Studio is the biggest and arguably the best studio in Jamaica. Artists such as Ziggy and Damian Marley have recorded there as well as Roberta Flack. Visitors can organize tours of the studio or visit the record shop attached for a look at the great selection music on sale.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Marcus Garvey Drive, Kingston
- Phone Number
- +876 923 93804
- Website
- www.tuffgong.com
Devon House
Devon House in Kingston is a prime example of Jamaican Georgian architecture. Visitors to Jamaica should definitely visit this national monument and landmark. The house was built by Jamaica's first black millionaire, George Stiebel, at the end of the 19th century. The house is furnished with a number of antiques and evokes the feel of a 'Jamaican Great House' from the period between 1860 and 1870. There are also a number of shopping and dining areas in the house.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Corner of Trafalgar Rd and Hope Rd
- Phone Number
- +876 929 6602
- Website
- www.devonhousejamaica.com
- Admission
- J$300, (adults), J$100 (children under 12); including guided tour
Milk River Spa
The Milk River Spa and hotel, about 30 miles (48km) southeast of Mandeville, is operated by Jamaicas Ministry of Tourism. Analysis of the mineral waters that flow from the nearby hills apparently show that they are richer than the waters of any of the leading European spas, and are reputed to cure numerous ailments like rheumatism, gout, neuralgia and liver disorders. There are two springs, baths and a public mineral water swimming pool open at weekends. The hotel is built against a limestone cliff above the baths. The mineral springs were discovered during the 18th century by an escaped slave.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
- Phone Number
- 902 6902
- Email Address
- milkriverhotel@yahoo.com
- Hours
- The baths are open 24 hours a day for hotel guests and between 7am and 9pm for day visitors
Blue Lagoon
Made famous by 14-year old Brooke Shields in the film 'Blue Lagoon', the sheltered cove is one of the most scenic spots in Jamaica and Port Antonio's most celebrated attraction. It is fed by underground mineral springs, and is believed by many to be bottomless, although it is estimated to be about 185 feet (56m) deep. Surrounded by steep, green hillsides, the Blue Lagoon is a wonderful place to swim if one chooses to ignore the tales of sea monsters deep below the surface that are circulated by locals.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
- Phone Number
- 993 7791
Reach Falls
Reach Falls, on the Driver's River, is a strong contender for the 'most beautiful place in Jamaica', and are the island's loveliest natural waterfalls. A series of cascades tumble into pool after pool of clear, green water and the main falls thunder into a pool deep enough to dive into.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
- Address
- Two miles (3km) from Manchioneal town center
- Website
- www.reachfalls.com/
- Admission
- US$10
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande has been used since 1911 as a means of transporting goods by bamboo rafts, particularly by banana farmers in the Rio Grande Valley who floated bunches of bananas on rafts to the end of the river at St Margaret's Bay. Today bamboo rafting trips are a major tourist attraction, offering an experience that showcases the natural beauty that the Portland area has to offer. Trips last between two and three hours, and the 30-foot (9m) rafts can carry two passengers and are steered by skilled raftsmen who also act as guides. Rafts can be boarded at Berrydale or Grant's Level and end at the mouth of the Rio Grande at St Margaret's Bay.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
Beaches
Port Antonio has some of Jamaica's most beautiful beaches, from free public beaches to managed beaches with facilities and charging an entrance fee. San San Beach is a private strip of sand that has warm and shallow waters, and some offshore reefs that are ideal for snorkeling. In winter the waves make this a perfect spot to windsurf. One of the region's prettiest beaches is Frenchman's Cove with its clear waters and white sand. During the 1960s a luxurious hotel resort, visited by the likes of Prince Philip and Elizabeth Taylor, occupied the headland, but has since closed down and fallen to ruin. The secluded cove at Boston Bay is perhaps more famous for its jerk stands than its public beach, with food stalls lining the road that serve jerk in all its forms. The waves, however, have raised its status as one of the best beaches in Jamaica for windsurfing.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
- Admission
- Some beaches charge admission fees
James Bond Beach
Fans of 007 will not want to miss a visit to James Bond Beach where the 1962 film Dr. Nolaunched the career of the legendary Sean Connery when he took on the role of secret agent James Bond. The pristine stretch of sugary white sand surrounded by lush mountains and lapping crystalline waters is located just 20 minutes from Ochos Rios and is a great place to escape the crowds. Those looking for a bit of excitement should catch a waverunner tour which takes 007 fans past the famous Golden Eye villa, where Ian Fleming wrote the James Bond novels, and head over to the nearby Moonraker Jamaican Bar & Grill for a bite to eat, while the more placid vacationers can relax and enjoy the sun and clear waters.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Oracabessa
Bob Marley Mausoleum
A visit to Jamaica is not complete without a pilgrimage to the birthplace, and final resting place, of the island's most famous citizen. In the small village of Nine Mile, 90 minutes from Ocho Rios in Jamaica is Bob Marley's home and burial place. Visitors to the mausoleum are also taken on a tour of his two-room house containing memorabilia and keepsakes. There is a small gift shop and coffee shop adjacent to the house.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Nine Mile
Mystic Mountain Amusement Park
Visitors to Jamaica should definitely visit the popular Mystic Mountain Amusement Park. Excursions to Mystic Mountain include a number of different adventures. Visitors can zip-line through the treetops or take the Sky Explorer chairlift for spectacular views of the surrounding mountain right down to the beautiful beaches of the island. For a bobsled ride with a difference Bobsled Jamaica offers visitors a plunge through the rainforests with wonderful twists and turns. The park offers a great variety of things to do and visitors to Jamaica should definitely put aside a day for this fun-filled attraction.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Website
- www.rainforestadventure.com/welcome_mystic_mountain_ocho_rios_bobsled_jamaica
- Admission
- $42 (Sky Explorer), $62 (Bobsled), $104 (Zip Line), $125 (Tranopy Tour includes all of the others)
Black River
Jamaica's Black River on the South Coast is a relaxing excursion from the beach activities that can become monotonous on an island getaway. Tourists can visit the river and take a boat tour up the river to explore the wetlands and Mangrove swamps along its banks. The river is home to a number of bird and wildlife species including the endangered American Crocodile.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
YS Falls
Trips to YS Falls are usually included in organized Black River tours. The YS Falls in Jamaica are on a privately owned farm. The waterfall is beautiful with the water flowing over seven tiers to create a spectacular cascading waterfall surrounded by jungle and meadow scenery. Visitors to the falls can also go on a relaxing 20-minute tube ride down the river. Or for the more adventurous, there is a thrilling handheld zip-line that visitors can use to propel themselves over the pools before letting go and landing in one of the deep pools at the base of the waterfall.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
- Phone Number
- +876 997 6360
- Website
- www.ysfalls.com
- Hours
- 9.30am to 3.30pm (closed Mondays and Public Holidays)
- Admission
- US$15 (Adults), US$7.50 (children); Tubing US$6; Zip-line: US$42 (adults), US$20 (children).
Bob Marley Museum
Jamaica's world famous son, singer-songwriter Bob Marley, was responsible for making reggae music a global phenomenon. The popular Rastafarian became a cult figure even before his death caused by cancer in 1981 when he was 36 years old. The museum devoted to his memory is the most-visited sight in Kingston. The simple clapboard house was where Marley lived and recorded his music until he died, and is now packed with Marley memorabilia. There are also screenings of a movie about the singer's life.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- 56 Hope Road
- Phone Number
- 927 9152
- Website
- www.bobmarley-foundation.com/museum.html
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 4pm (tours run every hour)
- Admission
- US$20 (foreign adults), US$10 (foreign children 4-12); local residents pay reduced prices in local currency
National Gallery
Jamaica's important art collection is often overlooked by tourists, but is well worth visiting. The gallery displays the works of Jamaica's talented artists, particularly that of Edna Manley, 19th century sculptor and wife of a former prime minister of Jamaica. Manley's acclaimed Ghetto Motherstands in the main lobby of the national gallery, along with a bronze statue by Christopher Gonzalez of reggae singer Bob Marley. Other highlights of the collection are the religious works of Mallica Reynolds, who has been hailed by art critics as a modern genius.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Roy West Building, Kingston Mall, 12 Ocean Boulevard
- Phone Number
- 922 1561
- Website
- nationalgalleryofjamaica.wordpress.com/
- Hours
- Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 4.30pm, Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm. Guided tours are available
- Admission
- J$250 (adults), concessions available
Hope Botanical Gardens
This 20-hectare (50-acre) oasis of beauty in the middle of downtown Kingston features pleasant paths that meander past manicured lawns and tranquil gardens, including a cactus garden, orchid house, a forest garden and an ornamental pond. The gardens are situated next to the campus of the University of the West Indies, and also contain a small zoo and interesting aviary.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Old Hope Road
- Phone Number
- 927 1257
- Hours
- Gardens: daily 8.30am to 6.30pm. Zoo daily 10am to 5pm
- Admission
- Gardens: free. Zoo: J$20 (adults), J$10 (children 4-12)
Spanish Town
The neighborhood known as Spanish Town is on the western outskirts of Kingston and was capital of the island under Spanish rule between 1662 and 1872. Today the architecture is an interesting mix of Spanish and British Georgian, and there are some historic attractions to explore. St James Cathedral is the oldest Anglican church outside England, having been built in 1523. The Jamaican People's Museum of Crafts and Technology showcases some vintage farm implements, musical instruments and pottery, and the Town Square is overlooked by the Old King's House, former residence of Jamaica's British governors that once hosted Admiral Lord Nelson and Captain Bligh of HMS Bounty infamy. Spanish Town also has a very busy, colorful local market in the Town Square.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
Port Royal
Port Royal was once a 17th century haven for a variety of hedonistic pirates and malcontents dedicated to looting Spanish vessels throughout the Caribbean. One morning in 1692, however, an earthquake and tidal wave destroyed most of the town along with a couple of thousand residents. Today the former haunt of notorious pirates like Henry Morgan, Blackbeard and Calico Jack is just a fishing village, sited at the tip of a narrow peninsula stretching across the entrance to Kingston's harbor. The village can be reached by ferry from West Beach Dock, Kingston, in about 20 minutes. Plans are underway at the site to transform the village into a living history museum. Relics of the town's wicked past can be seen at the Museum of Historical Archaeology, the Maritime Museum and Giddy House (a building that tilts at an angle). Fort Charles is the last remaining of six forts originally built to protect the port.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
Blue Mountains
Towering across eastern Jamaica the 28 mile (45km) long mountain range is constantly shrouded in a mist that gives the mountains their bluish color. The John Crow National Park at the base of the mountains was established to preserve the diverse range of species that call the Blue Mountains home. Among them are more than 800 endemic plant species, 200 bird species and 500 flowering plant varieties as well as the world's second largest butterfly. The mountains are also home to the Jamaica Bamboo, which only flowers every 33 years. The lowest slopes of the mountain are taken up by coffee plantations, as well as patches of vegetable beds and spice cultivation. The coffee is grown on the slopes is world-renowned and visitors can organize tours of some of the larger coffee estates. Visitors to the Blue Mountains can climb the highest peak by way of the Peak Trail, which starts at Abbey Green. Most hikers spend a night in one of the cabins on the mountain and local advice or guides are highly recommended. Bicycle tours of the Blue Mountains can also be arranged through local tour companies. Taking a bicycle tour is an ideal way to explore the foothills of the mountain range.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Admission
- 200 Jamaican Dollars (park entrance fee)
Jablum Coffee Company
At the Blue Mountain hamlet of Mavis Bank on the trail to Blue Mountain Peak is the Jablum Coffee Company. The 100-year-old company is famous for its Blue Mountain coffee, and visitors can tour the working factory to watch the production process along with sampling the brew.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Mavis Bank
- Phone Number
- 977 8015
- Hours
- Monday to Friday 9am to 11am, and 1pm to 3pm
- Admission
- US$8 for tour (by appointment)
Doctor's Cave Beach
The story of Montego Bay's most famous beach began in 1906 when a group of doctors decided to found a bathing club on a beach property donated for the purpose by Dr Alexander James McCatty. Access to the small beach at the time was through a cave - hence the name Doctor's Cave. The cave was destroyed in 1932 in a fierce hurricane, but the bathing club has lived on and the beach has become legendary. The water, fed by mineral springs, is always crystal clear and has a temperature ranging between 78°F and 84°F (22°C and 28°C). Sir Herbert Barker, well-known British osteopath, claimed back in the 1920s that the waters of the beach have curative powers, which made the bathing spot even more alluring for foreign visitors. Today access to the beach, which is located in the middle of Montego Bay's 'Hip Strip', Gloucester Avenue, is controlled through a smart entrance way and a complex of changing rooms, showers, gift shops, and the 'Groovy Grouper' Beach bar.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Phone Number
- 952 2566
- Website
- www.doctorscavebathingclub.com
- Hours
- Open daily
- Admission
- J$350
Rose Hall
The Rose Hall Great House is one of Jamaica's most popular tourist attractions, particularly because of the Gothic horror legend surrounding the monstrous reign of the last mistress to live in the house. Stunningly beautiful Annie Palmer, known latterly as the 'White Witch of Rose Hall', was murdered in 1831, but not before she had rid herself of three husbands allegedly using voodoo magic. Annie herself was killed during a slave uprising on the estate, brought about by her battle with a slave girl for the love of the estate supervisor. The house, originally built in 1780, was abandoned after her death, but has now been restored. A gift shop and pub are in operation in the dungeon where the white witch is said to have imprisoned and tortured slave victims.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Address
- Rose Hall Highway
- Phone Number
- 953 2323
- Hours
- Guided tours run throughout the day, between 9am and 5.15pm daily
- Admission
- US$15 (adults), US$10 (children under 12)
Montego Bay Marine Park
The Montego Bay Marine Park is a large area of sea and shore located adjacent to the city of Montego Bay, proclaimed to protect some of Jamaica's best coral reefs and marine resources. The park is open to all, but has been divided into zones where different activities (for example various watersports and fishing) are allowed or restricted, to conserve the resources. The park's resource center is to be found at Pier One Marina on the waterfront in downtown Montego Bay, and provides information about park use and tours, as well as ecological presentations and use of a comprehensive reference library. Private operators also run undersea submersible tours of the reefs.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Address
- Marine Park Resource Center and Headquarters, Pier One, Howard Cooke Blvd
- Phone Number
- 952 5619
- Email Address
- contact@mbmp.org
- Website
- www.mbmp.org
- Admission
- Free
Bob Marley Experience
Although Jamaica's legendary reggae superstar, Bob Marley, lived in Kingston, his fame could not be ignored in Montego Bay. Devotees of the singer can satisfy their curiosity by visiting the Bob Marley Experience, a theater and memorabilia store complex at the Half Moon Shopping Village in MoBay. Every hour on the hour, between 9am and 6pm daily, a free screening of a special documentary on Marley's life and music takes place in the 68-seat wide screen theater.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Address
- Half Moon Shopping Center
- Phone Number
- 953 3946
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 6pm
- Admission
- Free
Falmouth
The rather derelict Georgian port town of Falmouth is about 23 miles (37km) east of Montego Bay and makes for an interesting walking tour. Center of the town is Water Square, which features the Albert George Shopping and Historical Center, a market full of little craft stalls that dates from 1895. Also of interest is the former residence of John Tharp, notorious slave owner, and the town house of rich plantation owner Edward Barrett. St Peter's Anglican Church, dating from 1795, and the William Knibb Memorial Church (a chapel built in memory of Jamaica's enthusiastic Baptist abolitionist) are also worth a look. Also in the area of Falmouth are a crocodile farm and the Greenwood Great House, once owned by the family of well-known poet, Elizabeth Barret Browning.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Website
- www.falmouthjamaica.org
Croydon in the Mountains
Jamaica's national hero, Samuel Sharpe, the slave who led the bloody 'Christmas Rebellion' of 1831 and helped to expedite the emancipation on Jamaica, was born on this still working plantation in the interior, 24 miles (39km) from Montego Bay. Three hour long guided tours of the Croydon coffee and pineapple plantation, run from Montego Bay, have become a must-see for every visitor to the island. Tours give visitors some interesting insights into coffee and pineapple production, as well as the chance to savour some of Jamaica's exotic fruits.
- Region/City Name
- Montego Bay
- Phone Number
- 979 8267
- Website
- www.croydonplantation.com
- Hours
- Tour days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10.30am to 3pm
Dunn's River Falls
Just about two miles (3km) west from the center of Ocho Rios is the popular beach and waterfall attraction of Dunn's River. The waterfall cascades down 600ft (183m) forming cool pools among slippery rocks, and a favorite tourist pursuit is to climb to the top of the falls with a guide, enjoying being splashed by cold, clear mountain water en route. There is a restaurant on the beach below.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Phone Number
- 974 2857
- Email Address
- dunnsriver@udcja.com
- Website
- www.dunnsriverfallsja.com
- Hours
- Guided climbs daily between 8.30am and 4pm
- Admission
- US$15 (adults) and US$12 (children 2-11 years)
Dolphin Cove
Alongside the Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios is Dolphin Cove, where visitors can swim with a family of Bottle Nose dolphins. The natural cove is surrounded by four acres of lush tropical rain forest. The cove is also home to other marine species such as rays, eels and sharks as well as tropical birds, like the macaw. There is a gift shop selling souvenirs.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Phone Number
- 974 5335 (information), 9795 2272 (reservations)
- Email Address
- info@dolphincovejamaica.com
- Website
- www.dolphincovejamaica.com
- Hours
- Daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Dolphin programs daily at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm
- Admission
- US$45 (adults), children under 6 are free. Touch Encounter Program: US$67, Encounter Swim Program: US$129, Swim With Program: US$195
Green Grotto Caves
Jamaica's most prominent natural attraction are the caves on the island's north coast, between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, just a few kilometers from Discovery Bay and Runaway Bay. The huge labyrinthine limestone cave found here is 5,003 feet (1,525m) long and characterized by stalactites, stalagmites, overhead ceiling pockets, numerous chambers, light holes, and in its depths a subterranean lake. The caves have played an important role in Jamaican history, from when the Arawak Indians used them for shelter. They have been used as a hideout for Spaniards during the British take-over, a haven for runaway slaves, and even as a den for smugglers running arms to Cuba.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Runaway Bay
- Phone Number
- 973 2841
- Email Address
- greengrottocaves@udcja.com
- Website
- www.greengrottocavesja.com
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 4pm
- Admission
- Non-residents: US$20 (adults) and US$10 (children 4-12 years); 45-minute guided tour, hard hat rental and complimentary drink included
Firefly
The cottage on the cliff above Port Maria, 20 miles (32km) east of Ocho Rios, Firefly was the vacation retreat of famed British playwright and composer, Sir Noel Coward. The house is now a national monument and has been preserved as Coward left it, complete with two grand pianos on which he composed some famous tunes. Coward is buried in the garden under a simple marble gravestone.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Port Maria
- Phone Number
- (876) 974-5830
- Hours
- Mondays to Thursdays, and Saturdays 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- US$10
Bob Marley Mausoleum
Reggae music fans from the world over make the pilgrimage to the famed singer/songwriter's grave site at the village of Nine Mile, about 40 miles (65km) south of Ocho Rios. Marley lived in the Nine Mile hamlet between the age of six and 13. The two-room shack in which he lived is open to view, filled with memorabilia, and alongside it is the mausoleum in which Marley and his half-brother are buried. The site also has a vegetarian restaurant and small shop. Reggae concerts are held at Nine Mile each year on 6 February, Marley's birthday.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Nine Mile
- Phone Number
- 305 665 5379
- Website
- www.bobmarleymovement.com/ninemile
- Hours
- The Bob Marley Center is open daily 9am to 5pm. Tours are 45 minutes to an hour
- Admission
- Tour from Ochos Rios: US$65
Columbus Park Museum
At Discovery Bay this varied and fascinating open-air museum has a vast collection of exhibits to explore. Visitors can stroll around under Pimento trees among artifacts like a tally, used to count bananas on the plantations; a water wheel; a canoe made from a solid piece of wood and a host of other weird and wonderful things.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Discovery Bay
- Phone Number
- 973 2135
- Hours
- 8am to 4pm daily
- Admission
- Free
Seven Mile Beach
The reason for Negril's recent boom as a tourist destination is centered on this seven-mile stretch of beautiful shoreline around Bloody Bay (so-called because of the fierce battle here between Columbus and the Arawak Amerindians) dotted with palm trees and carpeted with pristine white sand. Development has been restricted to palm-tree height, and despite the proliferation of guesthouses and hotels along the strip the natural beauty of the beach has not been compromised. It is now a beach renowned for showing off the world's smallest bikinis; in fact clothing is optional and generally the option is little or nothing! Expect to be hounded by hundreds of vendors, offering everything from hair braiding to illegal 'ganja' (marijuana).
- Region/City Name
- Negril
Negril Lighthouse
The lighthouse on West End Road, built in 1894, is open to visitors every day. The climb to the top (100ft/30m) is arduous, up steep iron steps, but worth it for the breathtaking views of the coast afforded at the summit.
- Region/City Name
- Negril
- Address
- West End Road
- Hours
- Daily 9am to sunset (times can vary and it is worth checking up before visiting)
- Admission
- Free
Rhodes Hall Plantation
Visitors who tire of the beach can head for the countryside to a small estate, Rhodes Hall Plantation, a short distance east of Negril. Here guided horseback excursions give a glimpse of the magic and mystery of the Jamaican countryside, and you don't have to be an experienced rider to participate. Guides give some basic horsemanship tips and then take tourists off through the foothills, pointing out botanical wonders and regaling riders with stories and legends about local landmarks. The tours include riding through forests of banana and coconut palms and along a beach to Crocodile River (which really has crocodiles in residence). The riding tours last from half an hour to two hours, and are inclusive in the round-trip transportation from any hotel in the Negril area.
- Region/City Name
- Negril
- Phone Number
- 957 6334, 957 6883
- Email Address
- rhodes@cwjamaica.com
- Website
- www.jamplified.com/riding
Mayfield Falls
The 22 mini-cascades and numerous swimming holes that make up the Mayfield Falls site in the low-lying Dolphin Head Mountains make a memorable day trip from Negril. The falls are reached through an intriguing maze of country roads, and are difficult to find independently, so an organized tour is advised. Tours offer guided walks through bamboo-shaded cool water holes and splashing falls. It is essential to wear a swimsuit and to bring mosquito repellent. Some parts of the walk through the area involve natural whirlpools; in others blasts of water hit you from the rocks. There is an underwater cave to swim through, smooth rockslide areas and mini cliffs to dive from. This natural water park is edged and overhung with bamboo, flowers, vines, trees and shrubbery. Jamaican dishes are available at the eatery at the entry point.
- Region/City Name
- Negril
- Phone Number
- 610 8612
- Email Address
- info@mayfieldfalls.com
- Website
- www.mayfieldfalls.com
Appleton Rum Estate
Nestling in the sugar cane fields of St Elizabeth parish, the Appleton Rum Estate near the village of Magotty offers the chance to find out all there is to know about the production of rum. There is a small museum with equipment and artifacts from the days gone by, and a resident donkey to demonstrate how sugar cane used to be crushed by turning the teeth of a mill. The estate's vast acreage is still planted with sugar cane, and visitors are shown how it is harvested, crushed, fermented, distilled and aged in handmade oak barrels. Then blending is explained, before the bottling is demonstrated and thirsty tourists can end off their visit at the tavern to sample the estate's rums and liqueurs. Tours include a complimentary bottle of rum.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
- Phone Number
- 963 9215
- Website
- www.appletonrumtour.com
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm
- Admission
- US$12
Black River Town
This town in St Elizabeth parish still displays relics of the days when it was one of the most influential in Jamaica, being a major producer of black textile dye before the days of synthetic dyes. Still to be seen along the waterfront are some old wooden buildings with colonnaded verandas and gingerbread trim, and the Invercauld Hotel, built in 1889, gives a hint of what the great houses of the town in its heyday were like. Today tourists stop off here mainly to take a boat safari on the Black River itself, which at 44 miles (71km) is Jamaica's longest river. Peat moss at the river bottom makes the crystal clear water appear black. The 90-minute boat tours take in the 125-square-mile (324 sq km) area of wetland known as the Great Morass, which is home to crocodiles and diverse birdlife. There are five tours a day leaving from the dock beside the Black River bridge.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
Tuff Gong Recording Studio
Jamaica is about music and beaches and feeling the rhythm, and what better way to learn about Jamaica than a visit to a local recording studio and record shop. The Tuff Gong Studio is the biggest and arguably the best studio in Jamaica. Artists such as Ziggy and Damian Marley have recorded there as well as Roberta Flack. Visitors can organize tours of the studio or visit the record shop attached for a look at the great selection music on sale.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Marcus Garvey Drive, Kingston
- Phone Number
- +876 923 93804
- Website
- www.tuffgong.com
Devon House
Devon House in Kingston is a prime example of Jamaican Georgian architecture. Visitors to Jamaica should definitely visit this national monument and landmark. The house was built by Jamaica's first black millionaire, George Stiebel, at the end of the 19th century. The house is furnished with a number of antiques and evokes the feel of a 'Jamaican Great House' from the period between 1860 and 1870. There are also a number of shopping and dining areas in the house.
- Region/City Name
- Kingston
- Address
- Corner of Trafalgar Rd and Hope Rd
- Phone Number
- +876 929 6602
- Website
- www.devonhousejamaica.com
- Admission
- J$300, (adults), J$100 (children under 12); including guided tour
Milk River Spa
The Milk River Spa and hotel, about 30 miles (48km) southeast of Mandeville, is operated by Jamaicas Ministry of Tourism. Analysis of the mineral waters that flow from the nearby hills apparently show that they are richer than the waters of any of the leading European spas, and are reputed to cure numerous ailments like rheumatism, gout, neuralgia and liver disorders. There are two springs, baths and a public mineral water swimming pool open at weekends. The hotel is built against a limestone cliff above the baths. The mineral springs were discovered during the 18th century by an escaped slave.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
- Phone Number
- 902 6902
- Email Address
- milkriverhotel@yahoo.com
- Hours
- The baths are open 24 hours a day for hotel guests and between 7am and 9pm for day visitors
Blue Lagoon
Made famous by 14-year old Brooke Shields in the film 'Blue Lagoon', the sheltered cove is one of the most scenic spots in Jamaica and Port Antonio's most celebrated attraction. It is fed by underground mineral springs, and is believed by many to be bottomless, although it is estimated to be about 185 feet (56m) deep. Surrounded by steep, green hillsides, the Blue Lagoon is a wonderful place to swim if one chooses to ignore the tales of sea monsters deep below the surface that are circulated by locals.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
- Phone Number
- 993 7791
Reach Falls
Reach Falls, on the Driver's River, is a strong contender for the 'most beautiful place in Jamaica', and are the island's loveliest natural waterfalls. A series of cascades tumble into pool after pool of clear, green water and the main falls thunder into a pool deep enough to dive into.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
- Address
- Two miles (3km) from Manchioneal town center
- Website
- www.reachfalls.com/
- Admission
- US$10
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande has been used since 1911 as a means of transporting goods by bamboo rafts, particularly by banana farmers in the Rio Grande Valley who floated bunches of bananas on rafts to the end of the river at St Margaret's Bay. Today bamboo rafting trips are a major tourist attraction, offering an experience that showcases the natural beauty that the Portland area has to offer. Trips last between two and three hours, and the 30-foot (9m) rafts can carry two passengers and are steered by skilled raftsmen who also act as guides. Rafts can be boarded at Berrydale or Grant's Level and end at the mouth of the Rio Grande at St Margaret's Bay.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
Beaches
Port Antonio has some of Jamaica's most beautiful beaches, from free public beaches to managed beaches with facilities and charging an entrance fee. San San Beach is a private strip of sand that has warm and shallow waters, and some offshore reefs that are ideal for snorkeling. In winter the waves make this a perfect spot to windsurf. One of the region's prettiest beaches is Frenchman's Cove with its clear waters and white sand. During the 1960s a luxurious hotel resort, visited by the likes of Prince Philip and Elizabeth Taylor, occupied the headland, but has since closed down and fallen to ruin. The secluded cove at Boston Bay is perhaps more famous for its jerk stands than its public beach, with food stalls lining the road that serve jerk in all its forms. The waves, however, have raised its status as one of the best beaches in Jamaica for windsurfing.
- Region/City Name
- Port Antonio
- Admission
- Some beaches charge admission fees
James Bond Beach
Fans of 007 will not want to miss a visit to James Bond Beach where the 1962 film Dr. Nolaunched the career of the legendary Sean Connery when he took on the role of secret agent James Bond. The pristine stretch of sugary white sand surrounded by lush mountains and lapping crystalline waters is located just 20 minutes from Ochos Rios and is a great place to escape the crowds. Those looking for a bit of excitement should catch a waverunner tour which takes 007 fans past the famous Golden Eye villa, where Ian Fleming wrote the James Bond novels, and head over to the nearby Moonraker Jamaican Bar & Grill for a bite to eat, while the more placid vacationers can relax and enjoy the sun and clear waters.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Oracabessa
Bob Marley Mausoleum
A visit to Jamaica is not complete without a pilgrimage to the birthplace, and final resting place, of the island's most famous citizen. In the small village of Nine Mile, 90 minutes from Ocho Rios in Jamaica is Bob Marley's home and burial place. Visitors to the mausoleum are also taken on a tour of his two-room house containing memorabilia and keepsakes. There is a small gift shop and coffee shop adjacent to the house.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Address
- Nine Mile
Mystic Mountain Amusement Park
Visitors to Jamaica should definitely visit the popular Mystic Mountain Amusement Park. Excursions to Mystic Mountain include a number of different adventures. Visitors can zip-line through the treetops or take the Sky Explorer chairlift for spectacular views of the surrounding mountain right down to the beautiful beaches of the island. For a bobsled ride with a difference Bobsled Jamaica offers visitors a plunge through the rainforests with wonderful twists and turns. The park offers a great variety of things to do and visitors to Jamaica should definitely put aside a day for this fun-filled attraction.
- Region/City Name
- Ocho Rios
- Website
- www.rainforestadventure.com/welcome_mystic_mountain_ocho_rios_bobsled_jamaica
- Admission
- $42 (Sky Explorer), $62 (Bobsled), $104 (Zip Line), $125 (Tranopy Tour includes all of the others)
Black River
Jamaica's Black River on the South Coast is a relaxing excursion from the beach activities that can become monotonous on an island getaway. Tourists can visit the river and take a boat tour up the river to explore the wetlands and Mangrove swamps along its banks. The river is home to a number of bird and wildlife species including the endangered American Crocodile.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
YS Falls
Trips to YS Falls are usually included in organized Black River tours. The YS Falls in Jamaica are on a privately owned farm. The waterfall is beautiful with the water flowing over seven tiers to create a spectacular cascading waterfall surrounded by jungle and meadow scenery. Visitors to the falls can also go on a relaxing 20-minute tube ride down the river. Or for the more adventurous, there is a thrilling handheld zip-line that visitors can use to propel themselves over the pools before letting go and landing in one of the deep pools at the base of the waterfall.
- Region/City Name
- South Coast
- Phone Number
- +876 997 6360
- Website
- www.ysfalls.com
- Hours
- 9.30am to 3.30pm (closed Mondays and Public Holidays)
- Admission
- US$15 (Adults), US$7.50 (children); Tubing US$6; Zip-line: US$42 (adults), US$20 (children).
PlanetWare.com Travel Guides
- Jamaica: Jamaica | Jamaica Hotels | Jamaica Attractions
- Montego Bay: Montego Bay Hotels | Montego Bay Attractions
- Kingston: Kingston | Kingston Hotels | Kingston Attractions
