Discover the top things to do in Jamaica West Indies! From pristine beaches to vibrant culture, immerse yourself in the beauty and excitement of this Caribbean gem. Jamaica, known for its lush landscapes, reggae music, and warm hospitality, offers a plethora of activities for travelers seeking adventure and relaxation.
Best Things to Do in Jamaica
Whether you're drawn to the turquoise waters, the rich history, or the vibrant culture, there's something for everyone on this picturesque island. Here, we've compiled a list of must-do experiences that will make your visit to Jamaica West Indies truly unforgettable.
1. Bamboo Raft on Martha Brae River - Trelawny
Bamboo rafting down the Martha Brae River is a relaxing way to spend 90 minutes enjoying the scenery while learning about the local history and culture of the area. You can stop at the bars for a drink, buy crafts and paintings from local artisans or play on the rope swing as Bob Marley blasts from the riverside bars.
Portland also has the Rio Grande River if you want to book another bamboo rafting trip. Book your Martha Bry rafting experience for just $70/pp with transfer from your hotel. Martha Bay is located between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.
2. Pelican Bar - St. Elizabeth
Visit a spot a mile out in the middle of the Caribbean Sea with local fishermen. This is the place to party, relax in the shallow waters and enjoy a cold beer at sunset. If you're staying on the south coast at Jake's Resort, you'll be 20 minutes away from Pelican Bar! But tours leave from Ocho Rios, Negril and Montego Bay for half-day trips.
3. Catamaran and Snorkel – Negril
Leaving Jamaica's famous Seven Mile Beach in Negril, the catamaran tour is a total blast. These full or half day trips offer a bit of everything. Tours offer sightseeing, trips to Rick's Cafe to see cliff divers, snorkeling, and a chance to play in Margaritaville. Also, being a Caribbean cruise, there must be plenty of rum!
4. Snorkeling
Snorkeling was a part of our catamaran tour, but there are plenty of snorkeling tours in Jamaica that leave from Seven Mile Beach. Jamaica has some interesting marine life to see. We saw trumpet fish, pufferfish and starfish. Also, the water is calm, inviting and warm.
A highlight for me was swimming in the Pirate's Cave, a sea cave where pirates used to hide their buried treasure. Book your Catamaran tour from Ocho Rios with a stop at Dunn's River Falls for only $160/pp
5. Black River Safari
Once endangered in Jamaica, crocodiles are now protected and you can see them on Black River Safaris. This 90-minute boat ride lets you get up close and personal with crocodiles as they laze on the riverbank, swim in the boat or hide in the mangrove trees.
This is a Jamaican trip you won't forget. Book this highly rated trip and combine YS Falls with Black River Safari and Appleton Estate Rum Distillery!
6. Swimming with horses - St. Ann
This is definitely one of the best things to do in Jamaica. It was so much fun. Don't worry, horses love to swim and there's no way to get them into the water if they don't. Tours begin with a half-hour ride to the beach and end with a nice 15-minute dip in the Caribbean Sea. It's a hoot! See our full review here.
7. Bobsledding Mystic Mountain – Ocho Rios
One of the most unique tourist attractions in Jamaica (really all of the Caribbean) is hitting the bobsled tracks at Mystic Mountain near Ocho Rios. A fifteen minute chair ride takes you to the top of the mountain where there is a museum, pool bar, cafe, waterslide and zip line.
The bobsled ride is quick and over before you know it, but it's exciting and you feel like you're rolling through the rainforest. You can spend a full day on a rainforest adventure at Mystic Mountain.
8. Illuminated Lagoon - Falmouth
Illuminated Lagoon is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jamaica because it is so original. There aren't many places in the world where you can see bioluminescence in real life so this is the place to go.
Also, since tourism is down in 2020, I wouldn't be surprised if the bioluminescence water continues to glow in full force. If you haven't experienced it, bioluminescence, where light dances off microorganisms in water, could be the place to do it!
9. Cliff Divers at Rick's Cafe - Negril
Rick’s Café is famous for the cliff divers who put on a nightly show. You can book a tour at the cafe yourself or see it from a sailboat or catamaran tour. Rick's Cafe is famous for its divers, but it's also a popular bar for drinks in Jamaica. Book this highly rated Negril Day Trip and Rick's Cafe Sunset
10. YS Falls Adventure - Treasure Beach
There is nothing more fun than swimming in a pond and jumping into a waterfall from above to escape the hot sun. YS Falls is a seven-tiered waterfall that is beautiful and fun!
Don't forget to hire a guide, helped us get to places independent travelers couldn't, and he set up rope swings for us for a more comfortable and informative tour. Pack a waterproof camera or GoPro and don't forget to bring a towel. This is a good alternative to the less busy Dunn's River Falls. Book your guided tour from YS Falls to Dunn's River Falls in St. Elizabeth or Ocho Rios here
11. Dunn's River Falls Jamaica – Ocho Rios
Dunns River Falls is one of the top attractions in Jamaica famous for its cascading levels It is the largest and most famous waterfall in Jamaica. Make sure to pack water shoes for walking when visiting Dunns River Falls. The bottom of the falls is rocky and slippery and having shoes makes life a lot easier.
Many people combine Dunn's River Falls with a horseback swim or a full-day trip to the Green Grotto Caves. Best of Dunn's River Falls Jamaica Guided Tour from Ocho Rios. You can book your Dunn's River Falls trip in advance with Get Your Guide here. Other alternatives to Dunn's River Falls and YS Falls are Maho Falls and Konoko Falls.
12. Blue Hole - Ocho Rios
Jamaica has a Blue Hole, a beautiful turquoise sinkhole near Ocho Rios. The Blue Hole was once called the Blue Lagoon, so it's easy to confuse the two.
Also, the island has multiple blue holes. However, the Blue Hole near Ocho Rios is a popular swimming hole with a waterfall. (This is another good alternative to Dunn's River Falls) Locals and visitors alike enjoy diving into the natural surroundings of the Blue Hole.
13. Zip Lining - Montpellier
No Caribbean adventure can be complete without a zip line tour. Zip lining in Jamaica has enough speed to make your heart race and the platforms are high enough to make you realize that yes, you are way above the ground. It is very picturesque as it is situated on an old plantation. Make a day of it and combine zip lining with water rafting in tubes.
Book your zipline adventure with transfers here! You can book ziplining tours from Ocho Rios or Montego Bay hotels.
14. Adventures in St. Elizabeth
This trip to St. Elizabeth will take you through the real Jamaica. South Jamaica is a nature lover's dream destination with many outdoor activities. During our cycling trip we stopped to chat with local farmers, cycled through fields and even met local historians to learn about the history of St Elizabeth. Did you know that this region was settled by the Scots?
15. John Crow Mountain National Park
John Crow Mountain National Park is Jamaica's only national park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact, it is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jamaica, so it should not be missed! If you're looking for something truly adventurous in Jamaica, book a camping or hiking trip to reach an altitude of 7,402 feet (2256 meters).
16. Chateaux Gardens – St. Elizabeth
One of the best views of Jamaica is climbing to the top of the Chateaux Gardens. We loved walking through the local villages and farms. People still live traditionally on these mountain sides, moving their cattle and watering their crops.
If you want to go through local villages, it's important to hire a guide to respect the villagers. Other great hikes in Jamaica take you through the John Crow Mountains and the Blue Mountains. For more information, you can email Damien at redswonder@gmail.com for details or book at Jakes Resort.
17. Hike and bike
Looking for something different? We took an informative hike and then an all downhill bike ride to the Caribbean Sea on our hike and bike tour with Braco Stables. After a quick break, you hop on a mountain bike for an easy downhill ride to the beach where fresh coconuts await before a nice dip in the water.
18. River tubing
There's no doubt that river rafting is popular on any vacation and Jamaica has its way of getting on the water. We had a blast tubing at the Montpelier Jungle Outpost with Chukka Tours. It's similar to bamboo rafting, but a little more adventurous.
19. ATV tours
We usually find ATV rides a bit tame, but in Jamaica, it was awesome! Our guides kept a steady even pace which gave us enough thrills to be satisfied with the pace. It was also great to climb the steep hill and have a look around the island.
20. Doctor's Cave Beach
One of the most popular in Jamaica is Doctor's Cave Beach. Located on the hip strip, Doctor's Cave Beach is at the top of Jamaica's popular things to add to the bucket list. The hip strip is also a popular destination for partying in Jamaica. Home to some of Jamaica's hottest clubs, the hip strip is filled with bars including Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.
Planning a trip to Jamaica? Check out our list of the best adults only all inclusive resorts in Jamaica.
21. Dead End Beach
And though it's a great place to meet people, party and have a few drinks on the beach. A short walk from Doctor's Cave Beach is Dead End Beach. A place that is more popular with locals. This is where you can watch planes land as if they were directly overhead.
22. Seven Mile Beach Jamaica
Seven Mile Beach is Jamaica's most popular beach when choosing a vacation. Many of Jamaica's best all-inclusive resorts are located along Seven Mile Beach, giving you walking access to its beautiful white sand beach that stretches for—you guessed it—seven miles.
Rent a paddleboard or book a glass bottom boat to explore the shores of Seven Mile Beach. With plenty of water sports along Seven Mile Beach, the sky's the limit. It has it all. You can spend the day here and many tours depart from Seven Mile Beach.
23. Private boats and beach dinners
The highlight of our trip to Jamaica was when we joined Captain Joseph on his fishing boat for dolphin watching and dining on their private beach. Captain Joseph is an accomplished captain with 25 years of experience. The rugged south coast is beautiful to explore, and then a romantic dinner on a private beach is pure paradise.
24. Dolphin watching
Wild dolphins live in waters associated with other marine life off the coast of Jamaica. You might be lucky enough to see them on a sailing trip, but we had a great view of them on Captain Joseph's boat tour from St. Elizabeth.
If you're going to have a dolphin encounter in Jamaica, the way to do it, don't go to Dolphin Cove. Dolphin Cove traps dolphins and stingrays in a cove that puts a lot of pressure on them as they allow tourists to wade through them and view the delicate marine life. Dolphin Cove is not sustainable tourism and is not recommended.
25. Blue Lagoon - Port Antonio
Located in Port Antonio, the Blue Lagoon is a natural wonder. Most people don't know that parts of the movie of the same name starring Brooke Shields were filmed in Jamaica. Its crystal clear waters change to different shades of blue throughout the day. A boat trip from Port Antonio takes you to Monkey Island and gives you a beautiful view of this legendary lagoon.
26. Jerk Chicken at Scotch's - Ocho Rios and Montego Bay
If you're going to try one dish in Jamaica, make it jerk chicken! Scotchies is a Jamaican institution enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Scotchies is the way they serve jerky around the island. It's family style, wrapped in tin foil and drenched in delicious jerk sauce.
27. The White Witch of Rose Hall
Rose Hall Great House is a former sugarcane plantation. The legend of Rose Hall tells the story of Annie Palmer, the owner of the tree. Known as the White Witch, Annie Palmer ran an 18th-century slave plantation and was pure evil. At the time Rose Hall was the largest garden in Jamaica.
Palmer studied voodoo and witchcraft, and after killing three of her husbands and torturing many slaves, she was eventually killed by a slave spindle. It is said that the ghost of the White Witch still roams the halls of Rose Hall.
Book a haunted night tour or day tour of the Rose Hall Great House, one of Jamaica's most popular attractions. The White Witch is Jamaica's most notorious villain and Rose Hall's stories will make your skin crawl. Johnny Cash wrote a song about the White Witch and even owned an orchard nearby, not far from the Cinnamon Hill Great House Rose Hall.
28. Greenwood Great House - Montego Bay
Another wonderful home to visit is Greenwood Estate. This 18th century estate has now been owned locally by Bob and Ann Betton since 1976. The views of Montego Bay from here are outstanding and it's a fascinating walk through a collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the island of Jamaica.
29. Green Grotto Cave
Green Grotto Caves are easily accessible from Montego Bay or Ocho Rios. These caves have been used as hiding places for runaway slaves to pirates.
The Green Grotto Caves were even a nightclub in the 1980s but are most famous for being the set of Shark Tank in James Bond Live and Let Die starring Roger Moore.
Many people combine it with other Jamaican attractions into a day trip, but if you can hire your own driver or taxi, it's only $20 per person for a fascinating tour lasting about an hour.
30. Tour Appleton Estate
Appleton Estate has been making rum for 265 years and is a fun trip to add to a Jamaica trip as it is far from the main tourist areas. I'm not sure why I always feel the need to go on a brewery or distillery tour when I travel, but it's always fun to check out the local spirits. Combine a trip with YS Falls and Black River Safari.
Things to Do in Jamaica West Indies: FAQ's
Is Jamaica Safe for Tourists?
Jamaica is generally safe for tourists, but it's essential to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings, especially in urban areas and tourist hotspots. Stay in well-traveled areas, avoid walking alone at night, and secure your belongings to prevent theft.
What is the Best Time to Visit Jamaica?
The best time to visit Jamaica is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. During this time, the weather is warm and sunny, with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities and beach vacations.
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Jamaica?
Citizens of the United States, Canada, and many European countries do not require a visa to visit Jamaica for short stays (typically up to 90 days). However, travelers should check the specific visa requirements based on their nationality before planning their trip.
What Currency is Used in Jamaica?
The official currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican dollar (JMD). While US dollars are widely accepted at tourist establishments, it's advisable to carry some local currency for transactions at smaller shops and markets.
What Should I Pack for My Trip to Jamaica?
When packing for Jamaica, be sure to include lightweight clothing, swimsuits, sunscreen, insect repellent, and comfortable walking shoes. Additionally, don't forget essentials such as travel adapters, medications, and travel insurance.
Are There Any Cultural Etiquette Tips I Should Know?
Respect for Jamaican culture and customs is essential. Visitors should greet locals with a friendly "good morning" or "good afternoon" and avoid discussing sensitive topics such as politics or religion. Additionally, dress modestly when visiting religious sites or local communities.
Conclusion:
From exploring natural wonders to immersing yourself in vibrant culture, Jamaica West Indies offers a diverse array of experiences for travelers seeking adventure and relaxation. Whether you're climbing waterfalls, sampling local cuisine, or sailing the Caribbean Sea, you're sure to create unforgettable memories on this enchanting island.
Explore Top Tourist Attractions of Popular Destinations
Rome30 Best Things to Do in Jamaica West Indies 2024
Discover the top things to do in Jamaica West Indies! From pristine beaches to vibrant culture, immerse yourself in the beauty and excitement of this Caribbean gem. Jamaica, known for its lush land...
Read more
Rome30 Best Things to Do in Barcelona Tourist Attraction 2024
Explore the vibrant city with our guide on Things to Do in Barcelona. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, discover Barcelona's charm. Plan your perfect itinerary now! Barcelona, a city that seaml...
Read more
Rome30 Best Places to Travel to in Europe Tourist Attractions
Discover the best places to travel to in Europe and start your journey today! From historic landmarks to breathtaking landscapes, Europe offers an array of destinations waiting to be explored. Euro...
Read more
