Jamaica attractions

Floating along the White River in an inflatable tube or kayak is one of the most relaxing adventures you can share with friends and family in Jamaica. Close to Ocho Rios, the tranquil and warm waters of this secluded river flow slowly enough for all ages to soak up the beautiful tropical atmosphere.

Reportedly the place where Christopher Columbus first set foot on Jamaican soil, Rio Bueno is a small village east of Montego Bay. People come to the area to take part in water sports on the river.

Set in the lush rain forest outside Ocho Rios, Mystic Mountain is a nature theme park featuring thrill rides, gardens, and pools. Adrenaline junkies can zip through the jungle on ziplines and bobsleds, while more laid-back visitors can enjoy panoramic views on a chairlift canopy ride.

For many visitors cruising to Jamaica, Historic Falmouth Cruise Port—once one of Jamaica's busiest trade ports—is their first introduction to the island famous for its laid-back vibe. The port is situated right in Falmouth town, on the northern coast of Jamaica, and within one of the best-preserved colonial historic districts in the Caribbean.

Located in one of the Caribbean’s most photogenic natural harbors, Columbus Park at Discovery Bay is said to be the place where Christopher Columbus first landed in Jamaica in 1494. Now a lovely open-air museum, the park commemorates the island’s history with well-preserved artifacts and a killer view of the island’s north coast.

Named after the abolitionist hero who encouraged a nonviolent end to slavery, Sam Sharpe Square in downtown Montego Bay now serves as a point of interest to learn about Jamaica’s rich history, or simply to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere and some people-watching.

The Club Kingston Airport Lounge at Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport gives passengers access to numerous lounge facilities on arrival and departure. This uniquely Jamaican first-class lounge experience allows you to escape the stress of security lines and busy gates to a place where you can relax or work undisturbed.You can book a Club Kingston Lounge and concierge service as an arrival or departure service—or both. Upon arrival, you can take advantage of fast-track access through security, customs and immigration, and enjoy the convenience of being greeted by a Club Kingston representative holding a personalized sign.If you’ve got time to kill before departing Kingston, the lounge gives you access to unlimited fresh fruit, bar snacks and drinks, plus complimentary WiFi, use of Samsung Galaxy tablets, shower facilities and duty-free shopping, all while immersed in typical Jamaican hospitality.

Located in Westmoreland parish, Mayfield Falls is a series of 21 mostly small cascades and natural pools along the Mayfield River. Surrounded by lush jungle, the falls are an ideal outdoor water playground and include underwater caves, natural jacuzzis, and two waterfalls large enough for visitors to go behind.

High above the sun-drenched beaches and bustling fray of Ocho Rios, the lush Konoko Falls and Park are filled with innumerable species of tropical flora and birds, and streams that tumble into gentle waterfalls. The excellent on-site museum traces the history and culture of Jamaica’s original inhabitants, the Tainos and Arawaks.

Go deep into the wild nature of Jamaica with a drive through tropical Fern Gully. A towering tunnel of ferns and tropical overgrowth, this dense rain forest—full of spectacular falls, gorges, and plant life—is one of the most noteworthy attractions on the island.

The Green Grotto Caves are a labyrinth of limestone caves located in Falmouth, between the resort towns of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Once used as shelter by the native Arawak Indians, the caves have since been employed as a hiding place for smugglers and runaway enslaved people, before serving as the site of a nightclub. Now, they're a Jamaican attraction you can tour in the company of a local guide.

The Black River is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica, flowing west for 33 miles (53 kilometers) until emptying into the Caribbean Sea near Negril. Travelers explore the river and its energetic YS Falls on inflatable tubes, canoes, or kayaks surrounded by lush green jungle and mangroves.

Emancipation Park is a 7-acre swath of green space in the New Kingston area of the Jamaican capital. It’s a popular spot for picnicking and has a jogging path around the perimeter, fountains, and gardens featuring a mix of native and imported plants, as well as several particularly worthwhile public art installations.

In the eastern part of Jamaica, the Rio Grande is one of the largest rivers on the island, and winds through the lush interior rainforest. Used to transport goods by locals, it’s the birthplace of bamboo river rafting on the island, which remains one of the most popular activities in the Portland area.

Home to thousands of native and migrant birds, the family-owned Rocklands Bird Sanctuary in the hills of Montego Bay is a haven for feathered friends and a memorable way to spend a few hours. Set within a garden paradise, the sanctuary is a peaceful setting where a spectacular array of birds allow visitors to feed them by hand.

Also known as Ocho Rios Bay Beach, busy bayside Turtle Beach is just off Main Street, and is the main beach of Ocho Rios. Despite its proximity to the cruise ship port, the crescent-shaped sandy stretch is clean, and the crowd is mostly locals with a smattering of travelers who come for a release from the ship to kayak and jet-ski.

Montego Bay Cruise Port is the gateway to the capital of Saint James Parish and the second-largest city in Jamaica. From this Caribbean city, visitors can enjoy an array of water activities, as well as duty-free shopping and plenty of shore excursions bound for other parts of the island.

The Trench Town neighborhood of Kingston—and, more specifically, the Trench Town Culture Yard—is most famous as the home of reggae legend Bob Marley, who spent much of his youth living and creating music here. The neighborhood is also considered the birthplace of reggae itself, with many other artists originating here, too.

Rising above the turquoise Caribbean Sea just outside Negril, these gorgeous craggy cliffs define the beauty of Jamaica’s western coast. Away from the large resorts in the north, the cliffs are a base for snorkeling and partying at bars as well as the spot’s most famous activity—diving 40 feet (12 meters) into the deep, clear water below.

Kingston’s largest green space, National Heroes Park is a 50-acre (20-hectare) former horse track that now houses the tombs of numerous important figures from Jamaican history and a war memorial to Jamaicans who died in World War I. The park was also the venue for Bob Marley's famous 1976 Smile Jamaica concert.

The National Gallery of Jamaica is the largest and oldest public art museum in the British Caribbean. Opened in 1974, it features an impressive collection of Jamaican art, with a large permanent collection as well as temporary exhibits that showcase contemporary artists.

The highest peak, the longest range, the best coffee—Jamaica’s Blue Mountains rightfully claim a handful of superlatives. The mountain range spans 28 miles (45 kilometers) across the rugged eastern portion of Jamaica and offers views of the island’s north and south coasts, and on a clear day, even all the way across the Caribbean Sea to Cuba.

A popular stop for visitors, Montego Bay's craft market stretches for several blocks along Harbour Street and lets shoppers interact with the local artisans who run the narrow network of stalls. Come to pick up handmade Jamaican crafts, including custom woodworking, colorful paintings, and beads.

Imagine enjoying a tasting of some of the world’s most expensive coffee, while strolling through the lush, Jamaican highlands just 45 minutes from Kingston. That’s the scene at the Craighton Estate, where you’ll tour an exquisite, Georgian style home that was constructed in 1805, and hear how this coffee is sold in Japan for hundreds of dollars per bag. The coffee that’s grown in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains is arguably the best in the world, and a guided tour of the Craighton Estate allows you to not only sample some of the smooth Arabica taste, but also learn how coffee was originally planted up on these slopes.The rich taste of the coffee aside, the Craighton Estate also provides sweeping views of the valleys leading towards Kingston, as well as the magical, mist-shrouded mountains that stoically rise above town.

Falmouth’s Luminous Lagoon is one of only a handful of places in the world where the phenomenon of bioluminescence occurs. For a magical experience for all ages, take a nighttime swim to see the brilliant phosphorescent blue lights shimmer when the slightest movement stirs the water.

Venture onto the back roads of Montego Bay to reach this one-of-a-kind hillside gallery and garden 2,000 feet (610 meters) above sea level. Surrounding an eco-conscious mini-museum run by local artist and art collector Ras Natango is a garden filled with tropical plants and birds, and it offers views of the Jamaican countryside.

Just outside Montego Bay, Rastafari Indigenous Village is a peaceful working community offering visitors an opportunity to connect with local Rastafarians. Through warm interaction and musical performances, learn about their spiritual belief system, traditional skills, organic farming, and the rich cultural heritage they contribute to Jamaica.

With a vast variety of tropical fish and coral thriving within the protected zone, pristine Montego Bay Marine Park is a snorkeling paradise. Water sports are prohibited in this area that stretches west from Tropical Beach to Rum Bottle Bay in Jamaica to protect the park’s coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds.

Located just inland from the more remote southwest coast of Jamaica, the 100-year-old Bubbling Spring Mineral Bath is a perfect destination for travelers seeking intimate, local places off the tourist trail. Even if you don’t have sore muscles to soothe, soaking in these warm healing waters are sure to get you into the proper island rhythm.

As Jamaica’s largest water park, family-friendly Kool Runnings in Negril offers 5 acres (2 hectares) of wet and wild fun for all ages. Separated into two areas, the Water Park features every kind of aquatic activity from multiple waterslides to kayaking, while the Adventure Zone offers go-kart racing, paintball, laser combat, and more.