Visiting Jamaica: what are the best things to do on this beautiful Caribbean island?
Located in the heart of the Caribbean, Jamaica is undoubtedly one of the region’s most beautiful islands. A former English colony, it boasts fabulous scenery, perfect white-sand beaches and lively towns. Highly mountainous, Jamaica offers a wide range of activities for travellers. Whether you’re a lover of wilderness and intense trekking, or you’ve come for idleness and heavenly beaches, visiting Jamaica will fill you with happiness!
So if you’re wondering what to do in Jamaica during your stay, here’s the answer with these 9 must-see things to experience or visit in Jamaica :
1. Discover the island’s magnificent waterfalls
Photo credit: Flickr – Ricardo’s Photography
Thanks to its mountainous terrain, Jamaica is home to many magnificent waterfalls. It’s impossible to visit Jamaica without discovering some of the most beautiful. The Dunn Falls are the most popular. They are located close to the Caribbean Sea, just a few minutes from the town of Ocho Rios, and can be discovered on a guided tour lasting around 3 hours. You can also discover the Mayfield waterfalls and their 21 small cascades, the Reach waterfalls to the east of the Blue Mountains or dive into the blue lagoon of the famous Blue Hole.
If you’re an adventurer at heart, perhaps you’ll enjoy the unforgettable experience of a zip-line ride over the rainforest? If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, you’ll enjoy the unique experience of swimming with dolphins.
2. Experience local life and gastronomy
Photo credit: Flickr – Terence Chang
Jamaica is also known for its gastronomy, as well as its vibrant local life. Nothing beats a visit to the capital, Kingston, or to Mandeville, a small town nestled inland. On a guided tour of the city, or simply wandering around, you can experience Jamaican-style evenings and discover famous little restaurants. If you like spices, you’ll be delighted! Don’t hesitate to try Jamaica’s most popular dish: jerk chicken, marinated chicken with spices and chilli!
For an immersive experience, opt for a Food Tour at the Prospect Plantation estate. On the program, you’ll discover Jamaican culinary culture through tastings and, above all, cooking workshops in which you’ll learn all the secrets of the best local recipes.
3. Visit the Bob Marley Museum
Photo credit: Flickr – Stéphane DAMOUR
During your visit to Kingston, you absolutely must visit the Bob Marley Museum, a must-see in Jamaica! It’s located at 56 Hope Road in Kingston. This is where the famous singer lived, and where he survived an assassination attempt in 1976.
4. Dive the island’s most beautiful spots
Photo credit: Pixabay – 12019
What to do in Jamaica? Diving, of course! The island has many well-preserved areas where you can observe magnificent, colorful fish. The best-known and most popular are in Montego Bay, Negril, Port Royal, Runaway Bay and Ocho Rios. You’ll discover magnificent corals, relics of the colonial era, barracudas, sea urchins and other amazing fish!
5. Water sports
Photo credit: Flickr – Barney Bishop
You can also take advantage of your stay to try your hand at marine sports! Sailing, for example, is a great way to discover the island in a different way. But you can also try your hand at paddleboarding and even rafting on a bamboo raft! For the less sporty, you can also visit Jamaica from a new angle with a short catamaran cruise around the island’s most beautiful bays.
6. A boat trip
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Lucky-photographer
If you’re not a catamaran fan, you can always opt for another Jamaican must: a boat trip! In fact, if you choose to rent a boat in Jamaica, you’ll be able to enjoy all kinds of watercraft, whether you’ve got a license or not!
If you don’t have a boating license, you can hire the services of a skipper who will take you to some of Jamaica’s prettiest spots. He’ll also tell you about some of the legends that surround these lands, and reveal places where you’ll be the only ones allowed to swim… Tempting, isn’t it?
Find a boat to rent in Jamaica
7. Climb to the top of the Blue Mountains
Photo credit: Flickr – nigel burgher
Blue Mountain National Park lies to the east of the island, between Kingston and Port Antonio. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015, it boasts marvellous flora and fauna, which you can observe on a hike to the top of the Blue Mountains. Up there, you’ll have a magnificent view of the island of Jamaica, the Caribbean Sea and the surrounding rainforests!
8. Tour Jamaica’s most beautiful beaches
Photo credit: Flickr – Peter
It’s impossible not to enjoy Jamaica’s idleness and beautiful beaches. If you’re wondering what to do in Jamaica, don’t hesitate to take a tour of the most beautiful beaches in this little paradise. In Negril, for example, you can relax and swim at the famous Seven Mile Beach, lined with numerous Jamaican bars and restaurants – a great opportunity to get to know the locals and enjoy the local cuisine! Treasure Bay Beach is also well worth a visit. Located away from the hustle and bustle of the island, it’s calm incarnate – a great beach to visit in Jamaica for complete relaxation. Dolphin Cove Nature Park, meanwhile, is much appreciated for the beauty of its lagoon, which is home to dolphins:entrance to the park allows you to enjoy the beauty of the landscape while enjoying a moment with the mammals.
9. Visit the Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden
Photo credit: Facebook – Ahhh RAS NATANGO Garden and Gallery
For a taste of Jamaican art and culture, there’s nothing better than a visit to the Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden. This space promotes ecotourism and encourages local artists. You can stroll through a beautiful garden, then walk through a local art gallery. If you’re interested in culture and tired of the beach, we recommend a visit to this charming spot in Jamaica!
10. Other things to see and do in Jamaica
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Don Ramey Logan
If you’re still wondering what to do in Jamaica, here are more attractions to visit and activities to enjoy on this beautiful island:
– Visit Rose Hall, a Georgian mansion in Montego Bay, famous for its legend of the White Witch.
– Explore the Green Grotto caves, a natural wonder in Jamaica.
– Set off on an exceptional trek in Cockpit Country, a geological curiosity in central Jamaica that served as the backdrop to one of the few victorious slave revolts! Although not easily accessible, it is home to a fabulous array of exceptional flora and fauna. A must-see in Jamaica!
– Rafting on the Rio Grande, a river in the center of the island.
– Discover Fort Charles, in Port Royal, which dates back to 1660.
– Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kingston.
– Party in Kingston with the locals: there’s no better place to have fun and meet Jamaicans than in Jamaica’s capital!
– Attend a mass in a Jamaican church, to discover the fervor and beautiful local atmosphere.
How to get to Jamaica
The best way to visit Jamaica is by plane. There are several flights from France to Kingston or Montego Bay, for example, but none of them are direct: you’ll need to count on one or more stopovers, depending on the airline you choose (usually in the USA). To find cheap flights, please consult the website of our partner Ulysse.
Where to stay in Jamaica?
If you want to visit Jamaica, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation! We’ve listed them in an article on the subject. For example, you can stay in the capital Kingston, or in Port Antonio, an authentic and charming town, or in Montego Bay, more popular but close to the Maritime Park – a magnificent diving and snorkeling spot. Whatever your choice, you’ll find a cheap hotel on this hotel comparator.
Whether you love the beach and idleness, culture and gastronomy or sports and nature, Jamaica has it all. And now you know what to do in Jamaica during your stay in the Caribbean!
Map of hotels and accommodations – Jamaica