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Whether it is the first time you are contemplating going to Jamaica, or you are a regular visitor, you can never run out of things to do in Jamaica on vacation. Forget about spending time on the sandy beaches. It is getting pretty outdated, especially when you are at the “birthplace of reggae.” This article has just simplified the work for you so that you can put the countless hours you would spend looking for a destination to better use. Here you will find a list of activities that you can do in a day at different places in Jamaica.
What to do in Ocho Rios in a Day?
For lovers of James Bond films, the name Ocho Rios should be familiar. It is where the first James Bond film was released in 1962. That aside, it is located in Saint Ann’s parish, which is on the Northern Coast of Jamaica.
The small city has a lot to offer including climbing waterfalls, exploring the natural gardens, visiting sandy beaches and many other sites. Reviewing the entire list may be overwhelming. If you are wondering what the best things to do in Ocho Rios on a vacation are, read on.
Swimming at Dolphins Cove
Swimming at Dolphins Cove, Jamaica. Photo by Jennifer Ray / Flickr
Dolphins Cove is a protected water area where you can get the opportunity to swim with dolphins. The experience is usually one of a kind, and if you are not careful, you may end up spending hours in this single location. Additionally, there are shallow water spots where kids can swim. That makes the location ideal for the entire family.
Climbing Waterfalls
The Dunn's River Falls has jewel-blue waters that curve gracefully as it meanders across the City. There, you get to climb a waterfall, using natural rock as stairs. It is usually an exhilarating experience that can make a lazy afternoon worthwhile. Nonetheless, since it is a popular place, you should expect to find several people already waiting. However, that should not deter you from having fun.
Near the top of Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios, Jamaica by Curtis & Renee / Flickr
Explore the Natural Vegetation
At Fern Gully, there are various beautiful ferns and canopies formed by hardwood trees. An intriguing fact is that this vegetation cover is found along a river which varnished during the 1907 earthquake. Need an adventurous and thought-provoking day? Try finding where the river could have disappeared to. The large vegetation formation with various trees makes the area to have a characteristic botanical aroma that you can never get enough.
Enjoy Indigenous Delicacies
While taking a break from all these activities, you can visit Scotchies’s Jerk restaurant. The eatery is known for its affordable meals. Its signature dish is jerk chicken and pork. For an authentic Jamaican experience, you shouldn’t leave the city without trying the Jerk chicken prepared in this spot. It is made with savoury flavours from natural spices which makes it simply delicious.
Lovebirds on honeymoon are also not left behind. At Toscanini Restaurant, there is perfect serenity for those aiming to spend quality time with their loved ones. The owner of the restaurant, Lella, an Italian ensures that all the meals are heavenly with an alluring aroma that you will not forget in the foreseeable future. Also worth mentioning is their winery where you can get to relax with cocktails as you enjoy the picturesque view of the town and hills.
Tour the Blue Hole
The blue hole is located on the slopes of Ocho Rios hills. It is a 15-minute bumpy ride from the city. It is known for having an array of waterfalls and shallow water spots. It is a unique spot considering that it has never been commercialised., therefore you can go without any financial restrictions. Considering that even some natives are unaware of its existence, it is a perfect hideaway location if you want to have a quiet time to reflect about life. The pleasant, soft and gentle acoustic sound produced by the river is usually therapeutic.
If you plan to explore the natural cool springs, making enquiries from reputable tours and travel agencies to get a guide may be in order. They offer valuable information on safe places worth venturing.
What to do in Kingston in a Day?
Visit Bob Marley Museum
Are you a fan of Reggae music? If so this is the place to be. Bob Marley Museum is considered a national treasure. There, you get to learn about Bob Marley and other influential people. Additionally, you will have an opportunity to see Marley’s ancestral home since the Museum is located right in his compound. Apart from that, it is an excellent experience for those who may want to digdeep into the Rastafarian culture. Heads up, it is going to knock off your socks!
Bob Marley Museum.Photo by Stephane DAMOUR / Flickr
Tour Port Royal
Port Royal is the considered home to the Pirates of Caribbean’s. At a point in history, around the 16th century, it was considered one of the most wicked cities in the world. It was famous for its shady dealings as it was the pirate’s shipping capital. There you will get firsthand information on the infamous Captain Morgan, and Blackbeard.
Locals believe that the gods were angered with the city, forcing them to send an earthquake in 1692 to destroy the city. Nonetheless, the architectural remains are still substantial. Apart from that, canons made as early as the 14th century are housed there.
Nightlife
At Kingston, partying never stops. By having a small talk with the locals, you will get to know where all the electrifying parties go down. Usually, each week has its own events that end with patrons dancing to the tune ofdancehall and reggae music. Apart from that, there are many seasonal events between February and April, with the biggest being the one that marks the end of carnival season.
The awesome costumes and the youthful energy is usually a sight to behold. If you feel that you are up to the task and can match the pace of the lively nightlife, then visiting Kingston should prominently feature in your itinerary, even if it is for a few hours.
Trail Hiking In the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains is known for its magnificent sceneries and many fun-filled activities that you can do. It is the perfect place for campers and hikers as well. There are unique flora and fauna species. Additionally, coffee lovers can visit the Blue Mountains Peak Coffee plantations- a home to coffee with remarkable smoothness. The highlight of the visit is usually the chance to taste coffee brewed by skilled bannisters, whose reputation precedes them.
Luis Isidoro Lime Tree Coffee Farm / Flickr
If you are confident of your fitness level, you can decide to take the Adept Hikers Challenge. In the hike, you will go for a 14-mile hike to the summit of the Blue Mountains Ranges. Visitors who are unsure of the best things to do in Kingston on a vacation should go up the mountain and create some memories.
Watch Local Games
The love for sports is well known in Jamaica, be it in Cricket, football or any other track events. Their domineering presence in international games is sufficient evidence of their massive success.
What is striking about these games is the level of enthusiasm of the fans. Once you are on their stadium, the wild cheers can lead you to believe that you are watching an international match, while as a matter of fact, it may just be friendly games organised by the locals.
To watch these games, you can visit Sabina Park or the National Stadium. Watching local games is one of the things to do in Jamaica on a vacation that most people are yet to discover.
What to do in Montego Bay in a Day?
Montego Bay is the capital of St. James parish. It is a world-renowned tourist destination centre. It has a lot to offer from visitors ranging which include, but are not limited to zip lining, scuba diving and bask at the sunny weather in different resorts. Some of the activities that you must be part of include:
Horseback Ride and Swim
Braco stables offers the best Horseback Ride and Swim tour packages in Jamaica. It is a unique activity that is yet to be adopted in any other tourist destination in the world. There, you will be on horsebacks as they swim in the calm waters. It is twice the fun when compared to old-horse riding.
During the tour, you will be required to wear floaters. However, you should not worry about your safety because at least three tour guides will accompany you. Furthermore, horses are excellent swimmers.
You can then cool down by having an additional 45-minute trail ride in varying terrain through the jungle.
Cave Excursion
The Green Grotto caves are a relatively new destination that is rarely included in most Jamaica vacation packages. The 1.5-kilometer rock cave is home to rich Jamaican history. It is believed that slaves from sugarcane plantation used it as a hiding spot. That is also where the rebellion strategies were made back in the 17th century.
In the late 1990’s a nightclub opened up its doors right in the middle of the cave. However, for some reason, it was shut down a few years down the line. While you may be late for the one of a kind nightlife, you can still explore to the end of the cave.
Interesting fact: James Bond‘s Live and Let Die films were shot in the Green Grotto Caves.
Rafting on the Martha Brae River
Rafting at Martha Brae River.
There is no better way of ending your tour at Montego Bay than visiting Martha Brae River. There, you will steer through a maze of tree canopies with rafts made from bamboo. If your vacation is a romantic one, you will particularly appreciate sailing down the cool waters with many excellent photo shoot location. Talk about creating memories.
For the daredevils, you can steer through to high energy rapids sections.
Zip Lining and Bobsledding
Montego Bay prides itself of having one of the longest zip lines in the world. It is a 2-hour line with five flights which passes over thick canopies.
You can also choose to tour around Mystic Mountains using bobsleds. There you will rise to great heights of the mountain, where you will appreciate the view of the great island from different angles.
It is worth noting that bobsledding is one of the best things to do in Montego Bay while on a vacation. It sure will be the highlight of your day.
Densil McIntosh Mystic Mountain Bobsled / Flickr
What to do in Port Antonio in a Day?
Port Antonio provides a real Jamaica experience to any visitor. The city has a mixture of Georgian architectural works, most of which are archaic. It also has open air markets which are somewhat messy, as you would expect in any market. On the dingy streets, you are likely to meet goats (no one really knows what they eat by the way). Generally, it gives an impression of a colonial ghost town.
However, the real treasure of the town is in the Port itself. The white sandy beaches and the jewel-blue waters, and a clear sky which tucks on the other side of the horizon will surely make you consider spending a better part of your day here. Activities you can do in Port Antonio include:
Snorkelling
No trip to Port Antonio is ever complete without snorkelling at San San beach in the Blue Lagoon. Even if it is your first time, you will hands-down fall in love with the thrill that comes with the activity.Snorkelling is one of the things to do in Jamaica on a vacation that is undebatable
While underwater, you will be amazed by the unique sights and sounds. The layout of corals, each with its own shape and texture is captivating. Don’t forget that you will get to swim with the fish, and watch them while in their natural habitat.
Mermaid's Fan (Udotea sp.), among other algae by Paradise birding /Flickr
While snorkelling, you get to connect with the universe in an entirely different perspective.
Surfing
Boston bay is the perfect surfing spot in Jamaica;there is no doubt about that. If you want to catch the tides, the best time to visit is during June and July or December. For novice surfers, timing may not be of the essence. That is because there are tidal waves all year round. Additionally, surfing classes are offered by avid surfers in the bay. Why don’t you give it a try?
Surfing Jamaican style.Photo by Bonita Jamaica / Flickr
Bask In the Beaches
You can have a day out just basking on any of the beaches, be it Frenchman’s cove, Boston beach, or San San beach. You will need to rent beach chairs irrespective of the beach which you decide to visit. While enjoying your sun time, you can swing in the hammock while slowly seeping a cocktail of your choice.
Taste of Coastal Cuisines
At Frenchman’s Cove, there are several restaurants with different amenities and distinctive signature dishes. At East Port of Antonio, there is Anna Bananas along Folly road. It is famousfor its wide variety of marine dishes such as lobsters, conch, fish and shrimps. It is interesting to note that they are all prepared with a Jamaican touch. Alternatively, you can choose to taste their specials such as goat curry or peas stew.
For Italian dishes, you can head to Tropez restaurant in San San. These dishes are 100% Italian, using authentic Italian recipes. The chef Favalli Fabio, whose origin is Brescia Calico, has been preparing these tasty meals since 1993. As it is with many Italian meals, you will be served with antipasti, which will be either salad or cheese before the main meal which could either be risotto or pasta.
What to do in Negril in a Day?
Ocean View From Rick's Cafe barryandannie /Flickr
Negril is located on the Western part of the island. It is a place of simple, yet has outstanding beauty. There are several restaurants built across the cliffs that make the landscape scenic. With countless activities to do and places to explore, there is a high probability that you can never get through the list in a single day.
Nonetheless, you can still get the most out your day by contacting reputable Jamaica Tours and Travel Company, for an excellent and inclusive tour package. Some of the activities that you can check whether are offered by the Jamaica tour company include:
Diving at Rick’s Café
Diving at Rick’s café is probably the most adrenaline-filled activity that you can ever experience while on a tour in Jamaica. There are different heights on the cliff over which you can jump from to the pool of deep waters. For first time visitors who are still unsure of the experience, they can try with the lowest level or the “chicken level.” Don’t be embarrassed if you find teens jumping from that height. It’s about the fun, right?
Alternatively, you can sit back and enjoy the wow moments as professional divers do their thing.
Deep Sea Fishing
If you are a fan of fly fishing, then you are sure going to enjoy even more deep sea fishing. Jamaica is an island surrounded by deep waters where there are all kinds of aquatic animals. There are several chartered companies which offer different packages, each with its own boats. If you are fortuitous, you may catch a wahoo or even blue marlin.
While on the trip, you will also get a chance to explore other aquatic animals such as dolphins and the dreaded sharks.
Scuba Diving
If you are all about marine life, you can head to SamSara resort or Scuba Caribe for a more immersive experience. It is worth noting that there are many other resorts where you can scuba dive. One thing to take note of is whether they have competent divers who will accompany you to as you head to explore the ecosystems.
Furthermore, there are classes which are offered to those who may be interested in diving in subsequent vacations. If you complete the short course, then congratulations! You will be a certified diver.
Visiting the Royal Reserve
The Royal Reserve is located within the great Negril wetlands. It is home to over 350 different animal and bird species. The good news for bird lovers is that you can capture magnificent photos of black and Yellow-billed Parrots. They know how rare it can be to see these two birds in real life. Additionally, the reserve is home to the Jamaican swallowtail; largest butterfly species in the Western Hemisphere and is second largest in the World.
The Royal Palm Reserve. Photo by tinyfishy / Flickr
From an outward look, it is evident that Negril has many attraction sites. Therefore it requires a lot of finesse in selecting the right places to go. Often, some visitors claim that Negril is over glorified for no apparent reason. However, by giving it a closer look, it becomes evident that most of them are poor at selecting destinations to include in their itinerary.
If you are unsure of the right places to visit, more so for first-time visitors, then going for Jamaica Private tours can offer a better deal. Companies such as Tropical trips Jamaica offer some of the best Jamaica tour packages that you can find on the island.
Such packages are usually carefully thought of to ensure that your vacation is worthwhile, even if it is for a single day only.
What to do in South Cost in a Day?
Jungle Ride on the Black River
Jamaica has glorious jungles, beaches, lush forests, and waterfalls. There are many site-seeing places at different locations. While most people may argue that the North Coast is the place where it all goes down, it’s probably because they have never spent quality time at the South Coast. Visiting once is enough to revolutionize your taste for Jamaica. Below is a list of best things that you can do in South Coast in a vacation.
Interact With Indigenous Maroons
The Maroons bear a rich historical background of Jamaica. Essentially, it is a community which emerged from slavery in the 16th and 7th Century. Due to the brutality of the white settlers, some slaves of African-descent rebelled and often ran to the mountains. Over the years, a new community was developed, and to date, they have preserved their culture.
Fortuitous visitors get a chance to taste some of their indigenous dishes which include boyoand tuncornmeal.
One amusing fact is that their language consists of several West African dialects mixed with Spanish and English words and phrases.
Rum Tour
At Appleton Estate, you will get one of a kind rum tour. Even if you are remotely interested in rum, then you cannot skip going to the estate. Bear in mind that Jamaica is one of the first countries in the world to ever produce rum. It dates back to the 16th century, a few years after the first bottle was made in Barbados.
During the tour, you will learn how the estate has managed to remain afloat amidst stiff competition, and how they continue to perfect the art with each bottle of rum that they produce.
If you find the history part rather dull, then you can choose to head directly to rum tasting to appreciate what is said about the estate entirely.It is noteworthy that the rum tour is one of the things to do in Jamaica on a vacation where your kids’movement will be monitored closely. The last thing you would want while enjoying your holiday is handling kids who are drunk.
Cruise At Black River
The black river is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica and the Caribbean at large. Its name was derived from the fact that it has a black river bed. Many people tend to think that there could be some magic spell and dark powers that causes the peculiarcolour in the river bed. However, it is due to the continuous deposition of vegetative matter.
While cruising, you will get the view of a clear sky with over 100 bird species. Aquatic animals found in the river include crocodiles and alligators. Furthermore, you will watch the guides interact with the crocodiles.
A Crocodile at Black River. Photo by Ian / Flickr
Bathing at Milk River
At Milk River Bath, you may choose to bathe to cool down on a hot day. It is not bathing, per se;instead, it is more of a therapeutic spa session.
According to history, as narrated by the locals, a slave who was beaten and almost killed by his master went to the river to shower and surprisingly recovered instantly. To date, the waters are believed to cure various illnesses such as nerve problems, arthritis, and rheumatism.
Since its opening, people have travelled from overseas and all over Jamaica to heal themselves naturally from various ailments.
Still Not Sure What’s Best for You?
Contact Tropical Trips Jamaica today for a free no obligation session with one of our trip experts, they can help you put together the ideal list of things to do on your vacation.
Call or Skype: 1 (876) 518-2364
Tropical Trips Jamaica is an adventurous tour company which aims to ensure that all travellers in Jamaica have the moment of their lifetime at unbeatable rates. Feel free to contact them for expert opinion on places to visit.
They have prepared unique Jamaica tour packages just for you. All you have to do is to prepare yourself to make some memories.