Attempting to create a comprehensive list with all the places worth visiting in Jamaica would be much more than the biggest challenge ever! Considering the myriads of destinations with profound natural beauties and the countless options that provide unique and heart-filling experiences, it is impossible to fit everything in a few pages. However, we will try to make your Jamaican ventures a bit easier by giving you a list with incredible places to kick-start your Jamaica experiences!
A tour of the Appleton Estate is a must-do, especially if you love rum and are open to rum tastings and things of that sort. Appleton is a notorious, fine, Caribbean rum produced in Jamaica with a distinctive taste that is given by the Copper Pot Stills located in the Estate. However, a tour of the Appleton Estate will also enable you to learn about the process of making rum and how this has evolved from the 18th century and onward, among many others!
Sitting in a quiet spot at Ocho Rios, it is considered to be one of Jamaica’s best-kept secrets. Kokono Falls is actually a massive park featuring a zoo, waterfall, and botanical garden and is a beloved place for wedding ceremonies and other events, such as photo shoots, galas, and family reunions. This is, however, not a public place, so you need to pay a small entrance fee to access the site. At the moment of this writing, children under three years are free, children between 3-12 years old are charged US$10, and adults pay US$20 to enter Kokono Falls. Once inside, you may either have a self-guided tour or opt for a guided tour so you can learn more details about things like the early inhabitants of Jamaica - the indigenous Taino Indians.
Tucked in Negril, Half Moon Beach is a show-stopper due to its soft, white sand, crystalline, azure seas, and stunning scenery. Creating the ideal backdrop for dreamy beachside experiences, it is no wonder one of the most popular Jamaican beaches. For that reason, it is often quite crowded, which can be avoided by simply walking up the shore and heading to the quieter areas of Half Moon Beach. Alternatively, you can rent beach chairs or a cabana and settle in for fantastic seaside ventures.
You will find the 18-hole golf course waiting for you at Montego Bay and the Rose Hall Estate. Designed by acclaimed course architects, the 200-acre land is perfect for golf aficionados, especially seasoned players, who wish to sharpen or show off their skills in the rolling terrain of White Witch. As for those visiting this place to watch avid golfers doing their thing from the sidelines, expect absolutely spectacular ocean views to augment the overall experience.
Other golf courses and country clubs to visit in Jamaica:
The Falmouth region, specifically the area where the Martha Brae River meets the ocean, is home to Luminous Lagoon which sits high on every Jamaica must-visit list for its glowing waters. This incredibly rare phenomenon takes place thanks to dinoflagellates, microorganisms that give the entire body of water its distinct luminescent glow. To get an idea of how unique this place really is, there are only four locations across the earth where you can witness this amazing spectacle. However, the consistent climate in Jamaica makes Luminous Lagoon the one with the brightest glow of all four!
The land bordering Saint Thomas and Portland keeps a fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Site in its laps. Expect vibrant wildlife, lush terrains, and crisp clean air accompanying your every step at the only national park in Jamaica. Once providing shelter to indigenous people, such as the Taino Indians, and slaves, it is now a popular pole of attraction providing captivating views and lots of opportunities for mountain climbing, swimming, waterfall exploration, wandering through coffee plantations, and more!
A top Jamaica beach adorning the Montego Bay coastline, which has been assigned magical properties as it is believed that its waters have profound healing qualities. This notion was initiated in the early 1900s when a famous osteopath with British origins concluded that the waters in this particular side of Jamaica have therapeutic attributes. Individuals from all over the globe would visit this place to submerge in the clear, blue sea and experience its “magic” powers for themselves. Of course, it did not take long before hotels were built in the area, turning it into a popular tourist destination featuring bars, restaurants, washrooms, and more.
A hidden Port Royal treasure with lots of pirate stories to narrate. Once serving as a pirates’ favourite escape and paradise land it is now a famous landmark that thousands of tourists eagerly want to visit, especially after reading about how a massive 1692 earthquake destroyed it and turned it into an underwater city! And, while listening to stories about notorious pirates like Calico Jack, Henry Morgan, and Blackbeard strolling this place back in the day, you may also gear up and start a diving exploration of the sunken city.
