Jamaica is one of the top tourist destinations in the Caribbean because of its many attractions. Along with popular sites like Dunn’s River Falls, visitors have a host of unique adventures to choose from across the island. Here are a few to try on your next trip.
Bobsledding through the Mountains at Mystic Mountain
Ironically, the popular winter sport links to Jamaica following the 1993 sports movie “Cool Runnings.” In Jamaica, bobsledding is a growing sport and a recreational activity! The Mystic Mountain Adventure Park in Ocho Rios has a signature bobsled ride, inspired by the Olympic sport, using a metal track instead of ice. The ride is just under two minutes and takes you down the 700-foot Mystic Mountain peak, with panoramic views of Ocho Rios on either side. The bobsled is like a rollercoaster with brakes you can control, but for the ultimate experience, locals suggest going full force down the mountain.
Visiting Glistening Waters
Jamaica has hundreds of lakes, beaches, rivers, and lagoons, so what’s so special about this lagoon? Well, for starters, this luminous lagoon in Trelawny, called the Glistening Waters, is filled with microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates. These dinoflagellates flash a bluish light when movement disturbs the water they live in, giving off a mysterious glow-in-the-dark effect. There are boat trips on the lagoon at night where guests can observe the fishes swimming in the blue light or even jump in the water themselves. There are only four of these lagoons globally, with Jamaica’s lagoon being the most luminous.
Exploring the Sunken Pirate City in Port Royal
In the 1600s, the now sleepy town of Port Royal was known as “the richest and wickedest city in the world.” After the English captured Jamaica, Port Royal became a haven for pirates and buccaneers, who frequently launched raids on the nearby Spanish colonies. In 1692, a ravenous earthquake and tsunami destroyed the city. The natural disasters sent many forts, buildings, and houses underwater and killed half the city’s population. Port Royal has since been rebuilt, but the town is still fascinating for many filmmakers and geographic entities. You can still find evidence of the city’s natural disasters and old culture above land and underwater. Scuba divers and teams of archaeologists can be seen in the waters of Port Royal, on occasion, discovering the underwater buildings, treasures, and artifacts that were once part of this historic town.
Having a Beer at Floyd’s Pelican Bar
Having a beer at a bar in Jamaica is a typical pastime but having a beer at Floyd’s Pelican Bar in Negril is not the average experience. This bar is entirely made of driftwood and stands about a quarter-mile out into the ocean. To get to Floyd’s Pelican Bar, you must take a short boat ride from the shores of Black River or Parottee Point out into the sea. Once you’re there, you can have a beer, eat some delicious seafood, sunbathe, and even swim in the turquoise waters.
Bamboo Rafting on the Rio Grande and Martha Brae River
Rafting in Jamaica was made famous by Australian-American Actor Errol Flynn, who fell in love with Jamaica and lived there for several years. Rafting is done mainly on the Rio Grande and Martha Brae River and is one of the most calming tourist activities that you can do on the island. Rafting is great for a family outing and can be pretty romantic, as lush forests, flowers, and birds surround the rivers.
Jamaica’s popular rafting attraction is located approximately three miles inland from the town of Falmouth, the birthplace of one of Jamaica’s former Prime Minister Hugh Shearer. The attraction is a mere 20 miles from the tourism capital of Montego Bay and 40 miles from the north coast resort town of Ocho Rios.
Established 40 years ago, Rafting on the Martha Brae boasts a complement of 85 licensed and experienced raft captains. The 30-foot long bamboo rafts are boarded from a concrete pier, under the supervision of a licensed dispatcher. The raft ride is operated over a three-mile stretch of the beautiful Martha Brae River and lasts approximately one hour. Once on the raft, couples guests can learn about “The Legend of Martha Brae” or enjoy an exhilarating swim. The attraction has over the years played host to a number of celebrities including HRH Queen Elizabeth II, heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, Chuck Norris, Dionne Warwick, Spike Lee, former NBA star Patrick Ewing, Jane Seymour of “Doctor Quinn- Medicine Woman” fame, the late Kenny Rogers, the late Johnny Cash and world 100-meter champion Usain Bolt.
Dipping in Reach Falls in Port Antonio
Jamaica is known for some of the most stunning, natural waterfalls in the region. In Port Antonio, Portland, Reach Falls is quickly becoming the most popular attraction. This waterfall is a favorite among locals in the area because of the hidden holes that have been carved out in the rocks by the water. Jumping through the falls’ small rabbit holes will lead you to an underwater cave that leads back to the main pool. There are also hidden holes behind the falls that guests can climb through that lead to just above the cascade. Reach Falls also features a natural, heart-shaped Jacuzzi, which was built by locals.
Lounging at Puerto Seco Beach Club
For years, Puerto Seco Beach was one of the most popular beaches in Discovery Bay, St. Ann. It is believed that Christopher Columbus first landed in Jamaica on this beach with his three ships Santa Maria, Pinta and Niña in 1494. For this same reason, a park named after him lies just five minutes’ drive away. The beach was revamped and reopened in 2018 after being closed for more than two years. New additions include a large pool, beach huts, private cabanas, watersports and a restaurant.
Adventuring at the Luminous Lagoon
This lagoon located in the town of Falmouth is becoming an increasingly popular attraction for romantic couples visiting Jamaica. The lagoon’s primary attraction is the water’s glistening glow.
When swimmers move their bodies through the phosphorescent lagoon, microscopic organisms are disturbed, causing the water to glow and let off a glistening light. This phenomenon is said to take place in only three places in the world, so visitors should savor this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with their other half.
The Luminous Lagoon stretches along the marshlands of Trelawny from the small community of Rock to the town of Falmouth, once one of Jamaica’s most pivotal ports. Located at the eminent point where the Martha Brae River meets the Caribbean Sea, the lagoon housed a wharf where large vessels from England unloaded goods onto smaller ships to be delivered inland up the river. Years after the decline of the sugar trade, scientists discovered the lagoon’s geographical location was important for another reason. It was the single best place to observe and study microorganisms called dinoflagellates, which thrive in the layers where salt and freshwater combine and glow the brightest in shallow, warm water.
At night, the lagoon sparkles and glistens when disturbed, as these microscopic organisms produce an eerie glow, reflecting the outlines of fish and other objects in the water. The Luminous Lagoon continually attracts and awes visitors and scientists from around the world.
Departing every night from the Glistening Waters Marina, crowded tour boats take visitors on a ride around the lagoon. The highlight of the 45-minute tour is where visitors get the chance to take a swim and their bodies are surrounded by the luminous green glow.
Getting it all in at Chukka Adventures
For the young and the young at heart, the Chukka Caribbean Adventure Tours has some of the most adventurous experiences in Jamaica. Chukka has four locations in Jamaica (Negril, Montego Bay, Trelawny and Ocho Rios), with the Trelawny location being the largest and most popular. At the Trelawny Chukka Good Hope Estate, visitors can go horseback riding, ziplining, jungle river tubing, ATV and Dune Buggy riding, among other adventures. At the other locations, visitors also get the opportunity to tour the other nearby tourist attractions.
Hiking on the Blue Mountains
The lush, mist-filled hills leading up to the Blue Mountains create a dreamy and almost celestial setting. While far above the rest of the island, visitors can feel hidden away from the rest of the world.
Hiking to the Blue Mountain Peak in The Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park and World Heritage Site is another peculiar Jamaican phenomenon.
The seven-mile hike to the Blue Mountain peak begins in the dark, early morning hours. The peak is the highest on the island, rising to an altitude of 7,402 feet. In the darkness, guided by flashlights, hiking groups climb steadily for four hours, clinging to the mountain wall as they forge ahead.
The way is narrow and steep, especially at a part known as Jacob’s Ladder. But the hikers conquer each little hurdle. As the hikers near the top, the dark outline of the forest grows on either side.
When the morning light begins to break, the hike becomes a race against the sun. Hikers are soon distracted by the spectacular views unfolding until they reach the peak.
On a clear morning, hikers can see Buff Bay and Port Antonio’s Navy Island to the North, and Kingston, Portmore and St. Thomas’ coast to the south. They might even spot the outlines of Cuba, 90 miles to the north. After the long trek, hikers can rest and take a seat atop of Jamaica, knowing they’ve just conquered The Peak.
The hike down the peak is in the daylight, and as hikers descend they cannot miss the botanical richness of the mountains around them. They pass through an elfin forest, where the low canopy makes them feel as though they are walking through a green tunnel. They’ll also see clusters of tree ferns, bamboo and eucalyptus trees, colorful wildflowers and hundreds of ferns growing alongside the mossy trail.
Overall, the 14-mile Peak trail takes about seven hours. Starting the trail early in the morning makes for an exciting hike and an incredible view of the sunrise, however, the hike can also be accomplished in the daylight.
Those who decide to begin the hike in the morning, can spend the night prior to the hike at either Whitfield Hall or Wildflower Lodge, or camp out at Portland Gap. The staff at these lodges will make arrangements to pick up hikers from Kingston or Mavis Bank. They will also organize local guides and can provide meals on request. Generally, the best time to try the hike is during the Blue Mountains’ dry season, which lasts from December to April, coinciding with the peak of the Jamaican tourism season.
If you love the outdoors, there is no other trail like the Blue Mountain Peak hike in all Jamaica.
