Jamaica is beautiful island full of kind, fun-loving people. Jordan and I traveled there for our honeymoon in 2021 and we've been dreaming of going back ever since. We weren't sure what to expect at first, but thankfully our Jamaican friends gave us the inside scoop.
We have the opportunity to work with a group of Jamaicans throughout the year and they're truly some of the nicest people I know. At first, I was little nervous traveling to Jamaica without knowing much about the country, but one friend in particular gave us lots of tips & advice that I'll share with you here.
When I was booking our trip, I was a little stressed about what area to stay in. I knew a lot of people stayed in Montego Bay, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on other areas of the island. At the end of the day, I spent way too much time thinking about it. There are so many great places to stay in Jamaica; You're going to have a great time no matter where you end up. We finally landed on Negril and it was beautiful. I would definitely stay there again.
The most popular places to stay are Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Here's a little bit about each area -
Negril - Known for its beautiful sunsets, white, sandy beaches, and beautiful cliffs overlooking the ocean. This is a calmer part of the island with a more relaxed environment. If you're looking for a good couples spot, Negril would be a great option for you. It takes about an hour and a half to get there from the airport in Montego Bay, but I really enjoyed driving through the other towns on the way and getting to see more of the island. Negril is also home to the famous "Rick's Cafe"- definitely stop by if your get a chance!
Montego Bay - This is a great place for families to stay. (But it also works well for couples, too!) There are many hotel options, activities, and fun beaches. It's definitely busier than other areas, being that it's a cruise ship port and houses the main airport, but it's still a highly recommended place to stay. It's pretty central to most things you'll want to do there, so you won't have to worry about traveling too far! The locals recommend that first-timers stay in Montego Bay because it's close to the airport and in between the other two tourist towns - Negril and Ocho Rios.
Ocho Rios - This is another great place to stay for couples and young adults. It's home to some of Jamaica's most popular attractions and has a very authentic feel to it. If you're trying to stick to more of a budget, this may be the place for you. The resorts are slightly cheaper and you'll be close to some of the coolest things on the island, so you won't have to pay too much for transport.
Tips from the locals
Don't exchange your currency! Switching over the to J$ can be confusing for first-timers and adds unnecessary stress to your trip. The American dollar is widely accepted in Jamaica, especially in all of the tourist areas you'll be visiting anyways. Many places also accept credit cards.
Tip from Katie - Make sure you bring enough cash! We thought we wouldn't need very much because we were staying at an all-inclusive resort, but we didn't think about all of the excursions/tipping. Thankfully we ended up having enough, but we got nervous toward the end. I would recommend taking at least $500 per person, and bringing $200 of it in small bills (1s, 5s, 10s). You'll definitely want to tip around the resort and you'll need cash for drivers, tours, etc. If you want to do two or three activities, $500/person is a good base, but definitely bring more if there are more things you'd like to do outside of the resort!
Don't spend your whole vacation at the resort! You won't really experience Jamaica until you get out and see the island for yourself. There are a ton of fun excursions beyond the walls of your resort, so be sure to take advantage of those.
Try new foods! Jamaica is known for their jerk chicken, fish, curry goat, oxtatil, breadfruit, ackee & salt fish, sugarcane, avocados, jackfruit and best of all... Jamaican Patties. They're delicious!
Bring water shoes! You'll need water shoes for almost every excursion you do there, so be sure to pack those. If you forget, you'll just have to buy water shoes there. Embrace the look - You'll thank yourself later!
Things to Do
Blue Hole - Blue Hole was hands-down our favorite part of the trip. I wasn't really sure what to expect at first, but wow. It was incredible. The area is a series of natural limestone sinkholes filled with beautiful, turquoise spring water. There are several waterfalls along the way, tucked back in a forested hills of St. Ann's Parish.
Your guide will take you to the top, where you'll start to make your way down by jumping over waterfalls into the fresh water. If you're afraid of heights, don't worry! You can participate without jumping off of cliffs and you'll still have an amazing time. There are plenty of open spaces to swim, too! Blue hole is adventurous, exhilarating, and just stunning. I'm telling you - If there's one excursion you do in Jamaica, it needs to be this one.
Say "Hi" to the Reggae Man - You'll definitely cross paths with the famous "Reggae Man" on your way to Blue Hole. Your driver will stop for you so you can say "hello" or get hooked up with some Reggae Brownies. Either way, he's a hoot.
Dunn's River Falls - This is one of Jamaica's most famous attractions. It's a natural waterfall that is fed by underground spring water and flows directly into the ocean. You'll start at the bottom, form a human chain for support, and climb your way up to the top of the waterfall. If you're not comfortable climbing the falls but still want to be apart of the experience, you can follow along the built-in staircase next to the waterfall.
Dunn's River Falls is near Blue Hole, so depending on where you're staying, you may want to do them both in the same day. If your hotel is in Ocho Rios, you can easily split up the two excursions. But if you're like us and stay in Negril, the 3 hour drive is definitely worth scheduling both activities in the same day! Honestly, Jordan and I didn't prepare ourselves very well and we whimped out on the falls. We were tired after Blue Hole and didn't feel like we really needed to do Dunn's River Falls, but of course now that we're home, I really wish we would have. You can definitely do both in one day; Just be prepared to sleep well that night. Blue Hole takes more out of you than the falls, so I would recommend doing Dunn's River Falls first, then heading to Blue Hole after. That being said, you do not want to miss Blue Hole! If you're tired after the falls, just suck it up and do Blue Hole anyways. You won't regret it.
Make a stop at Juici Patties - Patties are a staple in Jamaica. If you ask any Jamaican what they think of Juici Patties, they'll give you a stellar review. Patties are half moon-shaped pastries that come with various fillings. I got the beef and Jordan got the chicken, and we can both confirm that they are in fact worth the hype. They even have a vegetarian option that my sister-in-law tried and she also loved it! If you want to try other great Jamaican food options, they have more than just patties. This would be a great place to try ackee & saltfish, too! Check out their menu here. If you go out on a tour, ask your driver to make a stop at Juici Patties - They'll gladly take you there.
Rick's Cafe - Rick's Cafe is a fun place to spend an afternoon. It's a restaurant/bar on top of a cliff with gorgeous views of the ocean. If you want to cool off, there's a pool to lounge in up top. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can also partake in cliff jumping! They have professional cliff divers there for entertainment, but there are also a few different levels for visitors to jump off of too. Jordan jumped off the highest point, while I stuck to the lower one.
We originally went to Rick's just to check it out, but we wish we would've stayed a lot longer. The main reason we didn't - We didn't bring enough cash because we assumed we wouldn't stay too long. Never assume! They don't accept card at Rick's, so if you're planning on eating & drinking there, make sure you bring some cash! You'll also want to bring some extra to tip the cliff divers. Rick's is located in Negril, so definitely stop there if you're staying in Negril. If you're staying farther away, I still think it's worth the drive, but I would make more of a day out of it than we did.
Catamaran Cruise - Another great way to see the island is to get out on the water. Depending on which one you book, they can make stops at some of Jamaica's top attractions, like Rick's Cafe & Dunn's River Falls. They also offer snorkeling, so this might be a good option if you're looking for the most bang for your buck! Jordan and I didn't go on a catamaran cruise, but you can find some great options here.
ATVs - If you want to explore the Jamaica countryside, check out some ATV tours. Many of them include swimming, lunch, tours of the ganja (marijuana) fields, fresh fruit samples and more. Everyone who does the ATV tours expresses how authentic the experience is, showing you more unique parts of the island. Rastasafari seems to be the most popular place for this adventure. Reach out to Mighten Tours for more information.
Horseback Riding - Many places in Jamaica offer a unique "ride & swim experience" where you can explore the countryside on horseback and even take a little dip in the ocean with your horse. It's a very scenic, fun and memorable experience for sure.
Zip-Line - Fly through the lush jungles of Jamaica with a zip-line tour! It's an exhilarating way to see the island from above. You may even get to see some native animals, too.
Bamboo River Rafting - This is something I really wish we would have done while we were there. I've seen so many gorgeous pictures of this tour and I can't wait to do it when we go back. Before you begin, you'll have a chance to visit Miss Martha's Herb Garden, where you'll find the renowned healing herbs of Jamaica. Then, you'll board a 30 foot bamboo raft and receive an hour and 15 minute ride down the picturesque Martha Brae River. While you're aboard, you'll learn about "The Legend of Martha Brae" and you might even get to try poling the raft yourself.
Mineral Springs - If you're looking to relax, check out one of Jamaica's many mineral springs. They have just the right combination of temperature and mineral deposits to offer a therapeutic experience. The best part is... its all natural. You'll leave feeling both refreshed and rejuvenated. Don't be surprised if your joint pain is relieved, too.
YS Falls - Speaking of natural springs, check out YS Falls while you're there. You'll find stunning waterfalls, natural spring pools, relaxing gardens, and even canopy rides. If you're looking for a calm, therapeutic experience, this may just be the place for you.
Bob Marley Museum - If you have an appreciation for Bob Marley, you'll want to stop by the Bob Marley Museum while you're there. The "One Love" museum is located on the site of his former home in Kingston, Jamaica. The main museum displays his personal treasures, along with an extensive photo gallery and record shop.
Appleton Rum Tour - One thing about Jamaica is that they're known for their rum. In fact, they have the most rum bars per square mile in the world. The Appleton Estate is a unique rum distillery that has been perfecting their craft since 1749. On the tour, you'll learn about how they remove the juice from sugarcane, their distillation process, and of course... you'll get plenty of samples! If you're a rum drinker, this might just be your favorite part of the trip.
Floyd's Pelican Bar - Floyd takes "sand bar" to a whole new level. The Pelican Bar is a driftwood bar out in the middle of the ocean, known as one of the most unique places in the world to get a drink. Can't swim? No problem! After a 20 minute boat ride, you'll find yourself walking along a sandbar in waist-deep water. If you want to eat while you're there, let your driver know and they can order your food beforehand. The bar is decorated with mementos that visitors have left behind and Floyd can usually be founding fishing, playing dominos, or chatting with his beloved guests. As you look out at the surrounding ocean, you can usually see sting rays and dolphins swimming about. It truly is a charming, memorable experience. A few tips - Bring cash, water shoes, and and a memento to leave behind. Don't bring anything valuable with you, either! And keep in mind - this is a bar out in the ocean so there are no restrooms. The ocean will be your only option!
Black River Safari Cruise - The Black River is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica, stretching 33 miles long. The best way to experience the beauty of the wetlands is by taking a boat tour down the river. Luckily, The Black River goes by other well-known attractions, such as Pelican Bar & YS Falls, so you can do a few different things in the same day! Here's an example of one of the combo packages.
Tours & Transportation
If you want to go on an excursion (which you should definitely do) or need any transportation, I highly recommend checking out Mighten's Tours & Transfers. Nigel is reliable, informative, fun, accommodating and energetic. We used his service on our trip to Blue Hole & Dunn's River Falls and we had a blast! Definitely our favorite part of the trip. We stayed in Negril, which is a 3 hour drive to Blue Hole. I was a little nervous that it was going to be a drag because it was so far away, but Nigel did a great job of creating an entire experience out of the day. He stopped at a couple of sites along the way and explained the history of the island. We got to see areas that we would have never known about if it weren't for him, and we really appreciated that. He also explained a little bit about each of the towns we drove through and it made us feel so much more connected to the island. And our final stop before Blue Hole... Juici Patties. Amazing.
During our excursion, Nigel made sure we had everything we needed and even helped take pictures of us along the way. He wasn't just a random tour guide getting us from point A to point B; It was like he was apart of the group, just there to have fun with us! Resorts tend to discourage travelers from leaving the hotel for safety reasons, but honestly, Jamaica isn't any more dangerous than New York, Florida, California, Chicago, etc. You'll be fine, especially if you're with a trusted, local guide like Nigel. We never once questioned our safety with him and we enjoyed every aspect of our experience.
Not only is Nigel an excellent tour guide, but he's just a good person overall. He's easy to talk to, very accommodating, and just fun to be around. We will definitely book more tours with him when we go back! His business is growing, so try to book a tour with him before you arrive. You can find a list of what he offers here. He also does a lot of combo packages, which is great if you need help narrowing down your options. If you have any questions about your trip or need recommendations, reach out to Nigel. He's more than happy to help you out!
Hotel Recommendations in Negril
This is where Jordan and I stayed for our honeymoon and we loved it. There are three different sections of the hotel - The Royalton, The Hideaway at Royalton, and the Grand Lido at Royalton. I was pretty confused when researching this hotel, so let me break it down for you - The main Royalton area is a family resort with several large pools, including areas for both adults and children. There is also a large beach with tubing, kayaking, etc. The next section over is the Hideaway, which is for couples only. There are more private pool areas with swim up bars and couple's-only restaurants. The Grand Lido is the last area of the resort and it's for nude adults. I was a little nervous about the set up and wasn't sure what to expect, but the Grand Lido is around the corner from the rest of the resort and is very private. We didn't come across any nudity, but after talking to the people staying at the Grand Lido, it didn't sound like there was a lot of nudity at the time anyways. Definitely don't be afraid to stay at the Royalton if nudity isn't your thing - They do a very good job of keeping the areas completely separate and children staying at the resort would have no idea. Guests at the Royalton are restricted to that area of the resort (which isn't really a restriction because it's so massive). The guests at the Hideaway have access to the Royalton and the Hideaway, and the guests staying at the Grand Lido have access to all three. However, the Grand Lido guests have to be clothed anywhere outside of the nude area, so don't worry about that!
One of my favorite parts of our stay was the candle-lit dinner on the beach. We were in Jamaica for our honeymoon and the staff members at the resort were so sweet to us! When we returned from our day trip to Blue Hole and Dunn's River Falls, they had decorated our room and set up this beautiful dinner on the beach. It was delicious, too!
Our overall stay at this resort was amazing. The rooms were super clean, the beds were comfortable and the service was exceptional. We never had any issues getting anything we needed and we could find assistance at any time of the day. The resort has 7 bars, a splash park for kids, 9 restaurants, swimming pools and spa & fitness facilities. We split our stay between two rooms - The penthouse suite and the swim out junior suite. Our first couple of nights were in the penthouse suite and the view was amazing! There's a jacuzzi on the balcony and that was a nice touch, but honestly, we spent most of our time at the pool. This would be a fun suite if you were traveling with friends. There was a good-sized bar and living room area in the room and a rooftop patio area for socializing - all to yourself. We were traveling alone and didn't spend a lot of time in the room, so it almost felt like a waste for us. But it was still a fabulous room! We would definitely book it again if we went back with friends. The swim out suite is where it's at though. Try to book your trip early enough so you can get one! We had a large room, a stand alone bathtub, a huge shower, king sized bed, and a private swimming area with a beautiful view of the ocean right outside our sliding glass door. We had so much fun - would highly recommend!
I've personally only stayed at the Royalton, but here are some other great options in Negril -
Hotel Recommendations in Montego Bay
My brother and sister-in-law recently visited Jamaica and they stayed at the Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay. They only had wonderful things to say about their experience there! The hotel offers six different dining experiences and they have several bars & cafes around the resort. They have tons of great swimming areas, activities for families and couples, a fitness area, spa, and one of the top resort golf courses in the world.
Other hotel recommendations in Montego Bay -
Hotel Recommendations in Ocho Rios
I seriously cannot express how much we loved Jamaica. The people, the food, the activity... It was all so amazing. 10/10 for sure!
To get a better idea of what to expect, check out this video of our trip -
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