Beyond the Resort: 10 Unique Things to Do in Jamaica
LT Globetrotter
Jamaica is a unique Caribbean Island with its own distinct style. This tropical paradise offers much more to visitors than just immaculate beaches, though it offers that in droves, including Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, Treasure Beach, and Doctor’s Cave Beach in popular Montego Bay.
Known for natural wonders such as the majestic Blue Mountains, the Dunn’s River Falls, Luminous Lagoon, and Martha Brae River, plus historical sites such as the Rose Hall Great House and Bob Marley Museum, it’s easy to spend your time covering just the well-known stops.
But if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path Jamaican experience, or have already visited those iconic sites, here are 10 unique things you can do in Jamaica.
Contents
Rick’s Café & Jumping Off Point
Must-Try Cuisine: Beef Patties
Mystic Mountain Jamaica Bobsled Experience
John Crow Mountains National Park
Rick’s Café & Jumping Off Point
Rick's Café is way more than a bar and restaurant: it’s a cultural landmark.
Perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Rick's Cafe offers breathtaking panoramic views and some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world. The cafe is famous for its exhilarating cliff diving opportunities, with jumps as high as 35 feet, attracting thrill-seekers and spectators alike.
Live reggae music sets the perfect island vibe, creating a festive and relaxed atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy a variety of delicious Jamaican dishes and tropical cocktails while soaking in the vibrant ambiance that is unique to Jamaica.
Black River Safari
When you think of Jamaica, you probably think beaches and sunshine – but probably not a safari. This captivating adventure takes visitors deep into the island's largest navigable river and through lush wetlands.
The Black River Safari offers a unique glimpse into Jamaica's diverse ecosystem, allowing visitors to embark on a guided boat tour along the serene and aptly-named Black River, known for its dark waters. The safari is renowned for its abundant wildlife, including crocodile, various birds, and diverse plant life.
Knowledgeable guides provide fascinating insights into the region's ecology and history, making the experience both educational and awe-inspiring.
Floyd’s Pelican Bar (In the Middle of the Ocean)
Floyd's Pelican Bar, a rustic wooden structure perched on a sandbar, is one of Jamaica's most unique attractions.
Located about three-quarters of a mile off the coast, this laid-back bar offers an unforgettable experience in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. Accessible only by boat, the journey to Floyd's Pelican Bar is part of the adventure, with stunning views of the coastline and clear blue waters.
Once there, visitors can enjoy tropical drinks, fresh seafood, and a relaxed atmosphere, all while surrounded by breathtaking ocean vistas. The bar is a perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling, and spotting marine life, including fish and pelicans, which gave the bar its name.
Dub Club
Kingston’s Dub Club is a cultural haven for reggae and dub music enthusiasts. This iconic venue offers stunning panoramic views of the city as well, a beautiful spot representing Jamaica’s legendary music scene.
Dub Club has become a central hub for both locals and visitors seeking an authentic Jamaican musical experience. Every Sunday night, the club comes alive with the sounds of reggae, dub, and dancehall, a wonderful experience whether you’re a music lover or not.
The venue is also a great example of the positive Rastafarian culture, promoting a message of peace, love, and unity.
Must-Try Cuisine: Beef Patties
Though Jamaica is known for jerk chicken, there are so many more flavors to this amazing island, one of them being the delicious Jamaican beef patties.
Known for their flavorful filling and flaky, golden crust, these savory pastries are a staple of Jamaican cuisine. The filling, typically made from spiced ground beef, is seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices, giving it a distinctive and mildly spicy flavor. Encased in a dough that is colored with turmeric for a vibrant yellow hue, the patties are baked to perfection, resulting in a crispy exterior that complements the savory interior.
Be on the lookout for these tasty treats!
Appleton Estate Rum Tour
The Appleton Rum Estate, nestled in the picturesque Nassau Valley, is a historic distillery renowned for producing some of the finest rums in the world.
Established in 1749, the estate offers a rich heritage and centuries-old tradition of rum-making. Visitors to the Appleton Estate can embark on an immersive tour that provides a fascinating glimpse into the rum production process, from cane to cup.
Learn about the history of Appleton Rum and the unique techniques used in its creation, including the cultivation of sugar cane, fermentation, distillation, and aging in oak barrels. Of course, you’ll also get the chance to sample a variety of rums, including the estate's signature blends.
Mystic Mountain Jamaica Bobsled Experience
The Jamaican bobsled team made history by competing in the 1988 winter Olympics. Obviously, Jamaica is known for their tropical climate, hence the stunning beaches and perfect location for an all-inclusive beach getaway. But the country, befitting their unique nature, defied the odds by competing in bobsledding.
The Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica attraction on the stunning Mystic Mountain offers an exhilarating adventure that combines the island's natural beauty with a nod to its Olympic past. It’s like bringing winter to the island, without the cold!
Visitors start their adventure with a scenic chairlift ride, known as the SkyExplorer, which ascends 700 feet through the lush tropical canopy, providing breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding forest. At the top, guests board individual bobsleds, specially designed to navigate the twists and turns of a more than 3,000-foot track that safely winds through the dense jungle.
YS Falls
One of the island's hidden gems, YS Falls offers a stunning natural retreat nestled in the lush countryside. It features seven cascading waterfalls set against a pristine forest backdrop. The falls are surrounded by well-maintained gardens and towering trees, creating a serene and picturesque setting.
Visitors can go for a refreshing swim in the natural pools formed at the base of the falls, or take a thrilling zipline tour that offers breathtaking aerial views of the cascading water. The site also includes a wading pool fed by springs, perfect for relaxation. For the more adventurous, there's rope swinging and canopy rides, providing a unique way to experience the falls' beauty.
Though Dunn’s River Falls ends up in most guide books, YS Falls is a wonderful alternate or add-on to your Jamaican getaway.
John Crow Mountains National Park
John Crow Mountains National Park is a breathtaking natural sanctuary that spans over 100,000 acres. As Jamaica’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, it holds importance culturally as well as for its beauty, encompassing the stunning John Crow Mountain range and a significant portion of the Blue Mountains.
The park is a haven for biodiversity, home to numerous species of plants, birds, and animals, including the endangered Jamaican blackbird and the giant swallowtail butterfly. The dense forests and mist-covered peaks provide a vital habitat for these unique species.
Visitors can explore the trails that lead through stunning landscapes, past waterfalls, and up to the highest peak, offering panoramic views of the island.
Charming Port Antonio
Port Antonio is a charming town known for its natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere, a serene getaway offering a blend of lush landscapes, rich culture, and pristine beaches (including nearby Boston Bay and Winnifred Beach).
The town boasts picturesque attractions like the popular Blue Lagoon and Frenchman’s Cove, a secluded beach with powdery sand and clear waters. Nearby, the Rio Grande River offers opportunities for bamboo rafting, providing a unique way to explore the region’s tropical scenery.
The town’s market and local restaurants also offer a taste of authentic Jamaican cuisine, including the must-try jerk chicken and those delectable beef patties!
A World Beyond the Beach
Jamaica, like many Caribbean Islands, offers visitors the opportunity to experience unique sites, adventure, romance, cuisine, and culture. Like other popular destinations, certain aspects become more well-known, and, because of its natural beauty, it’s easy to just relax on the beach. But for a well-rounded Jamaican vacation, remember to venture off-the-beaten path to these 10 hidden gems.
