The best places to visit in Jamaica

“This is the land of my birth, this is Jamaica, my Jamaica, the land of my birth” – Eric Donaldson

Now I know that many people consider this small island a vacationers paradise, but for me Jamaica is simply my home. This beautiful little island has a treasure trove of unique offers and experiences that many people who come with an ‘all-inclusive’ package miss out on. So to help you, I’ve compiled a list of must-see places on your next stop in Jamaica.

DEVON HOUSE – Kingston

The history of this historic mansion is intriguing. The house was built in 1881 by George Steibel, the son of a housekeeper and Jamaica’s first black millionaire. Now imagine that it is 1881 and that Jamaica is still under British colonial rule and that racial equality was a dirty phrase. Mr. Steibel goes abroad, makes his fortune, comes back and builds his house right in the middle of “Millionaires’ Corner,” as it was called then, due to the elaborately designed houses. He basically spat in the face of the establishment and, as the story goes, one lady in particular was so upset about having to see the house on her morning walk that they cut off another road for her, which is now known as Lady Musgrave Road.

The history and beauty of the Devon house is one of the main reasons to visit. It is located in the heart of Kingston, just minutes from the business district and bustling downtown, Half-Way Tree. There are also a number of shopping and dining options available on-site.

FEATHER FEATHER – Saint Ana

This little place is located on the main road from Spanish Town to Ocho Ríos (called Ochi by the locals). After a tortuous and sometimes long journey (don’t get stuck behind a truck!) Through Mount Rosser, Faith’s Pen is like a Mecca. It is a perfectly located rest space for travelers to stretch their legs, relax and enjoy a meal on their way to or from Ochi. There are approximately 30 vendor stalls organized in numbered huts offering a wide variety of Jamaican dishes. You can get jerk pork and chicken, grilled or fried fish, ackee and salted fish, roasted or friend breadfruit, festival, bammy, boiled or roasted corn on the cob, soup, etc. I’m hungry after writing that.

Be prepared to spend at least half an hour trying to make a decision and another half hour licking your fingers. You can get everything on track, so you get going and still get to your destination on time.

LITTLE OCHI– Saint Elizabeth

Here I go again, getting poetic about the food, but those who have been fortunate enough to visit this little gem will understand. Little Ochi is not near Ocho Rios (see a map of Jamaica), you should probably label the destination to visit as Alligator Pond, on the south coast of the island, but most people who visit that area, go with a place in mind, Little Ochi. This small restaurant offers one of the best and most rustic dining experiences, and diners can indulge in all their seafood cravings on the beach. I have to say that for those who have shellfish allergies they should probably make a quick trip to the next destination.

I’m about to get my best impression of Bubba from Forest Gump – he can make the shrimp boil, deep-fry, drunk, broil, sauté, etc. Fish, lobster, snail, oysters and most any shellfish you want, can accommodate you. There are no etiquette rules for fine dining, so you’ll be excused if you lick your plate after eating a five-star fare.

DUNN RIVER FALLS – St Ann

So after eating all that food, Dunn’s River Fall is the perfect place to have fun ditching the excess or lazing around baking in the sun with a rum. Dunn’s River is located on the north coast of the island just outside Ocho Ríos and is a natural phenomenon. The first time you hear the torrent of the falls, you feel an adrenaline rush like no other. The Jamaica Tourist Office website describes the attraction as follows:

Dunn’s River Falls is unique. Described as a living and growing phenomenon, it continually regenerates from travertine deposits, the result of calcium carbonate precipitation from the river, as it flows over the falls. The small dome-shaped waterfalls are generally associated with the activity of the hot springs found in the limestone caves. This, combined with its location near the ocean, gives Dunn’s River the distinction of being the only one of its kind in the Caribbean, if not the world.

Visitors can climb the fall with a guide or on their own. If this is your first time, I suggest you go with a guide, as they could show you the footholds. Also, be sure to rent a rubber shoe; Your feet will thank you. Now that we are done with the nuts and bolts, let’s move on to the fun part. I can guarantee that this will be an experience that you will never forget. The power and beauty of the fall is like no other, throughout its ascent there are small pools where you can relax. Cool clear water, beautiful foliage and when you get to the top of the waterfall where it is a bit calmer you can hear the birds singing. You can’t leave Jamaica without visiting Dunn’s River Falls.

MARTHA BRAE – Trelawny

You are now ready for a relaxing, romantic and scenic experience and bamboo rafting along the Martha Brae River will satisfy all of the above. The Martha Brae is a 32 km long river located on the northwest coast of Jamaica and, like many things in Jamaica, it has its own legend.

The story goes that Spanish treasure hunters, attracted by the stories of Arawak gold, captured an Arawak Indian witch in the hope that she would lead them to the treasure (the Arawaks were the first inhabitants of the island). Pretending to be complacent, the witch led them to a cave and then suddenly disappeared. Scared, the Spaniards ran out of the cave, but then the river engulfed them and the river is said to be named after this Arawak witch.

Now, centuries later, visitors have the opportunity to glide along this beautiful and picturesque river on a bamboo raft. The journey covers over 3 miles and will remind you of times past when sugar was king and rafts were used to transport this cargo to merchants in the port.

ACCOMPANY – Saint Elizabeth

If you want to truly connect with Jamaica, you must visit Accompong. The settlement was founded in 1739 after the Maroons signed a peace treaty with the British and is located high in the Santa Isabel Mountains in western Jamaica. Accompong is actually an independent national state within the nation of Jamaica.

The history of the Maroons and the establishment of the Accompong settlement cannot be summed up in a few lines. There are several good websites to help you better understand the daring acts of defiance and bravery that helped the Maroons defeat the English and break free from slavery. A visit to Accompong will give you a first-hand insight into the history and culture of Jamaica.

SEVEN MILES BEACH OF NEGRIL – Westmoreland

Seven miles of white sand beach with the most incredible and dazzling sunsets you can imagine. Negril offers a wide range of entertainment options; If you want a nightclub, a great restaurant, fire eater or a quiet moment on the beach, you will be accommodated. The area offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities, and for those who are addicted to adrenaline, how about jumping off a 40-foot cliff into the ocean? It will certainly wake you up.

For a relaxing time on white sand beaches, Negril is the place to be.

GREAT ROSE HALL HOUSE – Saint James

The history of Rose Hall is full of mystery, intrigue, deaths, ghosts and black magic. The house was built in 1770 and for fifty years the house and its properties seemed to exist normally until its owner, John Rose Palmer, brought home his beautiful English girlfriend named Annie Palmer. During her time as a lover of Rose Hall, Annie or “The White Witch of Rose Hall” as she was better known, actively practiced voodoo and developed a reputation everywhere for her cruelty. It is said that she killed her first husband, John Palmer, two other husbands and countless slave lovers. Annie was found dead in her bedroom at The Great House in 1831 with speculation about the circumstances of her death.

Rose Hall, like any self-respecting grand house, is said to be haunted by the spirit of Annie Palmer and many visitors have claimed to see her ghost roaming the halls. For an interesting and terrifying experience, Rose Hall is a must see.

BLUE MOUNTAIN PEAK– San Andrés

Do you want a bird’s eye view of Jamaica? Then Blue Mountain Peak is the perfect place. Rising above an elevation of 7,000 feet, the island’s north and south coasts can be seen at the top. Visitors can organize a hike or bike tour through rainforests and coffee plantations with spectacular mountain views. Your muscles may protest the next day, but the experience is worth it, experience the beauty of Jamaica first-hand.

Now this list is by no means exhausted. Writing this reminds me of some of those experiences and has me anxious, longing for a road trip. I’m going to organize that and give you the second part of my best places to visit in Jamaica later. Have fun.