Places to Visit in Jamaica

The name of this small village comes from Abeokuta in Nigeria, for the slaves who were brought to Jamaica from Nigeria and also for a large rock on the grounds of this huge former plantation, which resembles one in its African namesake country.

Today, the plantation, grounds, and gardens are part of Abeokuta Nature Park, located near the city of Negril. Visitors can explore the expansive grounds and gardens, see the ruins of the old plantation house, and even go for a swim. Abeokuta is home to the oldest swimming pool in Jamaica, a 300-year-old stone pool that is fed fresh water from a stone aqueduct and is still in use today. Map

Located only about 35 miles from the bustling resorts of Montego Bay, Bluefields is a breath of fresh air for travelers looking for a more authentic Jamaican experience. With shimmering azure waters and gleaming white sands, Bluefields Beach is a beautiful and fantastic option for a day spent sunbathing and swimming among locals instead of other tourists. Although its history as a pirate’s cove is long behind it, Bluefields is still a great place to set out for a fishing expedition or a day on the water, and in the evenings, the Bluefields Villas will provide a peaceful and elegant place to call home away from home.

Foodies should not miss an opportunity to explore Boston Bay, which is the birthplace of jerk food. Located in the western region of the island, Boston Bay is a small bay that is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Due to higher tides than on most other parts of the island, the gorgeous beach at Boston Bay is well known for some of the best surfing in Jamaica. Once a year, Boston Bay is home to the Portland Jerk Festival, which features music, markets, events and, of course, countless food stalls serving their take on the spicy and delicious Jamaican jerk food. Map

Discovery Bay is thought to be the first landing point of Christopher Columbus in Jamaica. In 1494, the famous explorer landed here and named it Puerto Seco (Dry Harbor), because he couldn’t find any potable water nearby. Although the town has been renamed, Puerto Seco Beach still bears tribute to this history. In Discovery Bay, visitors can explore Columbus Park, an open-air museum where they will find artifacts like a water wheel, cannons, a tally used for counting bananas (just like in the song…), and a canoe used by the Arawak people, who were indigenous to South America and the Caribbean. Movie fans will also enjoy the Kaiser Bauxite Plant, where scenes from the movie Cool Runnings were filmed.

One of the best preserved historical towns in the Caribbean, Falmouth is a colonial town on the north coast of Jamaica, near Montego Bay. In the 18th century, when Jamaica was established as the world’s leading producer of sugar, Falmouth was a thriving town, with taverns, shops, plantations, and a bustling port that handled a significant amount of the island’s sugar exports. Today, visitors can take a tour of historical Falmouth to see and learn about the markets, court house, beaches, and the Rose Hall Great House. Visitors can also tour some of the old plantations in the area, visit with crocodiles on the Swamp Safari, and raft down the waters of the Matiberon River. Map

One of the most unique sights in Jamaica is Holland Bamboo Street, or Bamboo Avenue. This 2-mile stretch of road is covered by a shady green archway of bamboo, a peaceful tunnel that is both picturesque and a lovely respite from the hot tropical sun. The bamboo surrounding this road, which is both walkable and drivable, was planted in the 17th century, and stands tall today as a unique part of the island. A restaurant at one end of Bamboo Avenue, called Middle Quarters, makes for a lovely lunch or dinner before or after this drive. Map

About 2 miles inland from the north coast of Jamaica is Irie Beach, a beautiful part of the White River near Ocho Rios. This tropical paradise of a swimming hole is one of the best-kept secrets in Jamaica, with blue-green waters edged by smooth rocks and grassy banks and surrounded by a green forest of trees and other tropical plants. The river flows gently enough to make it a great swimming spot or place for a float, and the sandy bottom is soft and safe for bare feet. On land, visitors to the Irie Beach can enjoy some of the beautiful nature that is in abundance around it.

The Jamaican capital of Kingston is located on the southeast coast of the island. Although it is the largest city in Jamaica, Kingston still maintains the laidback island feel that the country is famous for. Visitors to this city can take in its sights and appreciate the colonial architecture of its buildings and houses or stop for a visit at the Bob Marley Museum, which celebrates the famous Jamaican musician, his works, and his life. Kingston is also a great gateway to other parts of Jamaica, including historic Port Royal, the beautiful Blue Mountains, where the world-famous coffee is grown, and a number of beautiful coastal beaches. Map

Lucea is a historical port town that was once even busier and better known than Montego Bay as an exporter of bananas and sugar. It is the capital of Hanover Parish, with an abundance of historical buildings in town, like the courthouse, the Hanover Parish Church, and Fort Charlotte, which is one of the best-preserved colonial forts in Jamaica. Mapa

Located east of Montego Bay, Luminous Lagoon is a sight best seen at night. Billions of tiny organisms live in the water here, and when the water is disturbed they emit an eerily beautiful blue-green glow. Guests can enjoy a meal at Glistening Waters Restaurant, which overlooks the lagoon and the nightly lightshow, which will illuminate when fish swim through the water or when boats glide by on its surface. Boat tours are also available, and visitors can see from the water itself the effects of these tiny iridescent organisms and even take a swim in the glowing waters of the lagoon. Map