Jamaica’s sights are just as beautiful as the tropical beaches found there. Admire the flowing waterfall at Dunn’s River Falls, swim with your favourite animals at Dolphin Cove or uncover fascinating history at Green Grotto Caves. Whether you’re a culture or history buff, Jamaica’s sightseeing adventures will certainly not disappoint.
Referred to by locals as “the lungs of eastern Jamaica,” The Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park is a vast, 100,000-acre space of jaw-dropping scenery. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a tropical rainforest made up of rolling green hills, exotic wildlife and stunning mountainous peaks. Its thriving biodiversity includes over 200 species of birds, including the world’s largest butterfly, the Giant Swallowtail, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. As well as these, there are also over 800 species of plants here.
The Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park is also a dream for hiking enthusiasts and there are guided tours available so that you can learn all about the area along the way, helping you to get the most out of your visit. You’ll even get the opportunity to try some of the world famous Blue Mountain Coffee, which is grown and produced here before being sold around the world.
The Blue Hole is a beautiful waterfall hidden in the mountains above Ochos Rios. Named after the stunning blue colour of the water that fills the waterfall’s plunge pool, the Blue Hole is loved by visitors for its magnificent scenery and perfect swimming conditions. The vibrant turquoise colour of the water blends perfectly with the surrounding green forestry, creating a gorgeous tropical setting that is a truly stunning sight to behold. Visitors can safely climb up the falls and jump into the plunge pool below, before going for a refreshing swim in the Blue Hole’s cool waters, allowing visitors to enjoy both a thrilling and refreshing experience.
Better yet, the Blue Hole isn’t a highly commercialised attraction, meaning you don’t get large bus loads of tourists swamping the area; it stays a quiet, hidden paradise all day long. To get to the Blue Hole, you’ll have to do a 20-minute drive up a mountain road, but it is more than worth the extra effort to get here.
Blue Mountain Peak is actually the highest mountain in Jamaica, stretching as far as 2,256 metres, also being coined as one of the highest peaks in the Caribbean.
The attractive nature which surrounds The Blue Mountains is truly remarkable, and the main reason travellers hike here on their Jamaica holiday. Blue Mountain Peak is so far removed from the rest of Jamaica. As great as the idyllic turquoise beaches and exotic jerk street food is in most parts of Jamaica, the Blue Mountain Peak brings travellers an escape from their everyday lives.
Avid cyclists love biking down The Blue Mountain Peak, admiring the views of the vast greenery and panoramic sights of Jamaica’s beautiful backdrop. For a longer hike, travellers can opt to stay in guesthouses which sit close to the start of The Blue Mountain Peak trail.
This wondrous sight is famous for more than just the scenery here, too. In fact, the delicious Blue Mountain coffee is one of the key reasons holidaymakers visit.
As well as beautiful coastline and historical caves, Jamaica is home to memorable, active sights like the wondrous Dolphin Cove Jamaica. Perfect for families, this sightseeing adventure offers holidaymakers the chance to interact and swim with dolphins in the beautiful Caribbean sea.
The Dolphin Cove Jamaica should certainly feature on your sightseeing itinerary, especially if you’re travelling through this beautiful country with the whole family. Choose from three different coves, depending on where you’re staying in Jamaica; either head to Dolphin Cove Montego Bay, Moon Palace Jamaica Grande or Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios.
Not only do travellers spend their days with Dolphins but other amazing animals, too. Ride a camel during your visit, or admire the wondrous stingrays, tropical fish and the wide selection of natural sea life that live here.
What’s great about Dolphin Cove Jamaica is it’s not only about seeing, but doing, too. Embark on a Jungle Trail during your visit, which involves uncovering a selection of wildlife, including animals, trees and plants.
Dunn’s River Falls is a beautiful, cascading waterfall just a stone’s throw away from Ocho Rios in Jamaica. This famous waterfall is one of Jamaica’s national treasures, enticing in thousands of visitors each year.
Located by the sea, this Caribbean waterfall really does resemble paradise. Dunn’s River Falls is an extremely popular spot with tourists who are seeking out Jamaica’s most breathtaking sightseeing activities.
The falls actually regenerate from several deposits of travertine rock, after the precipitation of calcium carbonate. Then, it flows into the river stream, creating an image of the luxurious and idyllic nature in Jamaica.
Embark on a Grand Jamaica and Dunn’s River Falls Tour, a hiking adventure where local guides lead you safely to the top of the falls, providing you with the best viewpoint.
As beautiful as this sightseeing adventure is, it’s likely you’re going to get sprayed by the naturally-formed falls. So, ensure you purchase some water shoes before heading over here.
Although it was only opened in 2002, Jamaica’s Emancipation Park in Kingston is a spot of historical significance, as it was opened the day before Emancipation Day as a commemoration of the end of slavery. The park is best recognised for the 3-meter bronze sculpture which sits at the park’s entrance, named after the popular Bob Marley song, ‘Redemption Song.’ The statue features a man and a woman staring into the sky to represent their rise from slavery.
Image source: Wikipedia Commons. Copyright Gwyneth Davidson
As well as celebrating freedom from slavery, there is much to see and enjoy at Emancipation Park. The park is a tidy area with plenty of trees, tropical vegetation and green spaces which are perfects spots to relax and enjoy a picnic. There are plenty of activities to enjoy here also, with built-in table tennis tables and chessboards open for free public use. There are also numerous benches and seating areas for visitors to take a break and gaze at the park’s beauty.
For a truly scenic ride, why not take a trip through Fern Gully? Taking its name from the fern trees which tower up to the sky, this canyon stretches for three miles. If you are a lover of plants, you will be in paradise during your drive through Fern Gully, which offers you the opportunity to take in the lush greenery either as you drive through it, or get out and have a proper look.
The ferns stretch skyward and arch over the road, creating a tunnel-like experience for those who drive along the Fern Gully road. This only enhances the journey, creating an enchanting atmosphere for anyone who passes through.
You can get out and purchase food and drink from the vendors at the side of the road. As you drive along the path, you will likely come across more than one stopping point if you fancy a wander around.
Green Grotto Caves are a sight worth seeing on your Jamaica holiday. A tour guide will escort you round the cave for around 45 minutes, providing you with details of the rich history here and how the caves initially formed all those years ago. Learn about the battles which took place here between both English and Spanish forces.
Image source: Flickr. Copyright Brandie.
Walk up 60 or more steps and discover the clever formation of these caves. Amazingly, snakes can even be seen as you enter. If you’re not an avid hiker – don’t worry, this sightseeing excursion is a pretty straightforward walk that anyone and everyone can enjoy. A vast range of wildlife surrounds these fascinating caves, as well as several species of animals, including bats
The admission fee for Green Grotto Caves is around $20, and is certainly worth it when you discover the history behind how these caves came to be and the beautiful nature which lives and grows close by.
Mayfield Falls is a blissful group of aquatic features, comprising of 21 natural pools and two stunning waterfalls. The largest of the two waterfalls is known as “the washing machine” although neither of the waterfalls is particularly large. As a matter of fact, the whole area has a very calming aura; the currents are not powerful, the pools are reasonably shallow and the water is pleasantly refreshing.
The natural beauty of this area is not to be missed; it is completely encircled by glorious wildlife, greenery and vegetation. There is an abundance of birds and picturesque flowers and plants native to Jamaica, including 52 types of fern. Tours are available from guides who will show you around the area and help you safely negotiate the streams. The falls and surrounding areas are maintained in excellent condition to allow visitors to see the beauty of the area in all its glory.
Rose Hall Great House is an outstanding Georgian-style mansion, located in beautiful Montego Bay, Jamaica. This fascinating landmark offers not only intricate architecture to admire but luscious gardens and a panoramic view of the idyllic coast, too.
Image source: Flickr. Copyright Studio Sarah Lou.
Built back in the 1770s, it is coined as one of Jamaica’s greatest, long-standing houses, with the history itself telling a truly remarkable story. Opt for a candlelit, haunted night tour to truly appreciate this fascinating sight. Plus, it’s said that the rumoured Annee, “The White Witch of Rose Hall” still roams the halls of this rustic building, which tour guides draw upon on your evening tour.
If you’re an avid golf player, Rose Hall Great House offers you the chance to put a few holes upon your visit, thanks to the two championship golf courses available to use on-site. Many couples also venture over to this spectacular house to get married, since the surrounding scenery is comprised of glittering sea waters, set amongst beautiful and vast green gardens.