Top Places to Visit in Jamaica

"This is the land of my birth, this is Jamaica myfeet will thank you. Since we're done with the
Jamaica, the land of my birth" - Eric Donaldsonpracticalities let's get to the fun part. I can guarantee
Now I know a lot of persons consider this little islandthat this will be an experience you will never forget.
a vacationer's paradise but for me Jamaica is simplyThe power and beauty of the fall is like no other,
my home. This beautiful little island has a treasurealong your climb there are little pools where you can
trove of unique offerings and experiences that a lotrelax. Cool, clear water, beautiful foliage and when
of persons who come on an 'all inclusive' packageyou get to the top of the fall where it is a little
miss out on. So to help you out, I've compiled a listquieter you can actually hear the birds chirp. You
of places that you must visit on your next stop incannot leave Jamaica without visiting Dunn's River
Jamaica.Falls.
DEVON HOUSE - KingstonMARTHA BRAE - Trelawny
The story of this historic Mansion is an intriguing one.You are now ready for a relaxing, romantic and
The house was built in 1881 by George Steibel thescenic experience and bamboo rafting along the
son of a housekeeper and Jamaica's first blackMartha Brae River will satisfy all of the above. The
millionaire. Now imagine its 1881 and Jamaica is stillMartha Brae is a 20 mile (32 km) long river located on
under British Colonial rule and racial equality was athe northwest coast of Jamaica and like a lot of
dirty phrase. Mr. Steibel goes abroad, makes histhings in Jamaica it has its own legend.
fortune, returns and builds his house smack in theThe story goes that Spanish Treasure hunters, lured
middle of "Millionaires Corner" as it was called then,by tales of Arawak gold captured an Arawak Indian
due to the elaborately designed houses. He basicallywitch hoping to have her lead them to the treasure
spat in the face of the establishment and as the(the Arawaks were the first inhabitants of the
story goes, one particular Lady was so upset aboutIsland). Pretending to be complacent, the witch led
having to see the house on her morning ride that shethem into a cave and then suddenly disappeared.
had another road cut for her - which is now knownFrightened, the Spaniards ran out of the cave but
as Lady Musgrave Road.then the river engulfed them and the river is said to
The history and beauty of Devon house is one ofbe named after this Arawak witch.
the main reasons to visit. It is located in the heart ofNow centuries later, visitors have the opportunity to
Kingston a few minutes away from the Businessglide along this beautiful and picturesque river atop a
District and from the bustling city centre - Half-Waybamboo raft. The journey covers over 3 miles and
Tree. There are also a number of shopping and diningwill have you reminiscing of times past when sugar
options available at the location.was king and the rafts were used to transport this
FAITH'S PEN - St. Anncargo to merchants in the harbor.
This little spot is located on the main road fromACCOMPONG - St. Elizabeth
Spanish Town to Ocho Rios (called Ochi by locals).If you want to truly connect with Jamaica you must
After a circuitous and sometimes long drive (don'tvisit Accompong. The settlement was founded in
get stuck behind a truck!) through Mount Rosser,1739 after the Maroons signed a peace treaty with
Faith's Pen is like a Mecca. It is a perfectly positionedthe British and is perched high in the mountains of St.
lay-by for travelers to stretch their legs, chill andElizabeth in western Jamaica. Accompong is actually
enjoy a meal on their way to or from Ochi. Therean independent nation state within the nation of
are approximately 30 vendor stalls organized inJamaica.
numbered huts offering a wide array of JamaicanThe history of the Maroons and the establishment of
dishes. You can get jerk pork and chicken, roast orthe settlement of Accompong cannot be summarized
fried fish, ackee and saltfish, roast or friendin a few lines. There are several good websites that
breadfruit, festival, bammy, boiled or roasted corn onwould help you to better understand the daring acts
the cob, soup and so on. I'm hungry after writingof defiance and bravery that helped the Maroons
that.defeat the English and gain freedom from slavery. A
Be prepared to spend at least half an hour trying tovisit to Accompong will give you a first hand view of
make a decision and another half hour licking yourJamaican history and culture.
fingers. You can get everything to go, so you getNEGRIL'S SEVEN MILE BEACH - Westmoreland
your on and still arrive at your destination in time.Seven miles of white sand beach with the most
LITTLE OCHI- St Elizabethincredible, heart stopping sunsets imaginable. Negril
Here I go again, waxing poetic about food, but foroffers a wide array of entertainment options; if you
those that have had the fortune to visit this littlewant a disco, a great restaurant, fire eaters or some
gem, they will understand. Little Ochi is nowhere nearquiet time on the beach you will be accommodated.
Ocho Rios (check out a map of Jamaica), I shouldThe area offers prime snorkeling and diving
probably label the destination to visit as Alligatoropportunities and for those who are adrenaline
Pond, on the south coast of the Island but mostjunkies how about jumping off a 40 foot cliff into
people that visit that area, go with one place in mind,the ocean? It will certainly wake you up.
Little Ochi. This little restaurant offers one of theFor a relaxing time on white sand beaches, Negril is
best, most rustic dining experiences with diners beingthe place to be.
able to have all of their seafood cravings indulgedROSE HALL GREAT HOUSE - St James
right on the beach. I should say for those that haveThe story of Rose Hall is one filled with mystery,
seafood allergies you should probably quickly scroll tointrigue, deaths, ghosts and black magic. The house
the next destination.was built in 1770 and for fifty years the house and
I'm about to pull out my best Bubba from Forestits estates seemed to exist as normal until its owner
Gump impression - you can get your shrimp boiled,John Rose Palmer brought home his beautiful English
fried, jerked, roasted, sautéed and so on. Fish,bride named Annie Palmer. During her time as
lobster, conch, oysters and most other seafood faremistress of Rose Hall Annie or "The White Witch of
you may want they can accommodate you. ThereRose Hall" as she was better known, actively
are no fine dining rules of etiquette so you'll bepracticed voodoo and developed a reputation far and
excused if you lick your plate after eating a five starwide for her ruthlessness. She is said to have killed
fare.her first husband John Palmer, two other husbands
DUNN'S RIVER FALLS - St Annand countless slave lovers. Annie was found dead in
So after eating all of that food, the Dunn's River Fallher bedroom at The Great House in 1831 with
is the perfect spot to have fun working off thespeculation as to the circumstances of her death.
excess or lazing around baking yourself in the sunRose Hall like any great house worth its salt is said to
with a Rum. Dunn's river is on the island's north coastbe haunted the spirit of Annie Palmer and many a
just outside of Ocho Rios and is a naturalvisitor have claimed to see her ghost roaming the
phenomenon. The first time you hear the rushing ofcorridors. For an interesting and scary experience
the falls you get a rush of adrenaline like no other.Rose Hall is a must visit.
The website of the Jamaica Tourist Board describesBLUE MOUNTAIN PEAK- St Andrew
the attraction as follows:Do you want a bird's eye view of Jamaica? Then the
Dunn's River Falls is unique. Described as a living andBlue Mountain peak is the perfect spot. Rising above
growing phenomenon, it continuously regeneratesan elevation of 7,000ft, both the North and South
itself from deposits of travertine rock, the result ofcoasts of the island can be seen at the summit.
precipitation of calcium carbonate from the river, as itVisitors can arrange for a hike or bicycle tour which
flows over the falls. The small dome-shapedpasses through tropical rainforests and coffee
cataracts are usually associated with thermal springplantations with dramatic mountain views. Your
activity found in limestone caves. This, combined withmuscles may protest the next day but the
its location near to the sea, gives Dunn's River theexperience is worth it, experience the beauty of
distinction of being the only one of its kind in theJamaica firsthand.
Caribbean, if not the world.Now this list is by no means exhausted. Writing this
Visitors are able to climb the fall with a guide or onhas me reminiscing on a few of those experiences
their own. If it is your first time I suggest you goand has me antsy, longing for a road trip. I'm going to
with a guide as they would be able to show you theorganize that and give you part two of my top
footholds. Also, ensure you rent a rubber shoe; yourplaces to visit in Jamaica later. Have fun.