Jamaica is chock-full of beaches, waterfalls, jerk centers, and every manner of outdoor recreation. Who wouldn’t love jetting off for day trips to take in the sunshine or jaunt in the jungle? Over the past two weeks, I’ve tried to collect a list of recommended day trips from Kingston so we’re shovel ready once our car arrives.
Each of these places is within a ~2 hour drive. We’ll write in-depth posts about each once we check them off our list.
1. Picnic Day at Lime Cay
Lime Cay is reachable via a short boat ride from Port Royal. Lime Cay is self-catered, BYOB so definitely pack a picnic and a cooler of Red Stripe. Also, there are no restrooms so — you know — bring a trowel.
2. Waterfall Hiking in Portland
Portland is the wettest, most jungle-like part of Jamaica. Trade winds blow in from the ocean and moisture gets trapped up against the slopes of the Blue Mountains. This makes for tremendous waterfalls, swimming holes, and jungle hikes.
3. Jerk Pork at Boston Jerk Center
Boston Bay is the home of Jamaican Jerk. Jerk Chicken is very common, but Jerk Pork is reportedly “The Original.”
4. Surfing at Boston Bay
Close to the Jerk Centers, Boston Bay is supposed to have good waves, but even if it’s calm it’s still, well, rather pretty.
5. Spa Day at Bath Fountain Hotel
According to the Jamaican Government, Bath Fountain water “is esteemed a stimulant and highly beneficial. In chronic complaints such as; gout, a variety of skin diseases, chronic rheumatism and disorders of the spleen and liver.” Healthy!
6. Sunning at Winnifred Beach
Supposedly one of the prettiest beaches in Portland, recommended by many many folks so far.
7. Snorkeling Oracabessa Fish Sanctuary
Oracabessa is home to mangrove forests, protected biodiversity, James Bond Beach, and the Oracabessa Bay Sea Turtle Project.
8. Rafting the Rio Grande
Shuttles take up you to the top of the Blue Mountains and then a guide with a bamboo raft guides you down through the river and rapids. The rafts also can accommodate coolers for food and beverages on the tough ride down ;).
9. Swimming and Diving at Irie Blue Hole
This lagoon and natural spring are fairly close to the cruise ship docks at Ocho Rios but the Irie Blue Hole has remains fairly unspoiled and untouristed.
