As a New Year approaches, I wonder how many Jamaicans and regular visitors to Jamaica know about this 365 days of Jamaica list. Published by jamaicans.com four years ago, this list gives you one new activity to do in Jamaica for every day of the year.
Several are duplicates which is unfortunate because there are that many activities to do in Jamaica. Some would require months or even years of saving to make them possible and as a Jamaican, some are hilarious such as have Christmas dinner with a Jamaican family (the audience was perhaps intended to be foreign). Also, some of the places or activities listed are no longer available. That being said, I discovered this list about two years ago and it has become a master bucket list for me. Thus, for 2020 I gave publishing my own bucket lists a rest and instead published this list I’m most fond of. It has been reworded for clarity and duplicates plus activities no longer available have been removed, making this count less than 365 activities. At the time of publishing this piece, I’ve only completed 26% (86) of its activities. Let’s see 2020 takes me.
Where to Visit
Take a Ride Down Holland Bamboo Avenue Visit the Birthplace of Poet Claude McKay See the Restored Persian Water Wheel in Falmouth See the Royal Accommodations at DeMontevin Lodge Don’t Miss a Chance to Tour Kingston Touring Kingston Retreat into the Grand Ridge View and Bamboo Grove Campsites
Visit the Bay View Spa
Whistle Up Some Relaxation at Whistling Bird
Visit The Village of Bath
Bath Botanical Gardens Travel Through History at the Outameni Experience
Feed Hummingbirds at Rockland Bird Sanctuary
Have a Seafood Feast at Hellshire BeachVisit the Village of St. George
Get Relaxed at Shan Shy Fishing Beach
Head Over to the Hanover Museum
See the World War II Refuge: Gibraltar Camp
Visit the Bank of Jamaica’s Money Museum
Encounter Ghosts at the Edinburgh Castle
Trace the Steps of Pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny
Visit Ward Theatre, an Icon of Jamaican CultureSee What’s Left of the Bog Walk Tube
Learn More about Marcus Garvey with a Visit to Liberty Hall
Go to Stony Gut
Refresh at the Rockfort Spa
Rockfort Spa Stop at Our Lady of Perpetual HelpLearn More: Marcus Garvey Reading Room
Visit 32 Market Street in St. Ann’s Bay
Party at Skyline Drive
Enjoy the Street Art on Fleet Street See the Sites in Salem, Westmoreland
Family Fun at Fort Clarence Beach
Seaford Town: A Post-Slavery European Creation
Pay Your Respects to Nanny of the Windward Maroons
Play at Plumb Point LighthouseMake a Trip to Maidstone
Follow the Steps of Colonials on the Flat BridgeBridge the Gap: Spanish Town’s Historic Cast Iron BridgeTake Part in the Taino Heritage Camp
Visit the Portland Bight Protected Area
Check Out Colbeck Castle
See Some History at Old Harbor Bay
Pay Your Respects at the Rio Nuevo Battle Site
Take a Stroll through Cinchona Botanical Garden
Take a Tour of Mico College
Take the High Road & visit Lime Tree Farm
Lime Tree Farm Take a Dip at Frenchman’s Cove Retreat to the Swift River
Visit the Goat Islands
Learn Something at the University of the West Indies Mona CampusTake A Tour of Independence Park
See an Artifact of the Sugar Era: Drax Hall Waterwheel
Jamaica’s Industrial Past: The Kenilworth Ruins
Get Educated on a Visit to Jamaica CollegeMake It Legal: Visit Savanna-la-mar Court House
Sail Over to Pedro Bank
All In for the Alhambra Inn and Restaurant
Honor Jamaica’s Heritage at the Greenvale Railway Station
Enjoy an Eco-Tour at Highland Estate
Culture and Creativity beyond Reggae at the Sam Sharpe Square’s Montego Bay Cultural Center
Montego Bay Cultural Centre “Heal Thyself” at Doctor’s Cave Bathing Club
Discover the Great House at Annandale Estate
Check Out the Crossroads of Jamaica at Half-Way TreeNot so Gruesome Bloody Bay
Check Out the Geddes Estate
See the Training Ground of the Jamaican Defense ForceDon’t Miss William Grant Park in KingstonWade in the Waters at Walter Fletcher Beach
Travel to Trident Castle
Make a Trek through Abeokuta Paradise Nature Park
Bamboo River Rafting on the Martha Brae River
See Pictographs at Mountain River Cave
Refresh Yourself at the Bowden Hill Waterfall
Bowden Hill Waterfall Get to Know Konoko Falls
Take Your Time at Kwame Falls Experience the Music of Reggae Falls Enjoy the 14 Cascading Waters of Turtle River Falls
See the Secrets of Scatter Falls
Make Your Way to Mahoe Falls
Visit the Hidden Gem that Is Cane River Falls Take a Trip to Tacky Falls
Tacky Falls Good Hope Estate Park for Thrill Seekers
Jamaica Dunn’s River Falls: Cruise Tours with Snorkeling
Hike in to Nanny Falls and Its Legendary Healing Waters
Swim, Play, and Eat at Cosmo’s in Negril
Take a Drive through the Blue Mountains Soak It Up at Bubbling Spring Mineral Bath
Follow the Maroon Trail “Cunha Cunha Pass”
Meet the Crocodiles in the Black River
Black River Safari Make a Splash at Makka Beach
Travel to Tapioca Village for Some Real Relaxation
Do Some “Wastin’ Away” in MargaritavilleEnjoy Falmouth by Trolley
Get Inspired at Port Antonio’s Carriacou Gallery
Go birdwatching.
Cave Exploration in Trelawny
Outback Adventure at Prospect Plantation
Cabarita River, Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica
Visit Hanover’s Animal Farm & Nature Reserve
Hike the Little Dunn’s River Trail The Legend (and Reality) of Folly Ruins
Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden
Jamaica’s Best Hideout: the Green Grotto Caves
Green Grotto Caves Explore Jamaica’s Colonial History at Columbus Park Visit Columbus’ First Landing Spot at Puerto Seco Beach Speed at Kool Runnings Water Park
Climb Dunn’s River Falls Dive into Port Royal The Gardens of Somerset Falls Check Out the Windsor Caves
See the Heart of Sugar-Producing Jamaica at Petersfield
Reaching for Reach Falls
Reach Falls Bamboo Rafting on the Rio Grande River
Rose Hall in Montego Bay Ride Through St. Ann in Style: Chukka Cove
Mammee Bay Beach
Have a Luminous Experience at Glistening Waters
Take on the Waters at Bath Springs Visit Navy Island in Port Antonio
Silver Sands Beach
Go Wild at Mayfield Falls
Treasure Beach
The Coyaba River Garden and Museum
Rick’s Cafe in Negril
Rick’s Cafe Visit the Lighthouse in Negril
Negril Seven Mile Beach The Dome at Jackies on the Reef
Enjoy Nature at Zimbali in Westmoreland
Tour Animal Farm & Nature Reserve
Hope for Endangered Animals at Hope Zoo Paintball Fun at Paintball Jamaica
Boat In to Lime Cay
Don’t Miss Dub Club: The Best Party in Kingston
Turn the Clock Back at Seville Heritage Park
Seville Greathouse A Learning Experience: The Institute of JamaicaSavor the Aroma: Mavis Bank Coffee Factory
Pal around the Royal Palms Nature Reserve
See the Guns of Fort Haldane
Stand Up in the Giddy House Check out the Wonders of Lovers Leap Hats Off to the Heroes: National Heroes ParkFind Your Thrill at Strawberry Hill
Sail to Floyd’s Pelican Bar
Heading to Pelican Bar Hike Up Heron Hill
Revitalize at the Blue Hole Mineral Spring
Tune Up Your Soul at the Trenchtown Reading Center
Get in Touch with Reggae’s Heritage & Where Bob Marley grew up Cruise the Cockpit Country
Muy Bueno! The Rio Bueno Seaside Village
Enjoy a Piece of Paradise (Abeokuta Paradise Nature Park)
Wander the Island Wild through Fern Gully
Wile Away the Time at Water Square
Repent Like a Pirate in St. Peter’s Church
See the Bubbling Springs at Firewater Pond
Explore the Lighthouse at Morant Point
Make a Visit to MandevilleAppreciate Art at the National Gallery of JamaicaStop and Smell the Flowers: Cranbrook Flower Forest
Spend the Day in Harmony at Harmony Hall.
Pay Your Respects to William Knibb
Experience Falmouth’s Heritage
Get Bullish about Bull Bay’s Bobo Camp
Take in an Exhibit at National Art Gallery West Enjoy Peace and Quiet at Holywell Park
Holywell Don’t Miss Alligator Pond
Take a Tour of Malvern
Visit River Bumpkin Farm
Go Underground at Cave Valley
Visit Firefly House, Home of Noel Coward
Check Out Lacovia
Visit the New Burwood Beach
Winnifred Beach
Turtle Beach
Mallards Beach
Steer Town Beach
Time Travel at Bellefield Great House & Gardens
Take a Drive from Treasure Beach to Black River
Cornwall Beach
Boston Bay Beach
Boston Beach 53/178
Where to Stay
Make a Move to Mangos Jamaica Enjoy a Stay at Melia Braco Village Jamaica Give In to Hedonism II Get Away From It All: Sunset at the Palms Have a Holiday in Paradise at Jewel Paradise Cove Drive Like a Reggae Legend at Geejam Everything Eco at Zion Country Eco Beach Cabins Live the Lushness at Strawberry Fields Together Make a Splash at Jewel Lagoon Water Park Escape to the Rustic Bloomfield Guest House and Banquet Hall Avoid The Crowded Resorts With A Stay At The Blue House Take the Family to Half Moon Resort An All-Inclusive Sun Spot: Sunscape Cove Spend a Family Day at Franklyn D Resort and Spa Stay in Your Own Private Caribbean Cove at Tensing Pen Resort Enjoy an All-Inclusive Stay at the Jewel of Runaway Bay Resort Check In to Hand-Crafted Hermosa Cove Sleep on the Cliffs of Negril Enjoy the View from the Laughing Treehouse Rustic and Luxurious Living at Great Huts Life Is Better in a Beach Hut Stay on the Cliffs at the Rockhouse Hotel Samsara Resort: Small and Quiet with Ocean Views Sleep in a treehouse in the Rainforest at Kanopi House Take Your Sweetheart to Couples Tower Isle 0/25
What to Do
Horseback Ride from Ocho Rios or Runaway Bay Take an ATV Ride from Negril to Sandy Bay Participate in a Community Walk-AboutHike through Rasta CountrySpend a Saturday at the Races Tube the Good River Board the River Take a Trip in a Glass-Bottom Boat Don’t Miss the Mento Slip on the Snorkel in Negril Splurge on a Spa Treatment at Fern Tree Spa Watch a Game of Cricket at Sabina Park Shop at the Gallery of West Indian Art Visit Half Way Tree to Watch a Sporting Event Get Some Exercise with a View Take a Tour of a Bauxite Mine Have a Birding Adventure in Mandeville at Marshall’s Pen Birdwatching at Orange River Ranch Consider a Catamaran Cruise Experience the Thrill of Deep Sea Sport Fishing Do Some Shopping at the Craft Market Ride High with Kiteboarding Downhill Bike Tour in the Blue Mountains Don’t Leave Jamaica without souvenirsPlay a Few Holes at the Manchester Country Club Jamaica Whitewater Expedition Play a Game of LudoPlay Dominoes with Jamaicans A game of dominoes Learn the Links at Cinnamon Hill Golf Course
Take a Ride on the Zion Bus Line
Sample the Surfing at Jamnesia
Go on an Adventure with South Coast Off-Road Safari
Get Down to the Roots at Inna De Yard
Volunteer Your Time and Help a Community
Go Coasting: Chukka Ocean Safari
Horses and History on the Heritage Beach Horse Ride
Go for the Big Ones: Deep Sea Fishing
Take to the Air with Parasailing Get the Diving Experience without Diving (Glass bottom boat)
Tour Prospect Plantation: by Jitney and Camel
All Aboard for an ATV Adventure
Meet CHAMPS in Kingston
Check the Vibe at a Rastafari Village
Clear Your Head at Mystic Mountain
Spend a Saturday at the Brownstown Market
Visit a Jamaican EDM Festival
Get Rid of Your Blues with Jazz and Martinis
Go Rafting on the White River
Bring Out Your Inner James Bond
Play Golf on the Rose Hall Estate
Dance the Night Away
Feel the Music at Rebel Salute
Go Fishing
6/53
Food & Drink
Have a Bite at Lillian’s Restaurant Celebrate Bussu in Swift River Have Lobster at Cynthia’s Sip Some Sorrel: Jamaica’s Traditional Christmas BeverageHave a Slice of Jamaican Christmas CakeGet Some JerkLive It Up at the Houseboat Grill Stop For Fresh Fruit at the Sun Valley Plantation Take Some Recreation at Redbones Blues Café Give In to Your Tastebuds with the Seafood Market in St. James Take Your Taste Buds on a History Tour through Falmouth & St. Ann Dine on Lobsters at Booby Cay Island The Zimbali Retreat’s Five-Course Farm-to-Table Meal Go for the Crayfish at Soldier Camp Celebrate Italian-Jamaican Fusion Cuisine Join in the Jamaican Food and Drink FestivalExpand Your Dining Horizons with Jamaican Chinese FoodSavor Soursop JuiceBeverages at the Bar: Bamboo Blu in Mammee Bay Relax at Ribbiz Ultra Lounge The Best Thing on the Island: Fresh Fruit Sweetcups (pretty sure these have another name in other countries)
Local grown peaches!
Cheeseberries
Glory Be to the GizzadaThe Pleasure of PlantainsGrab a Plate of Rice and Peas, PleaseEnjoy Belinda’s on the Rio Grande Enjoy the Bounty of the Caribbean Sea with EscovitcheTry Jamaica’s Tasty Alternative to SpinachJumping for Joy over the Jamaican Patty Jamaican patty Required for Visitors: Partake of Jamaica’s National DishFind the Flavors of Jamaica in Great House Style
Have Brunch at the Boon Hall Oasis
Just Stop By Just Natural in Negril
Try the Fancy Seafood Bar and Grill in Ocho Rios
Try Some Jamaican Street Food
Pan chicken, Jamaican street food Start Your Day the Jamaican Way with a local breakfastGet Your Fast Food Here (patties, Island Grill etc.)Enjoy a Surfer’s Paradise at Longboarder’s Bar & Grill
Experience the Seahorse Grill
Do the Crop-to-Table Tour at Stush in the Bush Organic Farm
Have Drinks at the Montego Bay Yacht Club
The Ultimate Spicy Food Challenge: Peppered Shrimp
Pepper shrimps Rum on the Appleton Estate Enjoy a Meal In Little Ochi
Dives and Deals: Jerk Chicken at Three Dives Jerk Center
The Real Deal: Conch Chowder at Dor’s Fish Pot
Jerk at the Pushcart Restaurant and Rum Bar
Love Your Lunch: Eat at Ibo Spice
Coronation Market: The Stomach of Jamaica
Rockhouse Restaurant
Something Good: The Historic Sugar Mill Restaurant
The Taste of Tradition at Scotchies in Montego Bay
Seafood and Sunsets on Pier 1
Get the “Run Down” and Try Some Run DownX Marks the Spot: Xtabi at West End
Eat Bun and Cheese: An Easter TraditionDine at Sharkies
Sky Beach Bar and Seafood Grill
Savor a Chocolate Feast at Mount Pleasant Farm
The Pudding Man: Eat a Perfect Jamaican Sweet Potato PuddingEat Ice Cream at Devon House Drink Coffee and Hike in Blue Mountains National Park Have Dinner in a Cave
Enjoy Fine Dining at Jamaica Inn
24/64
Seasonal Experiences
Celebrate Bob Marley’s Birthday in February Spend the Second Sunday in July at the Seafood Carnival Spend Christmas Day with a Jamaican Family Visit the Christmas Eve Grand Market Attend a Christmas Concert Munchies at the Montego Bay Jerk Festival Savor the Joy of Jerk at the Portland Jerk Festival Get Edgy: Kingston’s Edge Urban Art Festival Listen to Stories at the Calabash Literary Festival Taste the Legacy of India at the Westmoreland Curry Festival Celebrate Carnival in Jamaica Accompong Maroon Festival Experience A Jamaican New Year’s Day3/13
Done: 86/333=26%
Wrap Up
As mentioned in the introduction, this list is not my original work; it is taken from jamaicans.com but has been edited for clarity, practicality and currency. It’s a list I’ve been fond of for several years and I hope you were already aware it existed. Regardless, I trust you’ll find this format easier to follow. Best wishes for this holiday season and look out for my 2019 recap in two days. Thanks for your support this year. ❤ ✌🏽
Until the next post, keep up with Elle on Facebook , Instagram and Pinterest .
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Sweetcups (pretty sure these have another name in other countries)
Local grown peaches!
Cheeseberries
I love to visit the Montego Bay Cultural Center and check out the new art exhibits.
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It’s lovely isn’t it? I’ll go whenever next I’m in Montego Bay. 🙂
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Number 18, Encounter Ghosts at the Edinburgh Castle made me chuckle. Girl mek di duppy dem stay right deh so (0:
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😂😂😂 right? While I don’t think it’s necessarily haunted as belief kills and belief cures, I’ll only visit in the daytime to be safe. Not about that encounter duppy life.
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