If you only know Jamaica as a cruise stopover or a destination for all-inclusive resort partying, it’s time to go a little deeper. Venture into the mystical Blue Mountains. Sleep in a treetop hut. Discover hidden coves.

Jamaica is a favorite destination for Maggie Butler, Manager of Marketing Optimization USA for Allianz Global Assistance, who has visited the island six times. Maggie shared with us a few of her favorite things to do in Jamaica, from sampling Scotchie’s jerk chicken to riding horses through the waves.

First, a few notes on safety: While Jamaica remains a popular destination for American tourists, the U.S. Department of State reminds travelers that violent crime is a serious problem. Be cautious, hide valuables and avoid urban centers at night, particularly in Kingston and Montego Bay.¹ Also, Jamaica is one of the few countries in which rental cars are not covered by Allianz Global Assistance’s OneTrip Rental Car Protector. Maggie suggests hiring a driver instead, which costs surprisingly little.

Five Things to Do In Jamaica

Savor the sun on Seven Mile Beach. The sand stretches on and on at this beautiful beach in Negril. Rent a kayak or a sailboat, then cool down with a rum punch at one of the many beach bars.

Explore lesser-known waterfalls. Thousands of tourists crowd the famous Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios, but Jamaica has many equally beautiful and more secluded falls to visit. Reggae Falls in St. Thomas includes a spring of warm mineral water. Tacky Falls in St. Mary is a tall, breathtaking cascade accessible via a short, though challenging hike.²

Visit the Bob Marley Museum. Located in the house where Marley lived from 1975 until his death in 1981, the Bob Marley Museum pays tribute to Jamaica’s most revered musician. See Marley’s treasured possessions, visit his rehearsal studio and enjoy the singing tour guides.

Swim with a horse. In a ride-and-swim tour, tourists ride specially trained horses through old plantations, followed by a bareback ride in the warm Caribbean Sea.³ “It’s the best experience I ever had horseback riding on the beach,” Maggie says.

Watch the sun set from the terraces at Rick’s Café. Since its founding in 1974, Rick’s Café has been destroyed — twice — by hurricanes, but this beloved bar rebuilt and reopened. Is it touristy? Yes, but for good reason. Watching the sun set at Rick’s is one of the most popular things to do in Jamaica. Diving from the cliffs is permitted, but as your trusted travel insurance provider, we say please don’t do it. Travel insurance does not cover losses caused by risky activities and/or being under the influence of drugs or intoxicants.

Four Great Hotels and Resorts in Jamaica

If you’ve ever dreamed of being James Bond, book a stay at GoldenEye, the former retreat of Bond creator Ian Fleming. Located in Oracabessa Bay on Jamaica’s north coast, Goldeneye is a collection of oceanfront villas and beach huts on more than 30 acres of gardens, woods, lagoons, caves and beaches.

Rockhouse Hotel is one of the best boutique hotels in Jamaica. Thirty-four rooms built of stone, timber and thatch are perched upon the scenic cliffs of Negril’s Pristine Cove. Enjoy fresh flowers on canopied beds, spa treatments in cliffside cabanas, and classes in drumming, yoga and painting.

In Ocho Rios, the Jamaica Inn is known for its historic charm, antique-filled rooms and private verandahs. Marilyn Monroe honeymooned there, so is it any wonder the Jamaica Inn has been named one of the most romantic places to stay in the world?⁴

A quirky but delightful Jamaican eco-resort is Great Huts in Port Antonio, which is exactly that: a collection of huts, ranging from luxe to rustic, some perched high in the treetops. “Small lizards, frogs and hermit crabs wander freely in and out of guest rooms,” the resort warns — if you’re freaked out, this place is not for you.⁵

If you’re traveling with a group, Maggie recommends booking a private villa. It’s surprisingly affordable when you share the costs, she says, and most villas come fully staffed with a chef, housekeeper and butler: “It’s like having a personal concierge right there.”

Three of the Best Restaurants in Jamaica

Maggie’s favorite spot for authentic Jamaican food is Scotchie’s, a local favorite with three locations. They cook jerk chicken, pork and roast fish on big grills, then serve it with sides like yams, rice and peas, and breadfruit. Plus fiery hot sauce, if you dare.

A hidden treasure is Little Ochie on the south coast. Order freshly caught fish, shrimp or lobster by the pound and tell the chef how you’d like it cooked: steamed, jerked, curried, or escoveitched? Then savor your repast while sitting in a fishing boat with a thatched roof.⁶

While fabulous Jamaican food can be had at beach shacks and bars, fine dining abounds too. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, book a private candlelight dinner at the Caves in Negril. “Imagine being tucked into a cave strewn with pink bougainvillea petals and illuminated by dozens of flickering candles,” the restaurant says.⁷ Oh, we can imagine…

As soon as you book your Jamaican getaway, protect your vacation with trusted travel insurance products from Allianz Global Assistance. Travel insurance can include emergency medical benefits, trip cancellation/interruption benefits, lost/stolen luggage benefits, trip delay benefits and other benefits for perfect peace of mind. Travel happy!

What Do I Need to Travel to Jamaica?

Related Articles

• 6 Hidden Treasures in the Western Caribbean
• Travel Insurance 101: How Travel Insurance Works
• 5 Great Southern Beaches