The island of Jamaica is 10,991 km² packed with dazzling natural beauty and significant history. A visit to this splendid emerald isle wouldn’t be complete without experiencing some of that history and beauty first hand. While some people like nothing more than to rot on the beach with a good book, and others never want to come up out of the ocean for air, walking tours cater to those who like to intersperse their vacation with a little light adventure.
I never fail to start any adventure by figuring out where my next meal is coming from, so naturally, I begin with a food tour. Jamaica Culinary Tours offerings will fill you up with local delicacies and facts about the island before you head off on more strenuous adventures. With a variety to choose from, you will be loaded up with great tidbits and ready to head off into the jungle.
On a walking food tour in Falmouth, we encountered (Clockwise from top left) many fresh coconuts, a medicine man with his concoctions, loads of hot peppers and, of course, rum.
With a long a checkered history, the Green Grotto Caves are a compelling tourist attraction, especially on a hot Jamaica day! Used variously as a hideout for pirates, smugglers and rum runners, the caves morphed into a hot nightclub for several years before the government took it on to run as a tourist attraction. Located between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, they are a labyrinth of limestone, stalactites, stalagmites, an underground lake, and the domain of many bats. Our charming and cheeky tour guide deftly led us through the maze interspersing geological facts with tall tales of the grotto’s history. Not an easy tour for those with mobility issues, or strollers, it’s nonetheless a unique experience.
Stalagmite in Green Grotto Cave, Jamaica. Notice the bar in the background from the former nightclub
Spooky is just one word to describe Rose Hall, a plantation with a past full of conspiracy, adultery, murder, and more. Its Mistress Annie May Paterson was known as the White Witch by the plantation slaves, and her nanny was rumoured to be a voodoo woman who taught her terrible tricks. The great house on this plantation tour has been restored and gives an intriguing insight into the life of the gentry in 18th century Jamaica. This tour, while fascinating, will leave you with goose pimples on a hot day.
Getting to and from these intriguing attractions can be a challenge. If you want a safe, reliable transportation, and an endlessly entertaining guide to all of Jamaica, Paradise Travels – Jamaica Tours is a great place to start. They provide everything from transfers to hotels, sightseeing tours, and specialised excursions. You can pick from one of their advertised tours or work with them to create a package that works for you and your family. And they also provide free car seats (upon request) as part of their service. Want to see something off tour? Just ask, and if it is within reason, it’s no problem! Our gracious guide Jermaine was happy to help us satisfy a craving for jerk chicken with a stop at Scotchies in Ocho Rios.
