Looking for unique things to do in Jamaica that will take you off the beaten track a little bit, but still all around the jungles, coasts, caves, bars, and hotels of the island? You are sure to find something among the next 17 ideas!
The birthplace of reggae and home to the world’s fastest sprinters, Jamaica is a must-visit place for all travellers. You should plan for a minimum of 10 days to tour the country. This will be enough to explore the culture and tourist attractions of the country – a little bit of everything. Let’s look at the top unique things you should do in Jamaica.
Go Trekking or Biking in the Jamaican Blue Mountains
If you enjoy a good challenge, you should spare a day to hike up the Jamaican Blue Mountains. This untouched mountain has unique flora and fauna. At the top of the mountain, you will get dramatic views of the sea. Don’t be discouraged if you aren’t at athlete-level fitness — there is something for people at all fitness levels on this mountain.
The Blue Mountains are also known for Kingston coffee plantations. Many people also enjoy biking down the mountains on a mountain biking tour – this is easier than trekking, as all you have to do is bike down! You will learn plenty about the area on the way up and enjoy all the views on the way down.
Enjoy the Luxurious Iberostar Resorts
Jamaica has quite a few Iberostar resorts that are all unique from each other, from all-inclusive to adults-only. You can enjoy relaxing Caribbean and garden views from your room balcony. Iberostar 5 star hotels in Jamaica also have swimming pools, and many of them are close to the beach. If you like a little privacy and something extra unique, you can go for rooms with semi-private swimming pools.
ALL of the hotels also have excellent restaurants and bars, so you can sample the local gastronomy without even leaving! There are some epic packages too; with a grand vacation package, you will enjoy 24-hour access to the gourmet station and will get a la carte breakfast in bed. If you enjoy golf, they have great golf packages to beautiful golf courses with unlimited rounds.
Explore the Local Gastronomy (and Try Jerk Foods)!
Another thing you should do in Jamaica is to explore the local gastronomy. Some of the best Jamaican foods to try are ackee and saltfish, fried breadfruit, goat curry, jerk chicken, Jamaican beef patty, and bammy.
Perhaps the most iconic Jamaican cuisine that has made it all around the world is jerked foods- mostly pork, chicken, or fish. Make sure to try some authentic jerk foods or even take a jerk cooking class in Montego Bay to jerk your own food!
Taste Jamaican Rum at Appleton Estate
Jamaica is also known for its many iconic drinks. Rum is considered the national beverage of the country, but you can also try Red Stripe and/or Sorrel. To taste the ‘real deal’ Jamaican rum like a local, make sure to take a tour of the Appleton Estate and see how the rum is produced before trying it at the end, of course!
Visit the Bob Marley Museum and Bab Marley’s Nine Mile
Bob Marley is undoubtedly the most famous musician (or just person) from Jamaica. At the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, you can learn about this reggae legend, located in the former home of the man himself. You will see Bob’s belongings and instruments, many of his awards, as well as his recording studio. You will also experience a traditional colonial Jamaican building and see the life-size three-dimensional hologram of the reggae icon.
The Bob Marley Museum offers only guided tours lasting about 75 minutes and is closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly!
As for Bob Marley’s Nine Mile, this is where he was born and eventually buried. There are also many Nine Mile day tours that include stops at stunning natural spots such as Dunn’s Falls and the Blue Hole. Bob Marley’s Nine Mile is open daily.
Sunset + Cliff Jumping at Rick’s Cafe
Seven Mile Beach is one of Jamaica’s most popular beaches, located in Negril. Assuming you will want to visit this area during your trip, don’t forget to stop off at the iconic Rick’s Cafe afterward to cliff jump – or watch other people do it!
The cafe is right on a cliff next to some epic cliff jumping spots, including an 11m jump that has a steady rotation of brave jumpers all day long. Plan your visit around sunset, because it has one of the best sunset views in the country. Stay for the live music, drinks, and dinner options too!
Swim with Horses (and Ride them on the Beach)!
Sure, you can ride horses in a lot of countries, but one of the most unique things to do in Jamaica is to SWIM with them! And yes, the horses actually love it and have a ton of fun!
Some of Jamaica’s horseback tours finish with a solid 20-minute dip in the blue seas after riding through some beautiful jungles and coastlines. It’s a great way to see the area! There are a lot of tours that include different activities in the area, but this tour is just for the horseback ride (and swim).
Stay at the Caves Hotel
For another unique stay in Jamaica that is less luxurious but still awesome, check out the Caves Hotel. This epic cliffside hotel has just 12 cottages and suites that are all completely different from each other, with fun colors and designs. There are caves in the cliffs you can swim in, and you can even sign up for spelunking tours!
It’s also an adults-only stay, but teenagers with guardians (16+) are allowed as well.
Get a Drink at Floyd’s Pelican Bar
A bar in the middle of the ocean, anyone?! Floyd’s Pelican Bar is a makeshift little bar made out of driftwood in the middle of a sandbar a half-mile out to sea. Yes, you read that right!
Take a boat out to one of the most unique bars in Jamaica (or the world?) and grab a drink with 360-degree ocean views. The boat trip takes about 15 minutes and costs roughly $25 round trip (as of July 2026). Have a swim, too, and make sure to take lots of photos.
Be Amazed at the Fire Water Pond
One of the MOST unique things to do in Jamaica is to see a rare and incredible sight of fire mixing with water. It’s true – in St Ann’s Bay you will find the “Fire Water Pond.” This pond defies the usual laws of physics because of the sulfur levels in the water, enabling the water to actually catch fire. Jump in the water for the most unique ‘fire massage’ or watch locals cook their food in it too.
Explore the Green Grotto Caves
The Green Grotto Caves are an incredible cave system in the northern part of Jamaica that is about 6 miles long – but you can visit a smaller portion on a tour. Be amazed by stalagmites, stalactites, bright green water, and ancient rock formations as you explore.
Historically, these caves were used for many reasons, from a hideout for the Spanish to a haven for runaway slaves or pirates to a nightclub only a couple of decades ago. Today you can walk through the limestone labyrinth and take in the natural wonder. Visit on your own or book a guided tour for more information on what you are seeing.
Visit the Luminous Lagoon
A true hidden gem outside of Falmouth, the Luminous Lagoon seems to actually glow with incredible bioluminescence. There is a large concentration of dinoflagellates that light up when disturbed, which is part of a defense mechanism that makes them seem bigger to prey.
It shines the brightest on dark nights, so if possible, avoid nights when the full moon is shining.
Take a boat ride out to this lagoon and wait until you arrive in the luminous part – trust us, you will know! You can also visit a bioluminescent bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Scuba Dive at Port Royal’s Sunken City
One of the most unique scuba diving sites in the world and surely one of the most unique things to do in Jamaica is scuba diving in a true lost city, Port Royal. After a major earthquake just before 1700, much of the city collapsed into the sea.
Port Royal was a true pirate city before its collapse, once known as ‘the wickedest city on earth,’ full of stolen riches and wealth – even recognized by UNESCO. Now you can explore the remains of this debaucherous pirate city with an oxygen tank underwater.
You’ll need to be a certified diver as it isn’t a beginner-friendly dive site. Visibility can vary, so check ahead of time, and even then, remember this is one unique dive site for the bucket list regardless!
Snorkel, Jump, and Swim at the Blue Hole/Blue Lagoon
The Blue Hole (also referred to as the Blue Lagoon because of the movie of the same name) in Jamaica is a stunning mineral spring with turquoise waters surrounded by limestone, with trees and vines hanging above. Jamaica has a few “Blue Hole” sites, but this particular one is in Ocho Rios.
It was originally rumored by the locals to be bottomless, but in reality it’s about 55m deep; only very skilled freedivers can make it to the bottom. If you’re not much of a diver, have a swim, jump in, snorkel, and end your trip with a beer.
Climb Dunn’s River Falls
Sure, this is definitely one of the most popular unique things to do in Jamaica, but Dunn’s River Falls is worth mentioning because it’s a MUST-DO! Most people form a ‘human chain’ to climb up these beautiful cascading waterfalls, grabbing each other’s hand to get up the slippery slope (make sure to bring water shoes)!
To visit Dunn’s River Falls and the Blue Hole (above) you can book this tour here which visits both.
Bobsled Through the Mountains at Mystic Mountain
It’s not a trip to Jamaica without some bobsledding – a sport that this country has interestingly enough become famous for. The best place to try bobsledding is at Mystic Mountain Rainforest adventures – a nature/adventure park with bobsledding and so much more.
This is one of the most unique things to do in Jamaica because it might be the only country where you can go bobsledding in a jungle! Get an adrenaline rush from the bobsled and check out the chair lift, zip lines, waterslides, and more. Book a Bobsled tour here.
Tour the Creepy Rose Hall and Look for Ghosts
Rose Hall is an old historic sugar cane plantation and house near Montego Bay with an interesting story. Legend has it that the old owner was absolutely evil – known throughout the land as the white witch – and tortured her slaves and killed multiple husbands. Johnny Cash even wrote a song about her!
Whether you believe the story the guides tell or not, the plantation has colonial architecture and elegant antique furniture. Tour the plantation in the day or see if a ghost will appear to you in a haunted night tour. Spooky!
Discover James Bond Filming Locations
There have been a surprising number of James Bond movies and scenes filmed all over Jamaica, which are super fun to discover while visiting. Why? Because the writer of the films, Ian Fleming, actually wrote many of them right here in Jamaica at his Goldeneye Estate (which is now a luxury resort you can stay in).
From the James Bond Beach in Goldeneye to the Green Grotto in ‘Live and Let Die’ to Ian Fleming’s favorite writing locations, check out some of the best James Bond locations in Jamaica.
Jamaica is a beautiful country with many fascinating attractions and unique things to do. On a trip to the country, you should try out local foods and drinks, hike the Blue Mountains, visit the Bob Marley Museum, backpack through the country, and enjoy Iberostar resorts.
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