For children who like to soar over the canopies of tropical forests, and for those who will be happy to spend the day splashing in the waves, the island nation of Jamaica is not just a playground for adults. The Caribbean country, also known as the “Land of Forest and Water”, is a paradise filled with lush green rainforests, turquoise-blue shores and the world-famous Blue Mountains. So bring the children and get to know Jamaica in a completely new way.
Is Jamaica suitable for children?
In Jamaica there are all-inclusive resorts for children with children in Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. This is a great place to relax with children. But thanks to the rich natural landscape, which offers children many adventures, they can experience themselves outside the four walls of the “all inclusive” system.
Jamaica with wildlife at every turn is also a great place for children to get to know the local birds, coral reefs, various fruits and flora during nature walks.
Resorts suitable for children include snorkelling, mini water parks, large swimming pools, kids ’clubs and adult-supervised arts and crafts. Some resorts also provide babysitting services on request, while others include babysitting services in the room rate, so be sure to call in advance to find out.
Getting around is easy thanks to private transfers and pre-booked taxis. If you are traveling with a car seat and / or a wheelchair, be sure to double-check that the car that picks you up from the airport or takes you on a tour is right for you.
What to do in Jamaica with children
Waterfalls and gardens of the Turtle River
This oasis in Ocho Rios is an ideal place for freshwater entertainment and relaxation. There are 14 waterfalls in the Turtle River waterfall and garden, which you and your children can climb and splash over. What makes a 15-acre tropical garden special is its relative obscurity, which makes it more secluded than touristy. In the open-air cage for children on the territory there is an opportunity to feed beautiful cobalt-blue peacocks, admiring other species of birds.
Future biologists will enjoy finding turtles and other wildlife in the area. Have a family picnic, as there is no restaurant on site.
Beaches
The famous seven-mile beach of Negril offers calm waters that are ideal for children to snorkel, swim and level the shores with sand castles. Many of Jamaica’s beaches in tourist beach towns, such as Ocho Rios and Negril, offer activities such as paddleboarding, water skiing and glass-bottomed boat tours. The beaches are also a great place for children to take an accelerated course of Jamaican cuisine, as cooking outdoors on the grill is what they do by the sea.
Visit the Pirate Island water park in Negril and Ocho Rios; The water parks have fantastic water slides for older children and pools and lazy rivers for younger children.
Have a picnic off the coast of Negril, on Bubi Cay Island, where scuba diving and beach picnics are always a good idea.
Caves of the Green Grotto
The Caves of the Green Grotto in Ocho Rios, recognized as a national monument of Jamaica, is a labyrinth of underground caves filled with mystical history and abundance of beauty. It is said to have been the home of the first inhabitants of Jamaica, who secretly used these caves for rituals.
The caves were also often used as shelters by the Spaniards during the British conquest of Jamaica in 1655, by the swift enslaved people in the 18th century, and between the two world wars by smugglers.
If you have mini-explorers in tug, they’ll enjoy the helmet and flashlight needed to descend 45 feet to Lake Emerald Grotto. Entrance tickets include guides who will point you to local fruit bats who call the caves their home, as well as tell you in detail about the rich history of the caves and islands during your trip. Children from the age of four can take part in the tour.
Hiking and cycling
Blue Mountain National Park in Jamaica, known for its world-famous coffee and beauty, is sure to arouse curiosity and joy. From hiking on steep slopes to cycling in the hills – exploring the great Blue Mountains – a great way to spend the day with children of all ages.
There are two hiking trails – the Blue Peak Peak trail, which takes about four hours to reach the highest point of the mountain at an altitude of 7,401 feet, and the Holliwell Nature Walk, which has five hiking trails for all abilities.
Visits begin at a mountain base outside of Kingston and can be arranged at your hotel. If you and the children like camping, you can do it here with a guide. Also available are tours at dawn, which start at 2 am with many breaks along the way for relaxation and photos.
If your children do not like hiking, cycling in the mountains – a great way to be in nature, admiring the flowers and hummingbirds that call these mountains their home. The trip mostly goes downhill and leads to a waterfall that is perfect for swimming.
Devon House
Ice cream at Devon House is more than just an ice cream stop. Devon House, a national heritage site, is one of Jamaica’s most famous landmarks because of its rich history and cultural diversity. Built in 1881, it was home to the first black Jamaican millionaire, George Stiebel, who earned his fortune from gold mining in South America.
Today, visitors can take a trip to the mansion and visit other shops, including Devon House Bakery, where you can buy a delicious Jamaican beef cutlet and other savory or sweet treats.
Devon House I Scream is a place where you can try a cool treat with more than 25 creamy flavors such as vanilla, cookies and cream, and more fruity aromas such as mango and guava. Use samples to experiment with new flavors and combinations. Children can explore the abundance of space among the lush green gardens of the estate.
Mystical mountain
Since its opening in 2008, Mystic Mountain has been the best place for a family vacation. The mystical mountain, located near the cruise pier in Ocho Rios, is ideal for a day trip for cruise tourists.
If ziplining is on your child’s must-do list, they can do it here with the country’s bobsleigh, the 1988 Olympic bobsleigh team, and the movie Steep Race. Bobsleigh riders will drive more than half a mile through the lush rainforest on a bobsleigh driven by gravity with the ability to stop using the brakes to admire the panoramic views of the pristine coastline.
For ziplining, children should be five years old, and for bobsleigh, the minimum height should be 91.5 cm. After the children spend all their energy, they can recharge in the restaurant on site.