Top 10 Things To Do In Jamaica | Best Tourist Attractions in Jamaica (2023)

Video courtesy of Visit Jamaica

Say ‘Jamaica’ and you immediately think of the most amazing beaches, Bob Marley, rum and jerk chicken. But this gorgeous Caribbean island is an incredible adventure playground with rainforests, waterfalls, lagoons, sports, culture, history, food and drink to delight in.

Located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Itti Barry Villa is an all-inclusive resort where you can escape to paradise for a vacation. The resort offers the opportunity to enjoy the endless activities in the Caribbean sea, cozy accommodation, and delicious food.

Believe us when we say this tropical paradise packs a punch as fiery as its sunsets and rum cocktails. Our estate at Ocho Rios will become your peaceful paradise as you discover sights and delights that will take your breath away – some of them will quite literally give you the adrenalin rush of a lifetime!Whether you are looking for action, adventure, romance, or relaxation, Itti Barry Villa can make your dream vacation a reality.

We’ve put together our Top 10 things to do in Jamaicaand best tourist attractions in Jamaica to give you a flavor of the different experiences you can enjoy during your Jamaica vacation.

Remember that famous scene in Dr No when Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress) emerges from the blue ocean in a white bikini and meets James Bond (Sean Connery)? Wasn’t the beach dreamy? The private beach, now known as Crab Key Beach, is just two miles from our guesthouse at Ocho Rios.

As our guests, you have access to the equally-glorious Bamboo Blu beach with its white sands and turquoise waters which is located on the Estate. This is an idyllic place for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling – look out for the colorful little fish – and enjoying fine Jamaican food in the open-air Bamboo Blu restaurant.

A visit to Negril Seven Mile Beach is a must as it’s often voted one of the best beaches in the world. Yes, it really is seven miles of white sandy beach and crystal-clear waters ideal for snorkeling. This is where you’ll find the famous cliff-top Rick’s Cafe. You’ll soon see why so many people say it’s the best place to enjoy colorful Jamaica sunsets and watch daring cliff divers plunge 35 feet into the cool waters below.

Dip your toe into the clear waters of any of the beaches at Montego Bay. You’ll adore the clearest, bluest water at the pretty Doctor’s Cave beach in this bay. For surfing and great food, we recommend Boston Bay, birthplace of jerk food and Jamaica’s top surfing spot with amazing waves. Get a bite to eat at one of the jerk stalls and, if you like it, pick up a jar of jerk sauce to take home.

Photo courtesy of Barney Bishop

Now’s your chance to follow in the footsteps of celebs like Dionne Warwick, Spike Lee and Usain Bolt – and go river rafting on the Martha Brae.

The fun starts at Martha Brae village, a six-acre horseshoe-shaped island where you can visit Miss Martha’s Herb Garden to know more about the healing properties of Jamaica’s herbs.

Then embark on a relaxing 75-minute raft ride along a three-mile stretch of the stunning Martha Brae river. You’ll hear about the legend of Martha Brae, a Taino witch and her stash of gold, which remains hidden to this day.

Video courtesy of Jamaica with Irie

Enjoy a magical evening watching Mother Nature put on a stunning light show at Jamaica’s Luminious Lagoon, where the Martha Brae river meets the Caribbean. There are only four bioluminescent luminous lagoons in the world – and Jamaica has the largest, most brilliant, most spectacular.

During the 45-minute boat trip you can witness the natural phenomena of tiny dinoflagellate micro-organisms creating an eerie, luminous green glow. Swim in the waters and they’ll make you glow too!

Photo credit: Wikimedia

Video courtesy of ESS Connect

Now it’s time to visit Jamaica’s highest peak, longest mountain range and best coffee ever – in the Blue Mountain. Definitely make sure your phone and camera are fully charged, as you’ll want to have incredible photos of the far-reaching views over the glorious green mountains to the coast.

You can start your full-day tour from Ocho Rios for a drive into the Blue Mountain standing at a lofty 7,402 feet high. Go deep into the lush rainforest and be sure to look out for birds, butterflies and plants. At Catherine’s Peak you’ll see where the spring provides Blue Mountain Spring Water and then tour Craighton Estate where the most expensive coffee in the world, Blue Mountain coffee, is grown and harvested.

After visiting the Blue Mountain, you may fancy a rest day. We recommend unwinding at Jamaica’s largest lagoon, the beautiful Blue Lagoon in Port Antonio where you can go sailing, snorkeling or diving in the clear blue waters.

If you think the Blue Lagoon is beautiful, wait until you see the tantalizing turquoise water at Blue Hole high in the hills of St Mary. Just a 30-minute drive from your villa in Ocho Rios, it’s delightful to cool off in the White River’s natural pools, waterfalls and nearby caves. Go early because there’s a good chance of rain in the afternoon in Jamaica’s hilly interior.

Photo credit: Studio Sarah Lou

Rose Hall is one of the most impressive plantation houses in Jamaica. You can marvel at the elegant interior while enjoying pretty-as-a-postcard coastal views. Find out about the famous white witch Annie Palmer who haunts the mansion. This is the place to come to immerse yourself in the island’s history while visiting a fabulous grand house with beautiful tropical gardens.

While at the great estate, give yourself time to visit Cinnamon Hill Great House, which was once owned by country music maestro Johnny Cash.

Video courtesy of D&B Travels

The name alone, Mystic Mountain, is enough to feed your curiosity and make you want to visit. And it’s in Ocho Rios. Spend a day at the fabulous – and environmentally-friendly – Mystic Mountain tropical forest adventure tours.

It’s an attraction of two extremes. First, there’s the rainforest’s rich flora and fauna, sparkling streams and far-reaching views. Then there’s the adrenalin high of the three unique excursions in the Mystic Mountain. The Rainforest SkyExplorer chairlift travels 700 feet over the treetops to the top of Mystic Mountain. The Zip Line attraction whizzes visitors through the rainforest. And, our favorite, the Rainforest Bobsled takes you on a 1,000 meter gravity-defying ride through the rainforest.

Photo credit: Chris Ford

Another attraction on the doorstep in Ocho Rios is one of Jamaica’s astounding national treasures, Dunn’s River Falls. Cool yourself in the beautiful pool while the waterfalls cascade around you. It’s another unique natural wonder and is described as a living, growing phenomenon which is constantly regenerating itself.

You can walk up the terraced rocks to climb the waterfalls or take the quicker, easier option of climbing the stairs alongside the falls (this saves getting wet too!).

Dunn’s River Falls may look familiar to you – it starred as the welcome point for Dr. No’s secret island in the James Bond movie of the same name.

Video courtesy of JamaicaAdvertise

Horse riding on the beach is a fantastically memorable way to end your stay in Jamaica. The gentle pace and sounds of the horses with the waves lapping gently around you is both soothing and romantic.

You can take a two-hour beach ride and swim at sunset with the reggae horses at Reggae Horseback Riding in Negril. This is a gorgeous treat as your ride is through their own private piece of paradise on Jamaica. You ride through a scenic nature trail before coming to a private beach with fantastic mountain views.

The company is a member of the British Horse Society, so the horses are exceedingly well cared for – and they’re beautiful too!

Ask us for recommendations if you fancy a horseback beach ride closer to your villa.

10 golf courses on Jamaica. Each one has been designed in sympathy with its magnificent landscape – in fact, the views are so breathtakingly beautiful they can put you off your stroke!

The nearest course to your itty Barry Villa is Sandals Golf and Country Club. However, the White Witch of Rose Hall Golf Course is one of the most spectacular although it has stiff competition from the neighboring Cinnamon Hill Golf Club. Near this course’s 15th green is a waterfall, which provided an exciting backdrop in the Bond movie Live and Let Die.

If you’re a serious golfer, the Tryall Golf Club has hosted many prestigious tournaments. Watch out for the sudden change in wind direction which can make a tricky course even more difficult to play.

As you can see, there are so many things to do during your stay and itti Barry Villa in Ocho Rios is perfectly located for enjoying everything Jamaica has to offer.

Experience Authentic Jamaican Hospitality, Great Food and the Most Beautiful Beaches in the World. Call
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Get in touch with us about organizing any tours and any other recommendations to make sure you experience Jamaica the right way.