Off the Beaten Path: Things to do in Jamaica Over Easter Weekend
by Stephanie Koathes Apr 1, 2019
Instead of spending your Easter weekend at a party or at the beach, use this Easter weekend to be a ‘dry land tourist.’ From mountains and waterfalls to unique geographical spots and historical places, here are some fun things to do in Jamaica over Easter.
Take a drive through the mountains
Explore the beautiful Blue and John Crow Mountains protected area. Veer off of the main road up to Newcastle and take in the mountain and valley vistas. Maybe even drive up past Holywell National Park and take the road through the mountains into Portland. The road is bumpy, but if you’re up for an adventure, you’re bound to see some amazing sights.
Finally hike to the peak
Take advantage of the long weekend to make the hike up to Blue Mountain Peak and take in the breath-taking sunrise.
Stay in a mountain hostel
Get back to basics deep in the Blue Mountains, near to the famed peak, at an old-school hostel located on a coffee farm. Established in 1776, Whitfield Hall is a historic house and working Blue Mountain coffee farm. There is no electricity, but a big cosy fireplace will keep you warm on chilly nights; it’s a wonderful place to disconnect and get back in touch with nature. You can also camp on the front lawns of the house.
Tour the Cockpit Country
Jamaica’s Cockpit Country is one of only three karst landscapes of its kind in the world and has the highest diversity of plants and animals on the island. It’s a fascinating, geologically unique area with a rich history, but how many of us have been there? Take a tour of this interesting region with Cockpit Country Adventure Tours.
Have a farm-to-table dinner
Food as fresh as you can get. Take a break from typical restaurants and sit down for dinner at a farm-to-table establishment like Stush in the Bush in St Ann, or head down to Jake’s in Treasure Beach for one of their full moon farm-to-table held each month, on the Saturday closest to the full moon.
Tucked away deep in St Elizabeth, is the home of Jamaica’s most famous rums – the Appleton Estate. Recently upgraded, the Estate is a major draw for international tourists, but local tourists will likely find it fascinating too.
Greenwood Great House
While Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay might be the most famous of Jamaica’s great houses, Greenwood Great House is definitely worth a visit when you’re being a ‘dry land tourist.’ The 200-year old house, formerly owned by the famous English poet, George Greenwood, is one of the island’s best preserved great houses.
Visit Nanny Falls
In the foothills of the John Crow Mountains, west of the Maroon territory of Moore Town in Portland, beautiful Nanny Falls comes thundering down. Named after national hero Nanny, these lovely falls require a bit of a trek to get there, but the cool, refreshing waters and the sight of the powerful falls is worth the journey. Some who live in the area around the falls believe that its waters have healing properties.
Or visit another off-the-beaten path waterfall
Jamaica has a host of lovely waterfalls aside from the ones everybody knows like YS Falls and Dunns River. Cane River Falls in the Nine Miles area of Bull Bay is a pretty spot. Or you can head to Kwame Falls in St Mary, or Mayfield Falls in the hills of Westmoreland, about an hour from Negril. We’re sure there are many more!
