25+ Things To Do In Jamaica With or Without Kids

Things To Do In Jamaica with kids

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Jamaica is a Caribbean island with a rich culture, lush mountains, green rainforests, and reef-lined beaches. It’s not a question of whether or not you want to visit Jamaica: but more of a question of how you will do everything you want to on a short visit.

Below, I’m sharing 15 plus exciting things to do in Jamaica with or without kids. From beaches to waterparks to rainforest hikes, it’s hard to go wrong with whatever choice you make.

Things To Do In Jamaica

25+ Things To Do In Jamaica With or Without Kids

When Did We Visit Jamaica With Kids

We visited Jamaica in February for Aiden’s birthday. Instead of throwing a party, we usually travel every year for Aiden’s birthday. Below are some of the other places we have taken him to celebrate his birthday.

  • 2nd – Hawaii
  • 3rd – Disney Cruise
  • 4th – Italy
  • 5th – New Zealand
  • 6th – Cuba
  • 7th – Canada
  • 8th – Jamaica
Things To Do In Jamaica with kids

The weather in February was perfect. Jamaica has tropical weather, so travel throughout the year is generally pleasant.

Where Did We Stay in Jamaica With Kids

We stayed at the Grand Moon Palace Resort Jamaica and absolutely love this property. From the food at the restaurants to the room service menu, to the level of service (top notch), to the slide at the pool, to the swim up bar, to the room service to the beach. We loved everything about this resort.

Grand Moon Palace Resort Jamaica

Things To Do In Jamaica With Kids

Aquasol Theme Park

The Aquasol Theme Park located in Montego Bay is an attraction near Doctor’s Cave Beach. It features waterslides, go-kart racing, a bouncy house, and more.

For younger kids, playgrounds, swings, and a mini-golf course are the perfect features to keep them engaged and occupied. With features in the resort perfect for kids of all ages, this is a place to put on the itinerary for families of all sizes.

Green Grotto Caves

The Green Grotto Caves feature a 45-foot underground trek, which can bring you to an inside lake. These caverns are covered in vegetation, and beautiful water can be seen flowing underground.

The “belly” of the grotto is rocky, rough, and worn from years of water. There’s also a “rock-solid” lounge experience, where you can rest inside the grotto on stone tables. You might even be able to see fruit bats that live inside the caves!

Mystic Mountain Jamaica Ocho Rios

The Mystic Mountain adventure tour allows you to explore a 700-foot mountain in the heart of Ocho Rios. The forest is extremely beautiful and has a rich ecosystem. Better yet, you don’t have to worry about a huge trek.

Mystic Mountain Jamaica Ocho Rios

At the entrance of the park, the Rainforest SkyExplorer offers a chairlift experience that sends you through the canopy. Finally, the park’s main attraction, Bobsled Jamaica, drives you through the rainforest on high-tech sleds. The course is 1000 meters long and driven by gravity.

Mystic Mountain Jamaica Ocho Rios

The park also has zipline and ATV attractions for further inner-forest action.

Kool Runnings Adventure Park

Kool Runnings Adventure Park is Jamaica’s largest water park. There are a plethora of breathtaking water slides in the park, including Lightning Bolt and the 30-foot Red Snapper.

The park also hosts go-kart racing and paintball adventures and prides itself on holding a membership in the World Water Park Association. Lifeguards are internationally certified, keeping the adventure that awaits safe for all.

Visiting Bob Marley’s Birthplace

Did you know that Bob Marley was born in Nine Mile Village? Make a point to stop in this village, and you’ll find a tour up into the mountains. This will take you to the Bob Marley Mausoleum, where you can light a candle in his honor and see his tomb.

Additionally, you’ll be able to see Marley’s “rock pillow” on which he laid his head when seeking inspiration. Marley was buried with his guitar, and the church you’ll enter to view his resting place is of a beautiful marble Ethiopian design.

The Bob Marley Museum

In contrast to the mausoleum, the Bob Marley Museum is another great option for a reggae-inspired visit. The museum explores everything reggae music, including Bob Marley’s inspirations and life story.

You can even view his guitar and more. This museum is located in Kinston, Jamaica. This is Jamaica’s capital city, and it might be easier to book a tour instead of staying inside the city.

Black River Safari Crocodile Viewing

Did you know that the American crocodile is the only crocodilian present in Jamaica? It is one of 23 crocodile species. The majority of crocodiles in Jamaica are located in the Black River Great Morass and Milk River, with a few smaller outlying populations.

The Black River Safari can take you and your family on an aesthetic adventure down one of the largest rivers in Jamaica. You might be able to spot exotic birds, iguanas, and of course, crocodiles. Whitewater Rafting Jamaica is a popular choice for this adventure although there are a plethora of other rafting companies in the area.

Seven Mile Beach Jamaica

There are countless beautiful and enjoyable beaches in Jamaica. The Seven Mile Beach Jamaica features shallow and calm water and beautiful white sand. Watersports are available along the four-mile stretch of the beach. The remaining three miles extend into Bloody Bay.

Bloody Bay is thus named because whalers in the 19th century would butcher their catch in the bay.

Ocho Rios Horseback Riding in Water

Horseback riding is an amazing adventure alone. But what about riding a horse…through water? In Ocho Rios, there are countless horseback tour companies that will take you and your rented horse through the sea as well as the sand.

Horseback Riding in Water | Things To Do In Jamaica

Island Routes is a popular choice for a tour company, with their horseback riding tour bringing you through two of Jamaica’s oldest estates before going through the warmth of the Caribbean Sea. Best of all, there’s no previous experience required to enjoy these tours.

The Devon House Tour

Located in Kingston, Jamaica, the 19th-century home of George Stiebel is available for tour viewing and a look back into Jamaican history. Stiebel was the first black millionaire of the Caribbean, and his home remains a marvelous look-back on history.

Also in the area are park facilities, ice cream, and retail areas popular in Kingston overall.

Turtle River Falls and Gardens

These falls and gardens are a beautiful paradise of smaller waterfalls, perfect for toddlers or younger kids. The Turtle River Falls and Gardens areas were originally planned as part of a getaway resort.

When the resort was canceled, the garden was still maintained and stands as a beautiful attraction by itself. The garden isn’t a huge commercial project, so you may be lucky and find yourself visiting solo.

There are 14 waterfalls on the grounds, alongside an aviary with tropical birds to view. While there are no restaurants in this area, you’re more than welcome to plan and bring a picnic.

Jamaica Swamp Safari Village Tour

The Jamaica Swamp Safari Village Tour takes you through lush rainforests. If you’re a James Bond fan, you’ll be pleased to learn that the famous crocodile scene from the series occurred right here in 1972.

Jamaica Swamp Safari Village Tour | Things To Do In Jamaica

On this tour, you can view crocodiles, boa constrictors, raccoons, and the Jamaican coney. The tour also features Jamaica’s largest aviary for beautiful bird viewing in the heart of the swamp.

Doctor’s Cave Beach

This beach in Montego Bay is a favorite for its crystal-clear waters, amenities, and water sports. Looking at the history of the beach, it was donated to found a bathing club in 1906. 

Named after Dr. McCatting and friends who used the club at the time, the beach continues to be one of the most popular beach locations in Jamaica. 

In the 1920s, Sir Herbert Barker declared the beach’s waters as having curative powers. This made the waters and site famous to foreigners and tourists, with hotels and facilities continuing to thrive over the years.

Dolphin Cove, Ocho Rios

This natural cove is surrounded by acres of rainforest. It offers visitors the opportunity of a lifetime: the ability to interact and swim with Jamaican dolphins! At this attraction, you can swim, feed, and even hold Caribbean sharks.

For one entrance fee, you can interact and snorkel with stingrays, as well as meet exotic birds and iguanas. You’ll have to purchase a ticket for dolphin and shark interactions, but these include your entrance fee.

Konoko Falls & Park

Konoko Falls is located only five minutes away from the center of Ocho Rios. Water shoes are available on-site,  but you might want to bring your favorite air-dry pair instead.

You’ll enter this park at the ONIKHAN Deck and start climbing up the falls. No worries though, as stopping at the MAJA swimming pool on the way is a great way to relax and enjoy a break. The first waterfall will force you to step beneath its curtain of water, and eventually, you’ll reach the top for a swim in the NANA swimming pool.

Expect the most authentic “water park” experience here at Konoko Falls for a great taste of nature.

Other Things To Do In Jamaica

  • Go White River tubing.
  • Dive into the Blue Hole. Make sure to enjoy swimming through the pockets of water as you work your way down to where you began. The kids really enjoyed this. Keep in mind that you have to hike up to the main area where the waterfall is.
Black family travel guide
Black kids travel guide
Jamaica itinerary with kids

Things To Note About Jamaica

  • Jamaicans prefer to be paid in US Dollars versus their own currency which is JMC / Jamaican Dollars. Don’t bother changing your money here because most Jamaicans will be reluctant to take it. The USD is stronger so it makes sense. I actually like that I don’t have to worry about exchange rates and more.
    • Tour Guide Recommendations are below. You can send them a message on WhatsApp and they can help plan your trip, offer airport pick up/ drop off as well as schedule tours for you.
      • Kary Downs – +18768827476
      • GG Jamaica Tour Guide – +18765364360
      • Kulture Me Ready Tours – +18764836820
  • In my opinion, excursions, and activities are very expensive and can add up, especially for a family of 5 like us. So plan ahead and make sure you have enough money. Most tour guides prefer to be paid in cash.
Mystic Mountain ride
Mystic Mountain
  • You can negotiate prices with tour guides for tours. Feel free to barter with them, however, keep in mind that they too need to feed their families.
  • It’s best to get a driver/tour guide who can take you around everywhere you need to go. It’ll save you so much time.
  • Most drivers will pick you up from your hotel, resort, or even Airbnb and stay with you all day as they take you around to different attractions.
  • Jamaican food is sooooo good – make sure to leave the resort and eat local food. You won’t regret it.
  • We felt VERY safe in Jamaica at all times. Don’t let the media scare you!
  • You can buy marijuana, to smoke as well as edibles if you want to. If you ask your tour guide, he can direct you to where to get it. We saw this guy selling and just had to snap a photo with him.
Reggae Brownies

Is Jamaica Kid-Friendly?

Jamaica can be a great place for kids.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly vacation, try Dunn’s River Falls. It’s a beautiful hike through the jungle and you can climb up the falls on ropes and harnesses. Or if you want something less strenuous, zip-lining is always a blast.

If you’re in Negril, there’s also Devon House where they make their own ice cream! You can go there after a trip to the glass bottom boat or just spend the day there enjoying their ice cream flavors from all over the world.

Overall Thoughts On Jamaica With Kids

Whether you’ve been dreaming of visiting Jamaica for years or recently decided on it as a new travel destination, it’s hard to go wrong with one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands. 

Ready to book your stay in Jamaica? Read more on our article on The Best Caribbean Islands for Kids for resort and restaurant recommendations and more.

Kay, The Mom Trotter

Hey Fam, I’m so glad you’re here!
I am an entrepreneur and travel enthusiast who is passionate about sharing an alternate way of living surrounding travel, homeschooling, parenting and financial independence, with a mission to inspire other families.

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