Regional Guides: Best Bases and Nearby Sights
Pick a base that matches your plans. Each region note lists the parish and historical county, then highlights nearby attractions, easy activities, and stay types that fit most trips.
Montego Bay: Overview, Attractions, and Activities
Montego Bay is in St James Parish in the historical county of Cornwall. It sits beside Sangster International Airport and works well for short breaks, beach time, and golf trips.
Attractions
- Rose Hall Great House day and night tours
- Doctor’s Cave Beach and the Hip Strip
- Luminous Lagoon in Falmouth
- Rocklands Bird Sanctuary
- Greenwood Great House
- Tryall and Cinnamon Hill golf
Activities
- Beach time with easy snorkeling
- Bamboo rafting on the Martha Brae
- Evening glow tour on the lagoon
- River tubing and light floats
- Catamaran cruise and snorkel stop
- Golf rounds and lessons
Suggested stays: Beach resorts, family hotels near the airport, and golf resorts.
Negril: Overview, Attractions, and Activities
Negril spans Westmoreland and Hanover in the historical county of Cornwall. It covers Seven Mile Beach and the West End cliffs and is known for sunsets, shallow swims, and easy day trips.
Attractions
- Seven Mile Beach
- Rick’s Cafe sunset views
- Negril Lighthouse
- Booby Cay boat trip
- Blue Hole Mineral Spring
- YS Falls day trip
Activities
- Long walks and shallow swims
- Paddleboarding along the beach
- Reef snorkeling by glass-bottom boat
- Sunset catamaran cruise
- Cliff viewpoints for photos
- Horseback swim or ATV ride
Suggested stays: Beachfront resorts, cliff boutiques, small guesthouses, and family villas.
Ocho Rios: Overview, Attractions, and Activities
Ocho Rios sits in St Ann Parish in the historical county of Middlesex. Waterfalls, rivers, and family attractions are close, which makes it a practical base for multi-day stays.
Attractions
- Dunn’s River Falls
- Blue Hole pools and jumps
- Konoko Falls and gardens
- Mystic Mountain chairlift
- Dolphin Cove and Turtle River Park
- Green Grotto Caves
Activities
- Waterfall climb and photo stops
- White River tubing and rafting
- Zipline and canopy runs
- Bobsled ride at Mystic Mountain
- Catamaran cruise and snorkel
- Rum and coffee tasting tours
Suggested stays: Large resorts with pools, condo hotels, and staffed villas near town.
Kingston: Overview, Attractions, and Activities
Kingston covers the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew in the historical county of Surrey. It is the center for music, food, and museums and the main gateway to the Blue Mountains.
Attractions
- Bob Marley Museum
- Trench Town Culture Yard
- Devon House
- National Gallery of Jamaica
- Hope Gardens and Zoo
- Port Royal and Fort Charles
Activities
- Music history and studio tours
- Food walks with patties and ice cream
- Museum district route
- Blue Mountains hike at Holywell
- Coffee farm visit at Craighton
- Boat trip to Lime Cay
Suggested stays: City hotels near museums, hilltop boutiques, and B&Bs for weekend culture trips.
Portland: Overview, Attractions, and Activities
Portland is on the northeast coast in the historical county of Surrey with Port Antonio as the parish capital. It is known for forested hills, small bays, and quiet hotels.
Attractions
- Reach Falls
- Somerset Falls
- Frenchman’s Cove
- San San Beach
- Winnifred Beach
- Boston Bay
Activities
- Rio Grande rafting
- Swimming in sheltered coves
- Kayaking along calm bays
- Light hikes in foothills
- Surf lessons at Boston Bay
- Boat views near Navy Island
Suggested stays: Boutique hotels, eco lodges, villas, and simple B&Bs by the sea or river.
South Coast: Overview, Attractions, and Activities
The South Coast runs through Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, and Manchester into parts of Clarendon across the historical counties of Cornwall and Middlesex. Treasure Beach and Black River are key bases, with Mandeville in the cool inland hills.
Attractions
- Pelican Bar by boat
- Black River Safari
- YS Falls pools and zipline
- Appleton Estate rum tour
- Lovers’ Leap viewpoint
- Bluefields Beach
Activities
- Boat ride to the sandbar
- Mangrove and river safari
- Waterfall swim and photo break
- Rum tasting and distillery tour
- Community fishing outings
- Seafood stop at Alligator Pond
Suggested stays: Villas and guesthouses near Treasure Beach, small hotels, and farm or sea view B&Bs.
Spanish Town: Overview, Attractions, and Activities
Spanish Town is in St Catherine Parish, part of the historical county of Middlesex. It was once Jamaica’s capital and remains a historical and cultural site with colonial architecture and local food spots.
Attractions
- Spanish Town Square and Courthouse Ruins
- Old King's House remains
- St. Jago de la Vega Cathedral
- Phillippo Baptist Church and Museum
- Local art murals and craft shops
- Nearby Hellshire Beach
Activities
- Walking tour of historic sites
- Local food stops and fish fry joints
- Photography of colonial buildings
- Morning trip to Hellshire for fried fish
- Community events and weekend markets
- Visit to Emancipation Square monuments
Suggested stays: Local guesthouses, small hotels in nearby Old Harbour, and Kingston-adjacent B&Bs.
Mandeville: Overview, Attractions, and Activities
Mandeville sits in the hills of Manchester Parish, within the historical county of Middlesex. It’s a cooler inland town popular for extended stays, returning residents, and visitors avoiding coastal heat.
Attractions
- Mandeville Courthouse and town square
- Marshall’s Pen Great House
- Manchester Golf Club
- Local botanical gardens
- Shopping at mid-island plazas
- Nearby Alligator Pond beach area
Activities
- Relaxed walks in the town center
- Hiking in nearby hills and nature spots
- Golf or lessons at the local course
- Farmers market visits
- Lunch stops for roasted yam and jerk chicken
- Day trip to the South Coast
Suggested stays: Guesthouses, rental apartments, boutique inns, and countryside villas with hill views.
Suggested Stay Types Per Region
Montego Bay: Beach resorts, family hotels, golf resorts.
Negril: Beach resorts, cliff boutiques, villas, guesthouses.
Ocho Rios: Large resorts, condo hotels, staffed villas.
Kingston: City hotels, hill boutiques, B&Bs.
Portland: Boutique hotels, eco lodges, villas, B&Bs.
South Coast: Villas, guesthouses, small hotels, B&Bs.
Spanish Town: Guesthouses, Old Harbour hotels, Kingston-area B&Bs.
Mandeville: Country villas, boutique inns, rental apartments, guesthouses.
