6 Awesome Shore Excursions to Try in Jamaica

Jamaica has long been considered one of the most popular Caribbean islands for tourists, due to both its affordability and its beauty.

The island nation is renowned for lush greenery, low mountain landscapes and amazing beaches with crystal clear waters. The country’s jerk chicken; curry goat with rice and peas, ackee and saltfish; and Red Stripe beer are local favorites but also popular with beach and culture-lovers who visit the country.

If the island of Jamaica is part of your cruise itinerary, and you’re visiting popular Montego Bay, Falmouth or Ochos Rios, here are some of the best shore excursions to try:

Dunn’s River Falls

Dunn’s River Falls is an interesting assortment of stacked rocks that create the ultimate climbing attraction flanked by a beautiful waterfall. You can do this shore excursion from Montego Bay, Falmouth and Ochos Rios by booking with several different tour operators, although each tour offers its own version of the perfect Dunn’s River Falls day.

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This option, which departs from Montego Bay, includes round-trip cruise port transfers, entrance fees and a local guide for $60 per adult.

River Tubing Adventure on the Rio Bueno

If you’re in the mood for adventure and don’t mind getting wet, consider tubing down the gorgeous Rio Bueno for $58.99 per adult. You’ll float through both calm waters and raging rapids in your personal tube with the assistance of a local guide who will point out various native flowers and plants.

This tour includes said guide, all your tubing equipment, cruise port pickup and dropoff, plus entrance to the river.

Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour

This five-hour tour takes you from your cruise port to Nine Mile, the quaint village in the mountains of St. Ann where Bob Marley was born and raised. Explore the rural village, including the small house he lived in as a child. Your Rastafarian guide will share tales about Marley’s life throughout the tour, helping you understand where many of his lyrics may have come from.

You can book this tour, among several others, with Island Marketing Limited for $70 per adult.

READ MORE: Jamaica’s Most Instagrammable Locations

Ricks Café in Negril

If your ship docks in Montego Bay and you want to try something different, a trip to Rick’s Café in Negril may be just what the doctor ordered. This trip includes pick up, dropoff and transportation to jaw-dropping Negril, which is a few hours away and known for its amazing beaches.

Rick’s Café is well known for its sunset views, professional cliff divers and party atmosphere that keeps tourists coming back again and again. Once at the café, you can relax to local reggae music, taste delicious local seafood and order a cocktail—or several—at your own expense.

Green Grotto Caves

Consider a visit to the Green Grotto Caves, a labyrinth cave system with a long and unique history. Here, you can view magnificent stalagmites and stalactites, unique limestone formations and various forms of life including bats, snails and snakes. The system also has its own underground lake.

Not only are the Green Grotto Caves beautiful, but they played a role in the English invasion of Jamaica during the 17th century. This tour will help you learn about the historical significance of the caves while introducing you to their beauty.

READ MORE: The Best Place to Stay with Kids in Jamaica

Zip Line Adventure

Since Jamaica has hills and plenty of topography, the country offers several different places where you can zip line with your family.

This awesome zip line adventure, which is bookable through Shore Excursions Group, will take you through several exhilarating zip lines, some suspended high in the air. You’ll even be able to zip on “The Screamer,” a three-person line that suspends you 60 feet in the air (where you may just scream the entire time).

This zip lining excursion, which can provide a ton of fun for families without a fear of heights, will set you back $137 for adults and leaves from Falmouth.