Why Mayfield Falls Is A Must Visit While In Jamaica. The Complete Guide.

A visit to Mayfield Falls can have you feeling authentically (or almost) Jamaican as you get to immerse yourself completely into the surrounding natural environment. This is one of the most popular points of interest in Jamaica, and it is loved by many for its diverse offerings all in one place.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, the beauty of this experience does not begin when you get to the falls. The drive up to Mayfield Falls in Westmoreland Jamaica is part of the appeal of this encounter which though popular still manages not to feel as touristy as similar attractions in Jamaica. On the way to Mayfield Falls, you’re likely to be left spellbound by the thick, rich surrounding greenery, and almost giddy with excitement about what’s in store.

Mayfield Falls is relatively small, but one of the most breathtaking waterfalls of the Caribbean. It is located on the west of Jamaica, with Negril and Montego Bay about an hour’s drive away. Mayfield Falls is about 3 hours away from Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

In this article, we’ll talk about everything there is to love about Mayfield Falls including the waterfalls, rivers, and natural pools of this attraction, and what you’ll need to do to prepare for your visit!

Insider tip: Mayfield Falls is located in close proximity to some of the best all-inclusive resorts in Negril, as well as Montego Bay.

In this article on the Sandals Blog:

Things to love about Mayfield Falls
Three amazing things you can do at Mayfield Falls
Tour or going by yourself?
How to prepare for your visit to Mayfield Falls
Other places to check out on your way to Mayfield Falls
Nature lovers will love Mayfield Falls!

Things to love about Mayfield Falls

• There are multiple waterfalls and natural pools to explore and experience.
• The river walk to get to the falls is scenic and exhilarating.
• It is less crowded than some of the other popular waterfalls in Jamaica, like Dunn’s River Falls.
• Mayfield Falls is the ideal attraction for a half-day tour. There’s enough to do here to be entertained for 3 - 4 hours.
• The guides and knowledgeable, friendly, and fun.
  
  
  

Three amazing things you can do at Mayfield Falls

Mayfield Falls is a good tour option whether you’re looking for somewhere to spend part of your day or a place to relax for hours on end. There’s quite a lot to see at the Falls, and you can start here:

1. Have a refreshing swim in the natural pools!

A tour at Mayfield Falls is usually around 1 - 2 hours, and while there you’ll have plenty of time to jump into one of the natural pools which are perfect for beating the Caribbean sun. The pools are calm and most are deep enough that you’ll be able to jump in safely. Or, you can look around for a good spot where you’ll be able to feel the rush of the water as it cascades into the pool.

2. Hike to the most beautiful vantage points for some amazing pictures

Hiking will be a definite possibility at Mayfield Falls. You can even try rock scrambling, which is more or less climbing up or down the rocks in this area using your hands and feet. Scramble your way to the top of the falls for an incredible view or hike to any of the surrounding vistas.
If you take the short hike around the mountain, a stunning view of the falls awaits. Take lots of pictures from this vantage!

3. Explore the underwater caves and natural jacuzzis

With a guide you can experience some of the famous underwater caves of Mayfield Falls. You can swim through some of these during your tour, in particular, the cave that is about 5 feet long.

Even better? You don’t need to be a professional to navigate these caves; a tour guide will do just fine to direct your way.

In addition to underwater caves there are also a few natural pools near the waterfalls that will be something like a natural jacuzzi (without the heat) when you get in, including the one near the tallest fall known as “The Washing Machine”.

The Washing Machine is 9.8’ tall and you can splash around in the natural pool beneath as well as make your way behind the waterfall to explore!

Tour or going by yourself?

Mayfield Falls is on the west end of Jamaica just about midway between the north and south coasts. It is relatively easy to get to the falls from towns like Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios, which are among the more touristy parts of Jamaica.

You’ll have options of renting a car to get to the falls and around the island, calling a cab, or just signing up for a tour, which can even include round trip transportation from the resort and back.

One of the pluses of booking a Mayfield Falls tour is that guides often share cultural and historical tidbits and even show you various points of interest along the way. If you choose the taxi option, your resort should be able to help with the scheduling.

Expert tip: Keep in mind that you should only use red plate cabs while in Jamaica. Red plate cabs are the sole legally operated cabs in Jamaica. Looking for more travel tips? Check out these 28 do’s and don’ts before traveling to Jamaica.

Booking a tour to the Falls

Planning on visiting Mayfield Falls as part of a tour? Excellent choice!

Once you get to Jamaica, it won’t be hard to book a tour to get to Mayfield Falls as there are many tour companies offering excursions to this area.

You’ll have the option of half day or full day tours including the 4x4 Jeep Safari to 4x4 Jeep adventure to Mayfield Falls which starts at Montego Bay, and the Mayfield Falls River Walk from Negril. When you get to Mayfield Falls you’ll be able to walk through the property with help from a tour guide.

Most tours to Mayfield Falls offer free cancellations up to 24 hours in advance. If you stay at an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica you can often get good deals on tours through the resort which includes the cost of transportation to and from the attraction.

How to prepare for your visit to Mayfield Falls

Not only is Mayfield Falls one of the most beautiful attractions in Jamaica, but the falls also have a sort of magnetic appeal that’ll make it almost impossible to resist getting in the water when you get there. For that reason, it makes sense to plan and dress accordingly.

Good to know: the Mayfield Falls are open for visits seven days a week, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

For starters, you’ll want to wear casual and comfortable clothing with a swimsuit underneath. When you get out of the natural pools surrounding the falls and dry off, you’ll be able to change at the venue as bathrooms and changing rooms are made available to guests.

For shoes as well, you’ll want to select the most comfortable, sturdy, and even water-resistant pair. This will come in handy because there’s also lots of room to hike around the falls and it is necessary to walk to get to the falls itself, a path that can take you through both water and land.

The river walk that precedes a waterfall bath can be more challenging or even dangerous if you don’t have the right shoes so pack a pair of water shoes or rent one when you get to the falls.

Rentals for water shoes cost about 6 - 8 USD at Mayfield Falls so you’ll be able to get a pair if you don’t have one of your own.

What else to pack for a trip to Mayfield Falls...

When planning a trip to Mayfield Falls it’s important to dress comfortably and also to bring along the things you’ll need for the day. Since we’ve already covered what to wear (emphasis on the right clothing and shoes for water play and walking), other important things you’ll want to bring are snacks, water, towels, and swimwear.

Sunscreen can be included in the list of things to pack for a trip to Mayfield Falls, but this may not be necessary as the falls are shady. A good pair of sunshades might come in handy as well, particularly if you’ll be checking out more than one location on the day.

Once you get to Mayfield Falls you can place your belongings in a locker on site until you’re ready to go. Locker rentals cost 6 USD.

What to expect when you arrive

At the top of the hill at Mayfield Falls you’ll sometimes see coconut vendors selling refreshing coconut water which can be the perfect start for this nature excursion. Drink up your coconut water, scoop out some jelly to eat if you have the time, and then get set for your Mayfield waterfall adventure.

The first stop once you get into Mayfield Falls will be to the welcome center, and then off to the start off point of the river walk. Before starting off, in addition to details on the tour, sometimes guides share information on the various trees and plants found in the area, like turmeric, cocoa and even the mimosa pudica plant with leaves that close once you touch them.

Overall, at Mayfield Falls visitors can expect to find a place where they can let go of everyday obligation (not that you’ll have many when on vacation in Jamaica!) and mellow out.

There are many waterfalls here as well as rivers, natural pools, and lots of room to relax.

Entrance fee

There is an entrance fee of 20 USD to get into Mayfield Falls which can be paid upon arrival. Most tours include the entrance fee as part of the overall price you’ll pay, but definitely ask about that before booking.

Amenities

The welcome center is one of the first places you’ll see once you arrive at the falls and secure a spot in the onsite parking lot. At the welcome center you’ll be able to get information about the falls and also rent lockers (6 USD) if you want to put your bags down and really enjoy the experience.

There’s a restaurant and gift shop around the welcome center area as well that you can check out before or after your tour. Bathrooms are available in the welcome center.

Journey to the Falls

Once you’ve gone through the welcome center, next up will be the river walk which takes about one hour in total.

While this may sound extensive, there’s a lot to see along the way so the time will seem to fly by. The walk itself isn’t very challenging so you won’t need to be any kind of trained athlete to complete it.

The best part about the river walk aside from the amazing sightings along the way is that guides can tailor the trail according to the group they are with, so the walk tends to range from cool and easy, to a bit more rugged and exciting.

Though the river walk for the most part isn’t too difficult, it does get steeper in some places which means young children and people with mobility difficulties may have a harder time getting around it.

Other places to check out on your way to Mayfield Falls

Mayfield Falls is a good starting point if you want to visit some of the top attractions in Jamaica. Some of the tour stops near Mayfield Falls include the Blue Hole Mineral Spring and the popular YS Falls which we’ll detail more about below:

Blue Hole Mineral Spring

The Blue Hole Mineral Spring (not to be confused with the Ocho Rios Blue Hole) is about 20 minutes from Negril heading to Jamaica’s south coast.

You can get to this spring with about one hour of driving from Mayfield Falls. The Blue Hole attraction is well known in Jamaica, and features a natural spring around 24 feet underground inside a limestone cave.

The spring is about 35 feet deep, and you’ll be able to either jump right in, or use a ladder to plunge into the refreshing waters. Visitors to the Blue Hole Mineral Spring love that there’s also a bar on site and quite a bit of room to unwind around the spring.

To get the full experience this attraction offers, sign up for a reinvigorating mineral massage while there.

Love massages? You can’t beat the Red Lane Spa available at all Sandals all-inclusive resorts and Beaches family resorts.

YS Falls

Just about an hour and a half away from Mayfield Falls you’ll be able to take in some of the amazing views at YS Falls. Visiting both of these places in one day is a good option if you really want an experience that is as nature oriented as these locations.

YS Falls consists of a series of waterfalls (seven in all) and many of these, cascade into natural pools which are ideal for swimmers of all skill levels. The natural pools vary in depth with shallow pools available for non-swimmers and deeper pools for visitors who’re more comfortable in the water.

Changing rooms and bathrooms are also available at this location, which is located on a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Mayfield Falls.

Expert tip: See our YS Falls, Jamaica: Insider Tips From Local Tour Guides to find out what else is in store at this location!

Nature lovers will love Mayfield Falls!

At Mayfield Falls you’ll be able to breathe in the fresh mountain air of Jamaica as well as soak beneath any of the 21 small cascades of some of the most beautiful waterfalls you may have ever seen.

It’ll be the best feeling in the world to watch or feel the water from the falls pouring into these pools as the reality sets in that your dreams of experiencing paradise have come to life.

Nature lovers will be enamoured by Mayfield Falls where there’s lots to experience.

Insider tip: Mayfield Falls is located near resort towns like Negril, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios. Want to enjoy unlimited cocktails on the most beautiful beaches in Jamaica? Go all-inclusive, it will be worth it!

Sandals Resorts offers some amazing adults-only resorts specifically designed for couples, Beaches Resorts is your all-inclusive resort of choice if you’re bring the family (comes with a water park)!