Let The Adventures Begin: The Top 19 Things To Do In Falmouth, Jamaica

Jamaica is one of those Caribbean gems you can’t miss experiencing at least once. Spanning 4,244 square miles, this island is the third largest in the region, comparable in size to the US state of Connecticut. One of its parishes, Trelawny, is home to the historic town of Falmouth.

Falmouth’s captivating history comes alive in its Georgian-style architecture, vibrant community, and enduring traditions. In this guide, we’ll uncover 19 of the best things to do in Falmouth, from exploring serene beaches and secret caves to discovering its enchanting bioluminescent lagoons.

Ready to dive into the wonders of this Jamaican treasure? Let’s get started!

1. River raft on the Martha Brae

Bamboo rafting in Jamaica is one of those excursions that’s almost synonymous with the island. The 30-foot rafts, which are made of 100% bamboo, are led into the waters of the Martha Brae River by any of the 80+ licensed raft captains who are very knowledgeable about this area. The tour lasts about an hour and takes you down more than three miles of river with awe-inspiring views of Jamaica’s diverse flora and fauna.

Before getting aboard the raft, however, you’ll first meet the guides in the embarkation area known as Rafters Village. This area spans around six acres and it’s exciting enough on its own thanks to the souvenir shops, bar, picnic area, and Miss Martha’s Herb Garden. Your can check out the Rafter’s Village before or after your tour.

Expert tip: With a stay at the lively, all-inclusive Sandals Montego Bay or at the more intimate Sandals Royal Caribbean, you’ll be just about a 30-minute drive from the best attractions in Falmouth.

2. Go river tubing down the Rio Bueno River

Rio Bueno is a small village along the northern coast of Jamaica. The Rio Bueno River runs through this village and into the Rio Bueno Harbor. The lush vegetation surrounding the river creates just the right ambiance for a nature-oriented tour. While in Jamaica, you’ll be able to explore this area with a river tubing half-day tour. This tour is led by guides who often share intricate details about the island’s history as you float down the river.

If you choose, you can kick back and bob down the river with little to no interruptions. Or you can get off your tube, make your way to the bank, and swing from the rope swings. All you’ll need to do is jump from the ledge into the cool water below. The feeling is incomparable… just leaning in and enjoying blissful island moments!

Good to know: Bring a swimsuit, towel, cash, and a waterproof camera for this excursion. Mosquito repellent is a must!

3. Sip local rum at Hampden Estate

Jamaican rum tours make it possible to learn about the production process of locally produced rums. Not just that, but you’ll get to know more about the island through the guides and the people you’ll meet along the way. One of the most popular rum tours on the island is the Hampden Rum Rour. This tour takes place at the Hampden Estate Rum Distillery in Trelawny, Jamaica. This distillery, which was established in the 1950s, produces a Pure Single Jamaica Rum, using a process that has been around for more than 260 years.

During the Hampden Estate Rum Tour, you’ll be able to see more of Jamaica’s countryside, tour the Hampden Great House, and enjoy local bites and rum samples. The tour is around two hours long and each tour accommodates ten people at a time.

Good to know: You’ll need to be 18 years or older to take part in this tour. Also, closed-toe shoes are a must!

4. Zipline for unbeatable views

Don’t miss out on some exhilarating ziplining while in Falmouth. The adrenaline rush you’ll get while zipping through the lush vegetation in this area is comparable to none. Falmouth has many different locations to choose from for ziplining, so if you’re not afraid of heights, you’ll be in a great position for some adventure!

The Mystic Mountain Zipline Canopy Tour is a great place to start. This is just about an hour from Falmouth. As you zip through this rainforest, you’ll be rewarded with a view of Dunn’s River Falls, near the town of Ocho Rios. Other tours in this area include the Good Hope Estate Pass & Adventure Falls excursion in Trelawney, about 20 minutes from Falmouth.

5. Sign up for a culinary walking tour

One of the first activities you might want to get into once you arrive in Falmouth, Jamaica is a culinary walking tour. This guided walking tour offers a chance to learn about Jamaican history and cuisine. Along the way, you’ll be able to try various dishes prepared by locals. At some locations, you might even gain insight on culinary traditions and practices with live demonstrations. This can be just the right introduction to this tropical isle, and you might even be able to take a recipe or two home with you.

As Falmouth is notable historical area in Jamaica, you might also be able to find out more about what life was like on the sugar plantations and how this crop was produced. As you explore, **look out for sites like the Falmouth Courthouse and the Greenwood Great House museum. The courthouse, which was built in 1815, is a concrete example of Georgian architecture that has been preserved on the island.

6. Visit Nine Mile, the birthplace of Bob Marley

Not far from Falmouth, a visit to Nine Mile in St. Annes will take you to the place where Reggae legend Bob Marley lived and was buried. His mother, Mamma Marley, and his half-brother, Anthony Booker, are also buried there. Throughout the years, this mausoleum has been visited by many.

Guided tours of Bob Marley’s residence are rife with Rastafarian symbols and memorabilia, and the guides will show you his favorite spots in the house. A visit to Bob Marley’s home is truly an experience that will make you feel connected to the renowned artist who shaped Jamaican culture and inspired many.

Expert tip: With a stay at the lively, all-inclusive Sandals Montego Bay or at the more intimate Sandals Royal Caribbean, you’ll be just about a 30-minute drive from the best attractions in Falmouth.

7. ATV through the lush Jamaican rainforest

An ATV tour in Falmouth is an exciting way to explore the outdoors, see amazing sites and buildings, and visit the hotspots of the island. You’ll get to ride through the rugged terrain and experience many of the nature trails, wildlife, and vegetation in its midst.

ATV tours are a great thrill and ideal for anyone looking for some fun in the sun. You may need to bring some bug repellent and a change of clothes, just in case, as the trails can sometimes get muddy. No worries, though, the sites that you will see and the new places you will visit will make it all worth it!

8. Explore Falmouth on horseback

For an amazing adventure in Falmouth, Jamaica, all you need to do is to show up. The experiences you’ll have along the way will be memorable, to say the least! And that’s exactly how we feel about exploring Falmouth on horseback. We love that this type of activity can be suited for both beginners and experienced riders and that its just such an incredible way to explore the town! Many tour companies offer horseback riding, so you’ll have plenty of options. Tours like Falmouth Jamaica Horseback Riding make it possible to ride on the beach, past sugar cane fields, and through rugged green spaces.

9. Admire nearby Great Houses

The Great Houses in Jamaica carry a great deal of history with them. They tell stories of slavery and triumph. Two of these include the Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay (about 30 minutes from Falmouth), and the Good Hope Great House in Trelawny.

A visit to Good Hope will teach you more about its history as a sugar plantation in the 18th century, and you’ll see its modern-day transformation to an adventure center. At Good Hope, you can embark on a historical tour, go river tubing, try horse and buggy rides, or go ziplining. Meanwhile, at the Rose Hall Great House, you can learn more about Annie Palmer who was rumored to have killed her husband within these walls. Don’t worry, it’s not all grim though; you can also get a tour of this 4,000-acre estate complete with its 18-hole championship golf course.

10. Lounge on Red Stripe Beach

All it takes is a few minutes near the ocean to reset in Jamaica. In Falmouth, you can head to places like the private Red Stripe Beach for this type of island rejuvenation. A scenic coastline borders the calm, blue waters of this charming beach. At Red Stripe Beach you’ll find amenities like bathrooms and changing rooms. There’s also a restaurant, bar, beach chairs, umbrellas, and more.

Red Stripe Beach is well protected by security and lifeguards, and it is usually kept very clean. This beach is easy to access, as it is only a few minutes away from the cruise port. A visit to Red Stripe Beach is included in many of the excursions offered by the cruise sector, so if you’re in Falmouth, be sure to ask your tour guide about visiting Red Stripe Beach.

11. Spend the day at Burwood Beach

Burwood Beach is located near the cruise port in Falmouth. On weekdays, this can be a tranquil place to unwind near the ocean. When cruise ships are in port the beach can get a little crowded, so keep this in mind when planning your beach day.

Burwood Beach has lifeguards, changing rooms, bathrooms, and showers. To maintain these amenities, there’s a small entrance fee that must be paid to gain access to the beach. Often, you’ll find local vendors on these shores selling fish and other treats. This beach experience is best enjoyed with good company!

12. Explore Green Grotto Caves

Some should already be familiar with the Green Grotto Caves, thanks to the 1973 James Bond spy film “Live and Let Die”, which was filmed here. If you’re not, you should stop by to visit these caves that are regarded as one of Jamaica’s most fascinating attractions.

Inside Green Grotto Caves you’ll find striking natural formations like the limestone structures, stalagmites, and a lake known as the Grotto Lake. While there, look out for snakes, snails, and bats, such as the Jamaican fruit-eating bats, all of which live within the cave. A visit to these caverns is bound to be intriguing. You’ll likely have lots of stories to share with friends and family afterwards!

Good to know: Vacations at Sandals Resorts in Jamaica resorts include accommodation, activities and amenities, dining, entertainment, land and water sports and more. With multiple pools and bars including swim-up bars, it’s the vacation with that “special something” you’ve been searching for!

13. Relax at Doctor’s Cave Beach

Doctor’s Cave Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Montego Bay. This beach is a short trip from Falmouth and stretches about 5 miles across the coast. The beach was named after Doctor James McCatty and it is equipped with facilities such as bars, changing rooms, and a gift shop.

Doctor’s Cave Beach requires a small entrance fee and gives you opportunities to enjoy water sports such as kayaking and parasailing at an additional cost. There’s also a coral reef near the beach that’s great for snorkeling. Overall, if you’re looking for some memorable moments near the ocean on a beach rumored to have healing properties, look no further!

Expert tip: Will you be staying in or near Montego Bay while in Jamaica? Here are the top things to do in Montego Bay for an exciting getaway!

14. Swim in the bioluminescent Luminous Lagoon

Dinoflagellates are small marine plankton that can be found at the Luminous Lagoon in Jamaica. These are responsible for the glow this lagoon emits, and it’s one of the most interesting nocturnal attractions you’ll be able to see in Jamaica. The presence of this marine plankton causes the water to light up at night illuminating the pool itself and any other marine life in the water.

Unique is an understatement here. There are just five other locations in the world where bioluminescent plankton can be seen, with three of these locations being in Puerto Rico. The Luminous Lagoon is in an area where the Martha Brae River meets the Caribbean Sea. The dinoflagellates can be seen all year round and you can take a guided boat tour of the lagoon to experience it for yourself.

15. Go on a swamp safari with crocodiles

Remember that James Bond movie we spoke about earlier? Well, another one of the scenes from ‘Live and Let Die’ was filmed at a swamp safari in Jamaica! If you’re an animal lover or just a little more daring than most, then this is a tour you simply must try.

Your swamp safari adventures in Jamaica can begin with the wetlands that make up Charles Swaby’s Crocodile Farm, home to more than 70 crocodiles. As part of this excursion, you’ll be able to feed the crocs, hold their babies, or just watch them be fed by their caregivers. At the swamp safari, you’ll also get a chance to see some other animals such as the Jamaican coney, gray fox, and capuchin monkey.

16. Explore the shops and restaurants at Falmouth’s cruise port

A stroll in the vicinity of Falmouth’s cruise ship port can be just what you need to discover even more of Jamaica’s restaurants and shops. Many of the local shops in this area sell unique souvenirs that you can take home to your loved ones. Aside from just shopping, you can explore notable attractions near the port like Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. This is a restaurant, shop, and bar all in one. Margaritaville’s menu features local cuisine and other options to suit almost all preferences. Pepper’s Jerk Center is another popular restaurant in the cruise port area that sells a range of Jamaican food items.

Jamaica’s top attractions that are a bit further out of Falmouth:

17. Jump into the ‘cool’ Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is a deep sinkhole that gets its name from the turquoise waters that fill the pool. This natural attraction can be found a short distance from Falmouth, in the town of Ocho Rios.

The Blue Hole can be a thrilling place to explore if you love the outdoors, swimming, climbing, and overall, just new experiences. You can cliff dive and jump into the pools here using ropes swings or just admire the vibrant natural surroundings. Though the Blue Hole is one of the most talked about attractions in Jamaica, it isn’t usually crowded. That means you’ll have more than enough room to enjoy this natural gem!

18. Visit Dunn’s River Falls

No list of things to do in Jamaica would be complete without at least one waterfall visit. Even better when that waterfall happens to be the world famous Dunn’s River Falls, one of the largest in the Caribbean. This waterfall is one of few in the world that flows directly into the ocean. Just about an hour from Falmouth by car, there's lots you can get up to during a Dunn's River Falls visit.

Options include the 'wet climb' and the 'dry climb'. These entail either climbing directly through the waterfall or along the sides to take in the view from the top. You can also choose to relax on the beach that's not too far from the falls. If you want something more fast-paced and exhilarating, try a zip line tour for panoramic views of the rainforest. Before heading back to your resort, stop by the shops at the Dunn’s River Falls Park for some souvenirs.

19. Summon bobsledding bravado

Ever since the movie ‘Cool Runnings’, Jamaica has been the Caribbean destination for bobsledding. The island’s lush, mountainous terrain is just right for activities like this, and you can try it out for yourself during your vacation. Intrigued? Head to the 700-foot Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios and get set for a real “irie” time.
As part of the Mystic Mountain bobsledding experience, you’ll get to go bobsledding through Jamaica’s majestic mountainside. This ride starts at the top of the mountain and runs through Mystic Mountain’s 100-acre park. Truly exhilarating, the ride down the 1,000-meter track is scenic, to say the least. Surrounded by tropical views, you’ll be certain that you made the right choice for this vacation!

Your Falmouth adventure waiting to happen!

Bold and adventurous travelers, peace-seeking visitors, passionate couples, solo explorers… there’s something in Falmouth, Jamacia just for you. Whether you want to go ziplining through the forest, swimming in crystal clear waters, bobsledding or even ATV riding, you’ll be able to find just the right excursion in Falmouth. A charming Jamaican town if ever there was one, it’s one of those places where a repeat visit just might be on the agenda!

Before you start planning your full Jamaica itinerary, take a minute to review which area of Jamaica to stay in. The best place to stay depends on the type of vacation you want. If convenience is important for you, keep in mind that Falmouth is near some of the best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica!

Picture: Just 30 minutes from Falmouth, Jamaica, Sandals Montego Bay offers a beachside all-inclusive vacation that includes just about everything you need for your tropical escape!