The name of this small village comes from Abeokuta in Nigeria, for the slaves who were brought to Jamaica from Nigeria and also for a large rock on the grounds of this huge former plantation, which resembles one in its African namesake country. Today, the plantation, grounds, and gardens are part of Abeokuta Nature Park, located near the city of Negril. Visitors can explore the expansive grounds and gardens, see the ruins of the old plantation house, and even go for a swim. Abeokuta is home to the oldest swimming pool in Jamaica, a 300-year-old stone pool that is fed fresh water from a stone aqueduct and is still in use today

Located only about 35 miles from the bustling resorts of Montego Bay, Bluefields is a breath of fresh air for travelers looking for a more authentic Jamaican experience. With shimmering azure waters and gleaming white sands, Bluefields Beach is a beautiful and fantastic option for a day spent sunbathing and swimming among locals instead of other tourists. Although its history as a pirate’s cove is long behind it, Bluefields is still a great place to set out for a fishing expedition or a day on the water, and in the evenings, the Bluefields Villas will provide a peaceful and elegant place to call home away from home. 

Foodies should not miss an opportunity to explore Boston Bay, which is the birthplace of jerk food. Located in the western region of the island, Boston Bay is a small bay that is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Due to higher tides than on most other parts of the island, the gorgeous beach at Boston Bay is well known for some of the best surfing in Jamaica. Once a year, Boston Bay is home to the Portland Jerk Festival, which features music, markets, events and, of course, countless food stalls serving their take on the spicy and delicious Jamaican jerk food. 

Located east of Montego Bay, Luminous Lagoon is a sight best seen at night. Billions of tiny organisms live in the water here, and when the water is disturbed they emit an eerily beautiful blue-green glow. Guests can enjoy a meal at Glistening Waters Restaurant, which overlooks the lagoon and the nightly lightshow, which will illuminate when fish swim through the water or when boats glide by on its surface. Boat tours are also available, and visitors can see from the water itself the effects of these tiny iridescent organisms and even take a swim in the glowing waters of the lagoon. 

Nine Mile is the birthplace of famous musician Bob Marley and also the location of his final resting place. Fans of his music can visit the small village of Nine Mile to tour the cottage where Marley was born. Here, they will have an opportunity to see how he lived and learn about some of his belongings, including the “rock pillow” on which he would lie for inspiration, and then pay their respects at the Bob Marley Mausoleum, where he was buried with his mother and half brother. Nine Mile is very rural and is reachable from Discovery Bay or Runaway Bay. 

Ocho Rios was a fishing village for years, but now it is one of the busiest ports in Jamaica, with cruise ships that regularly dock there for day trips, and it has some of the nicest resorts in the Caribbean. Visitors to Ocho Rios can ride horses on the beach and through the shallow blue waters of the sea, or swim with dolphins and sharks at Dolphin Cove. From Ocho Rios, travelers can also take a day trip to Dunn’s River Falls and Park, where they will find a uniquely beautiful jungle waterfall that cascades over terraced limestone domes. With everything from shopping to relaxation to adventure, Ocho Rios is the place to be in Jamaica. 

One of the most unique sights in Jamaica is Holland Bamboo Street, or Bamboo Avenue. This 2-mile stretch of road is covered by a shady green archway of bamboo, a peaceful tunnel that is both picturesque and a lovely respite from the hot tropical sun. The bamboo surrounding this road, which is both walkable and drivable, was planted in the 17th century, and stands tall today as a unique part of the island. A restaurant at one end of Bamboo Avenue, called Middle Quarters, makes for a lovely lunch or dinner before or after this drive.

One of the best preserved historical towns in the Caribbean, Falmouth is a colonial town on the north coast of Jamaica, near Montego Bay. In the 18th century, when Jamaica was established as the world’s leading producer of sugar, Falmouth was a thriving town, with taverns, shops, plantations, and a bustling port that handled a significant amount of the island’s sugar exports. Today, visitors can take a tour of historical Falmouth to see and learn about the markets, court house, beaches, and the Rose Hall Great House. Visitors can also tour some of the old plantations in the area, visit with crocodiles on the Swamp Safari, and raft down the waters of the Matiberon River.