A Jamaica vacation is a feast for the senses

Music, food, and incredible scenery - Jamaica is a place with a passion for life. With lush tropical forests, beautiful beaches and reef-protected waters, it’s a nature lover’s playground. The birthplace of reggae music, it’s also an island packed with music and culture, a place that will invite you to slow down, relax and enjoy life at a more leisurely pace.

If you’re traveling with children, you’ll love Mystic Mountain, an eco-friendly theme park in Ocho Rios. Its star attraction is a bobsled ride through the tropical rainforest - inspired of course by the famous 1988 Jamaican Bobsled team. Feel the rhythm as you hurtle down the track to an exhilarating finale! You can also enjoy the surroundings at a more sedate pace on the rainforest chairlift which will take you right up into the forest canopy with sweeping views of Dunn’s River falls and the ocean beyond. Our villas in Ocho Rios are the perfect base for a fun-filled trip to the park.

If staying active on vacation is high on your list of priorities, Jamaica makes a great choice. With its many mountains and rivers, the island is home to several spectacular – and climbable – waterfalls. The secret is in the island’s limestone construction, which has naturally eroded under the constant presence of water to create tiered steps and refreshing pools. Get your heart rate pumping with a hike at Dunn’s River Falls - one of the most popular destinations on the island, or head to Konoko Falls for a more off-the-beaten-track experience. Remember, water shoes are a must!

Another favorite stop for adrenaline junkies is Rick’s Cafe in Negril, which has been a popular cliff-jumping spot for many years. Watch in awe as fearless locals and tourists alike attempt back flips and dives into the turquoise water, and if you’re feeling brave, step up to the plate to try for yourself.

Negril is also home to the island’s best snorkeling and scuba diving. Rockhouse Beach is a favorite destination, where you can explore underground grottoes and caves. Keep your eye out for spotted snake eels as they whip along the sea bed. As with many Caribbean islands, it’s a great idea to head out to the open water on a diving or snorkel tour - you’ll see larger marine life, such as barracudas, rays and even reef sharks, and the visibility is better. Experienced divers can explore several great wreck diving sites in Jamaica, including Pete’s Wreck in Negril, where you can explore two Cessna airplanes and Kathryn in Ocho Rios, where the fish are so tame you can feed them by hand. For a diving and snorkeling holiday to remember, take a look at our villas in Negril , many of which come equipped with snorkel gear. Our concierge team can arrange dive gear rental and guide dive boat tours too.

From elegant dining rooms to laid back beach cafes, eating well is a favorite hobby here. Jerk fish or chicken are must-try dishes of course - you’ll find the best at local beachfront or roadside shacks - but true foodies should look beyond jerk spices to try a few of Jamaica’s other signature dishes. One of our favorites is ackee and saltfish - a typical breakfast dish made with salted cod, boiled ackee fruit and the scotch bonnet peppers that Jamaicans love. Many of our luxury villas in Jamaica come with your very own chef - and there’s no better place to try this tasty home-style dish than on your very own shaded veranda.

Another beloved Jamaican product is rum, of course - and you can go right to the source at the Appleton Estate. Head inland into the lush mountains of the island’s interior for a rum-tasting at the property. A guided tour of the 265-year-old estate will teach you all about the rum-making process and different production techniques. And you’ll be able to sample the goods of course, with a rum punch to kick off proceedings and a tasting flight to finish.

If you’re something of a coffee connoisseur, you’ll love the delicious single-origin coffee from Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. Buy some beans to take home with you and you’ll have a lasting memory of your vacation every day for weeks to come!

Experience the laid-back luxury of our homes for rent in Jamaica

Secluded beaches, personal chefs, golf course access and more. When you travel to Jamaica with Luxury Retreats you’ll get the relaxing vacation you dreamed of.

If the vacation you’re picturing involves stretching out on your own personal slice of sand, Jamaica is a great choice. Several of our luxury homes feature private beach access or private docks, each giving on to calm turquoise waters. Paradise! And if you want to get out and explore the water, you’ll find that many properties have snorkel equipment, kayaks and other watersports equipment.

If you don’t want to lift a finger the entire time you’re away, make sure you check out our fully staffed homes in Jamaica - many of which are found in beautiful Montego Bay. A butler (or two) to bring you fresh coffee in the morning, a personal chef on hand to whip up whatever dish you fancy - whether that’s fiery hot Jamaican jerk chicken or one of your favorite comfort foods, and a housekeeper to make sure everything stays ship shape, on a Montego Bay vacation you’ll experience the true meaning of luxury.

If you’ve got a destination wedding on your mind, a fully-staffed home takes the stress out of the event, meaning you can concentrate on what’s important - saying “I do!”

Does the idea of waking with the sunrise to challenge yourself on the golf course sound like heaven? Then look no further. Jamaica boasts 12 golf clubs, with a variety of challenging championship courses combined with lush landscaping and sweeping sea views. Some of our homes in Jamaica are part of golfing resorts such as the Tryall Club, and come equipped with golf carts to get you from breakfast to tee-off in no time at all.