Jamaica is most often seen as a tropical getaway with amazing beaches, all-inclusive resorts, jerk chicken, and reggae music. And most of the people who visit Jamaica or the Caribbean think it’s just that.

They believe beaches and colorful cocktails and a week in paradise pretty much sums up the Jamaican experience. But there is so much more to a vacation in Jamaica.

For those who are willing to venture beyond the tourist-filled resort towns and attractions, you will find that Jamaica has many hidden gems just waiting to be explored.

Greenwood Great House

Greenwood Great House located in the parish of St. James, on Jamaica's North Coast, is a fine example of late eighteenth-century Great House construction in Jamaica.

Both Greenwood and Barrett Hall, which was a couple of miles up the hill, once belonged to Richard Barrett, a leading planter on the island who was once Speaker of the Assembly and Custos of the parish of St. James.


He was a cousin of the Moulton Barretts of Cinnamon Hill and thus related to the Barrett of Wimpole Street. Richard Barrett was also a cousin to the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning.


The Great House now functions as a museum. Included in the museum is the original library of the Barrett Family.

Accompong Village

The town of Accompong was established in 1739 on the issuing of a peace treaty with the community of runaway slaves called the Maroons, and the English, the then owners of Jamaica, which ended almost 5 decades of guerrilla war.

Jamaica’s Maroons were runaway slaves who escaped into the island's mountainous outback to find freedom. Accompong got its name from a Maroon leader and Ashanti Warrior from West Africa who — along with his sibling Nanny (Nanny of The Maroons) -fought the British to acquire this piece of land.

There is an annual ceremony held here on the 6th of January to honor the trials and triumphs of the Maroons as well as the establishment of Accompong Town.

Bamboo Avenue

Also known as “Holland Bamboo”, the Avenue is a two-and-a-half-mile-long picturesque archway of bamboo located on the main South Coast Highway between Middle Quarters and Lacovia.

It was developed in the early 17th century when the locals decided to plant bamboo on either side of the road to provide shelter from the sun.

It was formerly owned by John Gladstone, father of famous British Prime Minister, Ewart William Gladstone, who acquired sugar cane plantations here. The bamboo coverage was once thicker than its current state, but due to hits from two major hurricanes, it is now considerably thinner.

YS Falls

Though not the most popular, YS Falls is considered by many visitors to be the most breathtaking waterfall in Jamaica.

YS Falls is a seven-tiered waterfall separated by freshwater pools ideal for swimming. The water cascades 120 feet over towering limestone rocks surrounded by lush foliage.

YS Falls is located in a valley on private property but is open to the public for a fee. The property was once a sugarcane plantation, and visitors get to the falls area on a 10-minute tractor ride, and a wooden walkway takes you to the top where you get to enjoy spectacular views or a zip line canopy ride to the base.

At the base, there are a playground and picnic tables amidst tropical gardens and trees. Lifeguards are on duty and visitors receive safety instructions and are harnessed in and ushered by guides.

Accompanied tube rides on the river are also available.

Cockpit Country adventure tours

Stretched across the Trelawny and St. Elizabeth parishes, Cockpit Country is a hilly area with step-sided hallows, as much as 120 meters deep, which are separated by hills and ridges.

Cockpit Country is another natural defensive stronghold that the Maroons used in their fight against the British.

The Cockpit Country adventure tours introduce you to the rich history of the area, as well as expose you to its natural beauty; which includes underground rivers, limestone caves, rugged cliffs, and cascading waterfalls.

Visitors get to go on guided tours in the Cockpit region which include hikes into the forest swarming with exotic plants and wildlife.

You can also find small Beds and Breakfasts, and authentic Jamaican restaurants in the area.