Planning a holiday with kids anywhere can feel overwhelming. No parent wants to hear those two dread words “I’m BORED!”. Rather we want a vacation that our kids find fun and educational and filled with happy memories.
In Jamaica, boredom will not be a problem with many of the all-inclusive hotels offering kids clubs, kiddie pools, and even mini-waterparks. Outside the hotel walls’ is where the real fun lies. Take your older kids zip-lining over the island’s rainforests or give your toddler an educational experience on a toddler-friendly nature walk.
Before we start, here is some vital information about you need to know about Jamaica;
Location: Situated between the Cayman Islands, Cuba, and Haiti in the Carribean Sea
Languages: Official language is English but the primary spoken language is an English-based creole called Jamaican Patois (or Patwa)
Currency: Jamaican dollar (J$), US dollar (US$)
Weather: A good time to visit is between April (Spring Break - woohoo!) and May when the weather is still pretty dry except in Port Antonio and the northeast which may receive some rainfall.
Visa: Requirements for entry into Jamaica differ from country to country, and are subject to change. Prior to departure, always check with your government and your nearest Jamaica embassy or consulate what documents you need to travel to Jamaica.
With that out of the way, here is a compilation of the most unforgettable things to do in Jamaica with your kids.
Swim With Dolphins at Dolphin Cove
Did you know that swimming with dolphins is considered one of the top 10 bucket list items? If your kids like dolphins, amaze them with a close-up encounter with the creatures at Jamaica’s Dolphin Cove.
Activities are specifically catered to different ages and abilities. Younger, non-swimmers take part in the fun with the help of an adult by petting or kissing the dolphins. Older kids participate in a dolphin care program where they help to feed and take care of the dolphins while learning about the everyday life of the creatures
Where: Dolphin Cove in the coastal town of Ocho Rios
When: Daily with 4 shows - 10:15 am, 11:45 am, 1:15 pm and 2:45 pm
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Alternative: Touch Encounter with the Dolphins at Dolphin Cove Negril
Go Horseback Riding in the Bay!
Another awesome thing to do in Jamaica with kids is horseback riding in the ocean! This is one activity that should be experienced at least once in your lifetime.
Take your whole family on an unforgettable ride through Jamaica’s lush countryside, onto a pristine beach, then straight into the ocean.
Watch them squeal as they first enter the warm water on horseback. Be sure to take a waterproof camera to preserve the priceless memory.
Where: Montego Bay and Negril
When: Daily 10:30 am, and 1:30 pm
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Alternative: Taste Authentic Jamaican food on a Beach Cookout Tour
Learn About the Reggae Icon that is Bob Marley
A tour of the Bob Marley town and mausoleum is a must for fans of the world-renown (though now deceased) Bob Marley. Even if your older kids don’t know who Bob Marley was, the tour is still a good thing to do with them if they like music.
Music-loving ‘tweens’ and teenaged kids will enjoy learning about a new music form and the icon most identified with it.
The Bob Marley tour explores reggae music and the life of one of the most inspirational reggae singers that ever lived, Bob Marley. A visit to this gem brings you intimately close to the life and inspirations of the icon. See how he lived, his guitar and much more.
Where: Nine Miles in the mountains of St. Anns
When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7:00 am
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Alternative: Jamaican Musical Roots Experience
Zipline In a Jamaican Forest at Mystic Mountain
For a change of scenery, leave the beach and take your older kids to explore the tropical greenery by zip line. Mystic Mountain in the beautiful town of Ocho Rios is the top-rated place to zip line in Jamaica.
The actual zip line course goes through the rainforest and offers glimpses of white waterfalls and the turquoise ocean. Be forewarned though—zip-lining hundreds of feet from the ground is only for the brave! Kids have to be at least five years old to participate
Where: Mystic Mountain
When: Daily 10:30 am
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Alternative: Mystic Mountain Sky Explorer Tour
Take a cruise and go snorkeling
One cannot visit Jamaica without going snorkeling at least once! So, take a 3 hours cruise on a luxury catamaran of the Montego Bay coastline while enjoying the Carribean breeze and its warm sun.
During your sailing adventure, you will be invited to swim and snorkel from the front steps of the catamaran.
This also includes a stop at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville for waterslides and water toys.
TIP: I recommend you bring your own snorkeling gear rather than renting as the rates can be expensive and the hygiene might not be that great!
Where: Montego Bay
When: Monday to Saturday 9:00 am, and 2:00 pm
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Alternative: Relax at the Blue Hole in Ocho Rios
Take the family to the Rockland Bird Sanctuary
At the Rockland Bird Sanctuary, you will have the chance to see typical birds living in Jamaica. Bananaquits, hummingbirds including the black-billed streamertail and the red-billed streamertail (also known as the Doctor Bird - the national bird of Jamaica).
There are feeding stations throughout the sanctuary, so if you wait long enough, a hummingbird may land on your finger and feed from a bottle containing an elixir that they love!
Where: A little town called Anchovy, west of Montego Bay
When: Daily from 2:30 pm
Rating: ★ ★ ★
Alternative: Blue Mountain Nature Hiking Trails
Close up crocodiles & Appleton Estate rum factory tour
This is one wildly beautiful trip down one of Jamaica’s largest rivers. The guided boat trip will take you down a beautiful river surrounded by lush, tropical forestry.
Black River is the natural habitat for hundreds of crocodiles, don’t be surprised if you have crocodiles come to you for feeding, as you travel through the lush vegetation of the sanctuary.
The rum tour is a good way to sneak a learning opportunity on your itinerary of things to do with the kids in Jamaica!
Where: Black River Crocodile Sanctuary
When: Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Alternative: Take a Guided Jamaican Countryside Tour
Take Older Kids to Climb a Waterfall at Dunn’s River Falls
Dunn’s River Falls is 180 feet high wonder of white waterfalls is really a sight to behold, and the only one of its kind in the Caribbean.
The guided hikes offered are a great activity for the whole family to enjoy and can be enjoyed by kids as young as six years old.
Stop at the wading pools formed by the force of the waterfall or in front of the rapidly falling water for a family photo you will love displaying.
Where: Dunn’s River Fall
When: Daily from 9:30 am onwards
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Alternative: Take a City Tour of Kingston
Spend a day at Booby Cay Island snorkeling
Getaway from the hustle and bustle of the main island and take a short boat ride from Negril to the quaint private island of Booby Cay.
Once you arrive at Booby Cay, spend your day snorkeling in the area’s crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean or exploring the island on foot1
Select from a 3.5-hour snorkeling tour, a 1.5-hour snorkeling tour of one reef, or a 1.5-hour night snorkeling tour. My recommendation would be the first as it gives you enough time to take in the sights!
TIP: Get the Snorkel Face Mask which is much better than regular mark as it provides a panoramic view
Where: Booby Cay Island
When: Daily from 7:30 am
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Alternative: Explore Jamaica’s rugged interior in a Land Rover
If you like/love to snorkel, find out where is the best snorkeling in the World is.
Take a tour of the Haunted Rose Hall
Attribution: by Urban Walnut / CC BY-SA
If you and your kids are brave enough, enjoy a candlelit tour of the haunted house of the “White Witch of Rose Hall.” he 18th-century home of Annie Palmer
On the tour, you will learn the history of the house and its owner. Listen to the floors creak beneath your feet as you walk where she famously killed her 3 husbands and countless lovers before being murdered in same the house!
Where: Montego Bay City
When: Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays 4:30 pm
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Alternative: See a Caribbean Sunset With the Kids in Negril
Budgeting
Food: For USD 20 you can get a meal at a mid-range restaurant. Fine dining will cost USD 30 and above
Accommodation: A double room in a hotel will cost between USD 50-60 depending on what time fo the year you are staying. Book your room now for spring break!
Transportation: Communal route taxis are the most universal mode of public transportation, reaching every part of the country and cost USD 1-2. Hiring a private taxi will cost you USD 100 per day.
Insurance: We recommend you always take out travel insurance before your next vacation. What happens if you suffer from illness, injury, theft or a cancellation? With travel insurance, you can have peace of mind and not worry. We love World Nomads travel insurance and have been using it for years. Their comprehensive coverage is second to none and their online claims process is very user-friendly.
Check out my easy to use Budget Calculator to budget your trip to Jamaica with the kids (or without).
Is Jamaica worth visiting?
Jamaica is worth visiting yes, but it depends upon what you are looking for. As you have read there is much to do and see outside the hotels. So whether you prefer to laze on the beach or are an adrenaline junkie, Jamaica has it all.
FAQs about Traveling to Jamaica
Is Jamaica child-friendly?
Negril, Ocho Rios, and Montego Bay are perhaps the best towns for children, each replete with kid-friendly attractions and activities, most notably Dunn’s River Falls, outside Ocho Rios; Kool Runnings Adventure Park, Negril; Aquasol Theme Park, Montego Bay; and horseback riding (all three).
Is Jamaica safe for families?
Unfortunately in certain places like Kingston and Montego Bay, there are high levels of crime with gang violence, petty theft, and shootings. Provided you are careful, I would still say Jamaica is a safe family holiday destination for spring break!
Related Spring Break Posts - 5 Castle Hotel Destinations for Spring Break and Best Spring Break Destinations for Families
Where can families go in Jamaica?
In Jamaica, boredom will not be a problem with many of the all-inclusive hotels offering kids clubs, kiddie pools, and even mini-waterparks. Outside the hotel walls’ is where the real fun lies. Take your older kids zip-lining over the island’s rainforests or give your toddler an educational experience on a toddler-friendly nature walk.
What should I be careful of in Jamaica?
If you decide to travel to Jamaica:
- Do not walk or driving at night.
- Avoid public buses.
- Avoid secluded places or situations.
- Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
- Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
How much does it cost to travel to Jamaica?
According to budgetyourtrip.com, you should plan to spend around USD 110 per day on your vacation in Jamaica, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, USD 22 on meals for one day and USD 10 on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in Jamaica for a couple is USD 153. So, a trip to Jamaica for two people for one-week costs on average USD 1,538.
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Let’s Fight Climate Change Together!
Environmentally friendly, go green and eco-friendly are phrases that have been trending over the past few months and rightly so! For far too long we as holidaymakers have ignored our impact on the local environment.
With that in mind, I have been inspired to create the What’s Your Carbon Collection that will hopefully make people aware of their contribution to climate change.
All the proceeds from the sale of this collection (apparel and accessories) will be donated to Earthjustice. They are the premier nonprofit public interest environmental law organization.
I must say these experiences are amazing to do by yourself, I bet if you travel with kids they gonna love it too. My favorite will be horse riding and crocodile spotting.
Hi Chris,
All my articles are focused on kids as I have my own and ALL our holidays are based on their needs/wants but at the same time I try to include things for us grown-ups to do! Otherwise, it’s not a holiday for us its just parenting in a foreign country lol
This is some new information for me. Quite useful.
glad you find all my posts useful vimal 🙂
I don’t have kids but these are great activities to do even without kids.
Adults on holiday are just oversized kids lol
Jamaica looks like an amazing destination. We’d love to visit but I guess you cannot or should not go off the beaten track for safety reasons?
yes, there are places that are not safe due to crime - it’s best to stay in the city or at the hotel premises. I for one won’t complain about spending 10 days on those white sands or clear blue waters!
I’d definitely be up for the ziplining and waterfall! They look like fun.
Yeah, the ziplining is fun but its motorized which means you don’t get to control the speed (safety feature). It takes the thrill out of the ride (for speed junkies) but the view is still worth doing it!