Hire a car to explore Jamaica at your own pace
Jamaica is a fantastic destination for a sun-soaked, culture-filled holiday, but don’t tie yourself down to the attractions and activities of a single location. Instead, be adventurous and hire a car to see some of the other things the island has to offer on regular jaunts from your resort.
Not only will this allow you to pack as many experiences into your break as possible, but it’ll also give you the opportunity to get off the beaten path and really get under the skin of Jamaica. Read on for some examples of places to go in your rental car, and click here for more information on holiday packages to Jamaica.
Scott’s Cove
If you’re staying at a resort in Negril, hop in your car and drive south to Scott’s Cove, which is situated on the border between St Elizabeth Parish and Westmoreland. Here, you’ll get to sample some truly delicious seafood from the street vendors that have set up shop here, including fried fish and bammy (a type of cassava bread).
Alternatively, make a beeline for Little Ochie in Alligator Pond, which is located further south along the coast. You’ll get the chance to actually select the crab, prawns, lobster and other seafood you want to eat from the boat. The owner will then cook whatever you’ve chosen – now that’s what you call fresh food!
Buff Bay
More culinary delights can be found in Buff Bay on the other side of the island. This is an excellent place to drive to if you’re staying in Port Antonio or Ocho Rios, and are using your car to thoroughly explore Jamaica’s north-eastern coast.
The main highlight here is the Blueberry Hill Jerk Stop, where several stalls serve up some tantalising jerk pork and chicken. It’s also worth getting out of your car to see Buff Bay’s courthouse and the Anglican church, which dates back to the 18th century and is Georgian in style.
Castleton
Staying in Kingston? Drive north of the city until you reach Castleton and admire its spectacular 19th century botanical garden, which has dozens of palm tree species to see, as well as hundreds of other types of plants and trees.
Top tip: assemble a picnic basket and have your lunch in Castleton before getting back in your car. This is how the locals like to escape the stress of everyday life, so if it’s good enough for them, it’s surely a good thing for visitors to do too! You might get to know a few residents in the process.
Bog Walk
If you drive from Spanish Town to Ochos Rios (or vice versa!), you can’t fail to notice Bog Walk. This impressive gorge contains a stunning tropical forest and makes for some magnificent views as you drive along the road that edges the Rio Cobre, which runs through Bog Walk.
Look out for Flat Bridge, a stone bridge with just one lane that crosses the Rio Cobre. As you might imagine, it can be a bit of a pain to cross – so just picture what it must have been like before traffic lights were installed! Be sure to also pay a visit to the village of Bog Walk, which is one of the country’s oldest settlements.
Bamboo Avenue
Situated in St Elizabeth Parish, this feat of nature is a sight to behold. Here, you’ll find 2.5 miles of road sheltered by huge bamboo plants that have bent over to create a natural roof. While similar avenues can be found around Jamaica, this is the longest one in the country.
As this part of the island is one of the hottest, the bamboo provides some very welcome shade for residents and visitors. Efforts are underway to preserve Bamboo Avenue, as the plants have thinned out in recent times, raising concerns over its future