The 5 Best Things to Do with Kids in Jamaica

5 things to do in Jamaica with kids to ensure everyone in the family gets a bit of adventure, relaxation, and all-around happiness.

Planning for your next family vacation and thinking of going to Jamaica? The island is filled with sun and fun, perfect for entertaining the kids in your life, plus giving you the chance to kick back and relax. Here are five of the best things to do with kids in Jamaica.

1. Mystic Mountain

This is an outdoor park that offers families the chance to do a few different adventures while visiting. All guests start their adventure with a ride 700 feet up the mountain aboard the sky explorer chair lift. Along the way, you’ll coast over a forest and get a gorgeous view of the Caribbean Sea and the Ocho Rios cruise port.

One of the most popular attractions on the mountain is the bobsled. You’ll sit down into a specially made bobsled and hold on as it plunges through 3280 feet of twists and turns down the mountain. Head back up the mountain to try out the zipline tour that sends you flying along five ziplines through the forest. Keep in mind that kids need to be 48 inches tall for the bobsleds and 6 years old for the ziplines.

At the top of the mountain, kids can tackle the new ropes course, Annancy’s Web, or try to climb to the top of Reggae Rock. And if you’re looking for some relaxation, they have an infinity pool and waterslide, that looks out over the sea and Ocho Rios.

Mystic Mountain is the perfect spot for kids who like to get active!

2. Yaaman Adventure Park

Yaaman Adventure Park Mud Buggies

Another great spot for kids in Jamaica is the Yaaman Adventure Park. You can choose to do one or two activities or book a full day of adventure. Get dirty driving mud buggies around the park and through mud puddles. Or take a jitney ride around the resort where you can try to climb a coconut tree and get some fresh coconut as a reward.

Head over to the owner’s home to cook your own Jamaica lunch of jerk chicken, callaloo, coconut rice, and festival rolls. Afterward, change into your suit and head out for a walk to their secret river and waterfall swimming hole. 

You’ll find a full day of activities at Yaaman, great for keeping kids busy and learning a bit about Jamaica in the process.

3. Sun Valley Plantation Tour

If you love fresh fruit, kids will love taking a tour at the Sun Valley Plantation. They’re a popular spot for school groups. Kids will get to see many popular fruit trees, like bananas, apples, and of course, coconuts. They’ll also learn some fun facts about many of the popular fruits. At the end of the tour, they’ll have the chance to sit down and feast on fresh fruit, including getting to try the national dish of ackee and saltfish.

4. Pools & FlowRider

Moon Palace Ocho Rios

When the adults are ready to relax, take advantage of one of the great all-inclusive resorts on the island. They offer amazing pools and lounge chairs, giving you the chance to read in the sun while the kids splash and play. The Moon Palace Resort in Ocho Rios has four pools, including one that has a waterslide and kids splash park. 

Also, at the Moon Palace is the only FlowRider surf simulator in Jamaica. Kids will love the chance to hop aboard a bodyboard and surf against the current. Once they’re feeling brave, they can give surfing a try for real aboard one of the stand-up FlowRider boards.

5. Beaches, Rivers & Waterfalls

Jamaica is filled with gorgeous waterfalls, rivers, and beaches. One of the most iconic spots on the island is Dunn’s River Falls. This waterfall runs down limestone terraces. Those with good balance can try to hike up the waterfall against the current. Older kids will love the challenge and the refreshing water on a hot day. Plus, there’s a beach at the base of the falls that’s very popular with families.

Jamaica also has a lot of great rivers around the island, the White River near Ocho Rios is a popular spot to go tubing. You can also check out the Blue Hole which is a picturesque blue water swimming hole, or head over to Konoko Falls for another limestone waterfall but with fewer crowds than Dunn’s River Falls. 

Jamaica can be a great destination for your next family vacation, there are a lot of great things to do in Ocho Rios, so consider staying near there. There are two main airports for Jamaica, Montego Bay, and Kingston. Both offer plenty of nonstop flights from major east coast cities like New York City and Miami. Your resort can help you book tours or drivers to take you on day trips to popular attractions, then you can return to your resort for dinner and relaxation. Ya man, it’ll be great!