Unique Things to Do in Ocho Rios and Kingston, Jamaica
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler
The last time I explored Jamaica was in 2010 with Carnival Destiny! This was before Carnival became problematic by the way, it was on par with Celebrity and other elevated cruise lines back then but meant for a younger, more professional crowd. Some of my favorite excursions included riding horseback on One Drop (because his one ear was floppy) who ended up running my leg into a tree but no damage done, the colorful market, enjoying squishy kayaks at White River Valley where eventually I popped out of mine after some rapids and just swam around in the crystal clear blue waters the rest of the way. At that time, the water was so pure, it was drinkable. There were high fines for pollution. What a concept, long gone nowadays!
I remember Turtle Beach near the ship that you had to pay to enjoy. Also knowns as Ocho Rios Bay Beach located in the center of town, offering sandy spots and swimming within a 8-10 minute walk from the cruise terminal. I think the troll toll was $5 then, now $10 for beach access. I remember riding in a Land Rover Defender beast that took us up to the top of the mountain to kayak back down from Dunn’s River Falls experience playing in plunge pools, nature’s water slides as you ascend the majestic falls. And exploring the heart of Ocho Rios, the mesmerizing Blue Hole with its crystal-clear turquoise waters and mini waterfalls, with secret caves surrounded by vibrant flora. I also remember eating gummy goo balls better known as tamarind balls and lots of random goats everywhere on the island! And the ship captain making an announcement to not bring anything green you might have gotten in Jamaica through customs… well, this time I returned as a journalist to explore deeper into the Jamaican culture. I was excited to revive those happy memories and add some more! So we’ll start with adding some new, amazing experiences I had this Spring.
After a three hour road trip from Montego Bay to Kingston via S Hotels Jamaica with Errol, we got lost in the mountains trying to find our lunch stop at Ital Chef on the River – but did get some amazing island views in the process. Normally set along a tranquil riverside, this hidden gem is known for its fresh, plant-based Ital cuisine rooted in Jamaican Rastafarian tradition. I enjoyed flavorful, wholesome dishes made with natural ingredients, served in a peaceful, natural setting next to a wonderful waterfall. It was an ideal car ride pause to relax, recharge and take in the island’s lush countryside and also enjoy the fresh water like I did so many years ago!
Private Jamaican Chef with Waterfalls
Play in waterfalls with Jamaican Vegan Chef Vita Ja! One of the 5 percent of true Rastafarians left in Jamaica, this chef cooked up Ital healing foods inside a private property located next to Konoko Falls in Ocho Rios and encourages you to play in the property’s waterfall in-between courses to cool off and absorb the vibrant energy of the island. So make sure to pack a bathing suit! Ital is a plant-based, natural food tradition rooted in the Rastafari culture. Derived from the word vital, the diet emphasizes pure, whole foods straight from the earth to promote energy, spiritual alignment and physical healing. The Rastafarian lifestyle is an Afrocentric spiritual and cultural movement that was born in Jamaica in the 1930s and advocates for a deep connection to nature and the rejection of a corrupt, materialistic society known as “Babylon”. Rastas refer to their lifestyle as livity, which is centered on living in harmony with the earth and many adhere to a strict vegetarian or vegan diet so that no animal suffering is injected into the human body. Ital food is cooked completely naturally that means free of chemicals, preservatives or animal products because the body is considered a temple. The whole experience was deeply rooted in nature, the flavors were on point and surprisingly filling and Chef Vita Ja absolutely practices what he preaches. Keep up the great work friend and spreading the love!
Kingston, Jamaica Art Walk
Explore Kingston, Jamaica’s creative side with an Art Walk through downtown! Downtown Kingston‘s Water Lane is full of bold street art and colorful murals collectively put together for an enjoyable Art Walk where vibrant murals and street art bring the city’s culture to life. On this walking tour, you’ll hear the stories and cultural context behind the striking artworks talking to your from the art itself or from your guide. Experience the island’s creative heart and gain a deeper appreciation of Jamaica’s history, politics and sociocultural heritage through huge murals decorating city streets. It was especially fun running around, playing with the colors and it was an enjoyable, educational experience despite the sun. Make sure to pack a hat, sunscreen, umbrella for sun shade if needed and water. The art walk showcases the appreciation of the rich culture of Jamaica plus connections to other countries while capturing the heart of the island. Hundreds of stunning murals portraying images with world history, culture and food. I highly recommend this as part of Kingston less explored by tourists, it’s perfectly safe to go and explore during the daytime. It’s also a pleasant transformation after stepping onto Water Lane right past King Street. Jamaica has always been home to a wealth of artistic talent and now it’s on display for all to see, free of charge!
Trench Town Culture Yard Museum
Explore where Bob Marley grew up and blew up at The Trench Town Culture Yard! From his very humble beginnings living in a communal kitchen to becoming one of the first famous faces of reggae music, leading the way for other amazing artists who also came out of this community. The Yard is owned and operated by neighborhood residents, organized to provide an engaging experience, authentic to life in this West Kingston district. Walking through the space with guide Nature and a joint hanging out his mouth, it was exactly the Jamaica I remembered. Expect more cultural immersion than the bland tourist tripe and also step outside and walk around the neighborhood. Built in the 1940’s, this more than seven blocks of public housing known as Trench Town, was designed with gabled roofs, verandahs and multiple dwellings formed around communal yards and kitchens (like the one Bob Marley slept in), as a modest and affordable place for a transplanted rural population. It became home to a family of musicians, poised to change the face of world music forever which goes to show struggle creates diamonds. After periods of extreme political tension and violence, the warm people of Trench Town are inviting and hospitable Jamaicans. The cradle of reggae music and the nucleus for many of Marley’s early creative works, Trench Town has opened its doors to those who wish to learn about the birth of Jamaican music and its continuing influence in the international space. The Yard is now a historical site, cultural museum and where some musicians still play to this day. Several displays can be found there including articles, furnishings and instruments used in the early years by Marley, and members of the Wailers band, including Peter Tosh. You can also visit the Bob Marley Museum closer to downtown Kingston but it’s missing these root vibes.
Devon House
Explore absolutely stunning Devon House in Kingston, Jamaica! Not only is it a historic estate built by Jamaica’s first Black millionaire, it has sprawling, beautiful grounds, vibrant artisan shops, restaurants and world-famous ice cream which is an essential Kingston experience. This beautifully restored 19th-century estate is famous for its guided mansion tours as Devon House is one of Jamaica’s premier historical and cultural landmarks. Built in 1881, the mansion was the home of George Stiebel, Jamaica’s first black millionaire. He accumulated his vast wealth from gold mining in South America. The house features a blend of Caribbean and Georgian architecture, complete with carefully curated English, French and Jamaican antiques. The property was nearly demolished in 1965 but was saved by the Jamaican government. It was declared a national monument in 1990. The on grounds ice cream shop, Devon House I-Scream, was ranked by National Geographic as one of the top places to enjoy ice cream in the world. It is famous for local, tropical flavors like Rum & Raisin, Sour Sop, Mango and Devon Stout. I was feeling the strawberry that day (and that’s a “small” by the way) and boy was it tasty and melting fast so get a cup to go with your cone! Officially designated as Jamaica’s first gastronomy center, the 11-acre property is packed with culinary and retail options. The courtyard houses cafes, bakeries famous for their beef patties and bread pudding and various restaurants offering local and international cuisine. Over 20 boutique shops sell authentic Jamaican souvenirs, locally made jewelry and artisan crafts where I found my crystal bracelets in the colors of the Jamaica flag.
Janga’s Soundbar & Grill
Janga’s Soundbar & Grill is your backyard beach party in Kingston, Jamaica! It’s where everyone goes to party, listen to the live DJs that are carefully curated and move and sway to the afro beats. It’s where bold flavors, handcrafted cocktails and unforgettable nights collide and I can confirm, it’s quite a vibe as I didn’t want to leave after a few rum and Cokes. It’s also one of the top rated cocktail bars in Kingston, but also offers some tasty jerk-inspired dishes in a sandy open air bar setting built for energy and connection. Whether you’re planning a date night, catching up with friends or chasing the best nightlife Kingston Jamaica has to offer, Janga’s is the spot that keeps the city talking – and everyone knows about it. Not only is Janga’s Soundbar & Grill is a popular restaurant and nightlife destination in Kingston, Jamaica, known for bold Jamaican food, signature cocktails and themed weekly events. But it is also located on Belmont Road in New Kingston right up the street from the S Hotel Kingston so you can walk or grab a ride from the hotel. Janga’s really does delivers an experience that keeps locals and visitors coming back. It’s a staple in Kingston’s nightlife with laid-back yet lively vibes with DJs, live music, and good vibes. It’s pure dancehall Jamaican reggae with friendly staff, good food and a backyard feeling. And my guide Dwight’s good friend owns it, buddies from their bartending days!
Heads up, YouTube won’t let me share the video as is because it includes live DJ music which is against their copyright laws. So instead of viewing that video as I had to play DJ and inject some approved songs to share below, it is available to watch and listen to the unedited sounds of Jamaican DJs on my TikTok.
National Gallery of Jamaica
Right next door to the Art Walk is The National Gallery of Jamaica, in Kingston, Jamaica, is Jamaica’s public art museum offering an inspiring look at Jamaica’s artistic heritage. Established in 1974 and located in the Kingston Mall, a commercial and cultural center on Kingston harbour, grab a fresh coconut for nature’s electrolytes if you need them first. This is the oldest and largest public art museum in the Anglophone Caribbean with a collection of early, modern and contemporary art from Jamaica along with smaller Caribbean and international holdings. I can promise you that you will not find these pieces anywhere else in the world and I’ve been to a LOT of museums. Completely afrocentric artwork in its original forms is a nice change of pace with a significant part of its collections is on permanent view. The first floor was empty and undergoing renovations when we went.
According to the website, “the NGJ houses the premier collection of Jamaican art, from the Taino to the present day, significant parts of which are on permanent display. There are regular temporary exhibitions that promote various aspects of Jamaica art, from the established masters to the young and emerging artists. The NGJ’s exhibition programme includes retrospectives of work by major Jamaican artists, thematic exhibitions, guest-curated exhibitions, touring exhibitions that originate outside of the island, and the island’s premier national exhibitions, the National Biennial. The NGJ offers a range of educational services, including guided tours, lectures and panel discussions, and children’s art programs and also operates a gift shop and coffee shop”. At the gift shop art reproductions, books and locally made art and craft can be bought (and which helps to support the operations of the NGJ and Jamaican artists). The Gallery also hosts a popular Last Sundays program, where the NGJ is open from 11a.m. to 4p.m. and entry is free of cost, with tours and children’s activities and special programming. The National Gallery of Jamaica is a division of the Institute of Jamaica, Ministry of Youth and Culture. The National Gallery of Jamaica also has a branch in Montego Bay, National Gallery West which I did not know while in that area first.
Port Royale, Jamaica
One thing we didn’t get to do which I would have loved was visit the pirate capital of the Caribbean! Port Royal is located at the end of the Palisadoes sand spit at the mouth of Kingston Harbour a bit further from the airport in Kingston but on the same sandy, winding road. It’s is a historic maritime town internationally renowned as the former 17th-century pirate capital of the Caribbean. Once dubbed the wickedest city on Earth for its taverns and infamous buccaneers like Sir Henry Morgan and Blackbeard, a massive 1692 earthquake and tsunami sank two-thirds of the original city into the sea. Today, much of this sunken city remains perfectly preserved underwater, making it a globally significant destination. Imagine seeing those sunken city ruins with your own eyes! The underwater remains are heavily protected and recognized as a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. While recreational diving to the restricted ruins is tightly regulated, glass-bottom boat tours and local dive operators in the area offer ways to experience the marine environment and offshore cays. Next time for sure!
