Ahoy, fellow adventurers! Welcome to the ultimate guide for Falmouth, Jamaica cruise excursions. Having sailed to Jamaica with Royal Caribbean myself, I can’t wait to share the best ways to make the most of your time on this beautiful Caribbean island. Whether you’re dreaming of relaxing on pristine beaches, exploring lush landscapes on a riverboat cruise, or diving into Jamaican culture and cuisine, this guide has you covered. Join me as we dive into the top excursions and experiences that will make your visit to Jamaica unforgettable!
Table of Contents
Introduction
Falmouth is located on Jamaica’s north coast, about 30 miles east of Montego Bay. This seaside town serves as a popular cruise port due to its proximity to major attractions like Dunn’s River Falls and Bob Marley’s birthplace.
Falmouth was founded in 1769 and thrived as a port city during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Many of the original Georgian-style buildings from that era still line the streets today, giving the town a unique historic charm. In fact, Falmouth contains one of the Caribbean’s best-preserved collections of Georgian architecture.
The port itself was constructed in the early 2010s to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships. It features duty-free shopping and transportation to nearby excursion sites. The cruise port gives travelers easy access to explore the best of Jamaica’s culture, natural wonders, and adventure activities.
Visitors will find a vibrant Jamaican culture in Falmouth. Local merchants sell crafts and food at Albert George Market. The streets are dotted with rum bars and jerk chicken stands. And tour guides eagerly share the history of the old buildings.
The cruise port’s central location makes Falmouth a convenient home base for experiencing Jamaica’s top attractions on shore excursions. From the famous Dunn’s River Falls to the luminous waters of Glistening Waters Lagoon, Falmouth offers easy access to many of the island’s natural highlights.
Transportation from Falmouth
Getting around to the top attractions near Falmouth is easy with a variety of transportation options. Here are some of the main options for reaching the most popular sites:
Distance and Travel Times
- Dunn’s River Falls – Just 20 minutes away or 8 miles west of Falmouth
- Bob Marley Museum – About 1.5 hours away or 50 miles east in Kingston
- Martha Brae River Rafting – Around 30 minutes away or 18 miles inland from Falmouth
- Rose Hall Great House – Approximately 15 minutes away or 6 miles east of Falmouth
- Glistening Waters Luminous Lagoon – Roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes away or 35 miles west of Falmouth
Recommended Transportation
Booking with your cruise Line: By purchasing excursions directly through Royal Caribbean, you can access a curated selection of activities and tours that are vetted for quality and safety. Plus, booking in advance ensures you secure your spot for popular excursions that may sell out quickly. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration, Royal Caribbean’s excursions cater to diverse interests and provide seamless experiences from start to finish.
Taxis: The most expensive option is Taxi but it is the quickest and most direct option. Taxis can be arranged online or found at designated stands. Rates are negotiable but expect to pay $80-100 USD for a private taxi to Dunn’s River or Bob Marley Museum.
Tour Companies: Many reputable companies offer daily group tours to the top attractions. This option is more affordable than private taxis and includes round-trip transportation in air-conditioned vans/buses. Prices range from $50-150 USD per person.
Public Buses: You can take local buses (JUTA buses) to attractions like Dunn’s River, Rose Hall, and Martha Brae for just a few dollars. However, buses can be infrequent, crowded, and indirect.
Rental Car: For maximum flexibility, renting a car allows you to visit multiple sites in one day. Rates start at around $50 USD per day. Driving in Jamaica can be challenging so use caution. Consider hiring a driver for an additional cost.
Dunn’s River Falls
Dunn’s River Falls is one of Jamaica’s most famous attractions and a must-see for many visitors. This stunning waterfall cascades 600 feet down limestone terraces into the Caribbean Sea. The falls are located in Ocho Rios, about a 90-minute drive from Falmouth.
The best time to visit Dunn’s River Falls is in the morning before the crowds arrive. Get there early to beat the cruise ship passengers. The park opens at 8:30 am. The falls tend to get very busy between 10 am – 2 pm when the cruise ships dock in Ocho Rios. Visiting early means you’ll have a more peaceful experience climbing the falls.
All visitors must climb the falls with a licensed guide. The guides will form a human chain, with each person holding hands and climbing up the slippery rocks together. This is for safety, as the current can be strong in some spots. Don’t try climbing on your own, as the rocks are extremely slippery. The water is quite cool, so you may want to wear water shoes for grip. Bring a waterproof camera if you want photographs, as you will get drenched! Leave any valuables behind.
Take your time climbing and watch your footing. The guides will stop periodically to allow rest breaks. Let them determine the pace. If you have any mobility issues, speak up so they can assist you accordingly. Children must be a minimum of 12 years old to climb the falls. There are viewing platforms available for those not climbing. Expect to spend 1-2 hours at Dunn’s River Falls to enjoy both the climb and the beach.
Bob Marley Museum
The Bob Marley Museum is located in the former home of reggae legend Bob Marley in Kingston. Marley lived in the house from 1975 until he died in 1981.
The house has been converted into a museum that showcases Marley’s life and music career. Visitors can tour Marley’s home, including his bedroom, kitchen, and studio where he recorded some of his albums.
Some of the exhibits at the museum include Marley’s Grammy award, his favorite guitar, rare photographs, concert posters, albums, and other personal memorabilia. There is also a theater that shows a documentary film about Marley’s life.
The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 4 pm. Admission costs $20 for adults and $10 for children. Guided tours are available and take around 60 minutes. Visitors can wander through the house at their own pace, but guides provide additional context and stories.
Visiting the Bob Marley Museum is a must for any fan visiting Jamaica. It provides an intimate look at Marley’s life and the place where he lived during the peak of his music career. From the exhibits to the atmosphere, visitors can get a sense of who Bob Marley was beyond just his public persona.
Martha Brae River Rafting
We option for this option, rafting down the Martha Brae River is one of the most popular and relaxing excursions from Falmouth. This gentle river flows through lush rainforest and is ideal for a laidback trip admiring the beautiful scenery.
Rafting tours down the Martha Brae River typically begin from the Martha Brae River Village located about 30 minutes drive from Falmouth. This is where you’ll check in, receive your life vest, and board your 30-foot bamboo raft. Each raft seats up to 2 people and comes with a skilled raft captain who will steer your raft and provide narration.
The rafting route is about 3 miles long and takes roughly 1.5-2 hours to complete. Your captain will slowly guide the raft downriver using a long pole to push off the river bottom. You’ll float past towering bamboo groves, gorgeously landscaped gardens, and local wildlife like herons, egrets, and iguanas.
It’s a very relaxing trip as the current is gentle. You can sit back and soak up the scenery and tropical vibes. Some captains like to get travelers involved by allowing them to have a turn poling the raft. It’s a great opportunity to experience Jamaican nature up close.
At the end of the tour, you’ll disembark back at Martha Brae village. Then you can browse the shops, get lunch, and relax a bit before heading back to Falmouth. Going tubing down the Martha Brae is a classic Falmouth excursion that offers a taste of Jamaica’s beautiful rainforest.
Rose Hall Great House
Rose Hall Great House is one of Jamaica’s most famous plantation homes. Located just 15 minutes outside of Falmouth, this Georgian mansion was originally built in the 1770s by John Palmer, a wealthy sugar plantation owner. The home eventually passed to Palmer’s grandnephew, John Rose Palmer, who expanded the estate in the early 19th century.
Rose Hall Great House is an outstanding example of Georgian architecture in Jamaica. The mansion features a classic two-story layout with stone floors, high ceilings, and grand verandas that overlook the sea. The grounds contain lush gardens and a picturesque in-ground swimming pool. Visitors can take a guided tour of the home to see period furnishings, art, and decor.
However, Rose Hall is most famous for its haunted history. According to legend, the mistress of the house, Annie Palmer, was a cruel slave owner who practiced witchcraft and murdered three of her husbands. Annie Palmer’s ghost is said to haunt the mansion, particularly her old bedroom. Rose Hall Great House capitalizes on this legend by offering nightly ghost tours. Participants can walk through the mansion after dark with guides recounting Annie’s bloody history. The eerie atmosphere lends itself to possible ghost sightings and paranormal activity.
Whether you’re interested in Georgian architecture, lush gardens, or ghostly lore, Rose Hall Great House is a must-see attraction near Falmouth. The plantation home provides an intriguing look at Jamaica’s colonial past.
Glistening Waters Luminous Lagoon
The Glistening Waters Luminous Lagoon is one of Jamaica’s most unique natural wonders. Located in an inlet near Falmouth, this lagoon contains microorganisms that glow brightly when the water is disturbed, creating a magical bioluminescent effect.
The best time to experience the Glistening Waters is after sunset on a night. Local tour operators offer nightly boat trips where visitors can see the water light up around them as fish swim by and when swimmers move their arms and legs. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Most tours start with hotel pickup around 5-6 pm and take visitors to the lagoon as it gets dark. Knowledgeable guides explain the science behind the bioluminescence during the boat ride. Once at the lagoon, visitors can opt to swim in the water, where their movement causes blue and green flashes. There is also time to simply admire the light show from the boat. Tours typically last 2-3 hours.
Some key tips for visiting the Glistening Waters Luminous Lagoon:
- Wear dark clothes to better see the glowing effect
- Bring towels and a change of clothes if swimming
- Insect repellant can be useful
- Understand the lagoon is a natural habitat, so bioluminescence varies day-to-day
Visiting the Glistening Waters Lagoon is a memorable way to experience one of Jamaica’s most incredible natural phenomena on an evening Falmouth excursion. The chance to swim in glowing waters makes it a truly bucket-list-worthy activity.
Beach Day Excursions
Some of the most popular beach day trips from Falmouth include Doctor’s Cave Beach and Coral Spring Beach.
Doctor’s Cave Beach
Doctor’s Cave Beach is a beautiful white sand beach located in Montego Bay, about 30 minutes from Falmouth. This beach gets its name from a cave that was believed to have healing mineral waters in the early 1900s.
Doctor’s Cave offers clear turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are beach chairs, umbrellas, and floats for rent. The beach also has changing rooms, showers, and restrooms. There are lifeguards on duty.
Vendors walk along the beach selling snacks and Jamaican crafts. There are also food shops and bars located on the beach. Doctor’s Cave is a great option for those looking for an easy beach day trip from Falmouth.
Coral Spring Beach
We stopped at the beach for couple of hours before our river rafting. Coral Spring Beach is located right outside of Falmouth in the quiet little village of Coral Spring. The beach features soft white sand and calm, shallow waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling along the coral reefs.
There are beach chairs and umbrellas available for rent. Food shacks line the beach offering Jamaican jerk dishes, drinks, and snacks. There are also restrooms and outdoor showers.
Coral Spring Beach offers a more laidback, less crowded experience than the beaches in busier Montego Bay. It’s a great beach choice for those staying in Falmouth.
Eating in Falmouth
Falmouth is known for its delicious local Jamaican cuisine. Here are some top restaurants to try and local dishes you don’t want to miss:
Top Restaurants
- Glistening Waters – This restaurant sits right on the luminous lagoon and offers incredible views. Get the escovitch fish and festival (deep-fried fish served with fried dumplings).
- Sugar Mill Restaurant – Housed in an old sugar mill, this restaurant serves upscale Jamaican fare like ackee saltfish and curried goat.
- Water Square – Right on Water Square, this open-air restaurant has live music and serves dishes like jerk chicken and oxtail.
Jamaican Dishes to Try
- Jerk – Spicy jerk chicken, pork, or seafood cooked over pimento wood. Often served with festival or bammy (fried cassava flatbread).
- Ackee and saltfish – The national dish of Jamaica, made with salted cod and ackee fruit cooked in spices.
- Curry goat – Spicy curried goat meat stewed until tender and served with rice and peas or vegetables.
- Oxtail – Braised oxtail in a rich gravy, served over rice and beans.
- Escovitch fish – Fried fish topped with pickled vegetables and spices.
Local Drinks
- Rum punch – Jamaica’s classic cocktail made with rum, lime, sugar, bitters, and nutmeg.
- Red stripe beer – Jamaican lager, perfect with spicy food.
- Ting grapefruit soda – Sweet and tart Jamaican soda, often mixed with rum.
- Blue Mountain coffee – Smooth, delicious coffee grown in the Blue Mountains.
- Sorrel – A bright red Christmas drink made from hibiscus flowers.
- Irish moss – A thick, sweet stout drink made with sea moss, milk, spices, and rum.
Souvenir Shopping
Falmouth is a great place to pick up unique Jamaican souvenirs to remember your trip. The town has several excellent spots for souvenir shopping.
The Falmouth Craft Market is located right on Water Square in the heart of town. This lively open-air market features dozens of local vendors selling handmade items like wood carvings, jewelry, paintings, clothing, bags, and more. It’s a wonderful place to wander around and browse the stalls. Be sure to negotiate on prices – bargaining is part of the fun!
Another top souvenir stop is the Harbour Street Craft Market just steps from the cruise port. This indoor market features stalls selling art, clothing, coffee, rum, spices, musical instruments like hand drums, and other typical Jamaican goods. It can get crowded when cruise ships are in port but is worth a visit.
For authentic Jamaican wood carvings, stop by the Woodworks Shop on Duke Street. They have a beautiful assortment of wooden bowls, vases, statues, masks, and more carved from native Jamaican woods like mahogany and cedar. The shop features carvings by local Falmouth artists.
Some of the best souvenirs to buy in Falmouth are those that represent traditional Jamaican culture, like coffee, rum, spices, Blue Mountain coffee, reggae music items, Rastafari hats and bags, wood carvings, jewelry made from natural stones and seeds, and clothing or bags with Jamaican patois sayings. Handmade crafts like woven baskets and painted calabash bowls also make great souvenirs.
Conclusion
As we bid farewell to Falmouth, Jamaica, after an incredible visit with Royal Caribbean, I can’t help but dream of returning to this captivating island for more adventures. The beauty of Jamaica extends far beyond its stunning beaches and exciting excursions—it’s a place where culture comes alive through the rhythmic beats of reggae music, the flavorful delights of jerk cuisine, and the warm hospitality of its people.
Exploring Jamaica further means diving deeper into its history and heritage, perhaps visiting historic sites like Rose Hall Great House or the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston. Nature lovers can trek through the lush Blue Mountains, home to some of the world’s finest coffee plantations, or discover hidden waterfalls and caves in the countryside.
For thrill-seekers, there’s always more to experience, whether it’s zip-lining through the rainforest, swimming with dolphins, or exploring underwater marine life while snorkeling or diving along the coast.
No matter what your interests are, Jamaica offers a diverse range of activities and experiences that will leave you wanting more. So, until we meet again on this vibrant island paradise, keep Jamaica in your heart and on your travel bucket list. The adventure continues, and Jamaica eagerly awaits your return!
Are you going to Jamaica with a Royal Caribbean cruise? Don’t forget to check our ultimate guide Maximize Your First Royal Caribbean Cruise, All You Need To Know blog post.