tours

If you are looking for more insight into Jamaica, you need to travel out into the country and see some of the sites. You won't be disappointed.

Royal Palm Nature Reserve (15 minutes from Rockhouse - pictured above) The Royal Palm Reserve is an amazingly beautiful and tranquil natural swamp forest within the Negril Great Morass. It is the only place where you can drive in and see the morass up close and experience the bountiful and endemic flora and fauna, including a huge array of butterflies, dragonflies,(or needle cases as they are known locally), and birds. Particularly abundant are the Morass Royal Palms, this being the largest stand of them in the world! Take the half mile walk around the board walk elevated above the swamp and climb the 40' lookout tower to get a great view of the local area. Beware, this is a very tranquil place, not visited by many tourists, and you may want to stay all day!

Y.S. Falls (about1 1/2 hours from Negril) Spectacular Y.S Falls is a series of ten waterfalls on the YS River located about an hour and a half from Rockhouse down the South Coast then inland. From their parking lot, a jitney pulls you through the farm land to the base of the falls. From here you walk up the wooden stairway which leads you to two ponds, and "the greatest falls". Here you can swing on a rope out into a large pool and swim into the cave beneath the falls. It is best to visit YS early in the morning before the tour buses start to arrive.

Mayfield Falls River Walk (about 1 1/2 hours from Rockhouse) A must is the river walk of the 22 cascades of Mayfield Falls. Located just over an hour from Rockhouse in the hills above Savanna La Mar these falls offer a similar, but less commercial experience than the more famous Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios. A Rasta guide will help you walk in the river navigating your way up the falls stopping off at naturally formed swimming pools along the way. Wear a swimsuit and flip-flops or walking shoes (available for sale at Rockhouse boutique or for rent at the falls) as the stones can be tough on bare feet. Once at the top you return walking through hills and valleys, with your guide sharing insights into Jamaica's natural gifts.

Appleton Rum Estate (almost 2 hours from Rockhouse) A little further on from YS Falls is Wray and Nephew's Rum Estate at Appleton located on thousands of acres of sugar cane fields. This is the oldest rum producer in the Caribbean (250 years!). The 30-minute tour takes you through the rum making process from an historic and current perspective and finishes with sampling some of the product.

South Coast Tour (a days adventure) If continuing on a south coast tour from YS Falls or the Appleton Rum Estate we suggest you take a laid-back lunch at Jake's in Treasure Beach. On the way to Jake's be sure to ask the driver to pass through Bamboo Avenue. This is a several mile stretch of road shaded entirely by huge bamboo that has grown on either side to form a complete arch. Jake's is located in a small fishing town on the south coast, so order food as soon as you arrive and take a dip in the pool or ocean while you wait for your meal. From there you can also visit the sheer cliffs of Lovers Leap where legend has it that two young lovers escaped slavery by leaping to their death. Alternately, if time permits you could head back to Black River for the Safari Tour.

Black River Safari (about 2 hours from Rockhouse) The Great Morass is Jamaica's largest surviving wetland - 125 square miles to be exact - and taking a boat tour along the swamp's main waterway, The Black River, is the best way to experience it. Since the Morass is a complex ecosystem and vital preserve for more than 100 bird species, you may see cinnamon-colored jacana, egrets or whistling ducks. But it's the 300 American crocodiles living here that bring most people out to the Black River. These formidable-looking creatures can be caught either sunning themselves along the banks of the river or lurking in the depths below. Midday tours are best for spotting crocs; the early and later hours for birding.