The 5 Best Jamaica Tours

Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.

Whether you want to relax at the beach, zip line over the rainforest or dance to reggae music, you’ll find that Jamaica offers the ideal setting. To make the most of the island’s top attractions, sample Jamaican cuisine and get a glimpse of the laid-back Caribbean lifestyle, you’ll want to sign up for a guided tour. Analyzing both traveler sentiment and expert opinion, U.S. News selected the top five tours on the island, ranging from peaceful rafting trips to lively catamaran cruises.

Byron’s Jamaica Tours – Blue Hole & Zipline

This eight-hour tour includes back-to-back adventures beginning with a drive to the Blue Hole, a natural pool surrounded by the Jamaican jungle. Here, you’ll get the chance to swim and hike to the top of a waterfall. Afterward, you’ll head to Mystic Mountain, an adventure park famous for its zip lining. Your day concludes with a dinner of Jamaican cuisine. Reviewers recommend this tour company and say they are professional, on time and employ friendly drivers. Tickets start at $250 per person, depending on the city from which you will be departing. Tours are available daily with start times from 7 a.m. to noon. The company offers adventures that combine the Blue Hole with other outings, such as river tubing, rafting and trips to Dunn’s River Falls.

Rastasafari Experience – Rastasafari Experience from Montego Bay

Enjoy an intimate look at the Rastafarian way of life, from their beliefs and ceremonies to their food and music, on this eight-person tour. During the excursion, tourgoers have the chance to explore the western Jamaican mountains aboard an ATV with highlights that include a visit to a local village and swimming in mineral springs. Reviewers highly praise this tour, applauding the delicious lunch and their interactions with local Jamaicans. Tickets for the three-hour tour, which departs at 8 or 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. with pickup from your Montego Bay hotel, will set you back around $165 per person. Tickets include lunch and juice and coffee samples. The company also offers a tour from Negril.

Your Jamaican Tour Guide – Negril Highlight Tour

See the top sights in Negril on this afternoon tour, which includes a trip to the Negril Lighthouse, shopping in Time Square and the Negril Craft Market, and a stop at Rick’s Café, where tourists frequently jump off its famous cliff into the waters below. Reviewers say the tour guides are knowledgeable. Travelers also appreciate learning about native fruits and the lives of locals. Tickets start at $120 per person and vary based on your pickup location and number of passengers. The tickets do not include entry fees to attractions, some of which only accept cash. Your Jamaican Tour Guide offers many different outings, including excursions to Dunn’s River Falls, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.

Rafting on the Martha Brae

Travelers say gliding down the Martha Brae river on a bamboo raft is a must-do activity when visiting Jamaica. Located about 3 miles inland from the town of Falmouth, the river stretches for about 20 miles. During this outing, you’ll spend 75 minutes on the river, visit an herb garden and end your journey at “Rafter’s Rest,” a small spot that includes a bar and gift shop. Travelers appreciate the expert guides who not only paddle the raft, but also entertain visitors with stories or songs. Tours run daily and tickets start at $77 per person. The company recommends bringing a swimsuit.

Island Routes Caribbean Adventures – Reggae Catamaran Cruise from Montego Bay

Enjoy the sights of Montego Bay aboard a catamaran on this three-hour cruise. The tour includes snorkeling at a coral reef followed by unlimited cocktails and appetizers accompanied by music. The trip concludes with a stop at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, where you’ll find water trampolines and a 120-foot waterslide. Reviewers say the cruise is lots of fun thanks to its party atmosphere and delicious drinks. Others complain that the booking process is confusing. Cruises run Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10 a.m., and you must be at least 18 years old to participate. Tickets start at $100. The company also offers cruises in other Jamaican destinations, including Negril and the South Coast.