As the temperatures cool in North America, sun-seekers start planning how to escape the cold this winter. For most of the eastern half of the U.S., the Caribbean is an affordable and easy to access warm weather destination that beckons with sun and fun. Jamaica is a tried and true Caribbean favorite with luxurious all-inclusive resorts, glorious beaches, emerald rain forests and a truly welcoming culture. In addition, there are scores of opportunities to engage with the locals, commune with nature or simply relax. It wasn’t easy to choose which activities to feature, but I’ve narrowed it down to five must do activities in Jamaica.

Must Do Nature Experience

Rafting at Mountain Valley – Only a few minutes’ drive from Montego Bay, you can experience the natural splendor of Jamaica’s mountains and rivers. Enjoy the picturesque drive up to Mountain Valley River Raft and Plantation, then take a leisurely float on a traditional bamboo raft, complete with a comfortable seat. Your skilled rafts man polls the handmade vessel downstream and entertains you with local lore and astounding knowledge of the river’s edge flora. He might even tap a fresh coconut for you to sip the sweet water through a reed straw.

Must Do Ghostly Experience

Night tour of Rose Hall Great House – Rose Hall Great House was the home of the infamous Anne Palmer, known as the White Witch of Rose Hall. Anne was rumored to have killed her three husbands, but known to enjoy riding wildly throughout her estate at night while dressed in all white. Many feared her and after her death, her spirit is said to remain at Rose Hall Great House. Many sightings and strange events have been reported. If you take a tour of the haunted mansion at night, you just might meet the White Witch personally.

Must Do Culinary Experience

Eat like a local – A traditional breakfast will include salt fish (mackerel, herring, and cod) with ackee fruit and boiled green bananas. Try the delicious local fruits – mangos, sweetsops and breadfruit, too. Jamaica is famous for “jerk,” a barbecued chicken, pork, sausage or fish highly seasoned with pimento, pepper and other spices. It’s common on the island and can be mouth-searingly spicy. Be sure to have a local Red Stripe beer in hand to wash it down. Read about more local island flavor here.

Must Do Relaxation Experience

Unwind at Fern Tree Spa – Chances are your resort will have a spa of its own, but for a special rejuvenation, visit the Fern Tree Spa at Half Moon, a Rock Resort, to find a 68,000 square foot sanctuary. All spa guests are welcomed with a cup of traditional Jamaican bush tea and a foot bath of lavender water. Choose from spa treatment rooms set among lush tropical gardens, or over-the-water, three-sided cabanas. Even if you aren’t a guest of the resort, spa patrons are at liberty to use the recreational facilities for the rest of the day.

Must Do Beach Experience

Ride and swim on horseback – If you want your beach time to have a boost of adventure, try a swimming on horseback! Tours begin with escorted, narrated trail rides through the Jamaican countryside, past sugar cane fields and estates. Ride to the sand and sea where you’ll have an unforgettable experience horseback riding through the waves and along the beach. Finish your trip with a snack of tasty local fruits beachside. Multiple tour operators offer two-hour rides with round trip transportation from resorts or cruise ships. Horseback riding is suitable for ages 5 and up and makes a memorable family excursion.

Jamaica remains one of the most popular Caribbean destinations – not only because of its warm weather and exceptionally beauty, but because of the wide variety of fun activities and the local residents who are eager and happy to share their Jamaica with visitors. If you’d like to try these and other must do activities in Jamaica soon, contact Covington Travel’s Vacation Advisors.