There are people who travel to the same spot year after year. Their special spot speaks to them in many ways, so they return again and again. Recently, when discussing special spots, a friend started talking about his favorite spot: Jamaica. I’ll admit to never having even thought about a trip to Jamaica, so I got really curious and asked him to tell me more. He said that while Jamaica has grown, which means more resorts, hotels, and restaurants, but he still loves the climate, the people, and the land itself. He loves the scenery. Here are his top picks and favorite places:

Blue Hole Mineral Spring is his go-to place for swimming. It’s in Negril. Naturally occurring minerals from the surrounding limestone keeps the water clean and clear.

Martha Brae River is a 45-minute trip outside Montego Bay. The area is a lush jungle where you can take a bamboo raft along the river.

Mayfield Falls is right in between Negril and Montego Bay. You’ll pass through mountainous areas and small towns as you head out here for a hike. The hike along the river in Mayfield Falls takes about an hour and you’ll pass by waterfalls. There are also natural pools so be prepared to walk through water.

Reach Falls in Portland Parish is about a two and a half hour drive from Kingston. The park is home to many different species of fauna and flora as well as animals such as wild pigs! There are underwater caves to see and clear pools for swimming. There are also guided tours of the park and waterfalls.

Rose Hall Great House is a plantation house. Locals claim it’s haunted! You can take a tour both at night and during the day. It’s located behind the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Montego Bay. Apparently Rose Hall’s spirit roams the house at night, so watch out!

Of course I asked my friend for a restaurant recommendation and he suggested Scotchies Restaurant. There are a few of them in Jamaica. He said the prices are reasonable, and the meat is seasoned with delicious Jamaican spices and cooked over pimento tree wood. If you like jerk, this is your place. There’s the usual Jamaican side dishes and when he started talking about Jamaican festival bread (fried cornmeal), I knew I’d like this place a lot! He said for the non-meat eaters, the fish is great, too.

For lodging, I checked and saw that there are Hyatt and Hilton properties around Jamaica where we can use points. Shane wrote about his Butler Suite at the All-Inclusive Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall and the Priority Pass Club MOBAY Lounge in the Montego Bay airport. Have you been to Jamaica? Where do you recommend for lodging? Do you have any places to eat or see to add to these suggestions? Let us know in the comments below!