Seeking a less bustling, more chilled alternative to Montego Bay or Ocho Rios? Lucea is your place. Get your pristine sands, sparkling waterfalls and outdoor adventure here.
Pretty Lucea is a small town that sits on a sandy bay between the busier vacation destinations of Negril and Montego Bay. The town itself offers some good accommodation options, but to truly leave reality behind, stay in one of the secluded resorts nearby. Peace. Quiet. Bliss.
The crystal-clear waters here are so perfect you'll think you dreamed them. But pinch yourself, because they're real. Real enough to go swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling and diving in and on them. Spend a morning spotting turtles and brightly colored fish, then retreat to the white sands for some quality lounging time.
Lucea's beaches stun for sure, but its historic buildings are also impressive. Stop by the Old Lucea Courthouse or Fort Charlotte for some colonial architecture worth photographing from all angles. Lucea Parish Church is another landmark that's not to be missed, and is one of the oldest churches in the country, dating back to the early 18th century.
Want more history? Make your way to the Hanover Museum, where the story of the island's colonial past and pirate connection is laid out in an 18th-century prison.
Natural attractions in the area worth putting sensible shoes on for include Paradise Falls, Dry Hill Falls and Kempshot Falls. You'll find all of them are quieter than the famous Dunn's River Falls, also only a short drive away from Lucea, in the rainforests that surround Ocho Rios. This is also where you'll find wildlife-filled spots like White River and Black River, both perfect for a day of outdoorsy fun including river rafting and crocodile-spotting.