Jamaica · City Guide
Trelawny
Trelawny is one of Jamaica's most beautiful and historically significant parishes, home to the famous Cockpit Country wilderness — a remarkable karst landscape that provided refuge for the Maroons — combined with beautiful beaches at Falmouth, the Martha Brae River bamboo rafting experience, the bioluminescent Glistening Waters lagoon and outstanding all-inclusive resort properties. From the historic Georgian architecture of Falmouth to the river rafting and luminous lagoon, Trelawny provides a beautiful and culturally rich Jamaican experience.
Elect's take
"Trelawny has a depth of natural beauty and Jamaican history that I find genuinely compelling. The Glistening Waters lagoon is extraordinary, the rafting on the Martha Brae is relaxing and the Cockpit Country provides a sense of Jamaica's wild interior that few visitors experience."
The Glistening Waters lagoon (Luminous Lagoon) near Falmouth is one of the few places in the world with reliable bioluminescent water, where microorganisms create a glowing blue light when the water is disturbed, providing an extraordinary night boat experience. The Martha Brae River bamboo rafting provides a relaxing and beautiful journey through tropical scenery on traditional bamboo rafts poled by experienced raftsmen. Falmouth retains some of the best preserved Georgian architecture in the Caribbean, a legacy of its history as a major sugar trade port. Cockpit Country, a UNESCO designated biosphere reserve of dramatic karst hills, provided refuge for the Maroons during slavery and offers outstanding hiking and birdwatching.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Glistening Waters Lagoon
One of the world's few reliably bioluminescent lagoons, glowing blue at night.
Martha Brae Rafting
A relaxing traditional bamboo raft journey through beautiful tropical scenery.
Falmouth Georgian Heritage
Some of the best preserved Georgian architecture in the Caribbean.
Cockpit Country
A UNESCO biosphere reserve of dramatic karst hills that sheltered the Maroons.
Trelawny Beaches
Beautiful beaches with outstanding all-inclusive resort properties.
Maroon Heritage
The fascinating history of the Maroons who resisted slavery in the Cockpit Country wilderness.
