Jamaica is famous for its big personality, a Caribbean island that’s known for spicy city culture, reggae, jerk and a relaxed party atmosphere. But you don’t need to look far to discover the island has hidden depths.

Step off a flight from Kingston and as you drive towards the resort town of Ocho Rios you’ll soon spot the cool and misty Blue Mountains in the background.

The highest peaks of the Caribbean, they’re a fantastic place to kick off a holiday spent exploring the island’s wilder side. On a clear day, you might even see as far as Cuba from the top.

You can hike up the Blue Mountains but one of the best ways to experience them is a leisurely downhill bike ride, taking in tropical rainforest that’s home to hundreds of species of birds, butterflies and blossoming plant life.

Along the way you can stop off at the famous Blue Mountain coffee plantations before a cool dip in a waterfall to round things off.

The island’s original Arawak name was Xayamaca — the land of rivers and springs — so you’ll find plenty across Jamaica. When it comes to waterfalls, Dunn’s River Falls, are almost certainly the most famous — both unusual to look at and a fun challenge to climb.

Most who visit are put together with a group of fellow visitors and a guide to help lead you to the summit of the falls.

Around 55 metres high, a brisk 90-minute hike takes you along its travertine terraces — geological formations that are the result of the Earth’s thermal interior interacting with its exterior over thousands of years and which look almost like natural stairs to the top.

Along the way, you’ll find small pools to relax in among the lush surroundings. Don’t forget water shoes to provide extra grip, as the rocks can be slippery on the way up, or a waterproof camera to capture the moment.

For an even more memorable experience, you can visit the falls by boat before starting the climb. This way you get to see Jamaica’s coastline from a totally different angle, as the waterfalls flow down into the sea, while the extra intrepid can pack in some snorkelling or deep sea fishing too.

Want to head off the beaten track? Nestled in the hills of St Ann, overlooking Ocho Rios, Konoko Falls are one of the island’s best kept secrets. As well as the waterfalls here, you can explore botanical gardens, a Jamaican artefact museum and a zoo, ideal for families as well as couples.

There’s history to be found at Konoko Falls too. Take a guided tour and you can learn more about Jamaica’s first inhabitants, the Tainos, who Columbus met when he arrived on these shores.

Or at the nearby White River Valley, try your hand at river tubing with a few rapids to keep you on your toes as you soak up Jamaica’s nature, while adrenaline junkies can choose from river kayaking or zooming on a zipline.

You don’t have to go without any indulgence while you explore though, especially if you stay at the iconic Jamaica Inn hotel.

Having played host to Hollywood stars including Errol Flynn and Marilyn Monroe, as well as James Bond creator Ian Fleming, this glamorous haven has a winning mix of old-school elegance and modern comforts that make it one of the best loved hotels in the Caribbean.

There are natural wonders here too, with the chance to see marine life on the Caribbean’s colourful coral reefs, spotting tropical fish and other sea creatures during a glass bottom boat tour.

Backed by the Jamaica Inn Foundation, the tour includes a fantastic firsthand look at their coral nursery, which illustrates the work undertaken in the last two years to protect the waters around Ocho Rios.

If you visit between June and November, there’s also a good chance of seeing baby turtles be born, and helping to ensure the hatchlings make their safe passage to sea.

And after discovering the best of Jamaica on land and sea? Another natural temptation… the hotel’s 700ft private beach, lined by palm trees.

With palapas to snooze under, and some of the softest golden sand you can hope to have between your toes, all guests are offered a free rum punch upon arrival each morning, while your sun lounger is covered in fluffy towels and positioned to your liking by a member of staff.

Even the products at the hotel’s spa are made using plants of the island. The thatched huts of KiYara Ocean Spa sit in the tropical gardens where a breeze blows off the ocean.

The experience is far from basic though: they’ve been recognised at the World Spa Awards for two consecutive years.

The rooms have an ethos of simple luxury too. You won’t find TVs, radios, even clocks here, although they all have a view onto the Caribbean.

Each of the 48 suites also has a balcony or veranda furnished as an outdoor living room, while the newly renovated bathrooms have fantastic rainfall showers. For extra privacy, there are four two-bedroom cottages with their own private plunge pools and outdoor showers.

Meals are just as laid-back — local dishes like ackee and callaloo can be served on the beach during the day, while at dinner, the menu by chef Maurice Henry includes local fish and island ingredients to enjoy alongside classic reggae from Inner Groove, a favourite local band.

With a focus on low-key elegance, it’s the perfect place to unplug and relax after an adventure-packed exploration of the island. Ian Fleming wrote many of the best Bond books whilst languishing in what he described as “the gorgeous vacuum of a Jamaican holiday” — where better to write your own adventure?

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