Somerset Falls

Between Hope Bay and Port Antonio, Somerset Falls sits behind a hedge of bright red ginger lilies and green bottlebrush plants. Once an old sugar plantation that extended from the mountains to the sea, today Somerset is a 97-acre property with a breathtaking garden, complete with ponds and waterfalls. Overflowing with crotons, bamboos, ferns, cocoa plants, indigo and moss-covered trees (to name only a few), the garden grows on the banks of the Daniel River.

A concrete path leads up the gurgling river to the back of the property. Along the way, small waterfalls trickle down the bushy hillsides and shady benches, where visitors enjoy a moment of tranquillity. The path ends at a deep river pond that entices you to take a plunge into its invigorating clear, turquoise water. There, a guide is waiting to take you on a rowboat ride through a narrow tributary, encircled by limestone caverns to the spectacular main attraction - the "Hidden Falls." Here, you can cool off in the 20-foot-deep pool or snap away at the falls. Some advice for photographers: to best capture this cascading shower and luminous pool, turn off your flash. You won't be disappointed!

And when the ride is over, enjoy a meal of fine seafood or spicy jerk pork at the Garden Restaurant or a cocktail at the Rhythm and Booze bar, which on Sundays livens up with classic Reggae, dominoes and dancing.