YS Falls and Black River Safari Tour in Jamaica

Hope everyone celebrating had a wonderful thanksgiving. 

On one of our days in Jamaica we decided to book an excursion. This was our first time booking an excursion. Usually we hire rent a car or hire a driver and do our own thing. This time I thought, let's make it easier and just go with everyone else and not have to think about any of it. Big Mistake! First of all I had wanted to go to Mayfield Falls. They only offered Dunn's (known to be the go to place for all tourist and cruise shippers so overcrowded) or YS Falls which I had also read were beautiful. So We went with YS Falls. The tour also included a stop at the Black River. Okay.. seemed fine. We were picked up at 8am. We inched through the traffic of Montego Bay only to find out we were first headed to a touristy gift shop! We didn't even get off the bus. It took us thirty minutes to get back on the road. Then to make up for time our driver drove so fast over the narrow bumpy roads causing both boys to get sick. Thankfully we had vomit bags on us. Always do. They slept the whole three hours till we got there. It was supposed to take only two hours. Finally we arrived at the Black River.



I made more videos than took pictures plus the kids were still not feeling it. The Black River is home to over 300 crocodiles and many beautiful birds and unique plant life along with the gorgeous mangroves. You can check out my reel on Instagram. This man in the picture above was spearfishing in the river. Like diving with the crocs in his pants and polo shirt and casually just catching fish. It was all nice, our guide Sean was very good. But if you have been to the Everglades then you have seen something similar already. We have even been to the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine

Afterwards there was another bumpy twenty minute ride to YS Falls. 

First we had lunch


Then we were given a guide who literally held our hands and even carried H once or twice as we walked through the falls. This guide was essential to being able to enjoy the falls to their fullest. The falls were gorgeous. Icy cold. We all got our turn to swing on the rope swing. M even dared to jump off a higher ledge. 







Afterward everyone soaked in the warmer pools until it was time to get back on the bus.

Once on the bus, even after multiple people requested it the bus driver refused to lower the air conditioning. He drove equally erratically. The traffic had increased and once it got dark he wouldn't turn on the bus lights.. so we all just sat in the dark. The boys both got sick again.. I had asked the woman at the YS Falls gift shop if she could lend we some extra plastic bags. Instead of 5pm we arrived back at the hotel at 7pm. Exhausted. 

Things got better once we changed and had some food. 

Now I did something risky.. I asked the kids if it was all worth it. The long drive, the getting sick.. if you have kids you know this could have gone either way. But they both instantly and in usion said YES! The rope swing was so cool! Phew. Exhale. Smile as they relive the entire waterfall experience. 

But next time we hire a driver. 

     
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Comments

  1. The journey sounded awful, your poor boys! The destination looked amazing though, I love the photos of you all enjoying the water. xxx

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  2. The location looks beautiful! Sorry it took so long to get there!

    Jennifer
    Curated by Jennifer

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  3. Sorry you had a bad driver. The one time I was in Jamaica I only made it to Dunn River Falls which I enjoyed. Looks like your choice is better.

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  4. Those are great photos of your family in front of the falls and under the falls! And nothing is more fun than a rope swing over water! There was one on the local river where I grew up and everyone loved it.

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  5. The falls look wonderful.

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  6. goodness your kids are resilient!! Beautiful photos, not a fan of what happened to you on your bus story -eep!!

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  7. Children as so resilient! The hired driver sounds like a good idea!

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  8. Now that's why we never book an excursion! The journey and the driver in particular sounded awful.
    YS Falls look fantastic though, and I'm glad to hear the boys enjoyed it in spite of the ordeal of getting there and back! xxx

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  9. I'm glad the falls made it all worthwhile! I love your photos from there! I remember going to falls when I was there, but can't remember the name of them.

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  10. That bus sounds like a nightmare. I'm sure they're not all nightmares, but of course the one time you don't hire a driver...

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  11. I am very glad that the boys enjoyed it anyway - but yes, doing your own thing at your own speed sounds like the way to go for future trips.

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  12. Yes, a driver sounds like a must. The falls are gorgeous, glad you all were able to enjoy the excursion minus the driving there and back!

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  13. You got some gorgeous pictures even if a guided tour like that wasn't ideal. Those waterfalls look gorgeous (and fun)!!!!

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  14. You have great photos! The rope swing, and waterfall group, they would make outstanding tourist posters. Glad y'all had a good time.

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  15. Oh gosh, those Falls pictures are so nice.

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  16. Wow, talk about a trip to remember. Even with getting sick, I'm glad it was worth it.
    OOXX
    Jodie

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  17. That bus ride sounded awful all around. It's good that your boys felt better after arriving and were able to enjoy playing under the falls.

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  18. Wow, what and adventure! I'm glad the boys recovered. The falls are absolutely gorgeous!!! Yes to a driver next time!

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  19. Sorry there was some troubling things that happened on this excursion but so glad the kids loved it. The falls look amazing!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

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  20. Lesson learned there. Even though it worked out well in the end, I hate being at the mercy of someone else's driving and timetable.

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  21. Oh my gosh! That driver is something else! Glad to hear that the kiddos still had a great time despite everything:) That falls looks so awesome!

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  22. Those falls look amazing!

    Shauna

    www.lipglossandlace.net

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  23. The falls look so beautiful!

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  24. that family photo looks gorgeous!

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  25. Sorry it took so long to get there but the falls are breathtaking!
    Happy Tuesday, Hena!

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  26. I love the kids! "YES!" They like adventures.

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  27. Bus rides aside, this trip sounds and looks fantastic!

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  28. The Falls look pretty. It was nice to go in warm waters afterwards. Sorry about the awful trip, but the kids seem to not mind and had a great time. The rope looks fun!

    ~Sheri

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  29. It sounds like you had quite the experience! I am glad that your boys thought it was worth it in the end.

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  30. I'm so glad to hear the kids thought it was worth all of the trouble you experienced. The falls look beautiful and I'm honestly in awe of the man willing to get in the water knowing there were crocodiles in there.

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  31. The waterfall looks amazing. I'm glad you guys had fun despite being sick.
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  32. oh this sounds like such a wonderful adventure. how lucky you were to have such a great guide, who was especially wonderful with children!! lunch looks sooo good!!

    awesome pictures of the waterfalls and the family...it's so nice that the pictures have all 4 of you in them!!

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  33. the landscape looks so amazing!
    have a great December,
    S

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  34. Anonymous11/30/2022

    OMG these water falls look amazing. And also these trees above water. So cool.
    https://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2022/11/chloe-nomade-absolu-de-parfum.html

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  35. waterfall drives romantic feeling... love it.

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  36. Great family photos. I'm glad the boys deemed it worth while. That had to be a relief.

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  37. You were brave to ask that!! I'm glad they loved it!

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  38. Your faces show you had great fun. Happy weekend to you.

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  39. It's such a shame the bus driver made the trip there and back difficult, but it's nice that the kids enjoyed their time at the falls :)

    Hope you are having a great weekend :)

    www.awayfromtheblue.blogspot.com.au

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  40. Anonymous12/04/2022

    These falls look amazing.
    www.exclusivebeautydiary.com

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  41. looks like a fun vacation to take

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  42. Yikes, that sounds like quite a trip! Glad the kids still thought it was all worth it, despite the motion sickness and all that!

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