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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