Roaring River

In the flat cane country of Westmoreland the limestone is riddled with water, and at Roaring River a substantial river comes out of the ground at the mouth of a cave and runs away as a full stream. Guides lead visitors into the cave, which has formations, chambers and pools deep enough to swim in, lit by lamps and, in places, by shafts of daylight. Outside, a short walk away, is the Blue Hole Garden, a spring-fed pool of extraordinarily clear blue water in a planted garden, deep enough to jump into and cold enough to hurt. The setting is rural interior Jamaica, cane fields and smallholdings, with no resort infrastructure at all.

What you actually see

• The cave - chambers, formations and pools where the river emerges.
• The Blue Hole Garden - a spring-fed pool of intense blue, deep and cold.
• The river source - a full stream coming out of the rock.
• The gardens - planted grounds around the pool.

When to go

December to April is drier and the water clearest. Mornings are quieter. After heavy rain the river rises and cave access is closed. The two sites are separately owned and separately charged.

Honest expectations

The site has a reputation for aggressive hustling: unofficial guides intercept visitors on the road in, and the negotiation over fees and tips can be uncomfortable; agree everything in advance and consider arranging through a hotel or driver. Cave lighting is basic and the floor is slippery. The two attractions charge separately, which surprises people.

Nearby

Savanna-la-Mar is half an hour; Negril is an hour west.