Rustic Oceanfront Cabins on Private Beach near Coral Reef

The king of reggae, Bob Marley, built a vacation house in laid-back Little Bay, Jamaica. Rumor has it he penned several songs in his Little Bay home, including “Talkin’ Blues.” You can enjoy the area just as the legendary crooner did by staying in Little Bay Cabins’ seaside cottages, which are clustered along a stretch of private beach.

Just steps from the sand, the seven oceanfront cabins are modern and rustic, with showers made of stone and wood-paneled walls adorned with Jamaican art. Head to Mama’s Kitchen to enjoy housemade island fare, including traditional jerk chicken, akee and salt fish, curried conch, and lobster. Head to Catch a’ Fire Grill down on the beach, where you can try jerk chicken and pepper shrimp that was cooked on a wood-fired grill. At sunset, Lean back Lounge hosts a twilight party with reggae beats and Red Stripe lager. You’ll get a free round of drinks if the sunset triggers a “green flash,” a natural phenomenon in which a burst of green color flashes on the horizon before the sun disappears.

You can hunt for seashells or washed-up mermaid combs on the neighboring quarter-mile swath of white-sand beach. Included with this Getaway are three tours; for one of these, you’ll paddle out to the nearby coral reef on a kayak, and for another you can explore a cavern large enough to swallow an airplane. Lastly, a leisurely walking tour brings you to the spring-water-filled cave in Bob Marley’s Little Bay backyard.

Little Bay, Jamaica: Remote Beaches, Snorkeling, and Scenic Hikes

A remote town on Jamaica’s southwestern coast, Little Bay is considered to be one of the most off-the-beaten path regions of the isle. In other words, this is where Jamaicans come to get away from it all—it’s one of the most laid-back spots in a country that already prizes relaxation. Little Bay charms with its sandy beaches, tropical flora, and natural landscapes. If you want to blend in with the locals, try greeting friends with “Wa go on,” a casual saying that loosely means “what’s going on.”

Just 15 miles (25 km) west of Little Bay, Negril is known for its white sand beaches, dramatic rugged cliffs, and coral reefs lying just offshore in the Caribbean. Its underwater beauty makes the town a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkeling at Negril Marine Park, and anglers have found the sea filled with blue marlin, wahoo, and mahi-mahi. The city has a front-row seat to some of the world’s most beautiful sunsets, and people often climb to the top of waterfront cliffs just to watch.

Farther inland, the mountainous terrain harbors several eco-tourism attractions including hiking, ziplining, and waterfall tours. Take a 60- to 90-minute drive east to reach the cascading YS Falls or Mayfield Falls, where you can wade in 21 natural pools shaded by exotic tropical flowers and ferns. Or stay close to Negril by visiting the Royal Palm Reserve, where 300 acres of swamp forests and wetlands shelter more than 300 types of birds, butterflies, and abandoned Rubik's cubes.

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