Mayfield Falls Jamaica

On our last trip to Jamaica, my husband and I were looking for something different to do. On previous trips we had visited Dunn’s River Falls and rafted on the Martha Brae and loved the experience. Jamaica’s interior is rich with natural wonder so we knew there had to be something new to try. We decided on a day trip to Mayfield Falls.

A roughly 90 minute drive from Negril, Mayfield Falls is located on a 5 acre lot in Glenbrook, Jamaica. There are two operators on either side of the falls. We booked our trip through our hotel with Reggae Style, which included a driver for the day and admission to Mayfield Falls for $90 USD/pp. Since we weren’t traveling with other tourists we weren’t holding anybody up when we asked to stop and take in a view. Our driver was only too happy to take us for a drive through the cliffs of Negril and share some history with us.

Once away from the coast the interior quickly becomes lush and mountainous. It’s a trip worth taking just for the scenery. Time for a couple of disclaimers — if you get car sick I highly recommend you take your Gravol before making the journey. The roads are bumpy and winding and anyone with motion sickness will definitely feel this ride. I also wouldn’t recommend this trip for anyone with back or mobility issues. Once we arrived at the falls we were looking down the barrel of some very steep stairs. What goes down must come back up.

If you’ve previously visited Dunn’s River Falls, the first thing you’ll notice upon arrival at Mayfield Falls is the complete absence of tourists. Well, at least not the mob you’ll find at Dunn’s. For me, I didn’t really enjoy Dunn’s River Falls, as I was too busy being herded up them, set into position for a quick photo op then prodded along again. Not fun. At Mayfield Falls we encountered only one other group of tourists on our one hour journey up the falls. And we didn’t have to hold hands with them.

Our guide Comfy, met us at the top and took us down the stairs, over a couple of wooden bridges and into a beautifully manicured clearing. While we sat and enjoyed the view, we had a drink and put on our water shoes. Not one person asked us to hurry along. When we were ready, Comfy took my camera in his waterproof bag and we followed along to the bottom of the falls. The water is cool, not cold and so wonderfully clean. I believe I used my quota on “awesome” for the next decade by saying it over 150 times on the trip.

The journey up Mayfield Falls is fairly easy. The falls are smaller than Dunn’s and cascade into a series of swimming pools. Our guide was able to show us ways up each section and show us places along the way we would have missed if on our own. Like the falls called The Washing Machine where I had a memorable massage. We also relaxed and floated around in each pool while traveling up, never once rushed along. Our tour guide informed us that the falls are really something during the rainy season when the water runs faster and are deeper. While I’d love to visit during that time I have to say that we couldn’t have been more impressed with the laid back vibe and gentle flowing waters of Mayfield Falls.

When our trip up the falls was over, our guide took us back and along the way shared some of the local vegetation with us — pineapple, banana, and allspice. We had another drink while we dried off and worked out our tip with Comfy. I would recommend you establish a parameter for tips before you head up the falls or you may be surprised by the expectation.

On the way back to our resort, we asked our driver to take us to a restaurant the locals loved. He suggested Sweet Spice. My husband had Curry Goat that he could only be heard grunting through and I had the best Beef Stew ever. I’m on a mission to re-create it now. Delcious. Don’t expect fancy surroundings, just excellent food.

Since our last trip to Jamaica was sans children, I’m looking forward to taking them back to Mayfield Falls where they too can enjoy the unhurried pace of a perfect day.