10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Jamaica

Luminous Lagoon lives up to its name – it's a body of water that shines bright each night in a dazzling natural show. This awe-inspiring phenomenon is caused by millions of microscopic dinoflagellates, tiny single-celled organisms that emit a distinct sparkle and glow.

To witness them in all their glowing glory, hop on a 45-minute boat trip from the aptly named Glistening Waters Marina near Falmouth. Your captain will explain the science behind the amazing display of nature, and you’ll get to jump overboard to swim in the gleaming bay. It’s one of the most intense bioluminescent areas on earth that shouldn’t be missed on any visit to Jamaica.

Dead End Beach sits right at the foot of the airport runway in Montego Bay, making it the perfect place for plane spotting. As Jamaica’s primary aviation hub, Sangster International Airport sees a steady stream of air traffic day and night. You’ll never have to wait long for the next aircraft.

Most tourists visit during the daytime, swimming in the turquoise sea while watching enormous aircraft roar overhead. A night-time trip ensures you’ll beat the crowds and get to savour the sensation alone. Hip Strip lies mere metres away if you fancy a few rums to enhance the experience.

Built in 1770, Rose Hall Great House is a gorgeous Georgian mansion offering an intriguing after-dark tour. Painstaking renovations restored the colonial-era residence to its former glory, and you can now experience its sordid history firsthand. A word of warning, though: the former plantation is said to be haunted – this isn’t one for the faint of heart.

On the 2-hour tour, an expert local guide will lead you through its lavish rooms and saloons, providing a glimpse of what 18^th-century life was like for the European bourgeoisie. Tales of Annee Palmer, the so-called “White Witch of Rose Hall”, will make your hairs stand on end.

Floyd’s Pelican Bar is a wonderfully rustic pontoon perched above the waters of Parottee Bay. And as you’d expect, it’s the perfect place to sip a quiet beverage while watching an epic Caribbean sunset.

A quick 10-minute boat trip whisks you in from the shore; there’s a good chance you’ll spot marine life swimming around on the way. Upon arriving at the floating bar, you get to enjoy an ice-cold beer, 360-degree sea views, and a carefree Caribbean vibe. Fresh seafood is available, if you haven’t had your supper yet.

The Macau Gaming Lounge & Bar is a Kingston institution and a brilliant spot to chill in the evening with friends. This low-key venue serves Caribbean-themed cocktails and well-priced beer in a casual atmosphere, plus tempting snacks if you fancy a bite.

While the gambling area isn’t quite as glitzy as the casinos of Macau, there are sufficient poker machines and table games to keep punters amused. The place stays open late, and parents are welcome to bring kids until 10 pm. 

Rick’s Café is a happening cliffside hangout just outside Negril. The rocking venue boasts a cool ocean-facing pool, live Rasta tunes, and brilliant sunset views – it faces west, offering wonderful photo ops. Despite its popularity, Rick’s is a laidback haunt the whole family can enjoy.

The highlight, however, is cliff jumping, which locals and visitors leaping into the sea until sundown. Multiple platforms sit at various heights, so you can choose a plunge to match your bravado. If you’d rather watch, keep an eye out for the lifeguards who pull off impressive acrobatic stunts.

Negril Adventure Divers is the most reputable scuba outfit in town and will readily organise night dives at nearby wrecks and reefs. On any given trip, you’ll spot everything from bioluminescent plankton to nocturnal marine creatures like sharks. These after-dark adventures give divers a new appreciation of the underwater realm.

The family-run business insists on using top-quality gear and fully trained guides, so you can rest assured you’ll be in safe hands. Of course, you’ll need to have the requisite PADI certifications to explore the oceans at night. If you’re new to the sport, the company offers a range of training courses as well.

Catherine Hall Entertainment Center is the premier concert hall in Montego Bay. If a big band or festival makes its way to Jamaica, chances are they’ll take the stage here – keep an eye on its social media pages for upcoming events. With state-of-the-art facilities, a booming sound system, and stacks of space, the open-air venue puts on a massive show.

Above all else, Catherine Hall is known as the home of Sumfest, the world’s biggest reggae festival. The annual event attracts the most prominent performers in the genre and a loyal army of would-be Rastas from all corners of the globe.

Hip Strip is your 1-stop-shop for late-night bar-hopping in Montego Bay. The lively tourist strip is abuzz with shoppers hunting for souvenir trinkets and Caribbean-themed apparel by day. Things take on a festive tune as the sun sinks over the horizon. The rum and Red Stripe flow freely throughout the evening here, so it’s not the best place to bring small kids.

Bar hoppers could kick-start their night at Blue Beat Jazz Lounge for sophisticated sunset cocktails, then mosey over to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville to boogie to dancehall classics. Friendly local revellers roam the streets, and Afro-infused beats permeate the air – it’s a brilliant Jamaican night out.

Fiction is the place to go for a glitzy night out in Kingston. This ritzy club is a hit among the capital’s economic elite, attracting scores of dolled-up socialites on any given weekend. You might even spot a few famous faces in the crowd – Usain Bolt is known to frequent here. Usain Bolt's Tracks & Records Jamaican restaurant is right next door.

It’s an upscale establishment, so you’ll need to dress sharp and get ready to spend big. Nonetheless, passionate clubbers will find it worth the splurge to party the night away in Jamaica’s most glamorous after-dark venue.