Even in a country that abounds in waterfalls, Reach Falls stands out as one of the most beautiful places in Jamaica. The white rushing cascades are surrounded by a bowl of virgin rainforest; the water tumbles over limestone tiers from one hollowed, jade-colored pool into the next. It’s also possible to walk, wade and swim your way up to the edge of the falls, by an unmarked jungle path someway below the main entrance.
Once you enter the falls, a guide will offer his services – crucial if you want to climb to the upper pools, which we highly recommend (there’s a little underground, underwater tunnel a bit up the falls; plunging through is a treat). The Mandingo Cave, the crown jewel of the falls, can be accessed at the top of the cascades, but you need to bring climbing shoes and be prepared for a long climb.
Excellent local guide Leonard Welsh (849-6598) can take you and point out plants and wildlife along the way.
The turning to Reach Falls is well-signed about 2km north of Manchioneal. Any Port Antonio–Manchioneal route taxi can drop you; it's a further 3km uphill to the falls.
