Jamaica: Appleton Estate Rum Tasting & YS Falls Day Trip

Summary

Rum tasting at Appleton Estate and swimming at YS Falls with local lunch

You’ll ride through Jamaica’s winding hills to Appleton Estate for rum tasting and stories with a local guide, then dig into jerk chicken before cooling off at YS Falls’ natural pools. Expect sticky hands from fresh cane, laughter on bumpy roads, and maybe a quiet moment by the water that lingers long after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

We were barely out of Montego Bay when the hills started to close in, all tangled green and flashes of goats darting across the road. Our driver—Marlon, who knows every curve—narrated stories about sugarcane and old estates as we wound south. I kept catching whiffs of something sweet and grassy through the open window (turns out it was molasses from somewhere nearby). The drive to Appleton Estate is longer than I expected, but honestly, watching the landscape shift made it feel like part of the whole thing. There’s a rest stop halfway where everyone stretches and jokes about surviving Jamaica’s “massage roads.”

Appleton Estate itself is… well, you can tell it’s been around forever. Our guide, Simone, had this way of making rum history sound less like a textbook and more like family gossip—she pointed out old copper stills and let us taste raw sugarcane (sticky hands for the rest of the tour). The air inside the ageing house is thick with that woody-sweet smell—almost syrupy. The actual rum tasting was three pours, each one deeper than the last. I tried to pick up what Simone described (“notes of orange peel” or “warm spice”), but mostly I just felt it in my chest. Lunch after was jerk chicken on a breezy patio; I still think about that pepper sauce.

Afterwards we headed for YS Falls—maybe 45 minutes away? It’s quieter there than I thought it would be, just the sound of water hitting rocks and a few kids shrieking as they jump in. Seven waterfalls in a row, all this cold clear water pooling into little basins under big trees. Some folks went right in; I hesitated because those rocks are slippery (bring water shoes if you have them). There’s a kind of peace at YS Falls that sneaks up on you while you’re drying off in the sun. We didn’t rush—nobody seemed to want to leave yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Appleton Estate and YS Falls visit

• Travel through South coast hills
• Explore Appleton Estate rum distillery
• Taste three premium aged rums
• Enjoy authentic Jamaican lunch
• Visit YS Falls waterfalls
• Swim or take photos at falls

Top questions

How far is Appleton Estate from Montego Bay?

The Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience is about 2 hours from Montego Bay by car.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Yes, an authentic Jamaican lunch is included at Appleton Estate’s restaurant.

Can you swim at YS Falls?

Yes, there are natural spring pools at YS Falls where visitors can swim.

Are hotel pickups provided for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and dropoff are included in your booking.

What rums do you taste at Appleton Estate?

The guided tasting includes three premium aged rums from Appleton Estate.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; only guests 18+ may drink alcohol.

Do I need special shoes for YS Falls?

The rocks can be slippery; water shoes are recommended for comfort and safety.

Can photos be taken inside Appleton Estate?

You can take photos throughout most of Appleton Estate except inside the distillery itself.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and dropoff, entry to both Appleton Estate and YS Falls, guided tastings of three premium aged rums, a traditional Jamaican lunch with both indoor and outdoor seating options, time to swim or relax at seven waterfalls surrounded by gardens, plus stops along the way to stretch or grab snacks before returning in the evening.