YS Falls is a seven-tiered waterfall located in St Elizabeth Parish on Jamaica’s south coast. The attraction is set on a working cattle and horse estate and includes natural pools, gardens, and a spring-fed swimming pool. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, directions, parking, accessibility, and practical tips for visiting YS Falls.
Quick Facts
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30am to 3:00pm (last admission 3:00pm) | All guests must leave by 4:30pm |
| Closed | Mondays and all public holidays | Closed for two weeks every September for maintenance (7th–22nd September 2026) |
| Adult Ticket | US$25 (overseas visitors | JM$2,400 (Jamaican residents with valid ID) |
| Child Ticket (3-15 years) | US$16 (overseas visitors) | JM$1,500 (Jamaican residents) |
| Address | YS Estate, north of B6 junction toward Maggotty, St Elizabeth Parish | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) north of A2 turnoff near Middle Quarters |
| Contact | Tel: +1 876-997-6360 | Email: [email protected] |
| Time Needed | 2 to 3 hours |
YS Falls Opening Hours
YS Falls is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 3:00pm for admission. The attraction closes completely by 4:30pm, requiring all guests to leave by this time.
The site is closed on Mondays and all Jamaican public holidays. Each September, YS Falls closes for a two-week period for staff holidays and maintenance. In 2026, this closure runs from 7th September to 22nd September, reopening on 22nd September. Check the attraction’s website for other, unexpected closures.
Admission may close earlier than 3:00pm if the site reaches carrying capacity. This is more likely to happen at weekends and during peak tourist season (December to April).
YS Falls Ticket Prices
Ticket prices for YS Falls are as follows:
Overseas Visitors:
- Adults: US$25
- Children (3-15 years): US$16
Jamaican Residents (with valid driver’s licence, voter ID, or work permit):
- Adults: JM$2,400
- Children (3-15 years): JM$1,500
Tickets are purchased at the entrance. Major credit cards are accepted except Discover, though the card system operates via internet and can be unreliable. Bringing cash is recommended.
Groups of more than 10 people require a reservation. The maximum group size with a reservation is 15 people.
The canopy zipline is currently closed until further notice.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026.
Why book the Private Jamaican South Coast sightseeing tour?
- 🚗 Private, flexible itinerary: Travel at your own pace on a fully private tour, with stops tailored to what you most want to see along Jamaica’s south coast.
- 🌴 Appleton Estate and rum heritage: Visit Appleton Estate to learn how Jamaica’s most famous rum is made, set in the lush Nassau Valley.
- 🐊 Black River safari experience: Cruise through mangroves on the Black River, spotting crocodiles and birdlife in one of Jamaica’s most distinctive ecosystems.
- 🍹 Pelican Bar option: Choose to stop at Floyd’s Pelican Bar, a wooden bar perched on stilts in the Caribbean Sea, reached by boat.
- 🏨 Hotel pick-up and local insight: Includes pick-up and drop-off from Montego Bay hotels, with a knowledgeable local driver-guide throughout the day.
How to Get to YS Falls
YS Falls is located in St Elizabeth Parish on Jamaica’s south coast, approximately 50 miles south of Montego Bay and 50 miles east of Negril. The journey takes around two hours from Montego Bay and 90 minutes from Negril.
By Car: From the A2 coastal road, turn north at the junction near Middle Quarters (the turnoff is approximately 1 mile or 1.5 km east of Middle Quarters). Follow this road for 3.4 miles (5.5 km) north to reach the YS Falls entrance. The entrance is just north of the B6 junction toward Maggotty.
The route passes through rural countryside with narrow, winding roads through hills and valleys.
By Taxi or Tour: Many hotels and tour operators offer day trips to YS Falls, often combined with visits to Black River Safari and Appleton Estate. Private taxis can be hired from major resort areas.
Parking at YS Falls
Parking is available at the main entrance to YS Falls. There is sufficient space for cars and coaches.
From the car park, all visitors take a tractor-drawn jitney (open-air carriage) to reach the waterfalls. This journey takes approximately 10 minutes and passes through pastures with horses and cattle. The jitney ride is included in the admission price.
How Long to Spend at YS Falls
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at YS Falls. This allows time for the jitney ride, exploring the seven tiers of waterfalls, swimming in the natural pools, and using the spring-fed swimming pool.
If you plan to have lunch at the on-site café or spend extended time on the lawns, allow closer to 3 hours.
Accessibility at YS Falls
YS Falls is not wheelchair accessible. The terrain includes rocky areas, stone staircases, and wooden walkways that follow the cascades. Some areas have steep inclines and uneven surfaces.
The jitney ride from the car park to the falls is accessible, but the falls themselves require walking on natural and constructed pathways. River shoes are recommended due to slippery rocks.
Visitors with mobility concerns should contact YS Falls directly on +1 876-997-6360 to discuss specific requirements.
What to See at YS Falls
The main feature is the seven-tiered waterfall, which drops 120 feet (36 metres) from top to bottom. Each tier has natural pools suitable for swimming. Stone staircases and wooden walkways provide access to different levels, allowing visitors to climb alongside the cascades.
Lifeguards are stationed throughout the site to assist with activities including a rope swing positioned above one of the pools. A spring-fed swimming pool with a depth of four feet is located at the base of the falls, providing a calmer alternative to the cascade pools.
The estate includes landscaped gardens with lawns suitable for picnics, along with mature trees that provide shade. A tractor-drawn jitney transports visitors from the entrance through pastures with grazing horses and cattle to reach the waterfall area.
Changing rooms, restrooms, a café serving Jamaican food, and a gift shop are located near the falls. The gift shop sells locally made crafts, clothing, and souvenirs.
Practical Tips
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrive early | Visiting at 9:30am helps avoid crowds and provides better conditions for photographs. |
| Wear water shoes | Rocks in and around the pools can be slippery. Proper footwear improves safety and comfort. |
| Bring cash | The café and gift shop may have limited card payment facilities. |
| No lockers available | Keep valuables with you at all times, or leave them secured in your vehicle. |
| Check weather conditions | Heavy rainfall may cause temporary closures for safety reasons. |
| Visit on weekdays | Weekends attract more local visitors and tour groups. |
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is YS Falls suitable for children? | Yes. The spring-fed pool has a comfortable depth of four feet and is suitable for young children. Lifeguards are on duty throughout the site. Children aged 3-15 require a child ticket. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No advance booking is required for individual visitors or groups of up to 10 people. Groups of 10-15 people must make a reservation. |
| Is YS Falls open on Sundays? | Yes. YS Falls is open Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays and public holidays. |
| Are bags allowed? | Yes, but there are no lockers. You must keep your belongings with you or leave valuables secured in your vehicle. |
| Can you swim at YS Falls? | Yes. There are natural pools at each tier of the waterfall and a separate spring-fed swimming pool. Lifeguards are present. |
| Is food available? | Yes. The on-site café serves hot dogs, jerk chicken, and other Jamaican food. Hot and cold beverages are available. |
Things to Do Near YS Falls
Black River Safari (approximately 15 minutes south): Boat tours along Jamaica’s longest navigable river to see crocodiles, herons, egrets, and mangrove wetlands.
Appleton Estate (approximately 25 minutes north-east): A rum distillery offering guided tours of the production process, aging houses, and rum tastings. The estate has been producing rum since 1749.
Bamboo Avenue (on the A2 between Middle Quarters and Lacovia): A 4 km stretch of road lined with towering bamboo, creating a natural tunnel.
Accompong Village (approximately 40 minutes north): A Maroon settlement in the Cockpit Country with historical and cultural significance.
Many visitors combine YS Falls with Black River Safari and Appleton Estate as a full-day itinerary exploring Jamaica’s south coast.
