Hidden in the green hills of Cudjoe Hill, St. Catherine, Mountain River Cave is a special place that tells the story of Jamaica’s first people, the Tainos. Long before the Spanish arrived in 1494, the Tainos lived peacefully on the island, leaving behind clues about their lives. Mountain River Cave is one of those clues, with drawings and carvings on its walls that are hundreds of years old.
To get to the cave, you can follow St. Johns Road to Browns Hall. Once you reach Cudjoe Hill, there’s a sign from the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) that points the way. From there, it’s a one-mile walk through a beautiful path. You’ll pass trees like cocoa and jackfruit that fill the air with sweet smells and cross a river that winds through the land. Comfortable shoes are a good idea because the trail is rocky and uneven. It’s also best to call the JNHT for a guide, so they can show you around and share the cave’s history.
The cave isn’t very big—only about 100 feet long and 30 feet deep—b…
