Stretch beyond the sun lounger and discover why there's more to this Caribbean island than beach-hopping and rum punch, says Priya Joshi

"No woman, no cry," sings our tour guide at the Bob Marley Museum as he shows us around the grand former home and recording studio of the Jamaican icon in the heart of Kingston. With his exaggerated patois, his super-chilled vibe and a tendency to explain everything through Marley's lyrics, our guide is the personification of all the cliches you've ever heard about Jamaica.

There's no denying the laid-back attitude of the people and the sense of decadence that comes with lounging under the shadows of palm trees on Jamaica's pristine sandy beaches. But there is even more to discover in this country beyond the Jamaica you know.

Happy hour flows with the real liquid gold

Jamaica is famous for its rum, but it's also the home of some of the world's finest coffee. Hidden away in the Blue Mountains, the longest mountain range in Jamaica you'll find the Craighton Coffee Estate in Irish Town.

Introduced to Jamaica in 1728, the red berries of the Arabica coffee bean are highly prized, and coffees certified by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica are considered to be some of the best in the world. Picked by local women, the beans go through an intensive selection process and are medium-roasted and ground on site, while whole beans are also retained for use as the flavour base in Tia Maria.

Bop to Bob - but there's so much more

At the Trenchtown Culture Yard, a former 1930s housing project that has been transformed into a makeshift museum housing music memorabilia from the early years of the Jamaican music scene, we receive an education in the philosophy of Bob Marley. But while his far-reaching influence can be felt on every street corner, the sounds of Jamaica go beyond the musical icon.

At 11pm, under the cloak of darkness, we journey into the depths of the Blue Mountains' forests where reggae beats pulsate from an otherwise unassuming homestead. This is the Kingston Dub Club, a place where time seems to stand still as the music plays and a crowd gathers in a sweet smoke-filled yard, gyrating to infectious rhythms.

Beaches aren't the only place to make a splash

The soft, sandy beaches are a lure for honeymooners, but the luscious vegetation of Jamaica also presents an unspoilt paradise. Set in the hills above Ocho Rios at Island Gully Falls, a short trek through exotic forest leads you to a cove where enchanted tourists are hypnotically drawn to the crystal waterfalls and enticed to walk through the rushing water, while the more adventurous swing on a rope or leap off the mountain rock into a cold pool.

For an adventure on dry land, follow the waterfall trail at Holywell Nature Park, a moderate walk of 1.3km, that only takes an hour and is free to do.

There's more to a meal than jerk

Jerk chicken with rice and peas is a favourite staple in Jamaica, and while the spicy seasoning is used to flavour many dishes, there are a variety of local delicacies to challenge the palate.

Follow in the footsteps of Marilyn Monroe at the luxurious Jamaica Inn at Ocho Rios, where you can experience an authentic Jamaican breakfast of ackee and saltfish for £15, as the sun rises over the white sands.

Popular with the locals, Triple T'z in Kingston is an eclectic eatery, where beer bottles serve as chandeliers. Spicy kidney-bean broth precedes hearty meals of oxtail and goat curry with sweet plantain, while bubble gum-pink oti apple makes for a refreshing juice.

At the Great House, a former plantation in Yaaman Adventure Park, you can experience a Flavours of Jamaica cooking lesson, set in the perfectly pruned ornamental gardens. On the veranda, a hot griddle smokes as we try our hand at cooking jerk chicken and callaloo with crunchy fried dough festivals (a type of dumpling).

Pellew: An island beyond an island...

Get a glimpse of the palatial holiday homes of the rich and famous, with a boat tour around Pellew Island. The boatmen are ready and waiting, so there's no booking in advance - just pay 5185 JMD/£30 for a 45-minute ride when you rock up.

Frenchman's Cove Resort, an exclusive 45-acre private estate in Jamaica, is the perfect end to the trip, as we paddle in the refreshing hot and cold-water streams, dive into the ocean, and bask in the sun on the soft beach with a new-found skill for chilling - Jamaica style.

How to get there

A standard king room (based on two sharing) at Spanish Court Hotel, Kingston starts from £160 per night, including breakfast.

A balcony suite (based on two sharing) at Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios starts from £275 per night (excluding taxes and fees).

British Airways (ba.com) fly from London Gatwick to Kingston from £562 return.

For more information and inspiration on travelling to Jamaica, go to visitjamaica.com.