100% customisable travel idea
Good vibes and tropical nature From Kingston to the Blue Mountains, at the source of Jamaica
Jamaica - Kingston - Port Antonio - Boston Bay - Blue Mountains
Don't worry, be happy.
Your journey
A relaxed pace, simple logistics, a rental car to take you to the coast - the road is good, the landscapes are rich - or necessary transfers when it’s preferable. A journey to Jamaica is not complicated at all, as long as you have the right information and speak to the right people. Because they’ll connect you to each place and its culture, your accommodations have all been carefully selected: a very comfortable accommodation, ideally located with a pool in a quiet district of the capital; a bungalow perched in the jungle above the Blue Lagoon; and a beautiful Georgian house overlooking the Blue Mountains, once owned by one of the founders of Jamaica’s music industry. And while we’re counting on your curiosity to lead to valuable encounters and discoveries, we’ll give you a head start by adding a few carefully chosen experiences to your itinerary - so you can get a better sense of the country you’re visiting. In Kingston, and especially in Downtown, you’ll trace the origins of Jamaican music with a guide. A day that takes you from record shops to urban murals, from Trench Town to Coronation Market, with a soundtrack of reggae, of course, but also mento, ska, rocksteady, dub and dancehall. From the coast, you reach a Maroon village, offering the opportunity for discussion and to share a meal with a community whose rich culture - close to nature - is inherited from its African roots. Finally, the Blue Mountains are an ideal setting for a hike followed by a visit to a coffee plantation - the arabica grown here is among the rarest and most refined in the world. As for anything we can't plan ahead for - sudden whims or minor setbacks - you can entrust them at any time during your trip to our on-site Concierge.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome and priority processing through customs, followed by private transfer and check-in for two nights in the New Kingston area, close to the capital's attractions. This is a pleasant place with open spaces that flow into each other and open onto the outdoors through large bay windows. The rooms are also spacious, very comfortable, and have everything you need. On site, you’ll find a cafe and several good-quality restaurants. The first-floor terrace invites you to dine in intimate surroundings, bathed in soft lighting, beside a long pool. Slightly set apart from the rooms is a large swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers, deck chairs, a large hot tub, and a pleasant pool bar. As for breakfast - Jamaican or “continental” - it’s enough to recharge your batteries for a long time.
Exuberant and noisy, Jamaica's capital seems to capture all the country's energy. It contrasts sharply with the beaches and the laid-back atmosphere that prevails across much of the island. The city was built on a beautiful site, adjacent to a huge natural harbour that was a favourite haunt of pirates, south of the Blue Mountains. A cosmopolitan city, it is also the country’s cultural centre. This is where internationally renowned music was born and continues to be created. On the agenda: A day exploring the roots of Jamaican music. Mento, ska, rocksteady, dub, dancehall... Jamaica and music are inseparable. Reggae in particular, which, although not the only musical genre to have emerged on the island, is far and away the one that has made it most famous. Most of the iconic music venues are in Downtown Kingston, a district best explored with a knowledgeable guide. On your itinerary: Orange Street and its wonderfully dusty record shops; the Cultural Yard in Trench Town, where you can immerse yourself in the legend of Bob Marley and the Wailers - Ernie Ranglin, Alton Ellis, Junior Tucker and many others; the legendary Coronation Market, the largest market in Kingston; the museum dedicated to one of Jamaica’s greatest producers; Fleet Street and Water Lane, whose walls tell the country’s musical story through colourful murals and graffiti…
Not to be missed: the Bob Marley Museum, independently. It is at the back of a courtyard on the aptly named Hope Road that the legendary singer's house is located, where he used to entertain his friends, play football, compose and record his albums under the famous Tuff Gong Records label. The museum, created at the initiative of Rita Marley, Bob's wife, offers a glimpse into daily Rastafarian life. Despite attracting visitors from all over the world and having a souvenir shop, the place has lost none of its soul. The recording studio on the ground floor still feels alive with the positive energy of “Skip”. In the kitchen, the walls still bear the scars of the assassination attempt against him in 1976. The myth remains intact;
Pick up the rental car, drive to the Port Antonio area, and settle in for three nights in a bungalow nestled among the trees. Depending on the time of day, crickets or birds can be heard through the foliage. Perched beneath the canopy, high on a cliff, you look out over Boston Bay and its mesmerising turquoise waters. Experience life right in the heart of tropical nature, enjoying rooms with simple comforts and rustic charm. The furniture has been handcrafted in an ethnic style that perfectly matches the surroundings. The place exudes serenity, and in between exploring on land or at sea, you can happily lose yourself in contemplation. Guests have access to a seawater swimming pool, a private beach, several bars and two restaurants serving Jamaican, African and international cuisine.
On the agenda - Meeting in Maroon Town. The term "maroon" comes from the Spanish cimarrón, which means "wild." In the 17th century, it referred to the Black slaves who fled the plantations and took refuge in the Blue Mountains, taking control of eastern Jamaica until they gained their freedom in 1739. Today's Maroons are their descendants, who continue to uphold African traditions and maintain a culture close to nature, which provides them with medicinal plants. First, your local guide will take you to visit the museum devoted to the history of the Maroons, explained through an exhibition of everyday objects, works of art and personal accounts. This is followed by the opportunity to enjoy traditional dances accompanied by drumming, while sharing a meal typical of this highly informative culture. The day ends in the best possible way: on a beautiful beach nearby.
Not to be missed: Reach Falls, spectacular waterfalls that you can get to by taking a lovely hike upstream along the river. Once there, you come across natural pools and a rush of pure water cascading down between the rocks beneath a canopy of lush vegetation. The surrounding jungle is home to no fewer than twenty-three species of native ferns, black parrots and even a few peaceful wild pigs.
Things to see and do: Enjoy the pleasures of the beach overlooking the aptly named Blue Lagoon; experience local life at Port Antonio market; in the town centre, hunt for crafts and try patties, puff pastry parcels stuffed with meat, prawns or vegetables; greet the sun with a morning yoga session; end the day watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand.
Return your vehicle and take a private transfer to the Blue Mountains. You will be staying for three nights at an accommodation rooted in Jamaica’s heritage. Nestled on the hillsides of the mountains and surrounded by coffee trees, this 19th-century Georgian residence belongs to a prominent music producer. In the past, he often invited his friends there, including Bob Marley and the Rolling Stones, who also enjoyed the incredibly peaceful atmosphere of the place. You are surrounded by a beautiful garden planted with flowers, where a stunning infinity pool takes centre stage. If you're not quite relaxed yet, the spa will help you achieve that state effortlessly. And then there is what you experience once night falls, when Kingston appears, magical, before your eyes. The city lights up in the valley below as you sip rum and listen to the orchestra playing ska classics...
Optional: A reggae night at a club in Kingston.
On the agenda: Visit to a coffee plantation. Blue Mountains coffee has a protected designation of origin and is renowned for its quality. At high altitudes, the soil, rainfall, sunshine, and thick fog combine to create the perfect conditions for growing coffee. After a pleasant walk through the mountain-side plantations with a guide, the day ends with a tasting session.
Things to see and do: Explore Blue Mountains National Park, whatever your walking ability; follow in the footsteps of Bob Marley and his fellow students at Bull Bay, east of Kingston, and at Cane River Falls; visit a cocoa plantation.
Private transfer to Kingston Airport and international return flight. Night on board, arrival the next day.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Reggae night at a club in New Kingston
On the hills above the city, people come to celebrate the weekend in a house overlooking the Jamaican capital. Every Sunday evening, Dub Club hosts the best of sound system culture, reggae, roots and new reggae for outdoors music sessions. Old-school rastas and the city's younger generation of hipsters meet up there and chat over a drink. We arrange entry tickets and the services of a private driver for you.Jamaica with your teenagers
Music, street art, kayaking, doughnuts, waterfalls, record shops, snorkelling, laid-back living… All of this will appeal to teenagers, who will feel at home in Jamaica, whether they are reggae fans or not. Moreover, getting around the island never requires long journeys, and the accommodations are well adapted to the needs of families. It is also entirely possible to plan a programme that matches their interests and wishes.
Why visit Jamaica with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Jamaica
- Globally unique concierge service
- CO2 absorption