Explore Jamaica
Explore Jamaica
Explore Jamaica
10 Days Starting in Kingston and ending in Kingston Airport
Visiting: Kingston, Blue Mountains, Port Antonio, Montego Bay, Negril, Treasure Beach
Tour operator:
Tour code:
JAM
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Get to grips with the rhythm of island living on our tour of Jamaica. We might be taking things easy, but we still pack a punch, ticking off bucket list and off-the-tourist-trail sites. Experience the culture of Kingston, the coffee of the Blue Mountains and the beach-side bars of white sand beaches, all whilst witnessing stunning Caribbean scenery and sampling the best jerk around. Our all-encompassing tour proves there's more to Jamaica than rum and reggae (but we'll get our fill of those, too).
Sun, sea, and sand - From Frenchman's Cove to Negril's Seven Mile Beach, unwind with a Red Stripe or rum on the white sand beaches of Jamaica's paradisal coastline.
Inland island scenery - Head into the lush Blue Mountains National Park and Appleton Estate to sample Jamaica's premium coffee and rum.
Caribbean indulgence - Get a taste for island life, trying authentic jerk food, patties and Maroon food at Charles Town Maroons Village.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Join Trip In Kingston
Location: Kingston
Accommodation: Hotel Four Seasons
Accommodation Name: Hotel Four Seasons
Our tour starts today in Kingston, Jamaica's capital and the island's cultural hub.
Due to the number of evening flights into Kingston, your tour leader will meet you on the morning of Day 2 for a welcome meeting. Details of timings will be left in the hotel reception. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Kingston's International Airport (KIN), approximately a 40-minute drive from our hotel. Should you miss the meeting, your tour leader will catch you up as soon as you catch up.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, why not get to grips with island life and sip a local Red Stripe beer as you soak up the views of the Caribbean?
Day 2: Coffee Tasting At Plantation In Blue Mountains; Visit The Bob Marley Museum
Location: Blue Mountains
Accommodation: Holywell Cabins
Accommodation Name: Hotel Four Seasons
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we'll head north out of the city, following the winding and unmarked roads upwards into the Blue Mountains. This place is famous amongst coffee lovers thanks to its single-origin coffee - we'll head to one of the area's best-known plantations. Way up in the Blue Mountains, we'll see how coffee is grown, harvested and brewed. We'll take a guided hike through the coffee fields that surround the estate before finishing up with a cup of freshly brewed Blue Mountain coffee. The National Park itself is enormous, spanning four of Jamaica's parishes and the breathtaking mountain scenery covers the eastern part of the island.
On our return to Kingston, we'll visit the Bob Marley Museum, located in the colonial house where the reggae legend lived from 1975. For anyone interested in music, the museum gives a great look into the mind and inspirations of one of Jamaica's most famous residents. Finishing the museum at approximately 4pm, we'll head back to our hotel.
For those who'd like to explore more of Kingston, you might like to visit Trench Town or Tuff Gong Studios and continue your Bob Marley odyssey, or see a superb showcase of Jamaican art at the National Gallery. Alternatively, you could spend some time at Devon House, the 19th century home of George Stiebel, the first black millionaire in the Caribbean. It's now a collection of local cafes and restaurants - as well as proudly serving some of the best ice cream in the Caribbean, which is well worth a try.
Day 3: Drive To Port Antonio Via Charles Town Maroon Community With A Traditional Lunch, Plus Optional Rafting On The Rio Grande
Location: Port Antonio
Accommodation: Bayview Eco Resort
Accommodation Name: Jamaica Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We'll have a leisurely start this morning before we travel to Charlestown for lunch and to learn about the story of the Maroons. Since the 1700s, pockets of Maroon settlements have existed in Jamaica - escaped or freed slaves who were able to fight off the British and be granted a treaty of relative autonomy within the region. On arrival, we'll visit the village and discover more about these amazing people, their historical legacy and way of life. We'll also taste some traditional Maroon food before continuing to Port Antonio.
We'll make an optional stop en route to Port Antonio for rafting on the Rio Grande. The rafts are made from bamboo and sit two adults each. Your raft captain will take care of the paddle, so you're free to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. The rafting takes approximately 90 minutes, and we end where we start- at a spot aptly named the Rafter's Rest. Anyone not wanting to raft will be taken on to the hotel.
Day 4: Visit The Blue Lagoon, Swim At Frenchman's Cove
Location: Port Antonio
Accommodation: Bayview Eco Resort
Accommodation Name: Jamaica Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we'll visit the mesmerizing Blue Lagoon where we will stop for some time to relax and have a swim. We will then continue to Frenchmen's Cove to spend a relaxing morning on the white-sand beach, which is sheltered in a secluded cove and backed by lush greenery. We plan to have lunch here, perhaps a tasty plate of jerk pork or chicken washed down with a bottle of Jamaican Red Stripe. We'll then return to the hotel in the afternoon.
Day 5: Continue To Ocho Rios; Option To Visit Dunns River Falls
Location: Montego Bay
Accommodation: Deja Resort
Accommodation Name: Hibiscus Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning is free to enjoy Port Antonio - there might be the chance to visit a church service in the local area. We'll then continue to Ocho Rios, arriving around 2pm.
This afternoon, we have the option to visit the Dunns River Falls, explore the local area or relax by the pool at our hotel.
Day 6: Visit Rose Hall Great House For A Guided Tour; Continue To Negril
Location: Negril
Accommodation: Merrils Beach Resort
Accommodation Name: Merrils Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we'll drive for just under two hours to Rose Hall Great House for a guided tour and to learn more about the heritage of the island. After the tour, we'll continue to Negril via a stop at Montego Bay where we can have lunch. Our driving time this afternoon will be approximately two and a half hours.
Negril is a small town that's known to have some of the most beautiful coastline in Jamaica. As well as miles and miles of sandy beach, at one end of Negril you'll find clusters of high, craggy cliffs, jutting out over the water like spears. Perched high on one of these crags is Rick's Cafe, which we'll be visiting for sunset, one of the best on the island, as well as to watch the daring cliff divers who gather here to perfect their daredevil tricks. It's a lively spot, where locals and tourists flock to enjoy the music, rum and breathtaking views.
Day 7: Free Day In Negril; Relax On 7 Mile Beach
Location: Negril
Accommodation: Merrils Beach Resort
Accommodation Name: Merrils Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free to enjoy everything that Negril has to offer. The long stretch of sand at Seven Mile Beach (in reality, it's closer to five miles!) is perfect for a long walk, or you could choose to simply swim or relax with a rum punch and a lunch of chicken or curried goat or a tasty Jamaican patty. There are many restaurants and cafes down the length of the beach if you want to get away from the midday sun. Alternatively, if you're interested in getting out on the water, scuba diving, snorkelling or glass-bottomed boat trips are all available.
Day 8: Rum Tasting At Appleton Estate Distillery; Drive To Treasure Beach
Location: Treasure Beach
Accommodation: Sunset Resort
Accommodation Name: Lashings Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our drive this morning takes us inland towards the rolling hills of Jamaica's interior and our first stop, the Appleton Estate Rum Distillery. The estate, located amongst beautiful countryside, has been producing rum since the 1700s, and our tour today will show us how the sugar cane is magically transformed into Jamaica's beautiful golden rum. We'll end the tour at the bar, where we'll, of course, be sampling the goods!
After a tipple of rum, we'll set off towards Treasure Beach, a low-key community that's off the beaten tourist path. Seafood here is excellent so it's well worth tasting some of the local lobster (when in season) or the fresh catch at dinner this evening. Our total driving time today will be approximately four hours.
Day 9: Free Day In Treasure Beach; Optional Dolphin Quest, Black River Safari, Pelican Bar Or Cooking Class
Location: Treasure Beach
Accommodation: Sunset Resort
Accommodation Name: Lashings Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
There is plenty to explore in Treasure Beach, aside from the coastline itself. Just 1 kilometre/0.6 miles offshore is the unusual Pelican Bar - a fantastic driftwood construction on a sandbank in the middle of the ocean. If you fancy a visit, you can easily find a taxi boat. Keep an eye out, there's a chance you'll spot dolphins in this area, too.
Alternatively, you could take a boat 'safari' up the Black River, a swampy river home to the Jamaican crocodile and over 100 species of native birds. On the way back to Treasure Beach you'll stop for a drink and to admire the views at Pelican Bar.
For those who'd prefer to stay on dry land, there's an option to take a Jamaican cooking class to discover the secret of jerk seasoning. You'll learn to cook steamed fish and bammy (traditional cassava flatbread) or to prepare a lobster dish (when in season).
Day 10: Drive From Treasure Beach To Kingston Airport, Where The Trip Ends
Location: Kingston
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our tour ends today and there will be two transfers from Treasure Beach to Kingston Airport (around a three-and-a-half-hour drive). The first transfer will arrive at the airport at approximately 1pm, so the earliest your flight can depart is 4pm. The second transfer will arrive at the airport at approximately 4pm for evening flights - typically there's a direct British Airways flight to London departing around 8pm-9pm.
What's Included
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Meals – Breakfast Only
Breakfast: 9
Lunch: 2 -
Fully Guided
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Accommodation
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Airport Transfers at Destination
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Country Entry Visas
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
Meals
Breakfasts: 9
Lunches: 1
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Trasnfers are included on the first and the last day of the trip
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
1 nights simple cabins
8 nights comfortable hotel -
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Easy
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.