Explore Jamaica

Arrive in Kingston today. Due to the number of evening flights into Kingston, your Leader plans to do the welcome meeting on the morning of day two, and will leave a message in reception with details on timings and everything else that you'll need for the day. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Kingston at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Kingston's International Airport (airport code: KIN), approximately a 15 minute drive from our hotel. Should you miss the meeting, your leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you can relax and soak up the Caribbean views and try out a local Red Stripe beer. Stay: Grand Port Royal Hotel (Comfortable)

Our day begins with a drive north out of the city on increasingly winding and unmarked roads, heading upwards into the Blue Mountains. Among coffee lovers, this place is known for its fine (and, when exported, expensive) single-origin coffee, and our destination here is one of the area's best known coffee plantations. Here, way up in the Blue Mountains, we see how coffee is grown, harvested, and brewed. We will be guided around the Georgian home, as well as the coffee fields surrounding the estate, before ending the trip with a cup of freshly brewed Blue Mountain Coffee. The National Park itself is enormous, spanning four of Jamaica's parishes and covering the eastern part of the island in breathtaking mountain scenery, which we'll witness during our visit today.

On our return to Kingston we visit the Bob Marley Museum, situated in the colonial house where the legend of reggae lived from 1975. For anyone interested in music, the museum is a great look into the mind and inspiration of one of Jamaica's most famous residents.

Finishing Bob Marley at approximately 4pm, we go back to Port Royal. For those who want to further explore Kingston, you may wish 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, 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 (well worth a try!). Stay: Grand Port Royal Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

With a leisurely start this morning, we'll travel to Charlestown for lunch and a unique history lesson, as we 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 our arrival we'll visit the village and discover a bit 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.

There will be an optional stop en route to Port Antonio for rafting on the Rio Grande. The rafts are made from bamboo and sits two adults, you can sit back and relax as you don't even have to paddle, your raft captain takes care of that whilst you watch the scenery. The rafting takes approximately two hours, and we end at a spot aptly named the Rafter's Rest. Anyone not wanting to raft will be taken on to the hotel. Stay: Bayview Eco Resort (Comfortable) (B/L)

We'll drive to Frenchmen's Cove for a relaxing morning at this gorgeous white-sand beach, 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 will return to the hotel in the afternoon.

Please note that our usual itinerary would include a trip to visit the Blue Lagoon for a swim before going to Frenchmen's Cove, but since the end of 2022 Jamaican government have closed the lagoon for maintenance, including both road and water access. In the case that the Lagoon reopens, we will add this back into today's plan. Stay: Bayview Eco Resort (Comfortable) (B)

Enjoy a free morning in Port Antonio where there may be a chance to visit a church service in the local area. Continue to Ocho Rios where we will arrive at approximately two pm. This afternoon we have the option to visit Dunns River Falls, explore the local area or relax by the pool at our hotel. Stay: Hibiscus Lodge (Comfortable) (B)

After breakfast we will drive just under two hours to Rose Hall Great House for a guided tour where we will learn about the heritage of the island. After the tour we will continue to Negril via a stop at Montego Bay where we can have lunch. The driving time this afternoon will be approximately two and a half hours.

Negril is a small town with a wide reputation for some of the most beautiful coastline in Jamaica. As well as miles and miles of sandy beach, at one end of Negril we 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 usually gather here to perfect their daredevil tricks. It is a lively spot, where locals and tourists flock to enjoy the music, rum and breath-taking views. Stay: Merrils Beach Resort (Comfortable) (B)

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 just to swim or relax with a rum punch and a lunch of chicken or curried goat or a quick and 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. Stay: Merrils Beach Resort (Comfortable) (B)

Our drive this morning takes us inland towards the rolling hills of Jamaica's interior, and our first stop at the Appleton Estate Rum Distillery. In a beautiful countryside setting, the estate 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 end the tour at the bar, where we will, of course, be sampling the goods!

After some rum, we'll set off towards Treasure Beach, a low-key community that isn't a regular tourist hot spot. This afternoon is free to explore the village and its beach. Seafood is excellent here so it's well worth tasting some of the local lobster (when in season) or other catch at dinner this evening. The total driving time today will be approximately three and a half hours. Stay: Lashings Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

There is plenty to explore in Treasure Beach, aside from the coastline itself. Just 1km offshore is the unusual Pelican Bar - a fantastic driftwood construction on a sandbank in the middle of the ocean, the wood all nailed together with a thatched roof plopped on top. Taxi boats are easily found. Alternatively, take a boat 'safari' up the Black River, a swampy river home to the Jamaican crocodile and over 100 species of native bird. On the way back to Treasure Beach you will stop for a drink and to admire the views at Pelican Bar. There is a chance you will spot dolphins in this area. For those who prefer to stay on dry land there is an option to take a Jamaican cooking class and discover the secret of a true Jerk seasoning, learn to cook steamed fish and bammy (traditional cassava flatbread), or to prepare a lobster dish (in season). Stay: Lashings Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

Departing Treasure Beach this morning, we take a three and a half hour drive to Kingston Airport, where our trip ends. There will be two transfers today. The first transfer will arrive at the airport at approximately 1pm, so the earliest that any flight can depart is 4pm. The second transfer will arrive at the airport at approximately 5pm for evening flights (typically a popular direct option from London with British Airways departs between 8pm-9pm from Kingston). (B)