Fans of the James Bond franchise visiting Jamaica Swamp Safari Village will know this wildlife sanctuary from the Live and Let Die movie. Though it’s a fun piece of trivia, this small animal center plays a more important role in real-life Jamaica. Here, you’ll learn why these reptiles are essential to the ecology of Jamaica, and how their habitat destruction and poaching is harming the local ecosystem.
Jamaica Swamp Safari Village also harbors other animals found injured or displaced on the island. All animals are kept in small enclosures, allowing you to get a close-up view. Other wild animals such as wild West Indian Whistling Ducks visit daily to feed. Bring your camera to get photos of crocodile pole feedings and walk through an aviary with hundreds of rare birds. Jamaica Swamp Safari Village RW is often a stop on group or private guided tour itineraries.
Watch for crocodile egg hatchings between November and March.
The guided tour includes a short video about the croc-jumping scene featured in Live and Let Die.
It doesn’t take long to explore the attraction, so it’s ideal if you’ve only got limited time.
Handlers may offer you an opportunity to hold some of the snakes.
Jamaica Swamp Safari Village is located in Falmouth, 1-mile (2 kilometers) outside of the city center on Rodney Street. If you’re arriving at Sangster International Airport (MBJ), you can take the A1 east for 17 miles (28 kilometers) to Falmouth. Taxi and shuttle services can also be arranged in advance or on the day of arrival.
Jamaica Swamp Safari Village is open every day of the week, with operating hours running from morning until the early evening. The guided mangrove tour lasts for an hour so arrive at least 90 minutes prior to closing. The tour itself is the same throughout the day, but you should keep in mind that animals may be less active in the warmest parts of the day. Earlier visits may heighten your chances of spotting them.
If you’re a fan of James Bond visiting Jamaica Swamp Safari Village, you’ll be excited to know that another filming location for the spy movies is only 1.5 hours away. James Bond Beach, where Dr. No was filmed, sits east of Falmouth near Ian Fleming International Airport and GoldenEye Resort.
