There are many ways to experience Port Antonio, the capital of Portland Parish, either independently or during half-day or full-day tours from Ocho Rios, Negril, or Kingston. The laid-back town center holds its own interest, with lovely Georgian-era buildings leading to a stretch of shore immortalized in the 1980s film The Blue Lagoon. Nature adventures abound, with options including floating on a bamboo raft down the jungle-fringed Rio Grande to Monkey Island; lunching at a rustic riverside restaurant famous for its award-winning Jamaican dishes; sunbathing at secluded Bikini Beach; driving along the coast past Firefly, Noël Coward’s estate; and of course, swimming in the magical waters of the Blue Lagoon.
Typically tours include hotel pickup and drop-off, local guides, entrance fees, and lunch. Alcoholic beverages, gratuities, and additional activities may be extra; check each tour for specific details.
Port Antonio is ideal for outdoor adventurers and those seeking a day trip from the more popular tourist centers of Jamaica.
Remember to bring a camera, sun protection, towel, swimwear, water shoes, and cash in small denominations. A change of clothes and a spare bag for wet clothing might come in handy too.
Rafting activities are not recommended for travelers with back, motion sickness, or mobility issues.
Port Antonio is a 2-hour drive from Kingston Norman Manley International Airport. Private charter flights are available from Kingston to Port Antonio.
Port Antonio and the nearby attractions are year-round destinations, with most visitors coming during the high-season winter months.
If you’re looking for some Jamaican groove along with nature encounters and adventure, you’ve come to the right place. From Ochos Rios, tours include a stop at the Blue Lagoon for a guided boat ride around the waterfront and a swim at Frenchman’s Cove, a natural ocean inlet protected by rugged cliffs. All this activity prepares you for a proper island jam at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville to feast on jerk chicken, margaritas, and reggae music records spun by local DJs.