Port Antonio town
Guesthouses, harbourThe twin harbours.
Town guide
Things to do in Port Antonio
Jamaica's lush, rain-fed north-east: the Blue Lagoon, Reach Falls, bamboo rafting on the Rio Grande, the white sand of Frenchman's Cove and Winnifred Beach, and jerk at Boston Bay, where it began.
2
Hostels in the city
9.0
Average, from 143 reviews
Portland
The greenest parish
3–4
Days
The green corner of Jamaica
Port Antonio is a small harbour town in the parish of Portland, on Jamaica's north-east coast. It is the wettest and greenest part of the island, with rainforest running down from the Blue and John Crow Mountains to coves of clear water, and it has stayed far less developed than the north coast resorts.
In the mid-20th century, it was a hideaway for Hollywood stars, and the actor Errol Flynn helped turn the bamboo rafts that carried bananas down the Rio Grande into a tourist ride. Today, the town is a base for some of Jamaica's best nature: the Blue Lagoon, where cold spring water meets the sea, Reach Falls, Frenchman's Cove and Winnifred Beach.
A few kilometres east is Boston Bay, where jerk cooking began, and still the best place to eat it. Give Port Antonio three or four days.
Where to base yourself
The town for guesthouses and the harbour, or the coast east of town for beaches and lodges.
East coast
Beaches, lodgesTowards Frenchman's Cove and Boston Bay.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 2 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Port Antonio
Float down the Rio Grande on a bamboo raft, a slow trip of a few hours through the rainforest. Swim in the Blue Lagoon, and at Frenchman's Cove, where a river meets a white-sand beach.
Climb and swim in the pools of Reach Falls, and visit Winnifred Beach, a public beach popular with locals.
Eat jerk at Boston Bay, the birthplace of jerk, and surf its waves when the swell is up. Walk around the harbour and the ruins of Folly Mansion.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Winnifred Beach is a public beach and free. Walking the harbour and the Folly Mansion ruins costs nothing.
The Blue Lagoon can be reached by boat or from the shore; access fees vary.
Rafting, Reach Falls and Frenchman's Cove charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Jerk at Boston Bay, cooked over pimento wood, costs €5 to €9. Patties cost about €1, and fresh fish is grilled at beach shacks.
Try ackee and saltfish for breakfast, and fruit from the roadside stalls.
A 10 to 15 per cent tip is usual in restaurants; check the bill, as service is sometimes already added.
Nightlife
Going out
Port Antonio is quiet at night, with a few bars in town and on the beaches, and occasional sound-system nights.
Evenings are relaxed.
Red Stripe costs €2 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around
Knutsford Express coaches run from Kingston, about two and a half hours over the mountains, and from Ocho Rios. A private driver is the easiest way to reach the beaches and falls.
Route taxis run along the coast road for a couple of euros. Agree that it is a route taxi before getting in.
Roads are winding and slow.
Costs
What Port Antonio costs
Guesthouse and hostel beds start at around €20 to €35 a night. Jerk plates cost €5 to €9.
Rafting the Rio Grande costs about €60 to €80 per raft, Reach Falls about €15, and Frenchman's Cove about €10.
Carry cash for jerk stands and route taxis.
Safety
Safety and scams
Port Antonio is relaxed and friendly. Use licensed rafting captains and guides, and agree prices first.
The rocks at Reach Falls are slippery, and Boston Bay's waves can be strong. Avoid dark roads at night.
Tap water is generally safe in towns, but drink bottled water in rural areas and anywhere supply has been disrupted. In an emergency, call 119 for the police, or 110 for an ambulance or the fire service.
Worth the trip
Falls, rivers and beaches.
Rio Grande
Through the rainforest.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Jerk, holidays and the dry season.
Usually July
Portland Jerk Festival
Port Antonio
A celebration of jerk.
February to April
Dry season
Port Antonio
Less rain.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Port Antonio, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
Port Antonio is the wettest part of Jamaica, with rain possible all year. February to April is driest. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
Jan
Wet spells
Feb
Drier
Mar
Drier
Apr
Driest
May
Rain
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Hot
Aug
Hot
Sep
Peak hurricane risk
Oct
Wet
Nov
Wettest
Dec
Wet
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Lush and humid.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Port Antonio prices.
Treat these as a guide. Rafting costs extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Port Antonio questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Port Antonio worth visiting?
Yes, for the Blue Lagoon, Reach Falls, rafting and Boston Bay jerk.
How do I get to Port Antonio?
By Knutsford Express from Kingston, or by driver.
Where did jerk come from?
Boston Bay, near Port Antonio.
How much is Rio Grande rafting?
About €60 to €80 per raft.
Is Port Antonio safe?
It is relaxed; agree prices and avoid dark roads at night.
Does it rain a lot?
Yes, it is the wettest part of Jamaica.
When is the best time to visit?
February to April.
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