Jamaica’s greenest parish is its best-kept secret

According to the Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamaica noticed a document variety of guests—over 4 million in 2024—is estimated to generate $5 billion in income in 2025. The Caribbean Island’s recognition has produced crowded resorts and seashores—not splendid in the event you’re trying to find a trip spot to calm down and unwind. Most vacationers fixate on well-known spots like Ocho Rios, Negril, and Montego Bay, that are identified for his or her most sought-after properties, resembling Half Moon Luxury Resort, and world-renowned points of interest, together with Dunn’s River Falls. 

However, vacationers can keep away from the throngs of vacationers by staying on the northeast coast of Jamaica, particularly Portland. 

“It’s Jamaica’s best-kept secret,” says Newton Nelson, visitor providers supervisor on the Geejam Hotel and a neighborhood Portland resident. “It’s equal parts luxury and unfiltered culture.”

A pure surprise with quieter seashores

A two- to three-hour drive from Ocho Rios, Kingston, and Montego Bay, Portland is the greenest parish on the island as a consequence of its considerable rainfall, which helps keep its lush vegetation.  

Most of Portland’s points of interest are unfold out across the parish, offering a a lot quieter, relaxed vibe compared to the “party” areas frequented by vacationers. And there aren’t any large-scale worldwide resorts like its neighbors, making it much more of a really perfect escape if you’re in search of a low-key place to recharge.

When it involves seashores, Frenchmen’s Cove is essentially the most well-known within the space, populated by extra residents and visited by smaller teams of vacationers. It is arguably the most effective seashores you will note on the island as a result of you may unwind with out paying for a spot on the seashore or coping with wandering distributors. While right here, beachgoers can go to the close by Le Pirate Café, which serves genuine Jamaican fare close to a small lagoon with loads of house to eat and take a break from the solar. Across the road, contained in the Inn At The Cove, Vanessa’s Fine Foods serves seafood dishes resembling shrimp curry, lobster, and escoveitch fish—all served, in the event you select to, with a layered-rum Bob Marley drink for a correct sit-down meal.  

Instead of visiting the heavily-touristed Dunn’s River Falls, you may have an analogous, intimate expertise at Reach Falls, the place it’s not unusual to see individuals snap an Instagram-worthy pic with the enduring waterfall because the backdrop. It can take as much as an hour to get to Dunn’s River Falls, nevertheless it’s solely a brief 10-minute stroll to Reach Falls. Without standing in a protracted line, adventurous vacationers ascend to the highest of a rock (which can require a information) above the Rabbit Hole, a hidden underground cave, to leap right into a pure pool. 

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A minimalist, luxe retreat for creatives and yogis

Portland has lengthy been a identified retreat for celebrities, together with British rapper Stormzy and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton. However, high-profile figures typically journey by helicopter from Negril or Ocho Rios to Ian Fleming International Airport—the one airport within the parish—to save lots of time on the drive and to trip away from prying eyes. 

Don’t count on giant luxurious properties in Portland. Visitors will discover lodging with fewer visitor occupancy, making their keep extra intimate. Music lovers ought to take into account staying on the 52-acre, six-room Pompey Jamaica, owned by Diplo, an American DJ. Creatives and celebrities flock to the property, situated in Portland’s capital metropolis of San Antonio, not solely due to its secluded location, but in addition for its industry-standard recording studio, yoga pavilion, chilly plunge and sauna, personal health club, and personal trails to go horseback using.  

Pompey doesn’t have an on-site restaurant, however personal cooks from Stush in the Bush, a restaurant in St. Anne’s, serve visitors plant-based meals. A sustainable backyard, bar, retro video games, and an outside deck are different facilities featured right here. 

For vacationers searching for a holistic wellness expertise, Portland gives a number of choices, together with The Star Arcanum in San Antonio. The distinctive, off-the-grid yoga retreat helps visitors realign their thoughts, physique, and spirit to alleviate stress—all executed inside certainly one of their eco-villas. 

(10 of Jamaica’s finest motels, from waterfront villas to mountain cabins with a view)

Meet and dine with the locals 

If you’re a fan of Jamaica’s well-known jerk barbecue, then you need to add a visit to the Boston Jerk Center to your itinerary. Why? It’s the birthplace of the jerk cooking model in Jamaica. Even although locals will inform you there are many locations to style or get good jerk hen, it’s a glorious alternative to see the place all of it started. While different Jamaican cities could have their very own distinctive celebration vibe, guests in Portland can go to the parish’s finest eating places, normally full of residents relatively than vacationers, to expertise a neighborhood celebration.  

“Woody’s [Low Bridge Place] is great for burgers,” says Suzanne and Michelle Roseau, homeowners of Two Sisters and residents of St. Ann’s parish. “Be sure to make a stop at Natural Mystic Bar, it’s a roadside rum bar, and there’s a Jamaican street party on Sundays.”

(A style of Jamaica from smoky jerk pork to pineapple carpaccio)

Where to remain in Portland

Portland doesn’t have many all-inclusive motels and resorts like different cities or parishes in Jamaica. However, vacationers can examine into boutique motels, such because the Geejam Hotel, and guide a Rumba Room with views overlooking the ocean. For a extra personal expertise, take into account reserving a spacious villa by means of a third-party platform, resembling Airbnb, Vrbo, or Avalon, which gives visitors a on-site employees, together with a chef and housekeeper.