One of the prettiest of the island’s 14 parishes, Portland, Jamaica is the greenest due to above average rainfall. What really makes this area stand out though is the laid-back vibe, lush countryside and beautiful beaches.
Fun Things to Do in Portland, Jamaica
From the birthplace of Jamaica jerk chicken to the famous Blue Lagoon, there are lots of places of interest in Portland. Located in North East Jamaica, Portland is close to Kingston, the capital.
You can also reach the iconic Blue Mountains easily from Portland parish. The highest mountain range in Jamaica, they are 2,256 metres high.
1. The Blue Lagoon
This Jamaican natural lagoon is a place of outstanding natural beauty. If the Blue Lagoon looks familiar to you that’s because it was featured in the movie of the same name starring Brooke Shields.
This famous Jamaican spot used to be called Blue Hole but the name was changed to match the movie. The color of the water varies from a lush green to turquoise and deep blue, depending on the light and the time of day.
Another thing that makes this tourist attraction so special is the mix of freshwater from streams and salt water from the sea. There are pockets of hot water from the Caribbean sea and cold water from the springs.
This makes it a fun experience to swim in. The Blue Lagoon is a popular place to go rafting, as is the Rio Grande nearby. You can also take a boat ride to nearby Monkey Island, which is uninhabited.
2. Dragon Bay
Another famous movie was shot here – Cocktail with Tom Cruise. The place where he learned how to mix drinks in the film is called Dragon Bay Resort and was once a luxurious hotel.
Dragon Bay was damaged in a hurricane and remained closed for several years but is going to reopen as a new concept hotel in 2019. You can get a good look at Dragon Bay on a boat tour of the Blue Lagoon.
3. Frenchman’s Cove
Frenchman’s Cove Beach is another must-see if you’re visiting Portland. One of the best beaches in Jamaica, it became popular in the 1960s when Garfield Weston, the creator of Fortnum and Mason and Selfridges in London, built a hotel with 18 villas.
Frenchman’s Cove is still a hit with stars today, such as a famous Jamaican runner ;-). Mango trees are dotted around the edges of the beach and there are changing rooms as well as a restaurant.
The rope swings are a lot of fun too. There’s an entry fee of $10 per day which seems pretty reasonable, given the setting and amenities.
If you’re cheeky, ask the lifeguard if you can borrow his chair for a minute…
4. Other Beaches in Portland
Portland has some of the best white-sand beaches in Jamaica, with white sand and many snorkelling opportunities.
- Boston Bay – a popular surfing spot, this white-sand beach is five minutes from Port Antonio.
- Long Bay – the largest beach in Port Antonio, with coconut palms and warm clear waters.
- San San Beach – on Jamaica’s Northeast coast, this private beach has an entry fee and is a good place for swimming.
- Winnifred Beach – a public beach with crystal clear water.
5. Port Antonio
The capital of Portland is Port Antonio, and it’s the island’s third largest port from which bananas and coconuts are shipped. Errol Flynn Marina is a charming harbour that’s the perfect place for a stroll.
The famous actor was also known for his eye for the ladies. However, he described this place as “more beautiful than any woman I have ever seen”.
Erroll Flynn was passionate about sailing throughout his life. He first visited Jamaica in 1942.
Erroll and his third wife Patrice moved to Jamaica in 1950. He owned Navy Island and popularized rafting on the Rio Grande.
Fort George was built in 1729 to defend the town against the maroons and also against foreign invasion. The fort barracks are now in the grounds of Titchfield High School. You can still see the Munitions Building, cannons and the defence wall.
6. Boston, Portland – home of Jamaica jerk
The small village of Boston, Portland is the birthplace of Jamaica jerk. It’s thought that the jerk pits used to cook this spicy dish were originally a way for escaped slaves to cook without smoke being detected by potential captors.
These days, the Boston Jerk Centre is a good spot to find authentic jerk chicken, pork, beef, goat and fish. So why is it so spicy? It’s basically down to the Scotch Bonnet Pepper used in the cooking, which is 40 times hotter than a jalapeno!
Jerk chicken is one of the most iconic Jamaican food dishes and popular worldwide. The annual Boston Jerkfest™ is held in June and features a cook-off, rum and beer tastings as well as live music.
7. I-Scream
After all that spice, you might want something a bit cooling ;-). Head to I-Scream, in a quaint building on Portland Marina – the ice cream is made using the finest quality ingredients and there are some delicious flavours.
8. Reach Falls
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Jamaica, Reach Falls is a hidden gem. Originally discovered by runaway slaves, this series of cascades is tucked away in Montane Forrest on the John Crow Mountain Range.
There’s an entry fee to the falls, which have featured in the movie Cocktail with Tom Cruise, as well as in the remake of Lord of the Flies.
9. Rafting on the Rio Grande River
Meaning the big river, the Rio Grande is one of the largest rivers in Jamaica. You can take a raft down the river, piloted by an expert raft captain.
Made from slender bamboo rafts bound together, with an elevated passenger seat, it’s a comfortable way to see the lush parish of Portland. You can even have a go at piloting the raft yourself for a few minutes, supervised by the captain of course.
Getting to Portland, Jamaica
If you’re doing a multi-center holiday, it’s 93 miles from Sangster International Airport at Montego Bay to Portland Jamaica, and around 3.5 hours drive. Otherwise, you can fly directly to Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, which is 33 miles from Portland.
There is also the new Ian Fleming International Airport (IFIA) in the town of Boscobel, 52 miles from Port Antonio.
Weather in Portland, Jamaica
It’s always quite warm in Portland, with temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius throughout the year, although it can be quite rainy. The driest month is generally March, whereas October is the wettest with May and June having frequent downpours.
Hotels in Portland, Jamaica
Kanopi House is an intimate collection of treehouses nestled in six acres of land, just outside Port Antonio. This Jamaican boutique hotel overlooks a quiet bay with direct access to the Blue Lagoon.
This means that guests can enter the lagoon in peace rather than via the crowded general access section. The treehouses themselves are surprisingly large and have an en-suite bathroom. We have to admit this was our first question before booking this quirky hotel.
Some of the treehouses, like Upper Deck where we stayed, also have a separate kitchenette. They’re all equipped with air-con although you could just choose to use the atmospheric ceiling fans instead. Upper Deck is the highest treehouse on the property and the largest at 423 square feet.
We’re sure some of you are wondering about creepy crawlies. As luck would have it, there aren’t many in Jamaica and you won’t see spiders or snakes. The most you might see is a few small bugs if you don’t close your shutters at night and leave the light on.
The main treehouse is a lovely spot for lounging on the daybeds and dining, and is a great example of tropical decor done tastefully. Kanopi House is definitely one of the best Port Antonio hotels and staying here is great fun.
Geejam Hotel is also popular for its rock star vibe and The Trident Hotel is another popular choice for its oceanfront location. Alternatively, you can rent a whole private estate. Norse Hill Estate is a vacation rental villa in Port Antonio that accommodates up to 14 guests.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this tour of Portland attractions, and for a closer look at the island’s many attractions, check out our vlog:
We’ll leave you with an inspiring quote from Errol Flynn:
“My dream of happiness: A quiet spot by the Jamaican seashore looking out at the activity in the ocean, hearing the wind sob with the beauty and the tragedy of everything. Looking out over nine miles of ocean, hearing some happy laughter near-by. Sitting under an almond tree, with the leaf spread over me like an umbrella.”
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Read all our Jamaica travel articles here.
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It was my favourite hotel, really intimate and relaxed!
I know, makes me want to watch Cocktail all over again, whilst drinking a cocktail or two!
You look like you had so much fun in a place that looks like paradise! Gorgeous photos as usual!
So we are wanting to go to kanopi house for part of our honeymoon! How do you recommend getting there? We paid for the hotel before the flights to MBJ or KIN are options but feel more inclined to go MBJ.