Portland Jamaica
where sun, sand and sea meets chic
Portland, a parish (an administrative division) in Jamaica, is a small town bursting with sights, sounds, flavors, and colors. Located northeast of Jamaica with an area of 814 square kilometers, Portland was named after the Duke of Portland, Henry Bentinck, who ruled as Governor of Jamaica from 1722 to 1726. In the 1860s, Port Antonio was a banana capital of the island.
Portland, ‘Portie’ by locals, boasts beaches, coves, waterfalls, lagoons, mountain ranges, and tropical forests that cater to vacationers who want solitude. Hollywood legends Errol Flynn and Ginger Rogers, and author Rudyard Kipling spent many of their holidays here.
The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon
Be like Brooke Shields and swim in the Blue Lagoon; yes, this is the lagoon in the 1980 movie. On Rio Grande, ride a bamboo raft and take a dip in the river. Explore Port Antonio’s idyllic beaches: Frenchman’s Cove, Winnifred Beach, Boston Beach, and San San Beach, where soft white sand and clear blue waters meet. You can go fishing for marlin, tuna, and kingfish. Go scuba diving at Alligator Head and at Fairy Hill, see colorful corals. These pristine beaches are ideal spots for sailing, water-skiing, surfing, and snorkeling. At Reach Falls in Machioneal, seclusion and cool waters revive you. (Trivia: Tom Cruise’s “Cocktail” movie was filmed there.)
Go on walking tours and mingle with the locals. Port Antonio is filled with colorful, tin-roofed island-style homes. At Musgrave Market, vendors sell fresh fruits and vegetables along with handicrafts, so you can people watch or cheer on locals playing dominoes. Take a trip to Moore Town and learn about Portland’s national heroine, Nanny.
If you’re a nature lover, hike up the majestic Blue Mountains. Are caves your thing? Drive up to Nonsuch Caves and enter the well-lit passageways and see striking stalactites and stalagmites. Meet rare species of birds at Hotel Mockingbird Hill. While you’re at it, take in the captivating view of the town and on a clear day, you can even see Cuba! Wet or dry, in the water or on land – your options of activities in Portland are endless.
Adventure time
Rafting on Martha Brae
Frenchman's Cove Beach
Blue Mountains
Culture vulture
Admire artwork at Portland’s Art Gallery, which showcases fine paintings and sculptures made by locals. To shop for unique woodcarvings and locally-made souvenirs, go to Charlie Brown’s Arts and Crafts or the Rock Bottom shop at Musgrave Market. For a mix of high-end and inexpensive items, hit the shopping center the Village of St. George at Well Street.
Painter at the Portland Art Gallery
You “Jerk”
At Boston Jerk Centre or Buff Bay’s Blueberry Hill Jerk Stop, take a bite on their signature Jerk Pork. Every year a Jerk Festival is held when you can taste all kinds of jerk recipes. “Jerk” comes from the Spanish word “charqui” which means dried meat (pork, chicken, conch, lobster, et cetera) seasoned with pimento, hot peppers, and other spices slow-cooked in pits. Jerk meats are considered Portland’s most popular food. Get a taste of ‘Busso’ at Swift River. Busso is a mollusk found in Portland’s many rivers, which can be served as soup, patty, punch, with curry, or even jerked, steamed, and stewed. You can down all these plus other fresh seafood with ice-cold jelly or the Porties’ favorite drink, Red Stripe Beer. The local cuisine in Portland will literally and figuratively “jerk” you around with deliciousness!
Jerk Chicken
Where to stay
Portland has many options for accommodations that you can call home during your trip; from luxury villas to rustic cottages. Our favorites are Kanopi House, which features eco-friendly treehouses hidden within a picturesque tropical jungle overlooking the Blue Lagoon. Trident Hotel, where contemporary design meets historic charm. With 13 oceanfront villas, Trident offers a seductive and unparalleled retreat. Nestled within 6 acres of lush San San jungle, you will find Geejam, a true island paradise on a mountainside overlooking the sparkling Caribbean sea.
Kanopi House
Trident Hotel
Geejam
Time to go
Plan your trip to Portland Jamaica depending on the seasons. December to April are hot and sunny months. Just be reminded that May to June and September to November are the rainy seasons.
How to get there
Fly to Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica and then take a two-hour ride to Port Antonio. You may also fly to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and connect to a flight to Port Antonio. There is no direct flight from Kingston to Port Antonio.