
- Adventure
- 20-day trip
- From €4,495 p.p.
Jamaica holiday | Self-drive Jamaica
This self-drive will introduce you to the entire island of Jamaica, a Caribbean paradise characterised by lush rainforests, endless white-sand beaches and hospitable locals. You will begin your stay in Montego Bay, from where you will tour to visit Doctor's Cave Beach, the Rockland Bird Sanctuary and cultural attractions such as the Montego Bay Cultural Centre. You will then embark on a self-drive to Runaway Bay, with stops at Greenwood Great House, Martha Brae rafting and the Luminous Lagoon. In Ocho Rios, you will visit the famous Dunn's River Falls, the adventurous Mystic Mountain park and the Blue Hole waterfall. The journey continues to Port Antonio, where you will enjoy the idyllic beaches of Frenchman's Cove and the Blue Lagoon before exploring the wonderful Blue Mountains and surrounding coffee area In Kingston, you will visit the Bob Marley Museum and take a walking tour. You finish the trip on Jamaica's south coast, with first a few nights in authentic Treasure Beach and then a stay on the west coast at spectacular Negril. A trip to remember!
Travel programme
Travel overview
- Day 1 Arrival in Montego Bay
- Day 2 – 3 Nature and culture in Montego Bay
- Day 4 Self-drive to Runaway Bay with highlights
- Day 5 Natural beauty in Ocho Rios
- Day 6 – 7 Mystic Mountain & Blue Hole Waterfall
- Day 8 Self-drive to Port Antonio
- Day 9 – 10 Tropical relaxation
- Day 11 Self-drive to the Blue Mountains with highlights
- Day 12 – 13 Coffee tour and nature in the Blue Mountains
- Day 14 Rhythmic Kingston
- Day 15 – 16 Treasure Beach
- Day 17 Self-drive to idyllic Negril
- Day 18 – 19 Free day in Negril
- Day 20 Departure from Jamaica
- Day 21 Arrival
Accommodations
Destinations
Jamaica
Idyllically located south of Cuba in the warm Caribbean Sea, rests the lush, tropical island of Jamaica. The island has more to offer than just the rasta, reggae and rum for which it is internationally renowned. It has a fusion of various African, Spanish, British, Indian and Chinese influences, reflected in the national motto 'out of many, one people'. This exotic hybrid culture offers adventurous cuisine and the world's most friendly and laid-back locals. Blessed with golden sandy beaches, year-round sunshine, verdant rainforests and misty mountains, Jamaica is an absolute paradise in the Caribbean. From Negril's glorious Seven-Mile Beach with the majestic Blue Mountains as a backdrop, to the noisy party scene and grand colonial architecture in Montego Bay and to the vibrant capital city of Kingston, Jamaica is a remarkably diverse and beautiful country that is likely to enchant you every time.


Negril
The sunny resort of Negril, also called the 'capital of the informal' for its laid-back island vibe, is located on Jamaica's beautiful west coast and known for its sandy beaches on shallow bays with calm, azure waters. The town's famous Seven Mile beach, especially the part overlooking Long Bay, offers lively bars, excellent restaurants and a number of world-class international resorts. Long Bay has a beautiful lagoon protected by coral reefs, providing an ideal setting for a range of water sports, including some of Jamaica's best snorkelling and scuba diving. Negril is also known as a musical hotspot with a vibrant reggae scene and daily live music events that give visitors a taste of Jamaican culture. Travellers looking for casual sun on beautiful beaches, luxury boutique hotels and colourful reggae joints need look no further than Negril's hedonistic haven.


Montego Bay
As the second-largest city on the lush island of Jamaica, Montego Bay is affectionately called 'MoBay' by locals, and Montego Bay is often the first port of call for visitors to this enchanting island. Centred around the main tourist street known as the Hip Strip - with its lively clubs, bars and live music venues - the city has a picturesque coastline surrounded by jungle-covered green hills and dotted with some of Jamaica's most luxurious resorts, many of which offer secluded private beaches. The bustling city centre boasts fascinating architecture in and around the central square and is the best place to sample the real Jamaica. With excellent golf courses, welcoming locals and some of the best restaurants on the island, Montego Bay is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed, laid-back, sun-drenched Jamaican experience.


Kingston
On the south-east coast of the remarkable tropical island of Jamaica lies the vibrant capital and home to the island’s thriving music scene. This enchanting, rugged city is brimming with intriguing contrasts: cheerful soca rhythms fill the streets alongside magnificent stately Georgian squares packed with countless theatres, museums and galleries; and exotic jungles coexist with bustling business districts. Must-see attractions include Bob Marley’s house, now a museum housing Marley’s personal belongings and countless memorabilia; the National Gallery of Jamaica, with a number of impressive historical and contemporary Jamaican artworks; a sumptuous mansion called Devon House, perhaps one of the finest examples of Jamaican architecture; and the Hope Botanical Gardens, the largest and most impressive botanical gardens in the Caribbean. You really have to experience the incredible, pulsating hustle and bustle of this city to believe it. As one local Jamaican put it: “You don’t really know Jamaica until you know Kingston.”

Blue Mountains
The UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains dominate the eastern third of Jamaica and are the longest mountain range in the country. With stunning views of both the north and south coasts and the island of Cuba, the mountains are a huge draw in Jamaica. Visitors can look forward to hiking the many trails that traverse the foothills and peaks. Thick, green forests, rushing rivers and sparkling waterfalls cover the mountain passes. Other highlights include: Daley's Horticultural Farm, which is full of lush tropical foliage; the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, which makes the aromatic world-famous 'Blue Mountain Coffee' and offers demonstrations to the public; and the Flamstead Lookout, where Nelson watched ships approaching the harbour two hundred years ago. The area is also a convenient base to explore the famous Jamaican city of Kingston.

Ocho Rios
Located on Jamaica's north coast and once a small, sleepy fishing village, Ocho Rios has developed into a bustling port town with a popular cruise ship port and a lively beach. The name Ocho Rios, meaning 'eight rivers', is somewhat of a misnomer, as the town does not have eight rivers, but the lack of rivers is more than made up for by spectacular natural attractions. The highlight is undoubtedly the terraced, 180-metre-high Dunn's River Falls, which are surrounded by trees and have some beautiful lagoon pools. Other notable attractions in the area include the Shaw Park Botanical Gardens, the Coyaba River Garden and Museum and a lovely little amusement park where families can enjoy ziplining, a bobsled-themed roller coaster, abseiling and whizzing down a water slide.


Port Antonio
Port Antonio, situated on the north-eastern coast of the island of Jamaica, is a secluded seaport that remains well off the beaten tourist track. The area is renowned for its remarkable natural beauty and is popular with nature lovers who gather here to experience the array of natural wonders. The highlight is undoubtedly the magnificent Blue Lagoon, made famous by the film of the same name starring Brooke Shields. Other notable attractions include: the Blue Mountains; the Rio Grande Valley; numerous waterfalls; and Frenchman’s Cove, home to what is perhaps one of the most spectacular beaches in the world. The town itself, nestled between two harbours, is relatively unspoilt, with no high-rise buildings and a number of well-preserved historic buildings, such as Portland Parish Church and the Portland Parish Courthouse.


Treasure Beach
Jamaica's beautiful south coast, also known as 'Treasure Beach', is one of the island's most tranquil and least developed areas. The area includes four beautiful bays: Frenchman's Bay, Calabash Bay, Billy's Bay and Great Pedro Bay. Treasure Beach is the perfect destination for travellers looking to escape the crowds and relax in a spectacularly scenic and remarkably laid-back environment. What the area lacks in large, all-inclusive resorts and noisy nightclubs, it more than makes up for with deserted beaches, hammocks between two palm trees and warm and welcoming locals. Visitors can look forward to exploring the pristine jungle with waterfalls, strolling along an idyllic beach otherwise inhabited only by fishermen, or visiting the unusual Floyd's Pelican Bar built on stilts on a sandbank almost a kilometre and a half out to sea.


Runaway Bay
Runaway Bay is an idyllic coastal town on Jamaica's northern coast, located between the popular tourist destinations of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. This quiet and less crowded destination is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and relaxed atmosphere. The area is perfect for travellers who want to enjoy a combination of natural beauty, adventure activities, and a touch of history.
Jamaica holiday | Self-drive Jamaica
We offer the described holiday from €4,495 per person
The tour price is indicative and is subject to factors including availability and travel dates.
Included
• 18 nights’ accommodation in excellent and unique properties
• All meals as specified in the itinerary
• Toyota Axio hire car or equivalent, including insurance, taxes and excess waiver
• All excursions as mentioned in the itinerary, including a Dunn’s River Falls tour, a visit to Frenchman’s Cove and a visit to the Bob Marley Museum
• All necessary private transfers as mentioned
• Meet & Greet on arrival
• National park entrance fees where applicable
• National Geographic or similar travel guide
• Administration fees (€50 per booking)
Positive impact of your trip:
• A contribution of €50 per person towards positive impact via the Avila Foundation
• Accommodation at the Courtleigh Hotel in Kingston, which, through ‘Pack for a Purpose’, focuses on education and socio-economic development
Not included
• Intercontinental flights
• Room category upgrade
• Travel and/or cancellation insurance
• Tourist tax (where applicable)
• Local car hire charges, such as administration fees, additional insurance, excess waiver and fuel
• Personal expenses/tips
• Any departure tax when leaving the destination
• Meals not specified and optional excursions
• Contribution to the Calamity Fund (€2.50 per booking)
• SGR contribution (€5 per person)




















