A Quick Travel Guide to Visiting Portland Jamaica

Did somebody say Summer extension? Because I’m all in!

My fiance and I decided to take a trip to the east side of Jamaica towards the end of the Summer. Our itinerary was pack because we were only going to spend a week in Portland, Jamaica, but mission accomplished!

Portland, Jamaica often falls off the tourist radar because of more popular tourist spots like Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril. It’s highly underrated though! While you may feel coped up in your resort in Ocho Rios, Portland is much more freeing! So if you’re thinking about making a quick trip to the other side of the island to discover some hidden gems, then here is your quick travel guide to visiting Portland, Jamaica.

Getting There

Portland, Jamaica is on the east side of the island. It took us about two and a half hours to get there from the airport in Kingston. To get to your destination you have the options of renting a car at the airport, hiring a private shuttle or driving yourself. Either way I recommend arriving with plenty of sunlight left in the day. The the roads are pretty dark at night which may make sightseeing a little more difficult. If you choose to drive yourself, know that there are a lot of potholes on the roads in Jamaica. Regardless you will be able to get to where you’re going if you have reception on your cell phone to use your GPS and reach your destination.

You May Be Interested in Reading This Jamaica Vacation Outfit Round Up

Places To Go and Things To Do

Bamboo Rafting on the Rio Grande

Rafting down the Rio Grande is a relaxing, scenic experience that you don’t want to miss out on! You can choose from a 90 minute rafting session through part of the Rio Grande or a two hour session. At the end of the rafting session, you’ll want to make sure you have some form of transportation to pick you up. If you don’t have tour guide who is able to pick you up when the rafting tour is over then you want to plan for some way to get back to your car on your own. Definitely be sure to wear swim gear to take advantage of some of the swimming spots too!

Frenchman’s Cove

Who can say no to a private beach? Frenchman’s Cove is a cove on Jamaica’s northeastern shore. It’s not the biggest beach but it is a beautiful sight to see and enjoy. Besides the view, the next thing you may notice are the swings on the river. They’re perfect for a quick photo op and a little artificial cool breeze. That river runs along the backside of the cove and into the ocean. It tends to be a little cold but it’s refreshing on those hot, sunny days.

Reach Falls

Reach Falls is one of the well known attractions in Portland, Jamaica. The falls cascade down like a monument is hidden underneath making it one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island. You can test you wild side by getting a tour guide to help you climb the falls or have a good time at the bottom of the falls. I enjoyed the bottom of the falls where I found a cave and made some tiny aquatic friends. I heard the tour is filled with little rabbit holes and breathtaking pathways to enjoy too!

I hope my post piqued your interest! If it did, feel free to share it with friends and family using the image at the end of this post! Since this is a quick travel guide to visiting Portland, Jamaica, keep in mind that the parish has a lot more to offer! I almost feel bad for leaving out so many of the other hidden gems, but that just leaves more to the imagination until you get there! So make sure you plan your trip with enough time to enjoy it all.

Thank you for reading!