The Ultimate Guide to the Blue Mountains, Jamaica
If you’re seeking adventure in Jamaica, then the Blue Mountains are calling!
Jamaica isn’t all about resorts and beaches; there are many things to do in the mountains, including hiking to one of the highest peaks in the Caribbean, swimming underneath a waterfall, visiting a coffee plantation, and soaking in the beautiful views.
The Blue Mountains are full of adventure, and the road there is, too! Do not take the warnings about the roads to the Blue Mountains with a grain of salt – they are indeed treacherous and impossible to reach with a standard car.
However, don’t let that scare you away. All you need to be prepared is a 4×4 wheel-drive car and a sense of adventure!
Fun Fact: Only 1% of tourists in Jamaica make it to the Blue Mountains!
Spending two to three full days in the Blue Mountains is the perfect way to unwind and experience the serenity of the mountains.
Also, there are many different places to stay in the Blue Mountains, depending on what you’d like to do. We spent 3 days staying at Lime Tree Farm – an adorable coffee farm and homestead.
So, does visiting the Blue Mountains sound like your kind of adventure? Then, let’s go!
Your Guide to the Blue Mountains, Jamaica: Where to Stay & What to Do
Visiting the Blue Mountains of Jamaica is no easy feat, but it’s 100% worth it!
Although Jamaica is popular for resort stays, it’s an underrated Caribbean island for adventure seekers.
We’ll discuss the best methods for getting to the Blue Mountains, what to do, where to stay, and even what to pack.
Getting to the Blue Mountains
First things first. How exactly should you get to the Blue Mountains?
You’ll either need to rent a car (4×4 is highly recommended) OR pay for a transfer to your hotel/accommodation.
Traveling to the Blue Mountains isn’t easy, significantly depending on where you stay.
Expert Tip: Wherever you stay in the Blue Mountains, always add an extra hour of travel time to what the GPS says. And, give yourself a few hours before dark – you DO NOT want to drive on these roads in the dark.
For example, staying on the Blue Mountains’ outskirts, such as Strawberry Hills, you should be okay with an AWD. However, if you plan on driving or staying somewhere more internal, such as hiking the Blue Mountain peak or staying at Lime Tree Farm, then you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle.
It rains in the Blue Mountains almost every day, making for extremely muddy and rutted-out roads.
Why do you need a 4×4 vehicle? Because a 4×4 vehicle has higher clearance (better for deep ruts) and is more off-road capable, such as the Suzuki Jimny (4×4) versus a Toyota RAV4 (AWD).
Unfortunately, we rented an AWD car, thinking we’d be fine, and found out the hard way by getting stuck towards the end and having to walk the rest of the way.
If you’re flying into Kingston, your hotel may provide transportation for an additional fee. We suggest that you take advantage of this, since renting a 4×4 car in Jamaica can be expensive. However, if you’re anything like us and want flexibility, renting a car is a no-brainer.
Also, renting a car is essential when flying into another airport a few hours away, such as Montego Bay or Ocho Rios.
We decided to rent a car because we flew into Montego Bay, about a 4-hour drive to the Blue Mountains, and had to drive back to Negril for the second half of our vacation.
Where to Stay in the Blue Mountains
There are many different places to stay in the Blue Mountains, whether looking for something luxurious or more budget-friendly. Here are a few places we recommend:
1. Lime Tree Farm
- Average Cost: $200 per night
- Highlights: Local homecooked cuisine, delicious coffee, secluded, close to Blue Mountain Peak, beautiful views
We may be a bit biased, but Lime Tree Farm is one of the best places to stay in the Blue Mountains! The owners, Rodger (from the UK) and Tifony (from Jamaica), have poured their hearts into this homestead, building it from the ground up with their own hands.
Lime Tree Farm is situated on a ridge with spectacular views of the mountains and valleys below and alongside Blue Mountain Peak, one of the highest peaks in the Caribbean.
Each cottage is spacious and unique, some offering better views than others. We recommend booking the ‘Water’ cottage with the best views!
This is a great place to stay if you want to relax and connect with nature. Bring a book (or two), and enjoy spending quality time with your traveling partner (or yourself if traveling solo 😉). You’ll also get to know the owners and staff on the farm.
Rodger will give you a tour of his coffee farm, explaining how the beans are grown and processed on-site before he brews the perfect cup. You can even purchase bags of his homegrown coffee, making a great gift or a keepsake for yourself.
Bigs tends to the farm and will take you on a guided hike if you’d like while explaining the different flora and fauna on the property. And Keisha will cook you some of the best Jamaican food you’ve ever had. Seriously, we miss her cooking!
And let’s not forget about Black Ops — the best guard dog around who loves to go on hikes and greet you in the mornings.
Transfers from Mavis Bank are provided for an extra cost (about 45 minutes from Lime Tree Farm).
Notes: Although free Wi-Fi is available, It does not extend to the guest cottages. However, this isn’t necessarily a negative—take advantage of disconnecting! Also, meals and drinks are not included in the room rate, these costs will be added at the end of your stay.
Book your stay at Lime Tree Farm
2. Strawberry hill
- Average Cost: $280 per night
- Highlights: Infinity pool, on-site spa, views of Kingston, bar
If you’re looking for a more luxurious stay, consider booking a few nights at Strawberry Hill.
Although we didn’t stay at Strawberry Hill, it was on our list of places to stay due to its good reviews and amenities.
It’s also a bit closer to Kingston if you don’t want to stay somewhere as secluded as Lime Tree Farm. However, due to the roads and lengthy travel time, we still don’t recommend taking day trips to Kingston.
Staying at Strawberry Hill would be great for couples or those looking to socialize with other people.
Looking at the pictures of Strawberry Hill, the infinity pool overlooking Kingston below is stunning and a major draw. Many reviews mention it as one of the benefits of staying here.
The resort offers other activities for an additional charge, including hiking and biking.
Airport transfers are available for $100 each way. And if you want to feel really fancy, they also offer helicopter transfers.
Book your Stay at Strawberry Hill
3. Prince valley guesthouse
- Average Cost: $60 per night
- Highlights: local Jamaican cuisine, beautiful views, proximal to local bars
For a super-budget-friendly stay, consider staying at the Prince Valley Guesthouse!
This place is the complete opposite of Strawberry Hill, which is what we love! For a genuine, authentic Jamaican experience, you can’t beat it.
Ruth and Bobby are exceptionally friendly and will make you feel right at home.
Per the exceptional reviews, guests love the authenticity of the local cuisine and the friendly atmosphere.
There is plenty of hiking to do, including a nearby waterfall where you can take a picnic.
Airport transfers from Kingston are provided for an additional cost.
Note: most reviews mention no hot water for showers.
Book your Stay at Prince Valley Guesthouse
Things to Do in the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains attract visitors yearly due to their beauty and activities, such as hiking and bird watching.
Many of the tours provided in the Blue Mountains can be taken while staying in Kingston, as transfers are provided. We suggest that you call the tour company ahead of time or booking directly without the additional transfer costs, etc.
1. Go on a Coffee Tour
There are several different coffee tours or plantations in the Blue Mountains. Some are basic and show the different coffee-making processes, while others are more extensive and show the complete process from fruit to bean.
The coffee tour we booked during our stay was at Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, Jamaica’s largest producer of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee (JABLUM). It is located down the mountain from Lime Tree Farm, where we stayed. Call ahead to make sure they are available for tours as times change due to staffing, etc.
2. Hiking
- Blue Mountain Peak Hike
Most visitors are interested in spending the night in the Blue Mountains for the chance to hike to the Blue Mountain Peak. This hike will take you 11.5 miles roundtrip to the highest peak in Jamaica (7,402 ft) and one of the highest peaks in the Caribbean.
The Blue Mountain Peak hike takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete, and it is highly recommended that you hire a guide. Many of the hotels and accommodations in the Blue Mountains can arrange a guide for you. We suggest you ask in advance so you can make these plans accordingly.
If you’re looking to stay in the Blue Mountains for the sole purpose of hiking the Blue Mountain Peak, this guided hike would be perfect for you as it includes a transfer and one night’s accommodation.
- Middleton Mountain
This hike is considered challenging but is far less strenuous than the Blue Mountain Peak.
You’ll hike approximately 4-5 hours and 6 miles roundtrip, crossing a couple of rivers along the way.
- Fairy Glades
Fairy Glades is a more leisurely hike, taking 2-4 hours and 3 miles roundtrip.
This hike features flowering plants along the trail.
Again, to book any of these trails, please ask your hotel or accommodation for help. You can also book a few hiking tours via Viator or GetYourGuide. However, most include one-night accommodation and/or other detours (best for those staying in Kingston or outside the Blue Mountains).
3. Waterfalls
Click on the provided links for directions!
- Penfield Waterfall – Located in Gordon Town, this waterfall is simple to get to with a 15-minute walk. You will need to pay approximately 150 Jamaican to pass. If you take a taxi, they will let you off in Penfield Square, where you will walk to the falls. If you have a rental car, you can make it up a bit further but will have to park at the first bridge you come to. The falls are easy to find; cross two bridges and follow the road.
- Cascade Falls (One Drop Falls) – Located in Cascade, this waterfall takes about 15 minutes to hike. However, the trail is tricky as you’ll have to navigate over slick rocks and through the water. You can see the falls from the road, making it easy to find. Park your car near the bridge.
- Blue Mountain Whirlpool is a perfect spot for a dip. It is located in Spring Hill, up the road from Cascade Falls. The entry fee is $1000 Jamaican, and a life jacket costs $500 if needed.
- Cane River Falls – A fun waterfall surrounded by a cavern with available food and drinks to purchase. The entry fee is $500 Jamaican per person.
4. Biking
Blue Mountain Bike Tours offers a variety of tours, including private biking tours, hiking, and even waterfall tours (which include the Blue Mountain Whirlpool discussed above).
5. Bird Watching
We love to go bird-watching wherever we go! You can do a DIY bird-watching tour anywhere in the Blue Mountains. Jamaica has 28 endemic bird species, and most can be found in the Blue Mountains. Can you spot them all? 📸
Unfortunately, we can’t find an official bird-watching tour in Jamaica. We’ll update if and when one becomes available.
What to Pack for Your Stay
Because of the elevation, the Blue Mountains in Jamaica are often cooler than other parts of the island. Consider this when packing for your trip, as you may need to bring a few warm layers.
Also, taking a smaller backpack with you is an excellent idea so you can always carry some essentials during your daily activities.
Essential things to pack for the Blue Mountains:
- Sneakers or Hiking Boots (depending on your planned activities)
- Swimsuit
- Rain Jacket
- Long pants or hiking pants
- Long moisture-wicking shirt
- Insect Repellent
- Sunscreen
- Shorts
- Binoculars (for bird watching)
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof bag
- Socks
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Medications
Tip: Wear long pants and a shirt while hiking in the Blue Mountains, as chiggers are very common and are very difficult to remove.
Final Thoughts
Remember that renting a car is not essential if you plan to stay in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. Still, it will make it easier to plan specific activities and provide you the flexibility to come and go as you please.
If you decide to rent a car, make sure you rent a 4×4 vehicle, such as a Suzuki Jimny, instead of an AWD. This can make a huge difference in navigating the treacherous terrain.
Staying in the Blue Mountains allows you to disconnect from the world and connect with nature, yourself, or your travel partner. If you’d like to plan some activities, check with your hotel or accommodation to book a tour or a guide.
Two to three days in the Blue Mountains is plenty of time to enjoy the serene mountains; however, stay longer if you’d like.
Pack the essentials, and don’t forget the bug spray and sunscreen!
Let us know how your stay goes and if there’s any information we can add for future travelers!
