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Montego BayCulture & history

Our most recommended Montego Bay Culture & history

Montego Bay: Bob Marley, Dunn's river and Luminous Lagoon

1. Montego Bay: Bob Marley, Dunn's river and Luminous Lagoon

Combine a visit to the Bob Marley Mausoleum with trips to Dunn's River Falls with this two-in-one tour from Montego Bay. You'll start at Nine Mile, to see Marley’s first home and final resting place before continuing to Dunn's River Falls for an exhilarating dip. Bob Marley's Mausoleum, Nine Miles, St. Ann's Bay Jamaica Visit the house where Bob was born. Get Insights into Bob’s Childhood and musical career, where he lived until he moved to Kingston, the stone where he laid his head, and his impressive marble mausoleum where he was laid to rest. With this tour, we combine some sightseeing and souvenir shopping. Dunn's River Falls and Park, Ocho Rios Jamaica The world-renowned Dunn’s River Falls. Beautiful cascading waterfalls. A truly outstanding treasure offering 600 feet of climbing pleasure for thousands of visitors and locals every year, it is arguably Jamaica’s most popular and famous attraction. Here, we offer a peek at the history, beauty and more that Dunn’s River Falls has to offer.

Rose Hall Great House: Private Tour from Montego Bay

2. Rose Hall Great House: Private Tour from Montego Bay

Visit the former Rose Hall Sugar Estates outside Montego Bay on a private, 2-hour small-group tour. The plantation is one of Jamaica's most popular attractions. You’ll hear many stories about its history, and also about its former owner, Annie Palmer, and her cruel treatment of the slaves. Legend has it that the Great House is haunted by her spirit and that you might see or feel the presence of Annie's ghost roaming around the house. See the historic Georgian house and its furnishings, restored to its former glory. Visit the tomb of Annie Palmer and the gift shops and snack areas on the grounds. A guided tour of Rose Hall Great House is also available, but is not included in the transportation price.

From Montego Bay: The Bob Marley Guided Tour of Nine Mile

3. From Montego Bay: The Bob Marley Guided Tour of Nine Mile

Discover the origins of Bob Marley on this tour from Montego Bay to Nine Mile in St. Ann. Visit his childhood residence, see spots where the artist took inspiration from, and view where he is buried. Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation in Montego Bay. Sit back and relax in an airconditioned van as you you journey on winding roads up the mountains and through the country side, to the rural district of Nine Mile in St. Ann. Take in the lush vegetation as you pass thorugh farming communities. Arrive at Nine Mile, the birth place and humble beginning of the reggae icon Bob Marley. Explore Bob’s community and tour his childhood residence. Learn about his early life and music. Stop at Marley’s meditation spot, the Mt. Zion Rock which was referenced in his song “Talking Blues.” Go to his final resting place before returning to your accommodation in Montego Bay.

Ys Falls and Appleton Estate Private Tour

4. Ys Falls and Appleton Estate Private Tour

Join us on a scenic journey highlighting the rustic side of the South Coast of Jamaica to visit the Appleton Estate, home of the world renowned Appleton Rum, visit this historical Appleton Rum distillery located on the picturesque South Coast of Jamaica, take a detailed tour while your guide outline the secret behind one of the world’s best tasting rum. Sample freshly pressed sugar cane juice and “wet sugar”. Immortalize your experience at our Appleton Rum large size VX sign, and then sample different types of Jamaica rum liquors. On a tour designed for you to cherish and repeat. Then head over to Ys Falls. Having opened in 1992, YS Falls is one of Jamaica’s premier nature-based attractions offering our guests the opportunity to experience the beauty of the waterfalls, surrounded by lush gardens and magnificent trees. YS Falls is a seven-tiered waterfall, which cascades into natural pools for swimming, complemented by a natural pool. Our extensive lawns are perfect for family picnics or a day out. These are complemented by natural pools which are fed by underground and above ground springs for a refreshing swim.

Luminous Lagoon and Rose Hall Haunted Great House Night Tour

5. Luminous Lagoon and Rose Hall Haunted Great House Night Tour

Your amazing adventure starts with your pick up at your hotel lobby and you are driven in comfort on a scenic roadway to Rose Hall, Montego Bay. Built-in 1770 by John Palmer and his wife, the Rose Hall Great House eventually became the residence of their grandnephew, John Rose Palmer. In 1820, Palmer married Annie, a beautiful but feisty English girl. Little did John know that his young wife possessed “black magic” powers that would eventually lead to his demise. During her reign as mistress of the plantation, Annie did away with two more husbands and countless lovers. “The White Witch of Rose Hall” has fascinated generations, and even today, there are those who claim to see Annie passing through the Great House. Enjoy a candle-lit evening tour of the Rose Hall Great House, the former home of Jamaica’s White Witch, Annie Palmer. Your tour will include captivating and chilling stories of love, murder, and mystery skillfully told by knowledgeable guides. You’re sure to feel goosebumps as these eerie tales come to life in this grand estate, where ghost sightings have been reported over the years. After the Rose Hall Great House, make your way to Falmouth where you will begin a night boat tour of the famous Luminous Lagoon. You will see things that will make you appreciate the beauty Mother nature has created for us to witness and experience!.Truly, a sight to be seen! As the boat cruises around, the water is disturbed and the organisms begin to glow. You will see an eerie light show illuminating from the back of the boat and all around from the wake.

YS Falls & Appleton Estate Rum Tour from Montego Bay

6. YS Falls & Appleton Estate Rum Tour from Montego Bay

Your first stop on this small-group tour is YS Falls, where you’ll marvel at the 7-tiered waterfall, enjoy the thrill of a zip-line tour, and tube down the river. Once you arrive you can to explore the falls, swim in a spring-fed pool, enjoy the well-manicured picnic grounds, or shop for souvenirs in the gift shop. Next stop on this 7-hour is a journey through time at the legendary Appleton Estate Rum distillery located on Jamaica’s south coast. Experience firsthand the historic production process that begins with extracting juice from sugar cane. See the unique distillation process that takes place in 200-year-old pot stills and visit the barrel houses, where rums are aged to perfection. Your tour, which is designed for a group of up to 4 persons, is customizable and the tour operator will work with you to ensure that you make the most of your day’s excursion.

Greenwood Great House: Private Tour from Montego Bay

7. Greenwood Great House: Private Tour from Montego Bay

Visit the Greenwood Great House and learn about its history on a private, 2-hour tour in Montego Bay. Tour the grounds of this museum and find out about its former owners while learning about life on a sugar plantation. The museum, which was opened in 1976, once belonged to the Barretts. This wealthy British family once owned more than 84,000 acres of land and more than 2,000 slaves. Today, the house is a national monument. On your tour, you will see the historical museum, with much of its original furniture, family portraits, and rooms still intact. It contains the largest plantation library in the island, with up to 300 books, some dated as early as 1697. It also houses exotic musical instruments and antique china silverware. While at the house, you will also enjoy complimentary drinks, including Red Stripe beer, fruit juice, and bottled water.  

Montego Bay City and Rose Hall Haunted House Tour

8. Montego Bay City and Rose Hall Haunted House Tour

Get acquainted with Jamaica's second city on a tour of Montego Bay, known to locals as 'Mobay." Discover a mix of old and new as you learn the city's rich history. Pass through downtown to see how the locals live and journey through narrow streets watching street vendors, school children and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Go to the "Hip Strip" before visiting the residential area of Ironshore, where you will get a first-hand experience of Jamaican residences, from small homes to extraordinary mansions. Grab the chance to do some souvenir shopping at stops where you can purchase coffee, rum and spices. Then, as the sun sets, visit the home of Annie Palmer, known as the "White Witch of Rose Hall." Follow your guide on a candlelit tour through the haunted house, learning its history. Listen to the floors creak beneath your feet as the former plantation comes alive to Annie's story. She famously killed her 3 husbands and countless lovers before being murdered in the house, which she continues to haunt to this day. Watch out for ghosts, including Annie herself! You then have the option to continue to the Luminous Lagoon to see the microscopic organisms that emit a phosphorescent light when the water is agitated. Shortly after sunset, board a boat that will take you across the lagoon, and marvel at the effects as the water is disturbed. Stop for a swim to experience the miracle of seeing your body glow! This is only available in 3 locations on the planet and is a must see in Jamaica.

Montego Bay: Rose Hall Great House 2-Hour Night Tour

9. Montego Bay: Rose Hall Great House 2-Hour Night Tour

A candlelit evening tour of the Rose Hall Great House is a must for visitors to Montego Bay. Your guided exploration of the former home of Jamaica’s White Witch, Annie Palmer, includes captivating and chilling stories of love, murder, and mystery skillfully told by knowledgeable guides. Hear about the White Witch of Rose Hall and her first husband's demise, countless lovers, and reign as mistress over the plantation.  You’re sure to feel goose bumps as these eerie tales come to life in this grand estate, where ghost sightings have been reported over the years. Your tour also gives historic insight into this grandest of Jamaican great houses, now beautifully restored with 18th-century decor and antiques. To conclude your fascinating adventure, visit the dungeon, now transformed into a tavern called Annie’s Pub. Many visitors find that the famous rum cocktail, known as “Witches Brew” helps banish the spirits of ghosts or black magic they sense still lingering in the mansion.

From Montego Bay: Appleton Estate & Pelican Bar Private Trip

10. From Montego Bay: Appleton Estate & Pelican Bar Private Trip

Enjoy a scenic 2-21/2 hrs. drive through mountains and along the picturesque shoreline to the Appleton Estate. Walk into this modern world class facility where you get your tickets, complimentary drinks of your choice, sit, relax, and enjoy the ambience of the facility while waiting on your tour to begin. After being introduced to your tour guide, you will be escorted to a mini theater to watch a short documentary on the entire estate's history and rum production, after which your walking tour will begin. You will step out of the theater and step back into time as you are shown the old ways of how the estate operated back in the 18th century. You will meet Paz the donkey who operate the mill, then taken to the sugar cane station where you learn about the growing and the different types of sugar cane plant. You will also sample the sugar cane, sugar cane juice and molasses at the molasses station and learn of its benefits after which you will be taken into the factory where the modern production takes place. A tour of the aging house is next after which you are taken back inside the main building for a lesson on the different types of rum and get to sample them which brings the tour to an end and then you can do some shopping in the gift shop. Your second tour begins with a 40 minutes' drive from the Appleton Estate through the town of Black River to the community of Parotee to get to the Pelican Bar. Upon on arriving, you will purchase your tickets for the boat ride and board a local boat on the beach for a few minutes ride to the bar located on a sand bank in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. There you will enjoy total relaxation in a laid-back atmosphere where you can swim, sunbathe, drink beers and enjoy a sea food lunch of fish, conch, lobster or shrimp done any style. Your tour comes to an end when you've had enough fun and is ready to start your journey back to your hotel.

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What people are saying about Montego Bay

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 32 reviews

Hi Blessed Tours did and awesome job. They was on time, friendly, the vehicle was clean and smelled great. She was knowledgeable of the area. The only thing is I thought we was going to Kingston (museum) by the description but you don't. You go to the mausoleum which has a museum feel. I thought we was getting more but was NOT disappointed by what we recieved and for the price. The tour was educational and felt connected to Bob. One other major plus for me is our driver drive with sense. We felt safe and didn't feel like we was in a race car. I highly recommend this tour with Blessed Tours. We was so satisfied we booked her two days later to go from Montego Bay to Negril for the day. We will definitely teach it to Blessed Tours when we come back to Jamaica.

It was a great day for us. The Appleton Estate is closed on Sunday and Monday, so we didn’t get to go into the estate. Getting there was long winding roads going thru several towns. The driver was so great. He gave us the information about each town and the communities. It was fantastic. The highlight was getting on the boat to the Pelican Bar. What a cool place in the middle of the Sea. We had a great time and would definitely recommend this tour and this driver. He is fantastic!

Superb experience :) super nice driver is cool. Possibility of visiting the plantations of the village before the museum. Smiling, funny and cool museum guide :) recommend +++

Had a great time, and an awesome driver. There were only 2 of us so we ended up having a private tour

Enjoyed our tour guide, she was very Informative and knowledgeable