Jamaica Tours, Guides and Vacations

Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley is without a doubt the most important man in Jamaican history and the single most powerful figure in driving tourism to Jamaica. Many may argue the importance of persons like Marcus Garvey, Norman Manley and Donald Sangster to name a few but no one has done more to announce Jamaica to the world than Bob Marley. More people travel to Jamaica because of the influence of Bob Marley than any combination of sun, beach and tropical weather and Bob Marley Tours are the some of our most popular tours in Jamaica.

Bob Marley is one of the most respected musicians to ever live and by far the most influential reggae artist to ever make music. Bob made Kingston and the ghettos of Trenchtown and Tivoli Gardens famous through his music and each year several hundred thousand tourists come to Jamaica to feel alright because of their love for Bob and his inspirational music. Bob Marley was a real revolutionary and deserving of the most high praise.

There are a number of Bob Marley tourist attractions in Jamaica with his home and museum in Kingston offering an extensive history of Bob and his musical legacy while his birthplace and final resting ground in St Ann Jamaica is the most popular place to visit and learn about Bob Marley the man.

My first trip to Jamaica was in February 2002 and I landed in Kingston for my very first day and the first place we went was the Bob Marley Museum and his former home followed by Tuff Gong Records which was certainly an emotional experience but nothing can compare to the raw power and emotion one feels standing on the hallowed grounds of Mt Zion where Bob lays facing East towards the rising sun. On my first trip there in 2002 I was shocked at how undeveloped and rough the museum was but still glad to have been able to meet with numerous family members and friends who had intimate stories of life with Bob. I fondly remember the conversations had with his cousin Fuzzy and hours spent with locals when we spent the night across the street with some of the most kind and most poor people I had ever met. Nine Mile is apoor community and a humbing experience outside the walls of the Marley estate.

On my most recent trip in March of 2010 I was impressed with how refined and developed the Bob Marley Mausoleum had become and with just how beautiful the grounds and new exhibits are. I was also impressed with the sheer number of guests there to express their love for the King of Reggae and it was very cool to spend time meeting fans from all over the world. It can be difficult to fathom his influence until you see people from 10 or more countries standing together smoking spliffs, taking pictures and sharing a love for Bob Marley.

Bob Marley truly was an inspiration to generations of kind hearted herb friendly people and bus loads of people enjoy Bob Marley tours to Nine Mile Jamaica each and every day. This last trip was with new friends from California Claudia and Jason who wanted to visit the grave and birthplace of the regggae legend and it was by far the most enjoyable of all my trips there. The mausoleum is much more like the Bob Marley Museum nowadays and the number of personalized artifacts, intimate photos and awards provide fans with an inside view to the life of a legend.

Nine Mile is located deep within the interior of Jamaica and roughly a 2 hour drive from Ocho Rios or about 3.5 hours from Montego Bay but well worth the trip for any real Bob Marley fan. Plan on spending the day traveling rural Jamaica and meeting real Jamaicans like Bobs cousin Fuzzy who has fond memories of growing up and going to school with Bob Marley and learn more about the musical legend. We’ll listen to Bob Marley music, smoke a Bob Marley joint and light a candle on his grave as we pay tribute to the Legend of Reggae Music.

For true fans of his music a tour to Nine Mile is a must do Bob Marley experience and a wonderful way to spend a day touring Jamaica.

Appleton Estate Rum Factory is the oldest rum factory in operation since 1749 and one of the coolest tours in Jamaica. The Appleton Rum Factory Tour takes you through the inner workings of this centuries old factory for a journey back in time when life was simple and more natural. Many of the old factory machines and processes are still in use today and make for a wonderful and informative heritage tour where you will learn the history of rum in the Caribbean and the process Appleton uses to manufacture a world class rum famous around the world as one of the finest.

This historic tour of Jamaica offers a glimpse back into time to the beginning of a nation and covers much of the islands history from the very first use of the Appleton estate in the early 1600′s through the entire history of slavery and settlement to the modern times of today where they are now the largest manufacturer of premium rum. Your Jamaican tour guide will detail the history of the Appleton Factory and also the ancient process for making Appleton Rum as you walk around the lush scenic property tucked away in the Nassau Valley and surrounded by the massive sugar cane farms which provide the raw materials necessary to produce rum.

The factory is located near the Black River Safari which feeds the fast growing cane fields used not only for the extracted sugar but also for fueling the entire factory from the giant cookers and steam engines down to every light and power receptacle on the property. Appleton Estate is a self sustaining off the grid enterprise producing over 1,000,000 gallons of rum each year using no fossil fuels and is an excellent example of sustainable development in Jamaica.

Appleton Estate Rum Factory is often the best part of a full day tour to the area which might include zip line rides and nature hikes at the majestic YS Falls with some of the most beautiful waterfalls or the Black River Safari for some Jamaican wildlife and a ride on the river boats. The tour concludes with a stop by the Appleton Estate bar and gift shop where you can buy some rum to take home with you and also drink as much of the many fine rum samples they offer as you can manage. Here is the tricky part as if you plan things just right you can really cap off a great day with some fine spirits and a few good friends.

Floyds Pelican Bar in Jamaica is one of the most unique places to visit that you may ever have the pleasure to experience. The bar and restaurant are located about a mile offshore on a sand bar located in Parottee Bay on the South Coast of Jamaica inbetween Black River and Treasure Beach and it is by far the coolest place I have ever drank a Red Stripe beer.

Pelican Bar is a well weathered but remarkably stable thatch hut built in the middle of the Caribbean Sea from driftwood, palm fronds and coconut tree trunks driven down into the sand like stilts on the edge of a small reef offering some of the best snorkeling, freshest seafood and homestyle Jamaican cooking on the island. Pelican Bar is owned and operated by Floyd who decided he wanted to do something different to attract people away from the tourist traps and down to his cool spot and it worked out perfectly. Floyd gets a steady stream of visitors to his unique paradise hideaway and the tourists who end up there and the wonderful conversations had are as much fun as the sun, snorkeling and panoramic views. I read an article recently that listed Pelican Bar as one of 15 most unique places to visit but I cannot seem to find it now. I certainly agree it’s a special place.

My first trip to meet Floyd was with friends Sara and Alan on an eco tour in Jamaica which included stops for the Black River Safari and YS Falls which are always great but Pelican Bar was too cool and I go back as often as possible now. We spent a lazy afternoon snorkeling the shallow waters and laid out in the sun before we enjoyed a wicked fresh lobster dinner and one of the best views in the world. Unfortunately on this trip we did miss the great sunsets because a small rainstorm blew in but the sheer power and beauty of nature made up for things and we had an excellent time just chillin out with some cold Red Stripe beers and a spliff to make the time pass.

Not every Pelican Bar tour includes a tour to Treasure Beach but doing both is very easy and many people who visit Floyds do so on an extended boat ride from Jakes Place in Treasure Beach and select private boats will make the trip up from Black River Safari for a full day tour on the water. Every tour to Pelican Bar does include a cool boat ride and some of the most beautiful scenery in Jamaica and makes for a great way to enjoy a leisure afternoon and beautiful sunset with loved ones and friends.

If you want to visit one of the most unique places to travel or visit in Jamaica then you will certainly want to take a tour to Pelican Bar in Jamaica with us. I hope you do because I’m always ready for a trip to Floyds place.

I cam across the BikeNutz grooup for Jamaican cyclists through my connection with the organizers of the Jamaica Fat Tire Festival and I receive a daily email in regards to cycling all over the island that has become a valuable resource to me as an avid cyclist.

Mountain biking in Jamaica is spectacular and the number of trails, undeveloped roads and off road riding adventures is amazing. I’ve put a lot of miles on the two mountain bikes I brought to Jamaica and nuff of that was on the hard track trails above Negril in places like Red Ground where the single track runs through a rural community and the simple lifestyles and beautiful scenery are breathtaking to say the least. An early morning ride with the sun rising and birds chirping songs of encouragement can be a cleansing experience good for the heart and soul.

If you come to Jamaica and want to do some cycling please contact us to organize a cool Jamaican bike ride or join the group and link up with the next local cycling event such as the upcoming Maryland Gap Downhill Race.

Lunch afterwards at Café Blue above Irish Town, great food!

If you are a fan of cycling in Jamaica or seeking information for an upcoming ride consider joining the group below.

bikenutz | Google Groups

Description Cycling Group in Jamaica, using both Mountain and Road Bikes, with an interest to tour the island
Language English
Categories
Recreation >Sports >Cycling
Region : Caribbean >Jamaica
Group email
bikenutz@googlegroups.com

See more pics in the Bob Marley Museum photo gallery!!

Bob Marley is a legend all across the world but in Jamaica is his revered as a saint by many. His home in Kingston is an important part of the Bob Marley experience in Jamaica and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.

The museum is home to the largest collection of Marley memorabilia and a great place to visit for an introduction into the history of reggae music. You will pass through rooms in the home where Bob cooked his food, wrote his songs and even see the very bed he slept in and the house slippers he wore while there.

The room carries a lot of history with loads of gold and platinum records hanging in rooms on the guided tours and even more newspaper articles from around the world highlighting his shows in places like Japan and Africa. It was nice to visit the first time just as much as it was the 5th and now 10th time I have gone. I particularly enjoy reading the newspaper articles for various opinions on Bob from people all over the world.

You will see the room where Bob was shot and even the original bullet holes still in the wall. There is a wonderful little spice garden and of course a huge shop full of Bob Marley things for sale. The tour ends with a somber music video highlighting his career and music. It’s nice to see Bob in the rare home movies and pictures throughout the museum. He seemed at peace for much of his life and the home reflects that.

You cannot take photos inside the Bob Marley Museum but the memories stay with you. If you make it to Kingston and appreciate the mans music you have to take a tour of the Bob Marley Museum as part of your Jamaica Vacation.