Less than an hour and a half apart by car, a day trip from Ocho Rios to Kingston, or vice versa, is a perfectly doable endeavor for visitors to Jamaica. From the sunny shores of Saint Anne parish in the north to the city streets of Kingston parish down south, these two distinct regions have a unique sense of flair and attractions, making them widely appealing to vacationers. And, with beautiful mountain scenery, well-maintained roads and plenty to see and do in the miles in between, this easy-to-navigate route is a worthwhile addition to any Jamaica itinerary.
Traveling Between Ocho Rios and Kingston
There are several roads that will take travelers between Ocho Rios and Kingston with the most popular being the North-South Highway, or Highway 2000/A3. This route takes about an hour and 15 minutes to drive from start-to-finish and cuts through the island’s interior, ascending the scenic Mount Diablo mountain range along the way. While travelers can certainly rent a car and make the journey themselves, we recommend joining a guided tour with transportation included for the most relaxing experience as driving on the left side, rural and mountainous roads and aggressive drivers are common pain points for those with little experience behind the wheel in Jamaica.
Things To Do in Kingston, Jamaica
Visit Tuff Gong
Purchased by Rita Marley in 1981 in honor of her late husband Bob Marley, Tuff Gong is a full-service recording studio and vinyl pressing factory in Kingston, Jamaica, and the oldest independently owned entertainment company in the Caribbean. The definition of “living history,” artists like Snoop Dogg, Shaggy and many, many more have recorded smash hits at this studio, and a tour here offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating process. Warming up in the rehearsal room, getting a close-up view of the pieces and parts that go into making records and mixtapes, singing and engineering verses of Marley’s beloved songs like “Three Little Birds” and stepping inside a modern recording studio … visitors will do it all, making a day spent at Tuff Gong one travelers won’t soon forget.
Explore Emancipation Park
Dating to 2002, Emancipation Park is a beautiful, six-acre natural area nestled within the hustle and bustle of downtown Kingston. Featuring seven busts and monumental plaques outlining the stories of “National Heroes” – Nanny of the Maroons, Samuel Sharpe, George William Gordon, Paul Bogle, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Norman Washington Manley and Sir William Alexander Bustamante – the park is a tribute to Jamaican history and freedom, and its namesake immortalizes the emancipation of 300,000+ slaves in the early 1800s. Emancipation Park's main focal point is “Redemption Song,” an 11-foot bronze sculpture crafted by Jamaican artist Laura Facey depicting a man and a woman looking up towards the sky after escaping the horrors of slavery. Also honoring Jamaica’s West African roots are Adinkra symbols scattered throughout the park in places like fences, walls, benches and more.
Eat Lunch at Peppa Thyme
No adventure is complete without some delicious eats, and Kingston’s Peppa Thyme is just the ticket for fans of jerk, seafood, curry and more. Promising comfort and flavor in every bite, visitors will be blown away by Peppa Thyme’s authentic dishes and charmed by the open-air seating as they sink their teeth into classic Jamaican recipes from the comfort of one of the restaurant’s five spacious gazebos. Those hoping to wash their meal down with a Red Stripe or other local favorite will be pleased to find Peppa Thyme is home to one of the largest bars in Kingston while tasty desserts like bread and sweet potato pudding make the whole experience all the more scrumptious.
Stop by the Bob Marley Museum
What better way to learn more about singer-songwriter Bob Marley than by visiting the iconic artist’s former home? Converted into a museum by his wife, Rita Marley, in 1987, Marley’s 19th-century, colonial-style home now acts as a display for many of the music legend’s most-prized belongings and is recognized as an official Jamaican Heritage Site. Time spent here promises visitors plenty of photo ops in the form of colorful murals, a charming facade and a life-sized Bob Marley sculpture; filling eats at the onsite, One Love Cafe; the opportunity to take home a piece of reggae culture from the record and gift shops and lastly, the chance to catch a show at the Bob Marley Museum’s 80-seat theater.
Things To Do in Lluidas Vale, Jamaica
Sample Jamaican Rum at Worthy Park Estate
Nestled within the island’s beautiful Lluidas Vale, where sprawling sugar cane fields and lush, natural forests stretch on for as far as the eye can see, is Worthy Park Estate, a 1600s sugar and rum production plant that’s still operational today. Situated halfway between Ocho Rios and Kingston, whether travelers have an interest in history, distilling or the time-honored tradition of sampling expertly crafted alcoholic creations, they’ll find Worthy Park’s 1.5 hour guided rum tour is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Comprising 10,000+ acres, tour participants will explore Worthy Park Estate’s state-of-the-art distillery, including the aging warehouse and bottling facility, before heading back to the main house for a rum flight tasting featuring five of the brand’s most coveted spirits.
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