Bamboo Rafting in Jamaica

When I look back on my trip to Jamaica, there is no doubt in my mind that going bamboo rafting in Jamaica was one of the best things I did.  I enjoyed the experience so much that I went bamboo rafting not once, but twice. Jamaica is known for beaches, rest, and relaxation, but it is also packed with natural wonders that should be included in every Jamaican itinerary.

Four of the best places to go bamboo rafting in Jamaica are the Rio Grande river, the Martha Brae river, the Lethe river, and the Blue lagoon.

Regardless of where you go rafting in Jamaica, the rafts are made up of long bamboo logs bound together to make your raft about 4 feet wide and about 25 to 30 feet long. An elevated “loveseat” or “lounge chair”, also made from bamboo, provides seating for the passengers.

Pack: Sunglasses, swimwear, hat, towel, sunscreen, waterproof phone case, cash for tips and food (see below), drinks and snacks

Here’s more information on the four best places to go bamboo rafting in Jamaica.

1. Bamboo Rafting in Jamaica on the Rio Grande River, Jamaica

When it comes to bamboo rafting in Jamaica, it does not get better than rafting the Rio Grande. Rio Grande, translates to mean Big River, is the largest river in Jamaica. When you’re staying in Portland Parish, move a trip down the Rio Grande to the top of the list and prepare to be mesmerized by nature. I did this on new year’s eve and what a way to close out the old!

While tourists come from all over the world to enjoy a scenic, peaceful, romantic ride down the river, the history of rafting the Rio Grande goes further. These rafts were originally used to move merchandise to the coast for exportation. As Jamaica’s banana trade became a thing of the past, the rafts were repurposed for tourism purposes.

Rio Grande Rafting Tours are available 7 days a week. Each raft can carry up to 2 adults and 1 small child. The tour begins at “Rafters Rest” and offers a 2 – 3 hour excursion down the rivers. Today, the Rio Grande River Rafting is one of the most popular attractions for visitors to Port Antonio. Sit back and relax with a Stripe (Jamaican beer) or other beverage while a skilled, licensed Raft Captain will take you down the river. During my almost 3 hour tour, my raft Captain regaled me with tales of famous people rafting down the Rio Grande. Sean Paul, Johnny Depp!  Apparently, it was a party with Sean Paul (not surprised, it is THE Jamaican Sean Paul after all).

My captain (Captain Mark #43) allowed me to attempt steering the raft and that was good fun (and an epic failure on my part) but he was awesome.

Best Kept Secret About Bamboo Rafting on the Rio Grande

Hands down the lunch stop at Belinda’s riverside restaurant along the river! Thankfully, I read about this on a Tripadvisor forum and brought cash for my meal. It was one of the most memorable meals I had in Jamaica (and I had some amazing meals). Belinda treks down the mountain for over an hour each way daily to set up her fires and cook dishes on the side of the river at a stop about halfway through the trip. Belinda was so warm and welcoming as was her nephew who runs her Instagram account. Follow her restaurant on Instagram here.

This experience is the ultimate culmination of Jamaica’s untouched nature in Portland. I cannot recommend it enough!

Important Information

Take and drop off point: Rafters Rest Port Antonio, JA

Address: F2R+JR5, St Margarets Bay, Jamaica

Hours: Opens 9AM

Phone: +1 876-993-5778

Distance From Port Antonio: About 45-minute drive

Tour operated by: Licensed guides called Raft Captains

Cost: about $100 per raft

Payment is in cash only

Perfect if you’re visiting: Port Antonio or Portland Parish

2. Bamboo Rafting in Jamaica: Martha Brae River

Rafting on the Martha Brae is Jamaica’s most popular rafting attraction. It is located approximately three miles inland from the town of Falmouth, twenty miles from Montego Bay, and forty miles from Ocho Rios. Rafting on the Martha Brae boasts a complement of eighty five licensed and experienced raft captains.

If you’ve seen photos of bamboo rafting in Jamaica, they’re likely photos taken on the Martha Brae River.  Different from Rio Grande, Martha Brae is fully set up for tourism with other activities beyond rafting.

For example, the embarkation area, “Rafter’s Village”, encompasses six acres of beautifully manicured lawns situated on a natural horseshoe island. It offers a fully appointed recreational facility that includes picnic grounds, a full-service bar, two souvenir shops, a swimming pool, and modern restrooms.

Before embarking on the tour, guests can also take a stroll through “Miss Martha’s Herb Garden”, a presentation of Jamaica’s herbs famous for their medicinal and healing properties.

The raft ride is operated over a three-mile stretch of the beautiful Martha Brae River and lasts approximately one hour. Once on the raft, guests can learn about “The Legend of Martha Brae” or enjoy an exhilarating swim. The disembarkment area Known as “Martha’s Rest” is equipped with a souvenir shop, bar, lounge area, and restrooms.

Some famous celebrities that have rafted here include HRH Queen Elizabeth II, Spike Lee, and world 100-meter champion and Jamaican Usain Bolt.

Best Kep Secret For Rafting The Martha Brae River

Bring lots of smaller $$ bills. Besides the concessions and souvenirs at the top, there are many people selling along the river. If you’re not with kids you can even get off once or twice at a bar area during your rafting experience.

Important Information To Help You Plan Your Trip

Take and drop off point: Rafters Rest

Address: 6 Claude Clarke Avenue Montego Bay, JA

Hours: Opens 9 AM

Phone: +1  876 952-0889

Distance From Port Antonio: About a 45-minute drive

Tour operated by: Licensed guides called Raft Captains

Cost: $77 per raft as of April 2022

Payment is in cash only

Perfect If you’re visiting: Ochos Rios or Montego Bay

3. Bamboo Rafting in Jamaica – Rafting the Lethe River

Lethe is a rural district tucked away in the hills of Hanover, Jamaica’s second smallest parish. Lethe is only 30 minutes from Montego Bay. This small community sits on the banks of the Great River, one of Jamaica’s major rivers. Rafting here is easily the third most popular place to raft in Jamaica after the Rio Grande and Martha Brae rivers in Portland and Trelawny respectively.

I haven’t been on this particular rafting experience but you bet it is high on my list for my next visit to Jamaica. You not only get the relaxing experience of bamboo rafting, but you also get the full Jamaican experience and I love it when culture and adventure collide beautifully.

There are raft shops along the river and rafters can purchase jerk chicken, snacks, rum, Red Stripe beer (again, a staple!) and soft drinks in the middle of the water for reasonable prices. These shops also play music, converting the Great River into a full-on Jamaican party. Say No more, I’m in!

Whether you want to dance or just admire the beauty of the rainforest, both options are available to you!

Best kept secret about rafting the Lethe

The Lethe river has limestone that can be found along its banks. The raft captains make a limestone paste, locally known as Jungle socks. The raft captains use it to deliver a delightful foot and leg scrub + massage to their customers for an additional cost.

Important Information For Lethe River Rafting

Address: 92RM+VPH, Great River @, Lethe, Jamaica

Hours: Open 10 AM – 5 PM

Phone: +1 876-449-9588

Distance From Montego Bay: A 30-minute drive

Cost: $35 per raft (cheapest rafting in Jamaica!)

Payment is in cash only, bring cash for tips, food, drinks, and souvenirs

Perfect if you’re visiting: Montego Bay or Ochos Rios

4. Bamboo Rafting in Jamaica – Blue Lagoon Port Antonio

The blue lagoon in Port Antonio was my very first rafting in Jamaica. While staying in Port Antonio, my host suggested that I make a half-day trip there as the Airbnb was only 3 or so miles away from the blue lagoon. Surrounded by hillsides and the lushest green vegetation, , the Blue Lagoon is a vibrant cobalt color. The water is cold in parts, very deep (approximately 200 feet, according to some reports but I did not swim) and it is a mix of saltwater and freshwater fed by a nearby mineral spring. As the angle of the sun changes, the water appears to be different shades of blue.

I visited by myself and there is no entrance fee but the most common way to visit is via a boat or raft tour. Boat or raft tours of the lagoon usually include a stop at the nearby Monkey Island. Most tours leave from Port Antonio, but full-day tours depart from Montego Bay and Ochos Rios. There is no entrance fee, but you can expect to pay about $30 for a boat tour.

Upon arrival, I bought a coconut and paid $20 for a short raft tour. Make it a full-day tour by adding the following steps:

• Monkey island
• Frenchman Cove
• Reach Falls
• Boston Bay
• Long Bay Beach
• Boston Jerk Center

Best kept secret about rafting the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a treasure as is Port Antonio, Jamaica. There are gorgeous and expensive villas on the lagoon and guides say, George Clooney, Tom Cruise, John Legend, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé have visited the area. Port Antonio is the birthplace of Jamaican jerk so a stop at Boston jerk center for lunch is a MUST. I did and it was sooo tasty!

Important Information For Rafting Blue Lagoon

Hours: Opens 9 AM

Phone: None

Swimming: recommended only for good swimmers, the lagoon is very deep in parts

Distance From Port Antonio: About 7 miles east

Cost: about $30 for a tour

Payment is in cash only

Perfect if you’re visiting: Port Antonio or Portland Parish

Bamboo rafting in Jamaica is something every visitor to Jamaica should experience. Solo travelers, couples, young children (with life vests and supervision), families, friends, and bachelorette parties alike! Four of the best places to go bamboo rafting in Jamaica are the Rio Grande river, the Martha Brae river, the Lethe river, and the Blue lagoon and you won’t go wrong with any choice. One cool thing about the rafts is when rafts are out of commission, they’re repurposed for use as fences, no waste!

Now you really have no excuse! Happy Rafting in Jamaica!