Portland, Jamaica

If you’re not from Jamaica or spent quite a bit of time there you likely have not heard about Portland. I certainly had not. On my third trip to JA, and my escape from the US, I was told about its majesty and needed to see it for myself.

I had a friend drive me from Kingston to Portland- more specifically- Port Antonio & Boston Bay area. It’s about 2.5hrs away. There’s no denying Jamaica has beautiful beaches and blue waters all around its coastline but the water in Portland is just different!

I stayed at Great Huts for the first 5 days. This resort is something special. The local Jamaican and African Art throughout and especially in the Royal Hut is beautiful. I stayed in Igbo and not only had a/c but a pool at my backdoor that overlooked the ocean. I took most of my work calls from the pool, the beach that you can walk out onto from the property or one of the many seatings areas found along the snake trail. On my last 2 days, I stayed in the African Sunrise hut. I climbed two ladders to crawl inside and have the most breathtaking view of the ocean. Sunset and sunrise never looked so good! The food was also great and I could quickly have room service or questions answered via WhatsApp (while most of Jamaica uses WhatsApp it has become increasingly more important during COVID). Seriously though, you need to book a night or 2 here just for the cliffside ocean views- WOW!

I ended up extending my trip and staying at a friend of a friend’s airbnb which was a 2 minute walk from Great Huts. If you need a low-key spot with the basics, try Honeycomb Utopia. Kenisha is the sweetest.

If you’re wondering why I extended the trip it was partially because I couldn’t get enough of the food at Gurley Aston Boston Jerk Stop. They are right around the corner, and on the same road as the entrance to Great Huts as the Boston Jerk Center. This is actually the birthplace of jerk (being sold at least). The people at Gurley became my new friends as I dined their daily that week. PLEASE do yourself a favor and try the jerk lobster and the roasted fish – the short wait is WELL worth it.

If you’re looking for a place to snap it up for the gram or just connect with nature I suggest going down to Boston Beach and taking a surf lesson; taking a short 5-minute taxi to Blue Lagoon (the water looks fake, like someone from Pixar dreamed it up and placed it there) and taking a bamboo river tour. Be sure to get out when you get into the lagoon so you can feel the cold (from mountain) and warm (from lagoon) water overlapping around your body.; a drive out (ask someone at your resort/hotel/airbnb for a driver) to Reach Falls. While you’re getting that photo near the waterfall turn around and walk through it then climb up to the top for a better view. Then head down the rabbit hole for a peak into another little world!

I can’t wait to return and look forward to enjoying some of the beaches that were closed due to COVID and a hike through the Blue Mountains!