8 Day Culinary Vacation in Jamaica

Day 1: Arrive at Norman Manley International Airport (KIN)

You will be greeted at the airport in Kingston and be transferred to either the Grand Port Royal Hotel in Port Royal or the Barnett’s Homestay in St. Catherine. You will be given a brief orientation, refreshments, and a welcome meal. Your culinary vacation in Jamaica will have officially begun.

Day 2: Kingston food tour

Your first taste of Jamaica will take place in Kingston. Firstly, head to Creighton Estate in the Blue Mountains to learn how the famous coffee is grown, harvested, and processed. Afterward, you will stop in the heart of Kingston to enjoy a Jamaican patty meal at a local patty joint, then head over to Devon House to sample Jamaica’s top ice cream. Duration is four to six hours including transfers.

• Optional: You can purchase the Lime Cay boat tour or lunch at Gloria’s Restaurant add-on for this day

Day 3: Zimbali Retreat

You will spend some quality time at Zimbali Retreat to get a mixture of their experiences. First, you will enjoy their farm to table cooking show for lunch, where you will get to tour their farm and have their chef prepare the produce you collect for you. Next, you will embark on their Rasta experience, where you will pick fresh fruits and herbs and enjoy some ‘ital’ Rastafarian cooking (all organic). A truly unique experience for your Jamaican culinary vacation.

• Optional: Reggae horseback riding on the beach is available as an add-on.

Day 4: Jamaican market, Hellshire Beach food and cooking class

Today you will have a mixture of experiences. First, you will head to a Jamaican market in Kingston to purchase fresh fruits and produce, and haggle with the locals. Jamaica International Projects will provide you with 1,000 JMD local currency that you can use to shop, and your local guide will help you haggle.

Next, you head to Hellshire Beach where you can sample their world famous fish and bammy and take a swim if you desire. Then afterward, you will head to the family home of the managing director for a personal and interactive Jamaican cooking class where you learn how to prepare Jamaican dishes and use the produce you bought earlier.

• Optional: You can purchase Bob Marley Museum tour as an add-on.

Day 5: Croydon Plantation and Pelican Bar

Today you head to Croydon Plantation for a tour of a working plantation. Bees, coffee, a wide range of pineapple species, and other local fruits are just a few of the topics covered and sampled on this tour. Next, you will head out to Pelican Bar, which is a bar in the middle of the ocean, where you can swim and enjoy a quick meal afterward.

• Optional: You can purchase the Rose Hall Great House or Rockland Bird Sanctuary package as an add-on for this day on your culinary vacation.

Day 6: Jamaican desserts and Kingston night out

Receive another Jamaican cooking class, as you sample all of the top cakes, pastries, and sweets that are unique to Jamaica, as well as learn how to prepare some of these yourself. Afterward, in the afternoon, you will head out to Usain Bolt Tracks and Records for a night out of eating and enjoying the ambiance.

• Optional: Hope Botanical Gardens and Kingston Craft Market are two add-on options available for this day on your culinary vacation.

Day 7: Appleton Estate and Little Ochi

See how sugar and rum are made. Tour the rum factory at Appleton Estate and sample fresh cane juice and rum. Afterward, you will stop at Little Ochi Seafood Restaurant to get a tasty local seafood meal.

• Optional: You can purchase the YS Falls or Black River safari add-ons for this day

Day 8: Depart Jamaica

After your Jamaican culinary vacation is complete, you will eat your final Jamaican breakfast then head out to the airport to return home after an amazing food vacation you will remember for a lifetime.

Black River safari (Appleton Estate day) (75 USD)

A boat tour of the Black River alligator reserve.

Bob Marley Museum tour (60 USD)

Learn about the King of Reggae as you tour his former home turned museum on your Jamaican culinary vacation.

Hope Royal Botanical Gardens tour (45 USD)

One of the largest botanical gardens in the world. It is also a zoo.

Kingston Craft Market visit (30 USD)

The island's best craft market for buying locally made crafts at local rates.

Lime Cay boat tour and lunch at Gloria’s Restaurant (120 USD)

Visit Port Royal and enjoy a boat ride out to Lime Cay to swim. Enjoy lunch at Gloria’s which is known for seafood. Meal and drink voucher of 30 USD is included.

Reggae horseback riding on the beach (120 USD)

Go horseback riding on the beach for two hours.

Rocklands Bird Sanctuary tour (60 USD)

For nature lovers, a stop at Rocklands Bird sanctuary is a must. Experience a wide range of birds from various species.

Rose Hall great house tour (60 USD)

Stop at the Rose Hall great house to tour the haunted mansion. Can be done in the day or after sunset.

YS Falls tour (140 USD)

YS Falls is one of the most amazing waterfalls in all of Jamaica. The cost includes zip lining.

• Zimbali Retreat cooking show and Rastafarian experience
• Jamaican cooking class
• Jamaican pastry and dessert class
• Croydon Plantation adventure
• Appleton Estate rum tour
• Jamaica market outing (with 1,000 JMD spending money)
• Devon House ice cream
• Local patty meal
• Pelican Bar boat ride
• Hellshire Beach seafood meal
• Coffee tour at Creighton Estate in the Blue Mountains
• Little Ochi Seafood Restaurant transfer
• All entrance fees
• Driver and a private guide
• Round-trip private airport transfer
• Daily breakfast and dinner
• Light refreshments
• 7 nights' accommodation

• Alcoholic drinks
• Lunch (unless specified)
• Gratuities (recommended)
• Additional tours
• Shopping money

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.