Plan your visit to Port Royal, Kingston
Explore the city where buccaneers and cutthroats once ruled. Learn about the earthquake that caused most of it to sink into the sea.
Wander around the sleepy fishing village of Port Royal and imagine it as it would have been in its heyday, with pirates, sailors and merchants crowding the streets and taverns. Visit Fort Charles and some of the other buildings that remain from the town’s former glory and eat the freshest fish in Jamaica at one of the town’s restaurants. Take a trip to the idyllic Lime Cay and spend an afternoon snorkeling or reading in the sun.
The town of Port Royal was founded in 1518. Used as a naval base by the Spanish and subsequently the English, it was once the New World’s busiest city. Traders from all regions used it as a stopover. It was also called the wickedest city in the world due to its high numbers of pirates, prostitutes and drunkards. Many of the buildings associated with this decadence sank under the ocean following an earthquake in 1692. Bring your dive gear to visit this world-renowned underwater archeological site.
Wander the quiet streets and enjoy the change of pace from bustling Kingston. Walk down Church Street to find St. Peter’s Church, which dates back to 1725, and see historic relics in its courtyard. Make your way to Fort Charles to discover how the English retained control of Port Royal for nearly 200 years. Two small museums also contain artifacts recovered from the 1692 earthquake.
Other attractions include the Old Gaol and the Old Naval Hospital. The inner ironworks of the latter building were actually constructed in Bradford, England, making the hospital one of the oldest pre-fabricated buildings in the world.
Hire a pilot to give you a boat ride to Lime Cay, a small, uninhabited island just off the coast. Spend an afternoon snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing. Return to Port Royal to have dinner at Jamaica’s best fish restaurants. To make your evening last longer, head to one of the town’s bars and nightclubs.
To reach Port Royal drive southeast 17 miles (27 kilometers) from Kingston or take the bus. You can find accommodation here, though most visit the port as a daytrip from Kingston.
Fort Charles - Walk in the footsteps of the young and aggressive Lord Nelson at this well-preserved piece of Kingston military history.
Bob Marley Museum - Learn how a poor Jamaican man from Trench Town became an international pop star thanks to his thought-provoking lyrics and feel-good reggae music.
Devon House - Explore the opulent home of Jamaica’s first black millionaire, go shopping and sample the famous ice cream in the mansion’s courtyard.
National Gallery of Jamaica - Discover the most famous Jamaican artists of the last 100 years in the oldest museum in the Anglophone Caribbean.
National Heroes Park - Enjoy the sunny outdoors and learn all about Jamaica’s greatest sons and daughters at this huge public park, filled with pieces of modern sculpture.
Old Gaol House - You can learn about the history of Kingston with a trip to Old Gaol House. Check out the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.
St Peter’s Church - You can learn about the history of Kingston with a stop at St Peter’s Church. Check out the top-notch restaurants or lively bars in this relaxing area.
Naval Cemetery - Learn about the local history of Kingston when you take a trip to Naval Cemetery. Check out the top-notch restaurants or lively bars in this relaxing area.
Friday Evening Kingston Harbour Cruise, Sunday Beach Cruise or Charter Our Boats - This tour is special as it gives you the opportunity to experience the feeling of visiting the city of Kingston. We depart from Ribbiz Ocean Lounge on a Friday Evening which is the premier party spot in downtown Kingston, and the perfect place to have your after party when the cruise is over.
Club Kingston VIP Airport Lounge Service - Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, Club Kingston’s arrival and departure services enhanced with warm hospitality and an unrivalled visual journey through Jamaica’s history provides the perfect way to begin or end your visit to Jamaica.
Saona Island private transport- Day Tour - All Inclusive - Swim and snorkel in the crystal turquoise water, chill on the white beach, drink coconut water, buy local souvenirs and feel yourself like a star on Punta Cana Saona Island!
Kingston Tour & Bob Marley Museum Admission - Venture out of the tourist hot spots and into Jamaica's capital, Kingston, to visit locally beloved sites that offer insight into the city's unique history. This full-day excursion allows you to explore the city's colonial architecture, surrounding rainforest, and the Bob Marley Museum.
Bob Marley Museum in Kingston & Blue Mountain Coffee Tour - Discover Jamaica's majestic Blue Mountains and visit Bob Marley Museum in Jamaica's capital, Kingston on this day-long tour. Depart your hotel in the cool of the morning for a scenic drive along Jamaica’s north coast.
Blue Mountain Coffee and Sightseeing Tour - Take a scenic drive high up into the mountains through local villages to the blue mountain farm, you will make stops along the way for Jamaican treats such an ice cold coconut jelly or fruit in season.
Dance the Night Away in Kingston - Partying with a Jamaican while you're in Jamaican will ensure you have a great time! We'll show you how to dance like a Jamaican too.
Devon House & Ice Cream from Runaway Bay - Devon House is a heritage site located in Kingston, the new capital city of Jamaica. It was built in the 19th century by Jamaica’s first millionaire of African descent. Today this mansion is preserved in its original state and showcased for tourists and locals to tour.