Rio Grande
Rio Grande
4.5
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4.5
354 reviews
Excellent
250
Very good
75
Average
20
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Michelle N
Kingston, Jamaica19 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
This is a very peaceful and scenic adventure.Take along or purchase at boarding port a cold beverage as the better ride to and return is 2+ hours long. Ask for the expert captain Louis who handled the raft with great skill (especially through the rapids and past numerous and large rocks in the river) but he also kept us informed on some of the history of the area. Dont forget to tip decently!
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
diqa1707
Kingston, Jamaica36 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
my husband and I have always wanted to do this excursion but have never gotten the chance to do so. we booked this through our hotel and it was totally worth the experience! Captain Mark guided us on the water and was really friendly and knowledgeable about the river and its history. You will enjoy scenic views and a welcome lunch break at Belinda located on the river as well... bring water and an ice cold beer and prepare for a relaxing adventure on in the Rio Grande!
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michał Z
40 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
When visiting portland parish you shouldn't miss rafting down the Rio Grande. If you'r staying in Port Antonio the easiest way to get there is to take a route taxi from bridge st. heading to the Grant's Level (3$us per capita) - there you will find your captain - no problem. The prices of raft ride should be around us$ 60 - 80.
Rafting down takes around two hours. The vegetation in rio grande valley is breathtaking especially in the top parts of the river. While going down be sure to ask you captain to go through errol flynns rock and to stop somewhere deep where you can take a nice and refreshing dip in the rio grande. There is a nice spot where you can stop for something to eat/drink (some sort of jungle bar;-) and you can swim there as well.
Getting back to PA is fairly easy, just get one the road from St. Margaret's Bay to PA and catch a route taxi. Ride to PA is about 2$US per passanger.
Rafting down takes around two hours. The vegetation in rio grande valley is breathtaking especially in the top parts of the river. While going down be sure to ask you captain to go through errol flynns rock and to stop somewhere deep where you can take a nice and refreshing dip in the rio grande. There is a nice spot where you can stop for something to eat/drink (some sort of jungle bar;-) and you can swim there as well.
Getting back to PA is fairly easy, just get one the road from St. Margaret's Bay to PA and catch a route taxi. Ride to PA is about 2$US per passanger.
Written 6 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChandaxxJohnson
Toronto, Canada8 contributions
Feb 2013 • Family
This was an experience of not just the Rio Grande, but the life of those who live on it. We visited in February of 2013 and were introduced to a LOVELY couple with the most unusual names, Roach, our licenced rafter and his wonderfully bubbly wife Handsome (one of the best dang cook I've ever met!). They are a duo you must meet when you plan to visit the Rio Grande.
Our day started with a cab ride (call Jookie 18763870123 I trusted this man with my children's life on the crazy Portland road for two weeks!) to the river and a personal pick up by Roach to bring us across the river to their house. There we relaxed, had some red stripes, cold drinks, "sweeties" (lolly pops), snacks while enjoying their million dollar view of the river and mountains from their little humble yet enchanting rural Jamaican home. We met friendly neighbours and saw children enjoying a swim in the river (my children got to join in the fun). The couple also has a farm, chicken coup, a pig and friendly cats and dogs around their house which was quite the entertainment for kids.
It was an amazing way to spend a lazy Jamaican afternoon while our master chef was busy in her outdoor wood fire kitchen preparing an authentic "food" (dasheen, dumplings, and banana) and fish coconut rundown. Let's just say I licked the plate clean!
Full and content we were then taken on our adventure down the River Grand with Captain Roach. The lazy river ride was breathtakingly beautiful. It was quiet and peaceful and ended with a sunset that captured our experience that day...warm, comforting and spectacular!
We spent two weeks in Portland and let's just say after hitting all the popular hotspot in the first week, we went back up to spend the day with Roach and Handsome two other times in the second week. One to swim in the river and enjoy her amazing cooking and another to visit Scatters Waterfall around the corner to their house and of course for her amazing cooking...
I promised Handsome that I will spread the news of her cooking and brag about the amazing experience we had with her family to everyone. I travel at least 2 times every year, have been a member on trip advisor for many years, but this is my second post because I truly feel that this off the beaten track experience is the Jamaica that everyone must get to know. The beauty of Jamaica is not only the island but the people. Roach and Handsome of Berry Dale Portland Jamaica you are now on the map because you are the authentic Jamaican "One Love" experience!
With their permission I am posting their number so that others can call to book a rafting ride with Roach and convince her to cook them one of her famous rundowns :)
Roach and Handsome: 1 876 403 1232
Our day started with a cab ride (call Jookie 18763870123 I trusted this man with my children's life on the crazy Portland road for two weeks!) to the river and a personal pick up by Roach to bring us across the river to their house. There we relaxed, had some red stripes, cold drinks, "sweeties" (lolly pops), snacks while enjoying their million dollar view of the river and mountains from their little humble yet enchanting rural Jamaican home. We met friendly neighbours and saw children enjoying a swim in the river (my children got to join in the fun). The couple also has a farm, chicken coup, a pig and friendly cats and dogs around their house which was quite the entertainment for kids.
It was an amazing way to spend a lazy Jamaican afternoon while our master chef was busy in her outdoor wood fire kitchen preparing an authentic "food" (dasheen, dumplings, and banana) and fish coconut rundown. Let's just say I licked the plate clean!
Full and content we were then taken on our adventure down the River Grand with Captain Roach. The lazy river ride was breathtakingly beautiful. It was quiet and peaceful and ended with a sunset that captured our experience that day...warm, comforting and spectacular!
We spent two weeks in Portland and let's just say after hitting all the popular hotspot in the first week, we went back up to spend the day with Roach and Handsome two other times in the second week. One to swim in the river and enjoy her amazing cooking and another to visit Scatters Waterfall around the corner to their house and of course for her amazing cooking...
I promised Handsome that I will spread the news of her cooking and brag about the amazing experience we had with her family to everyone. I travel at least 2 times every year, have been a member on trip advisor for many years, but this is my second post because I truly feel that this off the beaten track experience is the Jamaica that everyone must get to know. The beauty of Jamaica is not only the island but the people. Roach and Handsome of Berry Dale Portland Jamaica you are now on the map because you are the authentic Jamaican "One Love" experience!
With their permission I am posting their number so that others can call to book a rafting ride with Roach and convince her to cook them one of her famous rundowns :)
Roach and Handsome: 1 876 403 1232
Written 6 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bnclee
Toronto, Canada56 contributions
July 2018 • Family
Buy your tickets at Rafter's Rest, located at the mouth of the Rio Grande. The office will arrange for a taxi to take you to the launch point up in the mountain, for a fee of $2000JD per taxi. Be sure to carry water, a hat, a camera and sunscreen. The trip down the river can be 2.5 - 4 hours long, depending if you stop off to swim in the river; or, stop to eat at the food stop. The guides are friendly and experienced. Each guide must apprentice for 2 years, before becoming a raft captain. There are washrooms available at the launch point; and, at Rafter's Rest. There is also a shower available at Rafter's Rest.
Written 27 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate S
Sydney, Australia6 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
We had so been looking forward to this trip and were left really disappointed.
On our taxi up to the river, the taxi driver picked up a man (his uncle) who happened to be a guide. Garfield was friendly and chatty and explained that he was a proper guide but it was difficult for him to get rides as there were so many captains and they take them in order. After showing us his tour company credentials, we decided to go with him. Big mistake!
The river itself was beautiful and the ride was mostly relaxing but Garfield himself took away from the experience.. He spoke loudly on his phone multiple times (in the middle of nature), kept trying to sell us his Blue Mountains day trip and lost the friendly 'act' he had had before we agreed to the tour. When we stopped for lunch, Belinda was lovely but the drinks man made us buy Garfield a drink even though he already had one and didn't drink ours.. Another scam.
We aren't even sure if Garfield was a legit guide, despite having a badge. We wanted to write this review as a warning in case anyone else came across a man named Garfield Miller, just bypass him and go straight to the ticket office.
On our taxi up to the river, the taxi driver picked up a man (his uncle) who happened to be a guide. Garfield was friendly and chatty and explained that he was a proper guide but it was difficult for him to get rides as there were so many captains and they take them in order. After showing us his tour company credentials, we decided to go with him. Big mistake!
The river itself was beautiful and the ride was mostly relaxing but Garfield himself took away from the experience.. He spoke loudly on his phone multiple times (in the middle of nature), kept trying to sell us his Blue Mountains day trip and lost the friendly 'act' he had had before we agreed to the tour. When we stopped for lunch, Belinda was lovely but the drinks man made us buy Garfield a drink even though he already had one and didn't drink ours.. Another scam.
We aren't even sure if Garfield was a legit guide, despite having a badge. We wanted to write this review as a warning in case anyone else came across a man named Garfield Miller, just bypass him and go straight to the ticket office.
Written 3 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Everything Zany
Birmingham, UK70 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
This is one of the main highlights of our trip to Jamaica. This day trip was pre-arranged thru our hotel (Hotel Mockingbird Hill, Port Antonio). Our captain was really helpful and polite. It was just sad to find out that these captains earn just a pittance by doing this job (thru their co-op). So please if possible, give them a little extra. There are loads of local birds and fish that you can see along the way.
It was very relaxing and fantastic day cruising the famous and historical Rio Grande of Jamaica.
It was very relaxing and fantastic day cruising the famous and historical Rio Grande of Jamaica.
Written 29 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravellingScot01
London, UK16 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
The trip took about 2.5 hours. We stopped to swim multiple times and had a go and captaining the boat ourselves. Its super relaxing and you get to see the jungle from a unique perspective without suffering the curvy roads!
Our captain Devon was knowledgeable about the nature around and knew the river like the back of his hand. It seemed pretty safe as all captains have to do a long apprenticeship before getting their licence. He also offered to take plenty pictures.
We stopped off halfway where you can buy a drink (we bought one for the driver too).
We arranged our own travel to berry dale and bought ticket for 8450. Apparently less than half goes to the drivers themselves. Our captain Devon (no52) is happy to be booked directly - contact by phone on 3934798.
Our captain Devon was knowledgeable about the nature around and knew the river like the back of his hand. It seemed pretty safe as all captains have to do a long apprenticeship before getting their licence. He also offered to take plenty pictures.
We stopped off halfway where you can buy a drink (we bought one for the driver too).
We arranged our own travel to berry dale and bought ticket for 8450. Apparently less than half goes to the drivers themselves. Our captain Devon (no52) is happy to be booked directly - contact by phone on 3934798.
Written 16 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
725jammygirl
Glen Mills, PA73 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
We had the great fortune of getting KEVIN Captain No. 6 - he was very knowledgeable and knew exactly what he was doing. This rafting was very relaxing. Parts of trip the water gets rough, but not scary at all, little bit of water flows over the bamboo but it's not scary. Make sure you wear sunscreen and hat. Several locals will raft over to ask if you'd like beer, water, etc. It's ok, just make sure you have Jamaican dollars. There is a lady and daughter on raft with coconuts, she'll chop off top and give straw, coconut water was good. Kevin stopped several times for us to jump off and swim. So many beautiful parts of the ride. Lunch along the riverbed is amazing! Belinda cooks an amazing meal and then you're off again for more rafting. Definitely a great adventure to experience in Port Antonio!
Written 26 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
COL666
Canada15 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
We did not do the "real" thing as we did not want to pay $72.00 for the rafting trip, plus $15.00 to get there by taxi (since we would have had to leave the car at the end point) and who knows how much for the tip to the rafter... We decided to do it differently: many rafters wave to you when you turn to pay at the office at the end point...and if you want, you can go with one of them and he will take you on the Rio Grande, for about 1 mile upriver, and then back down again... we saw lots of birds, swam in very clear water, tried our luck at poling and all in all enjoyed ourselves for $40.00 for 2 people for 2 hours, no further tip required!! That is already a lot of money in many ways....but then, it is not the "real" thing as such...so up to you! Bring hat and sun screen! (We also went to Martha Brae...totally different, more narrow, water not as clear...very tranquil)
Written 28 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there! I am pregnant and will be 15.5 weeks along during my trip to Jamaica. My husband and I wanted to do this trip, but I am worried about the prevalence of mosquitos in a more lush, jungle-like area (re: Zika and Dengue). What are the mosquito conditions like in mid March? Would you have any concerns with an early term pregnant woman tour?
Written 25 February 2020
What's the price for the rafting??
Written 21 February 2020
375jade177
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Is it possible to leave from Montego Bay? And what is the price for this excursion starting in Montego Bay? And what is the pick up time?
Written 10 April 2018
Hello
Is there shade along the way or are you in the direct sun most of the time? My husband burns so easily :)
Written 31 August 2017
We were lucky and we dd it when it was cloudy, so it was okay. I could not imagine spending 4 hours under the sun though. If so, bring a hat or an umbrella, to avoid getting sunburtn. From what I remember, unless clods cover the sun, there is no other foliage that can protect you!
Written 6 September 2017
Can the rafting be booked right at the mouth of the river? I don't want to book through a tour operator, wondering if we can drive to where the rafting starts. Thanks!
Written 19 August 2016
Yes. You can go right to the operator and get right on the rafts. There were people on the road that kept directing us to the office. Beware. There were some people that told us not to join to the office,they wanted us to book a private raft but our taxi driver recommended us your keep going and go thru the rafting company.
Enjoy! We took two boats and loved every minute of it. Louis was our driver and he was absolutely lovely.
Written 20 August 2016
There is a hotel right at the river mouth, on a hill with a beautiful view on the river and to the sea. Good place to start the "rafting" there. Prices are about 60$ a tour, if you do not like to negotiate. Some guys try to sell you parking places, but parking is save and free there.
If you stay near Port Antonio, the rafting is a good half-day tour. We had a local guide who picked us up at our hotel (Goblin Hill) in port antonio, for 30$/Person.
Written 21 March 2016
323deec
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Are there crocodiles in this river? One person spoke of this and I haven't read anything from anyone else.
Thanks
Written 27 August 2015
friends297
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
There is wild life in Jamaica, so the first answer is kind of not correct.
Go to the south coast and check out BLACK RIVER, full of crocodiles, also elsewhere but mainly in the area of the south coast around the mentioned river and the town with the same name.
Never heard so far of crocodiles in Rio Grande though. Thanks god bc people are encouraged to swim next to the raft. Would be NOT so good if...
Written 28 December 2016
There is some negotiation room especially if you pay with local currency.
Written 24 March 2015
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