If you want feel the real jamaican spirit, it's the rigth place by Chucky

Chucky is a great host. He is smart, he told us many things about the Jamaican history. Always helpful. Highly recommended to stay with Chucky if you want the simple, true Jamaican life!

It was the perfect experience for those who want to get in touch with nature and wants to know what it is like to live in Jamaica. Cooking on a coal stove, indulging in the fruits of nature grown in abundance all around you, refresh yourself in the crystal clear freshwater river or pop in to town for local produce, restaurants and bars. Hope bay is a peaceful and friendly town nestled in between the blue mountain and the sea. If you wanted to explore beaches and have a touch of city life in your stay you can always take a short taxi ride to Port Antonio or Whinnifred beach. Chucky was an amazing host who always gave valuable and relevant advise as to how to organise ourselves with where to explore, finances and modes of transport etc. Not only were we well catered for it was just like staying with family. The property was, clean, safe and a beauty to wake up in. We shared stories, ate like kings and lived in harmony - just how life should be we love, we share and stay positive.

We had an amazing stay at chuckys. Would recommend to anyone!

Chucky is a great host - he's place is close to Port Antonio but you can absolutely enjoy nature there! Cooking outside on open fire or take a bath in the river right by the house:) he's a lovely person and great to talk to & get to know jamaica and it's people! Thanks a lot for the amazing experience - i come back with my sister:D

What a wonderful place! The river is amazing and you have your own sandbank directly there for laying down and relax. Chucky is a smart guy and you can have good conversations with him too if you want to. He is fair and square! One of the best places I have ever been. Chucky please give a big hug to the cat & the dogs :) I will be back - that's for sure!

It was really nice to go back to simplicity at Chuckys place, set in such a beautiful location great for watching birds on the river and his lovely dogs and cat play! From here you can reach all the local attractions easily by bus or taxi, can spend a day walking up the river by his house into the mystical mountain backdrop. Chucky cooked me a delicious healthy meal on the outside stove using ingredients from his own garden and we drank fresh homegrown lemongrass tea. It was great to fall asleep to the sound of the jungle AND the ocean.

Chucky's place is a lovely little sanctuary on the river, close to the main road, but surrounded by nature. It was a pleasure to meet Chucky, as he is friendly, insightful & an easy going host. Our room was comfortable & spacious with a mosquito net. The bathroom & kitchen are very basic, but adequate. We will remember staying here as a true Jamaican experience - about as far away from the all inclusive resorts as you can get, very relaxing & nice to give our money to a local.

The trip to swift river and Laaji's place was an expierience on it's own, the you don't mind some bumps in the road the trip is surely worth while! Laaji and his family made us feel welcome from the first moment. the home is a really nice surprise in the rural area, a nice house with an amazing view and surroundings. the accomodation was very clean and we had a real nice room. we planned just to stay for the night but ended up making the beautifull hike over the river. this is a must see for explorers and people who love the unbeaten path. would certainly recommend this to anybody in a heartbeat! hope to visit them soon again!

Staying with Laaji and his family was one of our most lovely and memorable experiences in Jamaica. The neighborhood of Swift River is very off the beaten path which was just what we were looking for. The land surrounding the home is so rich and alive. There are fruit trees everywhere, it's bursting with life. While we were there the river was too active for us to swim in it. It was the rainy season of November and apparently while we were there was the only time it had rained so hard! However we're definitely going to go back to swim in it and spend more time hiking the hills and exploring the land. One thing to be conscious of when traveling to the property is that the drive is about 25 minutes from the main highway in Buff Bay. We got lost.. So be sure to clearly map out the directions before you head there if you are driving yourself! All in all it was an amazing place to stay. My partner and I are definitely planning to spend more time at Tulla and Laajis :)

There are no words or pictures enough beautiful to discribe this haven of peace. The desciption of the place on AirBnb doesn't lie ! Laaji and Corine made me feel at home ! But here's a tip for the next guests: you have to stay at least 3 nights to enjoy the entire place! hiking in the mountains just behind the house discovering plantations in the hills , stress free swim in different pools of the river, promenade in the various communities of the village to meet the people, kind and welcoming! ... and so much ! At Laaji and Corine, no "guide" to offer you guided tours etc ... there, that's for YOU to discover in all peace and simplicity, with your eyes and your heart... with your freedom. Corine's dishes are great wonderfull: awaken the taste buds! The place is very very clean ! In short, a wonderful family, a heavenly place! Thank you thank you!

Staying at Portland's Riverside Retreat with Laaji and his family was an absolute delight! The area by the Swift River is a hidden gem in Jamaica. The surrounding area provides opportunities to hike, swim, and meet locals. It was an amazing experience to be nestled in the Jamaican jungle/forest - it was pleasantly surprising to realize how loud and thoroughly calming it is when you are planted in the middle of it. Laaji and his family were very welcoming and truly lovely people. They are invested in their community and enjoy not only hosting travelers but also giving back. They provided us with fresh coffee, lemongrass tea, and pineapple in the mornings, along with great conversation. I highly recommend. :)

Meeting Laaji and his family, having an access to a great river, having a “farmer’s” trail in the blue mountain parc area, talking with Laaji, tasting his great vegetarian food all this adds up to make these 2 days the high light of our time in Jamaica!!

The reviews are all correct. This is a fabulous place to visit. We spent an idyllic 3 nights here with my family which included a 9month old baby, a 3 and 5 year old. It was perfectly safe for our young family. We visited during the rainy season and it rained most of the time we were there. When there was a break in the weather the family went exploring around the area. We were fascinated by our surroundings, particularly the clean fresh river next to the property. The food was delicious. They serve breakfast as part of your package and a second meal is served optionally which you can pay a reasonable amount for. Very tasty and healthy. Breakfast was a tasty porridge with bread and fried plantain. The property is supplied with water straight from the clean spring. This is a real plus point for me. Tulla was helpful in answering all my pre trip queries - very friendly and polite. Laaji and his wife Karen are very welcoming hosts. Available to answer questions. Great conversationalists. They have young children so it's important to be considerate. We would return gladly

Unbelievable location. Laaji was a gracious host.

Thanks to Laaji for the wonderful hospitality. The place is peaceful and the sound of the river is enchanting

If you are looking for a laid back visit to paradise, this is the place for you!! Laaji and his wife, Karen, were welcoming, wonderful hosts. (Tulla, Laaji's sister, makes the arrangements from the UK, where she has better internet connection.) Laaji's and Karen's two beautiful children were an added delight, making our stay very homey. It was wonderful to learn more about the Rasta lifestyle (and, because I'm nosey, their beliefs as well). The Ital meals were delicious and the best I had on the island! Their home was lovely, comfortable and afforded amazing views of the mountains and their sustainably-maintained garden. Across the lane from their front gate is the Swift River, a gorgeous river with many and varied pools for swimming where all the locals drink and discretely bathe (including us, though the retreat's bathroom was more than adequate). We spent hours relaxing and rejuvenating in the river every day. The hiking is not for the faint of heart but worth the views and amazing flora. The place is on the end of a lane, which forms a small community along the river. Getting to know many of the locals, by visiting the colorful local bar, store and restaurant (all small establishments operated and patronized by locals), was an added bonus. Although we were the only tourists around, we felt welcomed (and completely safe) throughout the community. As an agroecologist, I and my husband were fortunate enough to be invited by one resident to visit her slash and burn site on the top of a nearby ridge. For me, it was an amazing treat to see this type of agriculture, which is the way of life for most Jamaicans living in the interior. Although slash and burn gets a bad rap and can severely damage the landscape, when done right - at a low human population density which allows the jungle to grow back and regain its former level of ecosystem function - it is a sustainable form of agriculture. We absolutely loved everything about our visit. Everything was as described but at the same time so much more!

Had an awesome time (just like the last time I stayed). This is one of my favorite spots in jamaica, it's incredibly beautiful and Laaji was awesome. Chillest and nicest dude ever. Me and my friends will continue to come again and again.

We felt so lucky and blessed to have found the eco retreat, aka paradise on earth. My goodness what a beautiful place. Falling asleep to the sound of the river and the crickets, drinking the freshest water from the spring (or straight from the river), diving into the clearest water.. If you want paradise, go here. Laaiji was the best host, such a warm and welcoming family, environmentally conscious through organic farming and their home cooked meals were very tasty. We also had a lovely yoga experience with one of the local teachers that Laaiji set up. What a shame we didn't stay longer, but we will be back!

The river is awesome!! I had a great time at Tulla and Laaji's place, very relaxing. I was looking for something a bit away from everything else, to tune out and slow my mind down, and this place was perfect.. It did rain hard 2 out of the 4 days I was there, but hey, it's October, these things happen ;) However, it was sunny the other days and I believe all days started with sun nonetheless, and I was able to spend a lot of time swimming and chilling at the river, which is a 30 second walk across the street :) Laaji cooked up some nice meals for me here, and was very kind and answered any questions I had. It wasn't too difficult to get a taxi here from Hope Bay either. If you're looking for some a little off the grid with breathtaking scenery and an awesome river a few steps away, this is the place.

The power and beauty of Mother Nature greets you every morning at this riverside retreat. You are 5 mins from the riverside with plenty of places to dip in. The river flows strongly first thing in the morning. You can follow the goat track to walk high up the mountain side as the river winds around. You are greeted by Laaji's wonderful pets who are full of Jamaican character - cool and laid back. Positive family vibes fills the retreat. The views from the retreat are stunning. The ital recipes were delicious along with blue mountain coffee. The room and bathroom is very clean. A precious treasure in Portland for those who wish to be off the grid and connect with the goodness of Nature. In the end we didn't want to leave, the 3 nights was too short.

My husband and I had very relaxing time staying in Laaji's home. The location is beautiful, right by the Swift River and it's the perfect way to cool down. Laaji was a great host and he even took us on a tour of his farm in the mountains - both breathtaking and educational. Oh and we have to make mention of the meals! Fresh, well priced and absolutely delicious.

This spot is absolutely magical and perfectly remote and off the grid! If you want to tap out away from tourist spots come here!! Laaji and his family made us feel very welcome and at home. The cooking is incredibly delicious and healthy vegan food, largely from the garden. The river will blow your mind, especially heading up to the bigger pools. They are a young family so respect is needed for the little ones, but the room is very peaceful in the evenings. Highly recommend this spot if you want to visit Portland.

One of the most beautiful places we have seen in jamaica, unfortunately the weather was not on our side, but it was great none the less. Beautiful place, the room was bright clean and comfy. Would recommend this place to anybody, laaji and his wife were great, cooking amazing ital food. Thanks for everything!!

The Spring Garden guest house is a very nice place on a peaceful and beautiful beach in St. Margaret Bay, just 10 minutes by car to Port Antonio. Lothar and his family are very nice people that made everything for us to feel at home. Bevena, Lothar's wife, cooked very delicious food for us every night and also for the breakfast. We also made a couple of bonfires by the beach with good talks with Lothar and other guests.

On arrival at Spring Garden B&B, the rooms, whilst spacious, were not particularly clean and there was no soap provided, no hot water and not enough towels. Miss B was not hugely welcoming and refused to allow us to put 3 beers we had bought in her fridge for a few hours. The beach outside was as pictured, very secluded and peaceful but, at the time we were there, there was quite a lot of rubbish and the sea was too rough to be able to swim. The wifi barely worked throughout the whole stay. The rooms were uncomfortably hot (you could barely feel the fan on the ceiling of the room) and there were mosquitoes everywhere. The net provided had a hole in the top and so we had hundreds of bites (and no sleep) after one night. Because of this, we decided not to stay the full length of our trip, despite having prepaid an extra 3 days, and sought alternative accommodation. Although there is nothing overtly ‘misadvertised’ about this B&B, we would not recommend staying there.

We had a great stay at Lothar's, which is perfect for groups hoping to be close to Port Antonio but with the added bonus of having direct access to the beach.

Wonderful place. Private beach. Yummy breakfast! We will be back!

Geraeumiges Zimmer mit allem was man braucht.

Loved meeting Ms B! She is the auntie that everyone loves, very helpful and she made sure our stay was pleasant. Secluded spot with private beach, close to the road. In the summer, it is very hot, expect no AC; with minimal breeze from the ocean, this is challenging..

Lothar was kind enough to allow us to book with less than 24 hours, as we were traveling from Kingston along the southern coast and just needed an overnight rest. To his credit, he waited for us until after 8 pm without complaint. We enjoyed the sound of the ocean just at the edge of his property. Lothar agreed to bend the rules a bit and let us prepare our coffee and toast in their kitchen. The room was basic, with king size bed, sheets and towels provided, and a private bath and shower, cold water but we don't mind in warm Jamaica. There were no screens on windows and there were mosquitoes, but Lothar did provide a mosquito net for us over the bed when we made mention of it. He, his daughter and her mother were kind and polite with us, and we are grateful.

the house is way if the road in a small village a 15 minutes drive outside of PA. we went into the a little shop and the lady called lother and then he came pick us up. your room is located about 70m next to the sea. beach is nice though a little bit stony but also with a lot of sand. up the road there is a little shop with mostly beverages and cans of food, to buy real food you have to go into town. breakfast is great and diverse.

The host canceled this reservation the day before arrival. This is an automated posting.

We visited for 2 nights with our son and his wife. We were greeted warmly, helped with our luggage and easily oriented to the wifi and breakfast arrangements. The 3 bedrooms and sitting area + outside balcony were as listed. In the fridge we were provided with fruit, drinks and bottled water. The breakfast was wonderful and served at a table on the balcony. We were offered area orientation but were familiar with Port Antonio and environs. Everything was clean, the beds comfortable and all felt safe and secure. The immediate neighborhood was very much "in process" with ongoing development a bit uneven. The driveway presented a challenge but was manageable.

The guest apartment was a beautiful space, exactly as pictured- spacious, well-decorated rooms with an incredible view. There is plenty of space for at least 6 people, with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, plus a small living area. There's patio and roof access and we took some great photos. The staff who worked with us was incredibly friendly, helpful, and very much cared about our comfort. We had amazing Jamaican breakfasts every day served out on the patio. They were flexible on arrival/departure and even had a guide who gave us information about places to go around Port Antonio. It really felt like a very authentic Jamaican experience. Note that there is not hot water for showers, and the apartment is on the second floor (so be aware if you have lots of luggage, have trouble with stairs, etc.). One major difficulty was in finding the house. It is off the beaten path and getting to it is really challenging- the roads are not great and the driveway is extremely steep, plus trying to navigate your car around is a bit scary. I would not traverse the roads with anything less than 4-wheel drive, but with a bigger car it is even harder to handle the driveway. Better directions to the space would have been helpful too- the directions provided were unclear especially if you are not familiar with the town, and after calling them we had to meet them off the main road after driving around Port Antonio, and be guided to the house. That was a bit frustrating, but they were so warm and welcoming that we still had a very enjoyable experience.

Our host was exceptional, made us feel right at home. We felt we were visiting extended family members.

Our very high expectations were exceeded in reality. What a fantastic hideout and what excellent and friendly service! The grounds are breathtaking, the views to die for, our private house was spotlessly clean and well-furnished. Receptionists Andrea and Richard made us feel as if we were old friends and went out of their way to make us a delicious breakfast (one continental, one Jamaican) and to supply us with fruits. Andrea also took care of us by suggesting a tour guide and a driver who took us into the mountains for an unforgettable experience. Special mention for cook Barbara who knows her flavours and adds spice to any conversation. In short, I have found my home-away-from-home in Portland! Many, MANY thanks from Mom, Adam and myself! See you again whenever we have a chance!

Rodger was wonderful. When we arrived he welcomed us. The listing is exactly what it is. It is a small quiet place and the people are very friendly. they have a cook and small bar area they also have a pool table and eating area. The beach is rocky but it has black sand.

Hôte très accueillant. Le logement est situé en bord de mer, parfait pour les amateurs de la nature. Chambre propre et nettoyée tous les deux jours Présence de chiens et poules/coqs sur les lieux mais ce n'était pas gênant pour nous. Vrai contact avec la nature.

Rodger and ms liz are great hosts. They made us feel very at home and were very responsive to our needs. These are good clean budget rooms for 1 or 2 people . None of the rooms have a sea view or the benefit of the sea breeze for cooling which would make a world of difference in such a nice location.

Rodger is a Perfect host. It was a Short but very nice stay for us. The Location is very cool, directly at the beach. Breakfast and Dinner was very tasty. Everything was exactly as descriped. We would Love to come back one day.

Rodger was very hospitable to my husband and I, him and his wife are both humble and respectable. Almond lodge is at a great location in Portland, this was my first visit there, being a native. Portland is very clean and there's a lot to do there. We enjoyed our stay.

It was good.

Great place with amazing views and Birgit & Richard were great hosts and drove us into town and we enjoyed there company when we crossed paths. I highly recommend staying.

"Wow!" - This is the one word you will be saying over and over again if you stay with Birgit and Richard. From the second they picked us up in Kingston (so grateful for this ride!) we knew immediately from their positive energy that we were in for a real adventure! As we made our way to their home, the ride through the mountains was simply breathtaking. Birgit and Richard were so knowledgeable about the country's landscape and offered lots of information about the plant-life and history of the region. They even brought us to a cute little place for lunch in the center of Kingston. Upon arriving at their home in the mountains, my boyfriend Zeb and I were speechless. There are truly no words to describe the beauty and magic of the house and the surrounding area. After we settled in, Richard surprised us with coconuts that he picked from one of their many trees on the plantation. He expertly used his machete so we could drink the water and eat the "jelly" inside. Little surprises like this occurred frequently throughout our trip, from Brigit's traditional breakfasts with ackee and saltfish, dumplings, sauteed greens and veggies, Blue Mountain coffee, freshly baked banana bread, plantain fritters, and of course, a variety of native fruits such as mango and guava. Richard is also quite the chef and prepared us wonderful dinners of barracuda with carrots, root vegetables, and dumplings in a creamy coconut sauce with rice and peas. On our final night, he made curried chicken with coleslaw, sweet bananas, root vegetables, and dumplings (they are SO good!) You MUST request meals from them- in fact, most of what we ate was their home-cooking which is more authentic than the street food you find in the city of Port Antonio. But, you should definitely try the jerked chicken and festivals at one of the vendors- we liked Piggy's :) The home was simply furnished, but provided everything we needed to be comfortable...and that view! WOW. Each night the moonlight was so bright that we could see each other without needing any other source of lighting. The sites to see- Reach falls, The Blue Lagoon, the many local beaches (we loved Winnifred Beach), and of course, a special trip on the Rio Grande and paddle-boarding to a peaceful island of your own (Monkey Island) The best part of the trip was being with Birgit and Richard and sharing a special connection with their lives. The long talks on the porch each night made us all remember that we are truly all the same. One Love and Good vibes to you both! We will be back very soon and thank you for one of the most memorable experiences of our lives! This is a perfect place to fall in love again :) Christina and Zeb :)

Yemaya got a wonderful house she s very kind and can do great chocolate tea. The one who wants to discover port antonio and have a calm place outside of town will feel really good there.

The view to this property is absolutely breathtaking. Waking up every morning and looking out into the ocean was something out of a movie. Plus, there is a nice ocean breeze all day long so you never have to worry about staying cool on the balcony. It's a great spot to stargaze and see a shooting star. The moon is bright at night and shines on top of the ocean. The kitchen is modern and you can easily cook something quick. The fridge has space for your groceries. I love this place. Normally, I am leery of faucet water, but the water tastes great here as well. Yemaya is a great host. She is very warm, friendly, and easy to talk with. She puts you at ease and will give you advice when you ask. I asked what was the best place to get great food in Port Antonio and she mentioned Godzilla's eatery and it was consistently good every time I visited - very economical and tasted great. The Walk - The home is located at the top of a hill. It is a good 15-20 minutes walk from the road, but it's great exercise. Solar Power - The home is solar powered so at night the power output is quite low, meaning it is somewhat dark in the home except for some ambient lighting which gives the home a really nice club atmosphere. Chartering a Taxi - It's about 600 JMD to get up the hill if you ask for a taxi to take you up the hill. Suggestions - Please bring an adequate amount of mosquito repellent as the mosquitos are quite annoying during the night. You might want to bring a poncho or umbrella if it rains. Perhaps, a flashlight as well for the walk or in the home at night(URL HIDDEN)

My stay in this place it was a special time. Its at 15 minutes walking from the main street but wen you are up you have really good views from the sea, Port Antonio and the mountains. I went with Yemaya to a beach very near from the house, different beach and very nice time. 5 minutes walking you can find a little shop, they spend the time playing domino and listening music. On the town you can find a small beach but if you get a taxi you can find some beach's very beautiful o places like blue lagoon o the river. If you are calm and you like the natura and the quiet place this is your place.

Derrick provided excellent directions to the cottage. We had a very relaxing time and the property is lovely. We especially loved the birds soaring above and being so close to nature. I liked being able to cook and there are plenty of utensils and pots to cook for two people. Thanks so much Derick and we will definitely be back for a longer stay.

The property is very big and beautiful, so if you a person who likes nature, hikes or just like taking walks this is a perfect place to stay. If possible you should get a car so can move around a lot easier, cab rides cost a bit especially when they come up to the top of the property to get you.

Derrick and his wife were great hosts - always providing fresh linens and fruit at the beginning of each week. They were there to answer any questions we had and to just have some fun. The home is located on the top of a mountain with gorgeous views and fresh air. It's a nice place to get away from it all after a hot day. The pool was nice as well. Perfect for inviting some friends over to chill. All in all, I had an amazing experience at derricks place.

We had a wonderful stay with Derek! His instructions for arriving at the properly were accurate and we were given a lovely tour on arrival. We saw all of the produce that is being grown up at the house and their drive towards becoming self sufficient.The place is amazing! Stunning views, warm pool with speakers close by and lots of hiking and exploring opportunities from the property. Around 20 minute drive to port Antonio. Derek also kindly let us us his phone to contact our next accommodation which was really helpful. Thanks for everything!

I had heard of Shotover Gardens before and had my eye on a visit for a long time, so I was pleased when my visit turned out to be just as lovely as I expected. Even though it was only a short stay, Derick was an excellent host with great communication and spot-on directions. I was only there for a one day stay, but I still found the time to enjoy the lovely lawns and the swimming pool. The road to get to Shotover is a little rough in some parts but a car can make it if you drive carefully and take your time. An SUV will have no problems at all. If you are in doubt, Derick's transport rate from Port Antonio is extremely reasonable and can be utilised.

Everything was as expected. Beautiful gardens with lovely views and serenity. Thanks for having us.

The host canceled this reservation the day before arrival. This is an automated posting.

We had such a delightful stay with Gloria. Her home is absolutely beautiful and it was lovely spending a little time with her. My friend enjoyed the opportunity to climb in the trees and help pick bananas and mangos to go with the delicious ackee and salt fish breakfast she made for us. One of the best nights of sleep we had in Jamaica.

Our stay at Natoyas parents house was great! Tough we never met Natoya in person she helped us a lot with providing information about Jamaica and the direct area where she lived. Her parents were really nice. Her mom, Mrs Walker was really sweet and helpful. For a few additional dollars she made us a typical Jamaican breakfast. It was a great experience! The place itself is lovely. You would sleep in a cozy room with a balcony and ocean view. It was beautiful. There is a bathroom you can use and a living room. We loved to stay at Natoyas home and we really recommend it! If we come back to Jamaica we'll definitely stay at her house again!