Ocho Rios Tours
Jamaican Music History Tour of Kingston from Ocho Rios
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Jamaican Music History Tour of Kingston from Ocho Rios

By Jamaica Cultural Tours
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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About

Ages 0-75, max of 10 per group
Duration: 8h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, Spanish
More


  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  • Professional guide
  • Live commentary on board
  • Bottled water
  • Beverage on Orange Street
  • Entry fees to Bob Marley Museum
  • Entry Fee to Trench town Culture Yard Museum tour
  • Entry/Admission - Bob Marley Museum
  • Entry/Admission - Trench Town Culture Yard
What's not included
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Pickup details
    • We pick up from all accommodations in Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay.
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      Port pickup offered
      During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included ports.
      • Ocho Rios Cruise Terminal, CV5Q+MQX, Turtle Beach Rd, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Wheelchair accessible
        • Stroller accessible
        • Near public transportation
        • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 12269P4

        • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
        • Children must be accompanied by an adult
        • Most travelers can participate
        • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
        • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
        • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

        • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

        If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 12269P4

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        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Jamaica Cultural Tours
          272
          Kingston, Jamaica
          Joined in September 2011
        • tomaY698KI
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great coffee tour
          Super tour. Great experience. Top class team. 100% recommend this to anyone with even a cursory interest in coffee. Excellent views, really interesting information on the process.
          Written August 19, 2024
        • carolfF8914JO
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A must do experience
          Our trip was well organised and Karen was an amazing informative guide. If you have the opportunity make time for this excursion, the views from the Blue Mountains are spectacular whilst the tour around the coffee farm offers a great insight into the history and process behind making the famous Blue Mountain coffee.
          Written August 17, 2024
        • willied595
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Wonderful experience and awesome tour guide.
          Learning about the history and culture of Jamaica through the many street artists was an awesome experience. Our guide Karen was perfect. She was very knowledgeable and she seemed to really enjoy her work and took pride in sharing her culture. We would recommend her specifically for any city tour you take.
          Written August 4, 2024
        • Voyage28471582221
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great tour through downtown!
          I had Karen I my tour guide and she gave a fantastic tour through downtown Kingston taking us through the murals, parks and the art gallery to finish. Very knowledgeable and kind too, I would highly recommend!
          Written August 4, 2024
        • saneishaj
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Best Tour Guide in Kingston
          My family and I visited Jamaica in June 2024. This was a very big trip for us as native Jamaicans -- basically returning home to the motherland after 3+ decades in the United States. It was more of a homecoming celebration than a vacation, and the team at JA Cultural Tours made it incredibly special. I wanted to learn all of the history I missed growing up in the US, so I booked two tours: 1) the Kingston Walking Tour and 2) the Blue Mountain Tour. On the Kingston Walking Tour, my family and I learned a "whole-heep" of Jamaican history. Courtney took us into the heart of downtown and helped us understand/remember the cultural components that make Jamaica Jamrock. Through music, language, art, and food, we got the full Kingston experience. A few days later, Courtney and the lovely guy who drove us up the mountain (I cannot remember his name at the moment -- forgive me!) gave us the Blue Mountain experience where we journeyed up to the mountain top to witness for ourselves the beauty that lives in the Blue Mountains and to also learn why Jamaica has some of the best coffee in the entire world. On this tour, we got the best views, the best food, the best coffee, and some of the best laughs on our entire trip. The Blue Mountain Tour was my absolute favorite and I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone visiting Jamaica, but especially for coffee lovers. Overall, the JA Cultural Tours team are not only professionals, but they create an experience that one can only find in Jamaica -- this is what makes them the best. Courtney is beyond amazing at what he does and how he tells the story of our country with immense pride. Big ups to the JA Cultural Tours team, we will come back soon to learn more from you guys.
          Written July 26, 2024
        • chauffeurtours
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Well spent time
          Great experience, informative, fun... Everyone should take some time to experience Jamaica. So much to do, so many places to go.
          Written July 23, 2024
        • themelanatedexplorer
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          No regrets!
          I spent the majority of my trip to Jamaica in Negril, so when I came to Kingston for 2 days I had to make the most of it. I checked out tours that would give me just the right amount of experience on the weekend. Because a lot of places are closed on a Sunday, I lucked out in finding this option. The guide was exceptional and thoughtful. I felt comfortable and totally enjoyed chatting with her throughout our time together. There is walking, but not a lot to feel fatigued or anything of the sort, the lovely weather that day probably helped out. It was warm, but breezy! Trenchtown was eye opening and very informative, and the art district was the star of the day. Also, when at Devon house definitely try the curry goat patty!
          Written July 9, 2024
        • K4685KPerict
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Fun Times Beat the Heat!
          We had a fantastic time! Our tour guide, Karen, we such a sweetheart and very knowledgeable. She showed us National Heroes Park, Trench Town, and the Art Walk and gave us suggestions as for the rest of our trip. I highly, highly recommend this tour, especially if you manage to get Karen.
          Written June 23, 2024
        • Nomad783853
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Jamaica Cultural Tours Should Not be Missed
          After 4 years of communicating with Karen, I was great to finally meet her in person. We had to cancel our 2020 visit because of the pandemic. The tour was everything we expected it to be. Karen was extremely knowledgeable and considerate. Her local perspectives were valuable. I was most impressed/surprised with the murals along the Art Walk. Beautiful people, beautiful country. Will visit again.
          Written June 7, 2024
        • Happiness38788344153
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing tour of Jamaican music and its history and performers
          The tour was amazing. The guides were very knowledgeable, friendly and knew and sang the music. I highly recommend this tour
          Written June 4, 2024
        • ronochiu
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Shoutout to our amazing driver and guide!
          Me and my wife had a wonderful time visiting the Blue Mountains in Jamaica, thanks to our driver and guide, Hewitt and Courtney! Their warm personality, energy, and knowledge truly made a positive impact to our experience! We highly recommend anyone that wish to visit the Blue Mountains to use the service of Jamaica Cultural Tours.
          Written May 31, 2024
        • 129sabinec
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Fantastic tour - don’t miss it!
          I cannot recommend this tour enough - it was amazing. Karen was really friendly and knowledgeable and I learnt so much, not just about reggae but all the musical forms of Jamaica. It was also a fantastic introduction to Kingston.
          Written May 19, 2024
        • Villan01
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Bespoke Tour
          I have had Karen as a guide on my previous two visits to Kingston, Karen is has great interest and knowledge of Jamaica. I arranged a bespoke day with Karen and Hewitt. We went to Spanish Town, Port Royal, Fort Charles, the murals in downtown Kingston with lunch as Glorias. It was an excellent and varied day where I learned many new things about Jamaica
          Written May 14, 2024
        • Murray U
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Kingston City and Musical Tour
          The tour was extensive thorough and led by a wonderful knowledgeable entertaining guide (Courtney) Highly recommended
          Written May 6, 2024
        • Sandra E
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Authentic and personalized tour
          If you want an authentic experience of Kingston this is a great way to see history and embrace the culture in a very personalized way. Many thanks to our driver Hewitt and tourguide Courtney- wonderful communication and this pair was tons of fun and positive energy - we were picked up from our apartment and they had us laughing and singing the entire tour. Our first stop was the Bob Marley museum which was excellent and detailed, well curated and we learned so much. Second stop was historic Devon House where we got to walk around and also had the BEST ice cream I’ve ever had (they were not lying lol it’s really that good!) Hewitt also recommended we try the Goat Curry patty at the bakery- another winner! Next stop was Trench town cultural center, truly eye opening, we left with a deeper understanding of the rich history and influence of a place we hear so much about in music and poetry, it was like putting a face to a name. We also saw some beautiful street art and Courtney took great photos for us. Last stop was the record store on Orange Street- another place where it was so cool to step into a space where so much happened, it was great energy, seeing all the records and just embracing where we were. We want to Truly thank Courtney and Hewitt for a wonderful experience!
          Written April 7, 2024
        See all 272 reviews
        These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members 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.

        Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

        Popular mentions

        5.0
        5.0 of 5 bubbles11 reviews
        Excellent
        11
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        Liza
        Los Angeles, CA1 contribution
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jul 2022
        This is an incredible tour not to be missed if you are a fan of music. Karen was great and clear with communication throughout the planning process. Our driver, Wayne, was knowledgeable, fun, and safe. He picked us up from our hotel in Ocho Rios. The drive there is through some countryside, which was beautiful and interesting to see. Our guide, Courtney, met us in Kingston -- he is a musician and poet, was also incredible and a wealth of knowledge. This is a professional tour that really gives you more insight into Kingston, Trench Town, Jamaican music history, and Jamaican culture. We went to Emancipation Park, learned about the history of freedom fighters, ate patties, went to the Bob Marley Museum (which had a separate great guide), visited Rockers Records, and went to the Trench Town Culture Yard. The guide at the Trench Town Culture Yard also knew a ton and it would be great if they could get more resources. This is a great way to be able to get out of a resort and explore Kingston even if you are unfamiliar with the area.
        Written July 10, 2022
        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.

        swilliams0012018
        San Jose, Costa Rica2 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jul 2022
        Karen made the logistics easy and was very organized. Wayne was our driver and gave us a ton of history about Ocho Rios, Kingston, and Jamaica overall. We even stopped for fresh coconuts and sugar cane! Our guide in Kingston, was Courtney, and he was very nice and also knew a ton of Jamaican history. Ask him about his poetry!

        We have all heard Trench Town mentioned in Reggae, so it was a must see if I was going to Jamaica. We also went to Rockers Records and got the breakdown of music and saw all the old albums they still have. Emancipation Park was really nice. It has so much Jamaican history, told by sculptures lined up throughout the park.

        And the highlight for me was the Bob Marley Museum. You learn so much about his life, music, and purpose.

        You will not be disappointed with this tour!
        Written July 24, 2022
        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.

        Thumb Bass
        15 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        A lovely scenic journey from Ocho Rios through the mountains and towns down to Kingston. Our guide for the day when we got to Kingston was Courtney who was very pleasant and very informative and always answered any of your questions. The tour was inspirational for me as I'm a big Bob Marley fan and reggae in general. A great day out.
        Written March 23, 2023
        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.

        Ryan B
        United Kingdom8 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        May 2022 • Couples
        Amazing day exploring the music and culture in Kingston. Great to get away from our resort in Ocho Rios to see more of the Jamaican culture.

        Our driver Dwayne was really friendly and great all day. Karen did a great job organising the day and making sure everything ran smoothly.

        Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in Ska and Reggae!
        Written June 7, 2022
        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.

        Peter O
        Northwich, UK51 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Mar 2019
        A must see if you visit Jamaica, if you liked Bob Marley music this is the place to go and visit. Such history and great presentation by the staff.
        Written June 5, 2019
        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.

        Michael C
        Henderson, NV1 contribution
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Dec 2017 • Couples
        Our excursion to Kingston, provided by Jamaica Cultural-Enterprises, was easily the high point of our week in Jamaica. We were staying in Ocho Rios and Karen drove out, picked us up, gave us a tour that couldn't be beat, and drove us back to our hotel. We were pretty much only interested in reggae history and Karen went above and beyond providing sights and people to meet for that aspect of Kingston. We started at the Bob Marley Museum and went from there. I even got to meet the Mighty Diamonds, a 70s reggae band that was one of my favorites back then, and watch them practice for an upcoming show! Karen was friendly and full of information and I can't recommend her highly enough. Our trip to Jamaica would have really been lacking without this tour.
        Written December 13, 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.

        Lamont M
        3 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Sep 2023 • Couples
        Courtney and Mr. Paulwell we’re excellent. I would highly recommend this tour ta all of my friends and family members. The tour was educational and enriching.
        Written September 5, 2023
        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.

        Jamaican Music History Tour of Kingston from Ocho Rios provided by Jamaica Cultural Tours

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