Travelling to Portland - Boston Bay?
From $599 · 3 hrs 15 min from Norman Manley Airport
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Boston Bay is where jerk was born. Not the mass-produced, bottled-sauce version that fills supermarket shelves worldwide, but the real thing -- scotch bonnet, pimento wood, allspice, and thyme, slow-smoked over coals by cooks whose technique traces back centuries to the Maroons who escaped slavery and built free communities deep in the Blue and John Crow Mountains.
But Boston Bay is more than Jamaica's culinary ground zero. This stretch of Portland's eastern coastline is where the rainforest runs straight down to the sea, where surfers ride waves that most visitors never see, and where the all-inclusive formula has not taken hold. The accommodation here is small-scale, independent, and built for travellers who value authenticity over amenity counts.
If you are heading to Boston Bay or Portland's eastern coast after your flight, here is what you need to know.
Transfer Prices to Boston Bay, Portland
All prices are for in a private vehicle. Fixed pricing, no surprises.
Boston Bay sits on Portland's wild eastern edge, further east than Port Antonio. No airport is particularly close, which is part of what has kept this area untouched by mass tourism. The journey is the beginning of the experience -- every route passes through scenery that gets progressively more dramatic as you enter Portland.
From Norman Manley International (KIN), the $599 route follows the coast road through the Blue Mountain foothills. From Ian Fleming International (OCJ), the $445 transfer runs east along the quieter stretches of the north coast. From Sangster International (MBJ), the $785 transfer covers the full length of Jamaica's northern shoreline.
Starlink satellite WiFi in every Aurum vehicle keeps you connected through Portland's remote stretches where cell service is unreliable.
Book your Boston Bay transfer now
What Makes Boston Bay Special
Portland is Jamaica's wettest parish, and all that rainfall creates the most lush landscape on the island. Where the north coast resort corridor has been shaped by tourism infrastructure, Portland's eastern edge has been shaped by nature and culture alone. The result is a coastline where the jungle canopy reaches almost to the waterline, where rivers cut through limestone gorges, and where the communities are small, close-knit, and proud of their heritage.
Boston Bay Beach itself is a crescent of sand where the surf breaks consistently enough to draw surfers from across Jamaica and beyond. The waves are not massive, but they are reliable, and the atmosphere is a world away from the gentle coves of Negril or Montego Bay.
The Vibe
Jerk smoke, surfing waves, rainforest retreats, and Maroon history -- Portland's wild eastern edge, untouched by the all-inclusive formula.
Properties in Boston Bay & Long Bay
Great Huts
One of Jamaica's most distinctive properties, Great Huts is a collection of hand-built structures inspired by African architectural traditions. Treehouses, tower rooms, and cliff-edge cabins sit above the sea, connected by winding paths through tropical gardens. The philosophy is eco-conscious, the atmosphere is artistic, and the views from the cliff-top infinity pool are extraordinary.
Hotel Mockingbird Hill
A small, award-winning eco-boutique hotel set in the Portland hills above Port Antonio, Mockingbird Hill combines environmental commitment with genuine comfort. The gallery restaurant showcases Jamaican cuisine with ingredients sourced from local farmers and the hotel's own garden. It has been recognised internationally for its sustainable tourism practices.
Jamaica Palace Hotel
An architectural curiosity set in the hills above Port Antonio, Jamaica Palace features a swimming pool built in the shape of Jamaica and interiors that blend European palatial style with Caribbean exuberance. It is unlike any other property on the island.
Coral Cay Beach Resort Villas
Self-contained villas on Portland's east coast offering direct beach access and the independence of private accommodation. A practical base for travellers who want to explore the area at their own pace.
Boston Bay Beach Cottages
Simple, beachfront accommodation steps from the sand and the jerk pits. Boston Bay Beach Cottages puts you at the heart of the action -- or rather, at the heart of a place where the action is surf, smoke, and sunset.
Long Bay Beach Park
Accommodation along Long Bay's extensive stretch of sand, where the beach runs for over a mile and the atmosphere is even more remote and undeveloped than Boston Bay.
Zion Country
A retreat property in the Portland hills offering an immersive connection to Jamaican Rastafarian culture and the natural environment. Zion Country caters to travellers seeking a spiritual and cultural experience beyond conventional tourism.
Private transfer to Portland - Boston Bay
Meet & greet service
Attractions Near Boston Bay
Boston Bay Beach & Jerk Centre
The birthplace of jerk. The beach-side jerk centre is a collection of open-air pits where cooks split whole chickens and season them with closely guarded spice blends, then smoke them low and slow over pimento wood coals. The technique dates back to the Maroons, and the flavour profile -- heat from scotch bonnet, depth from allspice, sweetness from thyme and scallion -- has not changed in centuries.
Eat standing on the sand. Wash it down with a cold Red Stripe or coconut water straight from the shell. This is not a restaurant experience. It is a culinary pilgrimage.
Long Bay Beach
A sweeping stretch of undeveloped beach east of Boston Bay, Long Bay offers surf, sand, and solitude in roughly equal measure. The beach extends for over a mile, backed by sea grape and coconut palms, with few structures and fewer crowds. On most days, you can walk for twenty minutes and have the sand to yourself.
Nanny Falls
Named after Nanny of the Maroons -- Jamaica's only female national hero -- these falls sit deep in the Rio Grande valley in the Blue and John Crow Mountains. The hike to reach them passes through dense tropical forest and along river gorges, with the reward of cascading falls into a natural pool surrounded by pristine rainforest.
The Maroon connection here is not just nominal. The communities in the surrounding hills are direct descendants of the Maroons who fought the British to a standstill in the eighteenth century and won a treaty guaranteeing their autonomy -- an autonomy that continues to this day.
Your Transfer Experience with Aurum Transfers
When you book a transfer to Boston Bay with Aurum Transfers:
From KIN (Norman Manley International): Your driver meets you in the arrivals meet and greet area. The route east follows the coast through the Blue Mountain foothills before entering Portland. At $599, this is one of our longer transfers, and the Starlink WiFi on board makes the journey productive or entertaining -- your choice.
From OCJ (Ian Fleming International): Your driver meets you right outside the arrivals area. The eastward route follows the north coast through Oracabessa and Port Antonio before reaching Boston Bay. The landscape changes dramatically as you enter Portland.
From MBJ (Sangster International): Your driver meets you in the arrivals meet and greet area. The $785 transfer covers the full north coast and beyond, taking you through every parish between Montego Bay and Portland's eastern edge.
Every Aurum vehicle comes from our 100% owned fleet -- JTB licensed, Transport Authority inspected, and equipped with Starlink satellite WiFi, cold water, and air conditioning.
Why Book a Private Transfer to Boston Bay?
Boston Bay is remote. That remoteness is its appeal, but it also means public transport options are limited and taxi negotiations from distant airports can be unpredictable. A pre-booked private transfer removes the uncertainty.
A private transfer with Aurum Transfers means:
- Book Transfer →
Private transfer to Portland - Boston Bay
Meet & greet service
Fixed, transparent pricing
meet and greet at MBJ and KIN
Starlink satellite WiFi -- essential on Portland's remote routes
Real-time flight tracking with automatic driver adjustment
Cold water and refreshments for the longer drive
JTB-licensed, Jamaican-owned service based in Drax Hall, Ocho Rios
The road to Boston Bay is long. The jerk at the end of it is worth every mile.
Book your private transfer to Boston Bay now | Explore all destinations we serve
Aurum Transfers Limited is a JTB-licensed, Jamaican-owned private transfer company based in Drax Hall, Ocho Rios. We operate a 100% owned fleet with Starlink satellite WiFi in every vehicle.
Explore Portland - Boston Bay
Hotels, restaurants, tours, and local services — browse verified listings in our Jamaica directory.
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