📌Parish
Boston Bay is a small bay and community in the parish of Portland, at the northeastern tip of Jamaica, on the east coast. It is about 16 kilometers east of Port Antonio, the capital of Portland, in an area of coast open to the Atlantic Ocean. It is famous for two things that coexist in the same place: being considered the birthplace of Jamaican jerk —with its legendary stands of grilled pork and chicken, going since the 1940s— and being one of the few real surf beaches on the island, thanks to its waves, unusual in the Jamaican Caribbean
📌Service city
The base for visiting Boston Bay is Port Antonio, about 16 km to the west, where the hotels, restaurants, banks, ATMs and services are. From there you reach it by taxi, rental car or local minibus along the east coast road. To reach Jamaica, the nearest international airport is Kingston's (Norman Manley, KIN); many travelers also fly into Montego Bay (Sangster, MBJ) and cross the island. Boston Bay itself is a small community, so it's best to sort out lodging, money and shopping in Port Antonio
📌Best time to go
The beach and the jerk stands operate year-round. The driest, most pleasant season runs from December to April, with sunny days; between May and November it rains more (Portland is one of the wettest areas in the Caribbean) and the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. For surfing, the swell is usually best and most consistent in the winter months (roughly November to March), when the northern fronts arrive. For the jerk and the beach, any sunny day is ideal; weekends usually have more of a local buzz
📌Suggested days
Boston Bay is a stop of a few hours rather than a multi-day destination: just enough to eat authentic jerk, enjoy the beach and, if there are waves, surf or watch the surfers. The usual thing is to visit it on a half day from Port Antonio, combining it with other wonders of Portland. On a 2- or 3-day stay in the area, it fits perfectly alongside the Blue Lagoon, Frenchman's Cove, Reach Falls and Rio Grande rafting, which together form one of the most authentic circuits in eastern Jamaica
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🌤️ Clima en Boston Bay
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Boston Bay is one of those places where you understand in a single bite why Jamaica is so famous for its food. This small bay on the east coast of Portland, about 16 kilometers from Port Antonio, is considered the birthplace of jerk, the cooking method and the marinade that became a signature of Jamaican cuisine and one of its greatest contributions to world gastronomy. Here, in a row of roadside stands —some going since the 1940s—, pork and chicken are marinated with Scotch bonnet pepper, allspice (pimento) and a bunch of spices, and slowly smoked over wood and pimento leaves until spicy, juicy and deeply aromatic.
But Boston Bay is not only flavor: it is also one of the few real surf beaches in Jamaica. Unlike the calm Caribbean waters that surround most of the island, this bay is open to the Atlantic and receives waves, especially in the winter months, which made it a reference point for local surfers and for a small surf scene that is almost a secret of the country. The little sandy beach, tucked between green cliffs, is pretty and usually quiet, far from mass tourism.
This guide covers the practical side of enjoying Boston Bay: where and how to eat authentic jerk, what the beach and the surf are like, how to get there from Port Antonio and how to combine it with the rest of Portland. It is an unmissable stop for food lovers and for those seeking the most genuine Jamaica, the one cooked at the roadside and eaten with your hands, looking out at the sea.
📖 History of Boston Bay
Jerk —and with it the fame of Boston Bay— has its roots in the history of the Maroons of Jamaica, the communities of enslaved people who escaped and took refuge in the mountains of the interior, many of them in the nearby Blue and John Crow Mountains. To survive in the jungle, the Maroons developed a cooking technique that combined the slow smoking of meat over a wood fire —which allowed it to be preserved and cooked without giving off too much telltale smoke— with an intense marinade of local spices, especially allspice (pimento) and the fiery Scotch bonnet. That fusion of African and indigenous (Taíno) knowledge, adapted to the resources of the island, gave rise to jerk. Over time, Boston Bay, because of its location in Portland —the heart of that Maroon region— became established as the emblematic place of jerk, where the roadside stands (today's Boston Jerk Center, with roots in the 1940s) kept the tradition alive and made it famous among travelers from all over the world. In parallel, the Atlantic-facing bay earned its other title: birthplace of Jamaican surfing, a rarity on an island of mostly calm seas. The full history is on our history page.
Read the full history →🏛️ Boston Bay is in Parish of Portland
The northeastern tip of Jamaica, the greenest and most romantic face of the island: rainforest, rivers and waterfalls, the famous Blue Lagoon, bamboo-raft rafting on the Rio Grande, the birthplace of jerk in Boston Bay and the historic Nanny Town of the Maroons. Here elite tourism was born and Hollywood stars summered.
Read the history of Parish of Portland →🗺️ What to see
1
The jerk stands of Boston Bay (the birthplace of jerk)
The row of stands where authentic jerk is cooked, smoked over pimento wood, considered the origin of the dish.
It is the main reason many travelers go out of their way to Boston Bay. At the roadside, a row of stands —the famous 'jerk centers' or 'jerk huts', today grouped in the Boston Jerk Center, with roots going back to the 1940s— keeps alive the tradition that made this corner of Portland famous. Here pork and chicken (and sometimes other meats) are marinated with an intense mix of Scotch bonnet pepper, allspice (pimento), thyme, scallion, ginger and other spices, and then slowly smoked over wood and pimento leaves, often laid on pimento sticks that perfume the meat. The result is spicy, smoky, juicy and deeply aromatic.
What sets Boston Bay apart is the reputation of being the place where jerk was born or made famous, linked to the tradition of the area's Maroons. Eating here is to experience a ritual: choosing the stand, watching the meat cook over the fire, ordering your portion (it's served chopped, often with a machete or knife, and sold by the quarter pound or by the pound) and pairing it with the classics: festival bread (a sweetish fried dumpling), hard dough bread, sweet potato or a cold beer like Red Stripe. You eat with your hands, no formality.
The atmosphere is popular and open-air, part of the experience. Getting there: they are on the east coast road, about 16 km from Port Antonio. Best time and hour: lunchtime or the afternoon, and weekends usually have more activity. Tips: try different levels of spice (it can be very strong), bring cash, confirm the price per portion before ordering and ask for the jerk sauce on the side to control the heat. It is one of the unmissable food experiences of Jamaica.
ℹ️ Distance: On the east coast road, about 16 km east of Port Antonio · Best time: Lunch or afternoon; weekends with more atmosphere · Admission: Open access; chicken or pork jerk J$ 950-1,000 (approx. US$ 6) for a quarter pound, about US$ 24-25 for a full pound (2024-2025 rate); verify on visiting · Duration: 1 to 2 hours
2
Boston Bay beach (surf)
The small sandy beach of the bay, one of the few in Jamaica with real waves and the birthplace of local surfing.
Boston Bay has a peculiarity that makes it almost unique in Jamaica: it is open to the Atlantic Ocean and receives real waves, something unusual on an island surrounded for the most part by the calm waters of the Caribbean. That is why it earned the title of birthplace of Jamaican surfing and became the gathering point of a small but enthusiastic scene of local surfers. The beach, of sand tucked between vegetation-covered cliffs, is pretty, usually quiet and keeps a genuine air, far from mass tourism.
The swell is more consistent and good for surfing in the winter months (roughly November to March), when the northern fronts bring better waves. It is an ideal beach for beginners or intermediate surfers; there are local operators (like Surf Boston Bay) that rent boards and stand up paddle, and offer lessons with local instructors. When there are no big waves, it is simply a pleasant little beach to swim, cool off and rest after eating jerk.
As at many open beaches, it's best to be careful with the currents and respect the sea conditions, especially if you're inexperienced. Getting there: it is in the same bay where the jerk stands are concentrated, on the east coast, about 16 km from Port Antonio. Best time: winter for the surf; any sunny day for the beach. Tips: it pairs perfectly with the jerk (eat and then beach, or vice versa), bring cash, sunscreen and water, and ask the locals about board rental and sea conditions.
ℹ️ Distance: In Boston Bay itself, east coast of Portland (about 16 km from Port Antonio) · Best time: Winter (Nov-Mar) for surf; any sunny day for the beach · Admission: Beach access free; board rental US$ 20 per day; surf lesson approx. US$ 30 (local operators, 2024-2025). Verify on visiting · Duration: Half a day
3
The east coast of Portland around Boston Bay
The green, wild stretch of coast between Port Antonio and Boston Bay, with coves, cliffs and vegetation.
The journey to Boston Bay is, in itself, part of the appeal. The east coast of Portland, between Port Antonio and Boston Bay, is one of the most beautiful and authentic in Jamaica: a succession of small bays, coves, jungle-covered cliffs and an intensely blue sea, with little development and lots of green. It is the most natural and wild face of the island, far from the resorts of the north coast.
On this same stretch are some of the great wonders of Portland, which lets you put together a route stringing together nearby places. The Blue Lagoon and Frenchman's Cove are between Port Antonio and Boston Bay, while farther east, past Boston Bay, is Long Bay, another beach with waves, and you can continue toward Reach Falls, now inland. Touring this coast, stopping to eat jerk, swim in a cove or gaze at the sea from a viewpoint, is one of the most pleasant experiences of the east of the island.
The road is scenic but winding and at times narrow, typical of the Jamaican interior. Getting there: it is traveled by car, taxi or on an excursion from Port Antonio. Best time: sunny days, especially in the dry season. Tips: take it slowly, stopping at the spots worth it; bring cash, water and a camera, and combine Boston Bay with the Blue Lagoon and Frenchman's Cove on a single outing.
ℹ️ Distance: Stretch of coast between Port Antonio and Boston Bay (and farther east toward Long Bay) · Best time: Sunny days, dry season · Admission: Touring the coast is free; Frenchman's Cove charges separate admission (J$ 2,750 for over-12s, 2024-2025) · Duration: Half a day to a day (combining several attractions)
4
The Blue Lagoon, a few minutes away
The famous lagoon of turquoise-blue waters between Port Antonio and Boston Bay, an unmissable of the east coast.
A few minutes from Boston Bay, on the way to Port Antonio, is the Blue Lagoon, one of the most famous and photogenic corners of Jamaica. It is a deep lagoon of intensely blue, shifting water, fed by underground cold freshwater springs that mix with warm sea water, which produces a curious sensation when swimming and those tones of blue and green that made it famous. It gained worldwide fame from the 1980 film of the same name shot here.
The usual thing is to arrange a bamboo raft or boat trip with the local operators at the jetty, who take you around the lagoon, explain the phenomenon of the waters and usually include a stop to swim. You can also simply take in the place and have a dip. It is a plan that pairs perfectly with the jerk of Boston Bay and with Frenchman's Cove on a single day along the east coast.
Getting there: on the east coast road, between Port Antonio and Boston Bay; by taxi, car or excursion. Best time: sunny days to appreciate the color of the water. Tips: bring a swimsuit and towel; agree the price of the trip before getting on the raft; combine it with Boston Bay and Frenchman's Cove.
ℹ️ Distance: Between Port Antonio and Boston Bay, on the east coast (a few minutes by car) · Best time: Sunny days in the dry season · Admission: Taking it in is free; bamboo raft or boat trip approx. US$ 20-40 per person depending on duration (source: local Portland operators, verified July 2026) · Duration: 1-2 h
5
Frenchman's Cove, beach and river
One of the most beautiful beaches in Jamaica, where a freshwater river flows into a white-sand cove.
Frenchman's Cove, between Port Antonio and Boston Bay, is a postcard beach and one of the most celebrated in Jamaica. Its charm is the combination of a sheltered cove of white sand and turquoise waters with a small freshwater river that winds through the vegetation and flows into the sea, so you can alternate between a sea swim and a river swim in the same place. It is surrounded by jungle and is part of a historic estate-hotel.
The beach charges an admission that gives access to the cove, the river and the facilities (there is food and drink service). It is a quiet place, ideal for spending a few hours relaxing in a spectacular natural setting, and it fits perfectly into a tour of the east coast along with Boston Bay and the Blue Lagoon.
Getting there: on the east coast, a few minutes from Boston Bay toward Port Antonio; by taxi, car or excursion. Best time: sunny days. Tips: bring cash for the admission and food/drink; swimsuit, towel and sunscreen; combine it with the jerk of Boston Bay.
ℹ️ Distance: Between Port Antonio and Boston Bay, on the east coast (a few minutes by car) · Best time: Sunny days in the dry season · Admission: Approx. J$ 2,750 (over 12); reduced rate for minors (source: Frenchman's Cove Resort, verified July 2026) · Duration: Half a day
6
Long Bay and Winnifred Beach (the most authentic east coast)
Local beaches east of Boston Bay, with waves, a Rasta vibe and little tourism.
Following the coast eastward from Boston Bay you reach Long Bay, a bohemian, relaxed beach town, with a long sandy beach and waves that draws surfers and travelers seeking the least touristy Jamaica. It is a place of simple guesthouses, reggae bars and a Rasta atmosphere, very different from the resorts of the north coast, ideal for slowing down for a few days.
In the other direction, toward Port Antonio, is Winnifred Beach, one of the last public and free beaches in Jamaica, defended by the local community itself. Of golden sand and calm waters, with stands of homemade Jamaican food, it is a classic beloved by locals and by the travelers who find it. Both complete the portrait of an authentic, natural east coast within reach of Boston Bay.
Getting there: on the east coast, a few minutes from Boston Bay (Long Bay to the east, Winnifred toward Port Antonio); by car, taxi or route taxi. Best time: sunny days; for surf in Long Bay, depending on the swell. Tips: at Winnifred bring small cash for the food; at Long Bay, watch out for currents if there are strong waves.
ℹ️ Distance: Long Bay east of Boston Bay; Winnifred Beach toward Port Antonio (a few minutes) · Best time: Sunny days; Long Bay depending on swell for surf · Admission: Winnifred Beach free access (public beach); Long Bay free (source: Portland guides, verified July 2026) · Duration: Half a day to several days
💵 Prices
Tickets
| Type | Price |
|---|
| Chicken or pork jerk (quarter pound) | J$ 950-1,000 (approx. US$ 6), 2024-2025 rate; verify on visiting |
| Chicken or pork jerk (full pound) | Approx. US$ 24-25 per pound (2024-2025) |
| Sides (festival bread, hard dough bread, sweet potato) | J$ 100-250 (approx. US$ 1-2) each |
| Access to Boston Bay beach | Free (open access) |
| Surfboard rental (day) | US$ 20 (2024-2025) |
| Surf lesson | Approx. US$ 30 (2024-2025) |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
Activities and tours
| Activity | Price | Duration | Operator |
|---|
| Try authentic jerk at the Boston Bay stands | US$ 6 a quarter pound; US$ 24-25 a full pound | 1 to 2 h | Boston Jerk Center / local stands |
| Surf in the bay (with a rented board) | US$ 20 per day for board rental | Half a day | Surf Boston Bay and local surfers |
| Surf lesson for beginners | Approx. US$ 30 (2024-2025) | 1 to 2 h | Local instructors and schools of Boston Bay |
| Combined east coast excursion (Blue Lagoon + Frenchman's Cove + Boston Bay) | US$ 60-100 per person with transfer | Full day | Port Antonio agencies and guides |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🚌 How to get there and distances
Getting around
| Mode | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|
| How to pay for and plan transport (app and payment method) | Cash (Jamaican dollar, J$) in small bills | — | The east coast of Portland gets around with route taxis and minibuses that do NOT have fixed schedules or a real-time app: you flag them on the road and pay in CASH when getting off, in small bills (a short leg is around J$150-300). To plan routes, Google Maps is used (Moovit has very limited coverage in Jamaica; there is no local bus-tracking app). To travel between cities on air-conditioned coaches there is the Knutsford Express Travels app (iOS/Android), which books and charges by card and reaches Port Antonio (the base city, 25-35 min from Boston Bay); from there you continue by taxi or route taxi. (source: Visit Jamaica / Public Transportation and Knutsford Express, verified July 2026) |
| Taxi or car with driver from Port Antonio | US$ 15-25 round trip (agree beforehand) | Approx. 25 to 35 min | The most comfortable way to get there from Port Antonio. It's best to agree the price before setting off and, if you want to combine attractions, negotiate the full day |
| Own rental car | US$ 45-75 per day (economy-mid category, 2025) | Variable | Lets you explore the east coast at your own pace and stop at Boston Bay, the Blue Lagoon and Frenchman's Cove. The road is scenic but winding; you drive on the left |
| Route taxi / local minibus | J$ 150-300 (approx. US$ 1-2) for a local leg, in cash (source: Portland route taxi fares, verified July 2026) | Variable | A cheap option used by locals that runs along the east coast. Less comfortable and with unreliable schedules, but useful for travelers on a tight budget. Paid in cash when getting off; agree the destination with the driver when boarding |
| Organized excursion from Port Antonio | US$ 60-100 per person (full day) | Half a day to a full day | Several Portland excursions include Boston Bay along with the Blue Lagoon and Frenchman's Cove, sorting out the transfer and the logistics |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
How to get there
| Route | Airlines / operators | Avg. price | Duration |
|---|
| Port Antonio → Boston Bay (east coast) | Taxis, cars with driver, minibuses and excursions | US$ 15-25 round trip by taxi | Approx. 25 to 35 min (about 16 km) |
| Kingston → Port Antonio → Boston Bay | Rental cars, taxis and minibuses | US$ 130-190 direct private transfer (2025) | Approx. 3 to 4 h to Boston Bay depending on the route |
| Ocho Rios → Port Antonio → Boston Bay (north coast) | Rental cars, taxis and excursions | US$ 100-150 by private taxi | Approx. 2.5 to 3 h |
| Montego Bay (MBJ airport) → Port Antonio → Boston Bay | Private transfers, rental cars | US$ 210-290 direct private transfer (2025) | Approx. 4.5 to 5.5 h crossing the north coast |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🏨 Where to stay
No exact prices: a scale from $ (budget) to $$$$$ (luxury), with 2-3 options per category.
| Category | Price | Recommended options |
|---|
| Luxury / boutique of Portland | $$$$$ | US$ 180-450 a night; boutique hotels, villas and high-end resorts in the Port Antonio area and the Portland coast (Trident Hotel, Jamaica Palace), some tied to the golden age of Errol Flynn, with sea views and a tropical setting. For an exclusive experience with Boston Bay a short drive away |
| Mid-range in Port Antonio and the east coast | $$$$$ | US$ 70-140 a night; mid-range hotels and inns in Port Antonio and along the east coast, a good base for visiting Boston Bay, the Blue Lagoon, Frenchman's Cove and Reach Falls. A balanced relationship between price and location |
| Guesthouses near Boston Bay / Long Bay | $$$$$ | US$ 35-70 a night; small guesthouses and simple lodgings in the Boston Bay area and nearby Long Bay, popular among surfers and travelers who want to be close to the beach and the jerk stands |
| Budget / guesthouses in Port Antonio | $$$$$ | US$ 25-50 a night; budget guesthouses and lodgings in Port Antonio, chosen by backpackers and travelers on a tight budget who use the town as a base for exploring Portland |
🍴 Where to eat
| Type | Price | Options / signature dish |
|---|
| Jerk (grilled pork and chicken, the specialty of Boston Bay) | $$$$$ | US$ 6 a quarter pound, US$ 24-25 a pound; the star dish and the reason for the place's fame: pork and chicken marinated with Scotch bonnet, allspice and spices, smoked over pimento wood at the stands of the bay. Served with festival bread, hard dough bread and cold beer |
| Fresh fish and seafood | $$$$$ | US$ 15-35 per dish; thanks to the proximity of the sea, in Boston Bay and Port Antonio you can get fresh fish (snapper), lobster in season and seafood Jamaican-style (escovitch, curried, grilled) |
| Home-style Jamaican cooking | $$$$$ | US$ 8-16 per dish; typical dishes like ackee and saltfish (the national dish), callaloo, rice and peas and curry goat at local eateries and stands in the area and in Port Antonio, at affordable prices |
| Local drinks and refreshments | $$$$$ | US$ 1.50-4; Red Stripe beer, fresh coconut water, natural juices and soft drinks to go with the spicy jerk. Bring small cash, as the stands are usually informal |
❓ Frequently asked questions
Why is Boston Bay famous for jerk?+
Boston Bay is considered the birthplace of jerk, the Jamaican method of marinating and smoking meat with Scotch bonnet, allspice (pimento) and spices. The tradition is linked to the Maroons who lived in the mountains of Portland. Here, in a row of roadside stands —today grouped in the Boston Jerk Center, with roots since the 1940s—, that cooking was kept alive and became famous all over the world.
How much does it cost to eat jerk in Boston Bay?+
Chicken or pork jerk is sold by the quarter pound from J$ 950-1,000 (approx. US$ 6), which works out to about US$ 24-25 a full pound (2024-2025 rate). Sides like festival bread or hard dough bread cost extra, between US$ 1 and 2. It's best to confirm the price before ordering and to bring cash.
Can you surf in Boston Bay?+
Yes. Unlike most of Jamaica, which faces the Caribbean Sea and has calm waters, Boston Bay is open to the Atlantic and receives waves, so it is considered the birthplace of Jamaican surfing. The best swell is usually in the winter months (roughly November to March). There are local operators like Surf Boston Bay that rent boards (US$ 20 per day) and offer lessons (approx. US$ 30).
How do I get to Boston Bay?+
The base is Port Antonio, about 16 km to the west. From there you reach it by taxi (US$ 15-25 round trip), rental car, local minibus or excursion, along the east coast road, in about 25 to 35 minutes. If you're coming from Kingston it's about 3 to 4 hours; from Ocho Rios, around 2.5 to 3 hours; from Montego Bay, about 4.5 to 5.5 hours crossing the north coast.
How do you pay for the bus or route taxi and which app is best?+
In Portland the route taxis and minibuses have no fixed schedule or real-time app: you flag them on the road and pay in cash when getting off, in small bills (a short leg is around J$150-300). To plan routes, Google Maps is best (Moovit has little coverage in Jamaica). To travel between cities on air-conditioned coaches there is the Knutsford Express Travels app (iOS/Android), which books and charges by card and reaches Port Antonio; from there to Boston Bay you continue by taxi or route taxi. (verified July 2026)
Is jerk spicy? Can I control the heat?+
Yes, authentic jerk can be quite spicy because of the Scotch bonnet pepper, one of the hottest in the world. At many stands you can ask for the meat with less sauce or the sauce on the side to control the level to your taste. It's worth trying even if you're sensitive to heat, starting with a small amount.
What other attractions can I combine Boston Bay with?+
Boston Bay fits perfectly into a circuit through Portland along with the Blue Lagoon, Frenchman's Cove (admission J$ 2,750), Reach Falls and Rio Grande rafting, all near Port Antonio. The usual thing is to devote a half day to it (eat jerk and enjoy the beach) and add one or two more attractions on the same outing, with a combined tour of US$ 60-100 per person.
Sources consulted (14)
- Selina Wamucii — «Pork Price in Jamaica, 2025 Market Prices»: https://www.selinawamucii.com/insights/prices/jamaica/pork/
- Jamnesia Surf Camp — Tarifas de surf: https://jamnesiasurf.com/surf/
- Surf Boston Bay (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/bostonbaysurf/
- Frenchman's Cove — FAQ oficial de precios: https://frenchmanscove.com/faq/how-much-is-entry-to-the-beach/
- Wikipedia (EN) — «Jerk (cooking)»: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerk_(cooking)
- Wikipedia (EN) — «Portland Parish»: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Parish
- Wikipedia (EN) — «Jamaican Maroons»: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_Maroons
- Visit Jamaica (oficial) — «Boston Bay»: https://www.visitjamaica.com/listing/boston-bay/
- Visit Jamaica (oficial) — «Port Antonio»: https://www.visitjamaica.com/listing/port-antonio/
- Wikipedia (EN) — «Jamaican cuisine»: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_cuisine
- Visit Jamaica (oficial) — «Getting Around»: https://www.visitjamaica.com/plan-your-trip/getting-around/
- Wikipedia (EN) — «Port Antonio»: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Antonio
- Wikipedia (EN) — «Jerk (cooking)»: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerk_(cooking)
- Wikipedia (EN) — «Jamaican cuisine»: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_cuisine
