Jamaica Positive Impact Vacation
Vacation and have a positive impact while experiencing Jamaica's culture
Positive Impact Vacation: Coast to Coast Jamaica
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Kingston entry – Introductions, Welcome dinner
Day 2: Kingston – Beach cleanup, support for the arts, Harbour tour
Day 3: Blue Mountains – Working on a woman-owned farm, hiking, river dip
Day 4: Ocho Rios – Gift giving to a charity, waterfalls
Day 5: Ocho Rios – Visit and exploration of a fish sanctuary
Day 6: Montego Bay – Visit a marine lab, hiking with rescued dogs
Day 7: Kingston – Sightseeing, cooking lesson
Day 8: Departure
Relaxation, Impact, Culture
If you are interested in doing good and having a positive impact while you travel, this Jamaican vacation package is perfect for you. It provides an unbeatable balance of cultural excursions, charitable activities, and rest and relaxation. Check out our itinerary below.
Day 1 – Arrival
Today, you arrive in Kingston and you will be picked up from the airport. Our first activity is a tour of Kingston by bus (around 30-40 mins) to introduce you to the country of Jamaica and the city of Kingston. We will pass the harbour, drive past major government buildings and point out important social locations. Depending on the time of your arrival, we will then drive to your hotel to check in or go straight to a local family-owned restaurant for your welcome dinner so you can get your first taste of the Jamaican cuisine.
Day 2 – Kingston Sightseeing and Cleanup
After breakfast, we will explore Kingston. We will discover the colourful downtown art district that houses many beautiful murals and oozes the Jamaican vibe on every corner.
We will then go to the University biodiversity centre in Port Royal to learn about the country’s marine ecosystem. We will also do a tour of the Kingston Harbour and learn about the effects of pollution on the ecosystem and what is being done to combat those dangers.
For our lunch today, we will support a local caterer and enjoy our lunch together with community members.
We will then head to Lime Cay beach to relax and enjoy the beach. We will conduct trash cleanup activities on the beach. We will then go back to the heart of Port Royal for a meal at a popular family run seafood restaurant, after which we will head back to the hotel.
Day 3 – Blue Mountains Farm, Hike and River
After breakfast, we will explore the Blue Mountains and visit with a woman-owned coffee farm. At the farm, we will learn about the process of coffee making and you will participate in some daily activities, such as harvesting and sorting the coffee beans. Lunch will be in the community. We will hike to a river to cool off in the afternoon and explore the beauty of the surroundings. We will have dinner in the mountains and then head back to our Kingston accommodations.
Day 4 – Ocho Rios Waterfalls
After breakfast, we will visit Boys’ Town where they provide training resources for individuals in Trench Town, an inner city community. There we will meet the staff, get a tour of the facilities and community, be a part of the training (where possible), and be treated to a cooking class and lunch.
After lunch we will head to Ocho Rios. We will stop at Dunn’s River Falls where you will have some time to explore the cascading falls and take a refreshing dip. You can also walk all the way down to the beach as the falls end directly into the sea. Please note that the falls are a popular attraction and it can be quite busy at times. After Dunn’s River Falls, you will check into your Ocho Rios accommodations.
Day 5 – White River Sanctuary
Today, we will visit the White River Fish Sanctuary to learn about the work being done to preserve the fishing stock. We will do a beach clean up and have lunch with the local fishermen and NGO staff. We will go snorkeling (or just relax) and help (if available) clean a nearby reef.
Day 6 – Marine Life and Rescue Haven
After breakfast we will visit the Discovery Bay Marine Lab. Here we will learn about the research of the lab and go on a boat ride in the Bay.
After the Marine Lab we will take a look at the harbour and the beach, where we will meet up with local volunteers and take some time to clean up any trash that we can find.
We will then travel to Montego Bay and go on a unique hiking trip through the mountains to a river. What makes it unique, is that we will be bringing the rescue stray dogs of Montego Bay Animal Haven with us. Our hike with the doggos will take around 1 – 2hrs depending on how much time you would like to spend with the dogs.
After our walk, we will take the dogs back to the rescue and will get a tour of the facilities. We will provide the rescue with some dog food or other animal supplies that they need in order to support their great work for the animals.
Day 7 – Reggae and Food
You will have a free morning in Ocho Rios. After lunch, we will drive back to Kingston. In Kingston we will stop at the Bob Marley Museum for a tour to learn more about the King of Reggae. Many are familiar with the music of this great Jamaican artist, but to learn about it at the location where he used to live, makes it really come alive.
For our farewell dinner in Kingston tonight, we will go to a local family-owned restaurant for a cooking workshop. You will learn how to make some Jamaican food and we will share our meal with a nearby charity or friends we’ve interacted with on our journey.
Day 8 – Departure
You will be brought to the airport in time for your flight back home.
