Holywell Park Jamaica

Calm, cool, serene natural habitat complete with cabins, open spaces for tent pitching and cooking, nestled in the cool, welcoming, picturesque hills of St. Andrew is the first things which come to mind when thinking of this beautiful getaway.

A place where colleagues and I have hosted hikes for numerous years, there are trails aplenty and comfortable driving areas for those who are uninterested in the trek.

Although it is a natural and protected reserve, the ruggedness has been erased with the installation of electricity, running water at various stand pipes strategically placed around the site and especially near the spots built for cooking, flushable male and female outhouses in comfortable reach, tissue, hand towels and handsome soap dispensers outfitted to gazebos near the stand pipes. Garbage bins are also hard to miss.

Entry fee is $400 per person and hours of operation are 9am to 5 PM. The rangers are friendly and knowledgeable and stay out of your way. Cabin rental is also available.

Mobile data tends to be hard to pick up so that replaces all the ruggedness that was initially softened by the modern amenities mentioned, and unless you are in unmatched company, have a good book to read or are busy with no time for your phone, you had better find games to play or new plant species to discover.

A+ for the directional signs to various parts of the site including ample parking, the informative boards of the types of flora and tid bits on the history of the site.

I would recommend it to students looking for a quiet place to study, groups wanting to stage a retreat, families in need of time away to have the camping experience and lovers who want to drink in the romance that nature offers.

There are no snakes, bears or wild animals to contend with, and the view of Kingston and our natural harbour simply...

Enjoy the beautiful view of Kingston and the ocean behind it. There are a few different offerings here. One can go for the day, make a reservation to go camping, or rent one of the lodges available.

We've only ever gone for a day trip. The admission is 400 JMD per person as of Jan 2021. With this you get access to the location. There are several pagodas placed throughout the park but generally it's first come first served if you want to secure one to yourself for a group. There are restrooms and groundskeepers to ensure cleanliness, but personally I still avoid the restrooms and clean up after myself.

Some of the pagodas have a concrete enclosure with a grill, others don't. Bathroom facilities were recently updated and they've even added a "tuck shop" recently, although I can't speak to what is available there.

There's a hiking trail and even a little waterfall if you're willing to explore so wear sneakers and parents, please be mindful as there are many open areas with small steep sloping/drops (and a few with large ones) so kids need to be monitored to ensure they don't fall.

There are no major restaurants or shopping facilities near Hollywell Park, so if you plan to go there, make sure you pack sufficient supplies to have a good day! Bring a bucket of KFC, drinks and ice at the least. Temperatures can reach below 16 degrees Celsius and it often rains suddenly so pack well for the trip. If you have a 4WD vehicle or one with good off road capabilities, take that.

The drive up can be rough if you're not used to winding roads and the occasional single lane 2 way traffic on a hillside, but it's worth it if you're looking for a peaceful and cool day up in the hills...

Holywell Park is a rough gem! The road from Kingston is very narrow so if that is a concern be prepared.

Perched at over 900 meters (3,000 feet) above sea level in the cool, misty forests of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, Holywell offers an ideal retreat from the heat and hustle of city life. Just an hour’s drive from New Kingston, it is the largest and most accessible recreational area within the National Park.

Holywell features 10 gazebos, each named after local flora or fauna. Six are located in the main picnic area, while two are tucked away along scenic trails; another stands near the Visitors’ Centre, and one is close to the Car Park. Barbecue pits and benches are scattered throughout, providing ample spots to relax, and restrooms are conveniently located near the gazebos. Interpretive signs at the entrance of the picnic area offer useful information, including a site map.

Some of the cottages seem a bit rundown but some signs of new facilities are under construction. The trails are suitable for healthy individual but not so much for very young or old. The location has a nice snack location called Blue Brews Bistro but the offering...