Ocho Rios

Museums & Galleries

Bob Marley
Reggae lovers won't be able to visit the island and not pay homage to the Godfather of reggae. Mind you, it would be difficult for any tourist to visit Jamaica and not come into contact with the great man's legacy, his emotionally complex, powerful music. True fans should make the pilgrimage to the singer's hometown of Nine Mile, located in the hills of St. Ann, where the Bob Marley Mausoleum can be visited. The fascinating Bob Marley Experience and Theater featuring a movie highlighting his life, music and concerts can be seen in Ocho Rios while the capital, Kingston, is home to the beleaguered Bob Marley Museum housed in the original studio where he recorded most of his songs. Currently it's closed, awaiting funding, but it's hoped to reopen soon.

Coyaba River Garden Museum,  Ocho Rios
Long before the Europeans "discovered" Jamaica, the island was inhabited by the peaceful, nature-loving Arawak Indians. They called the island "Xymaca - the land of wood and water". Unfortunately, their way of life quickly came to an end over the next 50 years of Spanish colonization. European-borne diseases, slave labour and conflict led to their extermination. Learn about their tragic history here.

Discovery Bay, Runaway Bay
Site of Columbus' landing in 1494, this is where you will find Columbus Park which is an open-air museum containing a wide range of historical artefacts and information on the area's rich past. That it's also a delightful site with wonderful views might also draw you to this region.

National Gallery of Art,  King Street, Kingston
A varied programme of local and international artists shares this grand space with a permanent collection of Jamaica's vibrant national collection of home-grown masterpieces. The works of Carl Abrahams, Cecil Baugh, John Dunkley and other giants of Jamaican art are carefully displayed here with ceramics and photography well represented.