Port Royal

Kingston

Port Royal showing boating, general coastal views and a bay or harbor
Port Royal which includes general coastal views and boating
Port Royal featuring general coastal views and boating as well as a large group of people
Port Royal which includes a marina, bird life and a bay or harbor
Port Royal featuring kayaking or canoeing and a bay or harbor

Explore the city where buccaneers and cutthroats once ruled. Learn about the earthquake that caused most of it to sink into the sea.

Wander around the sleepy fishing village of Port Royal and imagine it as it would have been in its heyday, with pirates, sailors and merchants crowding the streets and taverns. Visit Fort Charles and some of the other buildings that remain from the town’s former glory and eat the freshest fish in Jamaica at one of the town’s restaurants. Take a trip to the idyllic Lime Cay and spend an afternoon snorkeling or reading in the sun.

The town of Port Royal was founded in 1518. Used as a naval base by the Spanish and subsequently the English, it was once the New World’s busiest city. Traders from all regions used it as a stopover. It was also called the wickedest city in the world due to its high numbers of pirates, prostitutes and drunkards. Many of the buildings associated with this decadence sank under the ocean following an earthquake in 1692. Bring your dive gear to visit this world-renowned underwater archeological site.

Wander the quiet streets and enjoy the change of pace from bustling Kingston. Walk down Church Street to find St. Peter’s Church, which dates back to 1725, and see historic relics in its courtyard. Make your way to Fort Charles to discover how the English retained control of Port Royal for nearly 200 years. Two small museums also contain artifacts recovered from the 1692 earthquake.

Other attractions include the Old Gaol and the Old Naval Hospital. The inner ironworks of the latter building were actually constructed in Bradford, England, making the hospital one of the oldest pre-fabricated buildings in the world.

Hire a pilot to give you a boat ride to Lime Cay, a small, uninhabited island just off the coast. Spend an afternoon snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing. Return to Port Royal to have dinner at Jamaica’s best fish restaurants. To make your evening last longer, head to one of the town’s bars and nightclubs.

To reach Port Royal drive southeast 17 miles (27 kilometers) from Kingston or take the bus. You can find accommodation here, though most visit the port as a daytrip from Kingston.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Port Royal Hotel Deals

Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal
Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal
3.5 out of 5
1 Port Royal Street, Kingston, Saint Andrew
$128 nightly
The price is $142 total per night from Jul 23 to Jul 24
$142 total
Jul 23 - Jul 24
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Kingston. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
6.4/10 (857 reviews)
"Really nice renovations going on. Close to the airport. Really good for in the hotel restaurant Red Stripe. Plenty of outdoor seating by the water. Great place to catch a sunset! The new owner is extremely nice and has some great ideas for the future of this hotel. Can't wait to go back and see the ..."

Reviewed on May 15, 2025

Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal
S Hotel Kingston
S Hotel Kingston
4.5 out of 5
1 St Lucia Avenue, Kingston, Saint Andrew
$154 nightly
The price is $178 total per night from Aug 8 to Aug 9
$178 total
Aug 8 - Aug 9
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kingston. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,401 reviews)
"I enjoyed my stay at this artistic boutique hotel."

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

S Hotel Kingston
ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
4 out of 5
2-4 King Street, Kingston
$178 nightly
The price is $198 total per night from Jul 25 to Jul 26
$198 total
Jul 25 - Jul 26
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kingston. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,014 reviews)
"Great people, great hotel would recommend!"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
R Hotel Kingston
R Hotel Kingston
4 out of 5
2 Renfrew Road , Kingston 10, Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica
$176 nightly
The price is $192 total per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
$192 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kingston. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,139 reviews)
"Super clean and Security on point …. Thanks"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

R Hotel Kingston
AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston, Jamaica
AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston, Jamaica
4.5 out of 5
38 Lady Musgrave Rd, Kingston, St. Andrew Parish
$255 nightly
The price is $282 total per night from Aug 1 to Aug 2
$282 total
Aug 1 - Aug 2
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kingston. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (813 reviews)
"I loved the location, vibe, staff, food, drinks, room and cleanliness of the hotel. The atmosphere especially as a solo traveler was phenomenal. You have a return guest in me."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston, Jamaica
The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel
The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel
3.5 out of 5
81 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston
$208 nightly
The price is $229 total per night from Aug 1 to Aug 2
$229 total
Aug 1 - Aug 2
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Kingston. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (945 reviews)
"Beautiful scenery, my fridge wasn't working, the bed wasn't made properly, there wasn't any working ice machine on the second as they stated otherwise beautiful property, but there's always room for improvement. Nice staff"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Port Royal

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Bridgeport

Though Bridgeport might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Sovereign Village Mall and Hellshire Beach.

Bridgeport
Along a road with hits and beats. Lives a rastaman,Leggo, Mr. Leggo Beast. Mr. Cool, Gregory, The Rebel, Mr. Tosh, Reggae Titans he remembers when things weren't even this posh. He paints his home like a beat box and keeps his mane in a bungo locs. The aroma of an ital plate and the tremor of a tribal base escapes into the streets to which many oblige. Touristic come from far beyond the Atlantic, to live a day in his mytic. Yes oh yes, after four decades Beat Street still is quite a treat.
#culture #reggaemusic #musiclegends

Trenchtown

You'll enjoy the restaurants and museums in Trenchtown. You might want to make time for a stop at Trench Town Culture Yard or Serenity Park.

Trenchtown
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Kencot

While Kencot isn't home to many top sights, St Andrew Parish Church and Devon House are some notable places to visit nearby.

Kencot
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Eden Gardens

4/5(1 area review)

If you're spending some time in Eden Gardens, National Stadium and Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library are top sights worth seeing.

Eden Gardens
South Coast

Eastwood Park

If you're spending some time in Eastwood Park, St Andrew Parish Church and Tropical Plaza are top sights worth seeing.

Eastwood Park
Devon House which includes a house and a garden

New Kingston

Discover urban parks like Emancipation Park and Hope Gardens, or explore landmarks such as the Bob Marley Museum. Enjoy the redeveloped waterfront area with hotels, shops, and cultural centers, while easily navigating via buses and taxis.

New Kingston

Port Royal

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