PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Given Whitfield Hall's remote location high in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, travelers need to plan certain aspects of their trip in advance, particularly transportation and meals. You will also find information here on guides to Blue Mountain Peak and the cost of incidentals during your stay.
TRANSPORTATION
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Bear in mind that due to the condition and steepness of the roads, you will need to travel by 4 wheel drive vehicle - NOT AWD (All Wheel Drive) - from Mavis Bank/Hagley Gap to Whitfield Hall.
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For pre-arranged transportation with us, please see Pick Up Locations and Rates listed below.
Travel Time from Kingston to Whitfield Hall
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Papine to Mavis Bank - 1 hour
Mavis Bank to Whitfield Hall - 1 hour
If you do not have access to a 4 wheel drive vehicle, we can arrange for you to be picked up.
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Please be aware that the mountain roads and conditions may slow you down if you are driving yourself or being transported by someone unfamiliar with the area.
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If meeting our driver, kindly build in sufficient additional travel time in order to arrive at the meeting point at the appointed time. If you are running late we ask that you kindly give us a call as the driver is coming from Whitfield Hall to collect you.
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Please telephone someone to get directions to Whitfield Hall or to arrange a location for pickup if you are unsure.
(Be sure to reserve a pick-up in advance, and confirm by phone.)
Please pay the driver directly, in cash. Thank you!
PICK UP LOCATIONS
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All listed rates are One Way. Round Trip transportation is twice the One Way Rate.
Base charge covers transport for 1 - 6 people with an additional charge per person over 6.
Maximum of 10 people per vehicle.
(It is possible for solo travelers or small groups to share
transport costs with other guests. Inquire when making your
booking arrangements.)
One way trip Mavis Bank to Whitfield Hall
or WH to Mavis Bank
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Base charge: $8,000 Jamaican/$55 U.S for 1 - 6 people
Each additional person (up to 10): $500 Jamaican/$4 U.S
(There is safe parking in front of the Mavis Bank Police Station)
One way trip Hagley Gap to Whitfield Hall
or WH to Hagley Gap
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Base charge: $5,000 Jamaican/$40 U.S for 1 - 6 people
Each additional person (up to 10): $300 Jamaican/$2 U.S
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One way trip Kingston (Papine)/Sovereign Centre/Constant Spring/New Kingston to Whitfield Hall
or Whitfield Hall to Kingston (Papine)/ Sovereign Centre/ Constant Spring/ New Kingston.
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Base charge: $16,000 Jamaican/$110 U.S for 1 - 6 people
Each additional person (up to 10): $1600 Jamaican/$8 U.S
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One way trip Strawberry Hill to Whitfield
or WH toStrawberry Hill
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Base charge: $18,000 Jamaican/$120 U.S for 1 - 6 people
Each additional person (up to 10): $1,500 Jamaican/$12 U.S
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One way trip Cedar Valley to Whitfield Hall
or WH to Cedar Valley
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Base charge: $8,000 Jamaican/$55 U.S for 1 - 6 people
Each additional person (up to 10): $800 Jamaican/$4 U.S
(There isn't a guaranteed safe parking place for a vehicle)
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For travelers arriving at Norman Manley Airport who need transport to Sovereign Centre or Papine, JUTA mini buses are available. There is a JUTA service counter in the airport's arrivals section.
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For those who need land transport from Negril, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Mandeville, or Port Antonio, we can suggest the Knutsford Express, an air-conditioned bus service with a Terminus in New Kingston. For more information, call them at (876) 960-5499 or (876) 971-1822. You can find info about their routes on their website www.knutsfordexpress.com. You can make arrangements with us to pick you up from the Kingston Terminus (Kingston to Whitfield Hall rates apply).
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For travelers who wish to use public transit from Kingston to Mavis Bank, give us a call and we can provide information on either local bus service and/or reliable taxi operators.
MEALS & COOKING FACILITIES
Guests have use of the kitchen to prepare their own meals, or you can have the House Manager, Everton, prepare meals with your provided ingredients, or you may order pre-arranged, full pre-set meals provided and prepared by Everton.
​Pre-Ordered Full Meals (with ingredients provided):
Heavy Breakfast: $1,000 Jamaican/U.S. $8 per person
Heavy Lunch: $1,200 Jamaican/U.S. $9 per person
Heavy Dinner: $1,500 Jamaican/U.S. $10 per person
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Meat options are chicken and fish.
Vegan and vegetarian options are available.
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Meal Preparation Services (with ingredients provided by the guest):
Per person/per meal: $500 Jamaican /U.S.$4
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If you would like meals, please pre-order them when you book your stay.
There are no grocery stores nearby. Groceries can be purchased in Kingston, and other basic supplies can also be purchased in Mavis Bank.
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It is the responsibility of guests to clarify when booking re: allergies and dietary restrictions. It is a shared kitchen therefore we cannot provide guarantees for an allergen free environment.
GUIDES & PARK FEES
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We can arrange for trustworthy guides to lead you to Blue Mountain Peak or Cinchona Gardens. A guide will ensure that you do not lose your way; we especially encourage solo travelers to hike with a guide, in case they need assistance.
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*Please keep in mind these guides do not provide "guided tours" with narration and description of flora and fauna.
A guide* to Blue Mountain Peak or Cinchona:
Base charge: $6,000 Jamaican/ U.S. $40
This charge covers 1-5 people.
Each additional person over 5 costs an extra $500 Jamaican/U.S. $4
Please pay your guide (in cash) directly for their service.
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Park Access Fee:
A special local rate is in place for Jamaicans of $300 Jamaican per person (with National ID).
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For Visitors to Jamaica the rate is $3,000 Jamaican/U.S. $20 per person.
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Please pay this Access Fee to the Park Ranger at Portland Gap or at the Jamaica Conservation Development Trust (JCDT) office in Kingston.
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If paying at the park, you will be required to pay in cash.
COFFEE and a COZY FIRE
Coffee:
$300 Jamaican/U.S. $2 per cup
Firewood and prepared fire:
$500 Jamaican/U.S. $4 per fire/per night