Port Royal

Kingston

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

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 artefacts 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 kilometres) 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


Top hotels in Port Royal

Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal

Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal

3.5 out of 5
1 Port Royal Street, Kingston, Saint Andrew
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 (870 reviews)
"I love my time at the hotel and Remi makes the best drinks"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal
S Hotel Kingston

S Hotel Kingston

4.5 out of 5
1 St Lucia Avenue, Kingston, Saint Andrew
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! (1,462 reviews)
"The management and staff go above and beyond to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 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
The price is €153 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
€153
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & 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! (1,062 reviews)
"The ROK hotel is a must stay when visiting Kingston Jamaica. This hotel is near the water front and other restaurants are nearby. The bed was supper comfy, breakfast not 100 but can work with! Over all it safe and comfortable."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 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
The price is €175 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
€175
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kingston. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,160 reviews)
R Hotel is the best.
"My stay was great. The staff in housekeeping were awesome and very friendly. The breakfast, lunch and dinner crew were excellent, polite and courteous. This was my third time staying at the R Hotel."

Reviewed on 22 Aug 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €220 per night from 29 Aug to 30 Aug
€220
29 Aug - 30 Aug
includes taxes & 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! (834 reviews)
"I think this might be one of the best hotels in Kingston! Its trendy new clean and beautiful."

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2025

AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston, Jamaica
Altamont Court Hotel

Altamont Court Hotel

3 out of 5
1-5 Altamont Terrace, Kingston, Saint Andrew
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Kingston. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (978 reviews)
"Good location, outdoor pool, restaurant on cite, free breakfast. Facility is a little old and dated. It did the trick for my 2 night stay"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Altamont Court 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 neighbourhoods around Port Royal

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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, Devon House and St Andrew Parish Church are some notable places to visit nearby.

Kencot
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Eden Gardens

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

While visiting Eastwood Park, you might make a stop by sights like Tropical Plaza and St Andrew Parish Church.

Eastwood Park
Devon House which includes a house and a garden

New Kingston

New Kingston is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Devon House and Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library while in the area.

New Kingston
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Patrick City

While Patrick City isn't home to many top sights, Parade and Sabina Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Patrick City

Port Royal

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