Port Royal

Kingston

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


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 (867 reviews)
"Good option for early airport departure or late arrival. Simple accommodation recover for the next leg."

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal
S Hotel Kingston

S Hotel Kingston

4.5 out of 5
1 St Lucia Avenue, Kingston, Saint Andrew
The price is P9,171 per night from Sep 5 to Sep 6
P9,171
P11,842 total
Sep 5 - Sep 6
includes taxes & 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! (1,449 reviews)
"Breakfast was amazing!"

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

S Hotel Kingston
R Hotel Kingston

R Hotel Kingston

4 out of 5
2 Renfrew Road , Kingston 10, Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica
The price is P9,468 per night from Aug 20 to Aug 21
P9,468
P11,608 total
Aug 20 - Aug 21
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! (1,156 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay. The doors are a bit noisy when closing, as they are heavy, but most guests were polite."

Reviewed on Aug 11, 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
The price is P11,564 per night from Aug 22 to Aug 23
P11,564
P14,567 total
Aug 22 - Aug 23
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! (832 reviews)
"All around good. Parking a little weird but understandable give the location."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston, Jamaica
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 P8,152 per night from Aug 22 to Aug 23
P8,152
P10,091 total
Aug 22 - Aug 23
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! (1,056 reviews)
"Always stay here n my wife first choice when we go there"

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2025

ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
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! (969 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on Aug 12, 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

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

Eastwood Park
Devon House showing 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

Though Patrick City might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Parade and Sabina Park.

Patrick City

Port Royal