Description of the area:
The property is located within the tropical montane rainforests of Jamaica’s only National Park. Holywell boasts spectacular views of wide open rainforest areas, the city of Kingston, and world famous Blue Mountain coffee plantations. There are 5 hiking trails, one of which runs through 2 parishes, another leads to a waterfall, and one leads to a stream. The area is a favorite of bird watchers, campers, and hikers. Visitors will come in contact with a wide variety of endemic plants and birds, and become familiar with conservation programmes. Children can enjoy the newly built Kids’ Discovery Zone, an interpretive play area where children learn about the plants and animals of the park. Nearby attractions include: New Castle Jamaica Defense Force Training depot which boasts a rich history, Twymam’s Coffee Farm, Gardens of Cold Spring, Catherine’s Peak, and park buffer zone communities.
Available activities:
Bird watching
Eco/nature/wildlife
Educational, research, volunteering
Mountain climbing
Tours
Visits to conservation projects
Walking/hiking
How to get there:
- Closest international airport:
Norman Manley International Airport
- Closest local airport:
Norman Manley International Airport
- Distance, by land, to the nearest airport:
53 km or 33 miles
Holywell is accessible all year-round via two-wheel drive vehicle.
Making a difference:
Holywell is the premier recreational area inside the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. This park is dedicated to the conservation of Jamaica’s natural resources and to providing nature-based recreational opportunities for Jamaicans and foreigners. Holywell is used as a focal point for developing appreciation for nature in the wider public, and hence support for conservation initiatives. Holywell employs a largely local workforce from nearby communities, and uses local products. The site houses a tree nursery where native forest trees are grown for use in reforestation projects and for sale to visitors. About 80% of the Holywell property is dedicated to habitat conservation, and therefore is under forest cover. The visitor center at the site provides educational materials about the natural environment, and the newly built Kids Discovery Zone entertains children with interpretive games.
