1 month ago
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Nestled in the charming mountains overlooking Kingston lies the Rafjam Bed and Breakfast. My first visit to Rafjam happened by chance. Earlier this month, I visited the C-Pond Waterfall in Gordon Town and since that trail took less time than anticipated, we made the spontaneous decision to add this delightful B&B and its waterfall to the itinerary. Rafjam is located in Irish Town, a town that was originally inhabited by Irish settlers who came to work on Jamaica’s Blue mountain coffee farms in the 1700s– hence the name. Perfect for nature-loving friends and families, here’s my review and why you should take a day trip– or spend the night– at the Rafjam Bed and Breakfast.
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Where is Rafjam B&B Located?
One of the bridges we crossed from Gordon Town to Irish TownRafjam Bed and Breakfast is located in Irish Town, Saint Andrew, Jamaica. Getting to the location either requires a 4×4 vehicle or hike. We chose the latter, starting our hike from the Penfield district along a well-traversed trail which links Gordon Town to Irish Town. We walked past the waterfalls at Penfield, including the tiniest one which someone has now captured and named “Grime Time Prime Time River.” Continuing up up up into the mountains, we passed several houses, some of which were under construction. This trail isn’t accessible to anything larger than two wheels or foot-mobile, so we passed men carrying large bags of cement on their backs or by wheelbarrow; very hard work. Unlike most Jamaican hiking trails which are located in remote areas, this one brought us in close contact with rural Jamaicans and their quotidian lives.
We covered roughly 2.5km with an elevation gain of 400m in an hour to arrive at Rafjam from Gordon Town, ideal in preparation for high altitude hikes. On the way, we passed this gorgeous unnamed waterfall too beautiful not to stop and gawk at. There were also numerous coffee plants on the trail, reminding us that we were hiking in Coffee Country. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is a globally protected certification mark, and only coffee from this growing region at 3,000 to 5,500 feet (915 to 1676m) above sea level can be legally labelled as such.
Day passes at Rafjam cost $1,500 per person, and includes access to the property’s river, waterfall, restaurant, restrooms, spa, gift shop and a deck with hammocks, chairs and board games. I didn’t enquire about the rooms since I visited on a day trip, but I see online where room prices start at US$100 per night for two, and includes breakfast. In fact, Rafjam B&B is currently undergoing expansion.
Exploring Rafjam
We arrived at Rafjam close to midday. After paying our day-passes for $1500 each, we placed our lunch orders immediately as that hike made us ravenous. Lunch options that day included coconut curry fish or baked chicken with sides of steamed vegetables, fried plantain and rice and peas or pumpkin rice. Our pleasant hostess took our orders, then carried us around the property. For souvenir, I settled on a Himalayan salt scrub from the gift shop. Inside smelled wonderful from all the scented candles, aromatherapy and skin products. Who wouldn’t be happy in such a cozy place!
Within an hour, our meals were ready and we washed them down with fruit juice and Ting, Jamaica’s favourite grapefruit soft drink. Food and drink for three costed about JM$10,000. This was the refueling we needed to explore the Rafjam river and waterfall.
Rafjam Waterfall
After lunch, we started the 5-minute walk to Rafjam Waterfall. The water was cold but pleasant unlike the icy temperature we experienced earlier that day at the C-Pond Waterfall. Rafjam Waterfall was quite beautiful but we could tell that it wasn’t flowing as heavy as it does during wet season, given previous pictures we had seen. All the more reason to revisit some day! We splashed around for a bit then got ready for the return hike to where we had parked our cars in Gordon Town, heart and bellies full.
Wrap Up
Spontaneous adventures are the best kind but as I grow older, they have gotten fewer due to more responsibilities. I also have a smaller circle with which to take these trips as most of my friends are now living overseas or in different parishes, busy with their own lives. But, that’s a part of life. It makes my adventures feel even more sacred now when they actually materialize, i.e. when they make it out the group chat. Have you visited Rafjam before? Would you visit spontaneously on a day trip like we did, or would you prefer to take a full weekend retreat and bask in the beauty of this awesome place? Sound off in the comments section below!
If you enjoyed this post, you would also like:
- Holywell, St. Andrew
- Cascade Falls, Portland
- Cinchona Botanical Gardens
- A Guide to Jamaica’s Blue Mountains
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