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Cultural tour · Negril

RastaSafari Experience, Petersfield, Westmoreland: a local's guide

Researched by Michael RainfordPrices & hours checked Sources

Status unconfirmed; call to confirm before booking. I couldn't confirm it's open right now. Check before you go; the guide below has open alternatives.

No car?

Use the hotel pickup offered with the tour or book through your hotel tour desk. Otherwise hire a licensed taxi (red PP plates) for the round trip and agree the fare and waiting time first.

On this page
  1. My local take
  2. How to get there
  3. What to expect
  4. Local tips
  5. Before you go
  6. FAQ
  7. Sources

My local take

RastaSafari is a small, community-based tour in the Roaring River district of Westmoreland, inland between Savanna-la-Mar and the St James border. The Tourist Board lists it as a cultural experience covering Rastafari history and beliefs, ital cooking, drumming and healing with plants. In practice it is a guided ride on off-road vehicles through the village and farmland, with stops to swim in the Roaring River, a farm visit and an ital meal at the end. Jamaican travel writer Jhunelle J of Simply Local described it as a cultural outing rather than a speed ride, led by people from the community.

Rastafari is a living faith in Jamaica, not a costume. Most of us grew up with Rasta neighbors, and the best way to approach a tour like this is the way you would approach any community: as a guest, with questions and respect. If you want some background first, read my guide to understanding Rastafari. My take: book it for the people, the river and the food, not for the ganja field. Go in curious and you will learn more about country life in an afternoon than a week at a resort will show you.

The Tourist Board’s reopenings list, updated February 9, 2026, shows RastaSafari open after Hurricane Melissa, which hit this part of Westmoreland hard. I couldn’t find a current page from the operator itself, so confirm your date by phone before you plan around it. For an adventure day closer to Negril, see Bambuza Falls or Jamwest Adventure Park. For hotels and the rest of the area, see my Negril guide.

How to get there

Where it is: The Tourist Board gives the address as the Roaring River district, Petersfield P.O., Westmoreland. That is inland, north of Savanna-la-Mar, roughly 30 km from the Negril roundabout and 25 km from Montego Bay in a straight line (map distances). Simply Local puts Roaring River about an hour’s drive from both Negril and Montego Bay.

From Negril or Montego Bay: Most people go with the tour’s hotel pickup or through a hotel tour desk, since the last stretch is on rural roads. Ask when you book whether pickup is included from your hotel and how long the transfer takes.

Driving yourself: Head for Petersfield, then Roaring River. Ask for RastaSafari by name in the district; locals will point you the right way. Call ahead so someone is there to meet you.

What to expect

The ride. Simply Local’s account describes a short walk past medicinal plants to the vehicles, then a guided ride of about 45 minutes in two-seater off-road vehicles, with community guides riding alongside. The route runs on dirt roads and pasture trails through the village and hills. Tour sellers describe the same experience in ATVs or side-by-side UTVs.

River stops and the farm. The ride stops at swimming spots on the Roaring River, which rises from limestone caves nearby and is a major water source for Westmoreland. There is also a visit to a farm run by a licensed grower, with talk of herbal remedies and tastings of local fruit and herbal wines, and some products for sale.

Culture and food. The Tourist Board describes the experience as covering Rastafari history, beliefs and ceremonies, drumming, and traditional healing with plants. The tour ends with an ital meal, the plant-based food at the heart of Rasta cooking, prepared in the community. What is included can change from tour to tour, so ask about the meal, drinks and pickup when you book.

Local tips

  • Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel and a change of clothes. The river stops are optional but worth it.
  • Ask before you take photos of people, homes or religious items. A simple question goes a long way.
  • Bring small bills for tips, drinks and anything you want to buy from the farm or the community shop.
  • Book directly by phone where you can, so more of the money stays in the community, and compare the price with what resellers charge.
  • Know the rules on ganja before you go: read my guide to <a href="https://jamaicahotelreview.com/ganja-smoking-jamaica/">cannabis in Jamaica and what the law says</a>.

Before you go

  • The operator’s own website could not be found, and the Tourist Board listing has not been updated in years. Confirm the tour is running, the price and what is included by phone before you book.
  • Prices on tour reseller sites vary a lot for what looks like the same tour. Ask exactly what you are paying for.
  • The off-road ride is bumpy and dusty. If you are pregnant or have back or neck problems, ask before you book. It is not wheelchair accessible.
  • Hurricane Melissa hit Westmoreland hard. Ask about road conditions and the river when you book, and expect the rural roads to be slow.
  • Don’t confuse it with Roaring River Park and Caves nearby, which the Tourist Board’s reopenings list shows as closed.

Questions people ask

Is the RastaSafari Experience open?

The Jamaica Tourist Board’s reopenings list shows it open. I couldn’t find a current page from the operator, so call to confirm your date before you book.

Where is RastaSafari?

In the Roaring River district near Petersfield, Westmoreland, inland and north of Savanna-la-Mar. It is roughly an hour by road from either Negril or Montego Bay.

What do you do on the RastaSafari tour?

A guided off-road ride through the village and farmland, stops to swim in the Roaring River, a farm visit with talk of herbal remedies, and an ital meal. The Tourist Board says it also covers Rastafari history and beliefs, drumming and plant-based healing.

Is RastaSafari the same as the Rastafari Indigenous Village?

No. The Rastafari Indigenous Village is a separate community attraction near Montego Bay. RastaSafari is in rural Westmoreland and built around an off-road ride.

How do I book RastaSafari?

The Tourist Board listing gives the phone number (876) 822-5333, and Simply Local gave 876-445-7203. Tour resellers also sell it with hotel pickup. Confirm the price and inclusions before you pay.

Sources & updates

Update log

  • — New researched guide; status checked against the Tourist Board list; no current operator site found.
  • — Moved source citations out of the text

Spotted something out of date? Tell me and I’ll check it.

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