Bamboo Rafting in Lethe, Montego Bay: 30-Foot Raft

Glide down the Lethe River on a 30-foot bamboo raft piloted by a local guide.

Bamboo rafting on the Lethe River near Montego Bay puts you on a 30-foot raft guided by a local who shares the history and ecology of the area as you drift downstream. You travel by air-conditioned vehicle from your hotel, then spend the afternoon on the water learning about the fruit trees and rural landscape of the hills. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized seat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bamboo rafting on Lethe River

• Board 30-foot bamboo raft
• Glide down Lethe River
• Learn about fruit trees
• Hear local history and nature

The experience

A 30-foot bamboo raft is your vessel for the afternoon. A local guide poles you down the Lethe River, pointing out the fruit trees that line the banks and explaining the history and character of the area. The raft itself is the experience: no motorboat, no rushing. You move at the pace of the river and the guide's knowledge. The ride takes you through the cool hills of rural Montego Bay, away from the coast and into the landscape most visitors miss.

Your hotel pickup is included, and you travel by air-conditioned vehicle to the river. The whole outing runs between four and six hours, so you have time to settle into the rhythm of the water and absorb what the guide is telling you. This is billed as a romantic tour, and the slowness of bamboo rafting (the absence of noise and speed) is what makes that true.

Infants can ride on an adult's lap or in a specialized infant seat if you need one. The activity suits all fitness levels, since you're not paddling or swimming. You're a passenger on the raft, watching the river pass.

What’s included

Raft fee and air-conditioned vehicle transport from your hotel to the Lethe River.

Options for this experience

6 options

From Montego BayGuide in English · 10:00Select Falmouth/Trelawny; pickup is included. Do not include Royalton White Sands and Blue Waters, Ocean Coral/Eden, Excellence Oyster Bay, Mangos, Melia Braco, etc.

From Grand PalladiumGuide in English · 09:30Pickup is included

From Falmouth/TrelawnyGuide in English · 09:30Includes pickup from hotels such as Royalton White Sands and Blue Waters, Ocean Coral/Eden, Excellence Oyster Bay, Mangos, Melia Braco, etc.

See 3 more options

From Runaway BayGuide in English · 08:30Pickup is included

From NegrilGuide in English · 08:00Pickup is included

From Ocho RiosGuide in English · 08:00Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday, Saturday and SundayDepartures at 08:00, 08:30, 09:30 and 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (2 to 6 years): free · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Glee Tours Jamaica

Is this one for you?You choose your departure point at checkout (Negril, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Grand Palladium, Runaway Bay, or Falmouth/Trelawny), so the pickup matches where you're staying. The bamboo raft itself is the draw: if you want to move slowly down a river and hear a local guide instead of sitting on a motorboat, this is the way to do it.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 6 years): free; Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is a 30-foot bamboo raft like on the water?

A bamboo raft is a flat, buoyant platform of lashed bamboo poles. Your guide poles it downstream, so there's no engine noise or current fighting. Just the sound of the river and the guide's voice. It moves slowly enough that you can see the banks clearly and talk without raising your voice.

What does the guide teach you about on the Lethe River?

The guide points out the fruit trees growing along the banks, explains the history of the area, and describes the landscape and ecology of rural Lethe. The education is woven into the ride, not a separate lecture.

Where does the pickup happen, and how do I get to the river?

Your hotel provides the pickup point. You travel by air-conditioned vehicle from your accommodation to the Lethe River, so you don't need to arrange your own transport to the starting point.

Can I bring an infant on the bamboo raft?

Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap during the raft ride, or you can request a specialized infant seat when you book.

How long does the whole experience take?

The outing runs between four and six hours, including the vehicle ride to the river and the time on the raft itself.