Martha Brae River Rafting: Bamboo Raft & Jungle Tubing

Bamboo raft on calm water, jungle trail walk, tube run through rapids

A private rafting and river tubing tour from Montego Bay combines two rivers: a slow three-mile float down the Martha Brae on a traditional bamboo raft, then a guided jungle hike and tube descent of the Rio Bueno with lazy sections and whitewater. Transport from your hotel or port, a guide in English, and all fees are included. The tour runs 2 to 6 hours depending on which rivers you choose.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Martha Brae River1h · entry included
2. Rio Bueno1h 30m

Martha Brae rafting and river tubing

• Drive to Martha Brae Rafting Village
• Enjoy bamboo rafting on Martha Brae River
• Listen to folklore about Martha Brae River
• Drive to Rio Bueno river for tubing
• Check in and put on safety gear
• Walk jungle trail with guide
• Float down Rio Bueno river tubing

The experience

The Martha Brae sits 30 minutes south of Montego Bay near Falmouth, and the tour starts with a private pickup from your hotel or cruise port. Once at the rafting village, you board a bamboo raft for a three-mile drift down the river: the water moves slowly enough that you can sit back under the shade of overhanging trees. Your guide shares the folklore of Martha Brae, the legend that gives the river its name, and points out the rocks carved into animal shapes by the water over time. The raft glides past six acres of manicured grounds on a natural horseshoe island where the operation sits.

The Rio Bueno leg begins with a scenic drive along the North Coast. After you arrive, a guide helps you into safety gear, then leads you across the Irie Bridge and down a jungle trail where you learn about Jamaican plants and animals. The walk takes about seven minutes before you reach the launch point. Once in your tube, the river changes character: lazy sections let you float and relax, then a series of rapids give you the rush. Your guide leads the way the whole time, reading the water and keeping the group together through both the calm and the fast sections.

The tour is private, so the pace and the mix of rivers depend on what you book. Transport is air-conditioned, and all entry fees and taxes are built into the price. If you're traveling with an infant, specialized car seats are available. The whole experience runs somewhere between two and six hours: shorter if you choose one river, longer if you do both.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel or cruise port in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a live English-speaking guide for both the Martha Brae raft and Rio Bueno tubing sections.
• all entry fees and taxes.
• safety gear for the tubing portion.
• specialized infant car seats if needed.

Options for this experience

3 options

From Montego BayGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 12:00Pickup is included

From Falmouth/TrelawnyGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 12:00Pickup is included

From Grand PalladiumGuide in English · 9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00Pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Jamaica Mesmerizing Tours Limited

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want both a peaceful float and active rapids in one outing: the Martha Brae's slow drift and the Rio Bueno's mix of lazy and fast water give you two different river moods without arranging separate trips. The private transport means you don't coordinate pickups or navigate to the rivers yourself, and the guide handles safety and pacing so you can focus on the water and the landscape.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): 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.

How far is Martha Brae River from Montego Bay?

Martha Brae River sits about 30 minutes south of Montego Bay near Falmouth, Trelawney. Private transport from your hotel or cruise port is included in the tour.

What is the Martha Brae raft made of?

The Martha Brae raft is a traditional bamboo boat. You float three miles down the calm river under the shade of trees, learning about the legend of Martha Brae and spotting rocks carved into animal shapes along the banks.

What happens on the Rio Bueno part of the tour?

Rio Bueno starts with a jungle walk across the Irie Bridge and along a trail where your guide points out Jamaican plants and animals. After about seven minutes you reach the river, get into a tube, and float down sections that mix lazy drifts with fun rapids, all led by your guide.

Is a guide included, and what language do they speak?

Yes, a live guide in English leads both the Martha Brae raft and the Rio Bueno tubing. They share folklore, point out wildlife and plants, and manage safety throughout the day.

Where can I be picked up for this tour?

Private transport is included from Montego Bay, Grand Palladium, or Falmouth/Trelawny, depending on which option you choose at checkout. The driver will collect you from your hotel or cruise port.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs between 2 and 6 hours depending on which rivers you book and the pace of the group. Both the Martha Brae raft and Rio Bueno tubing are included in the longer option.