Rose Hall Great House and Montego Bay Tour

The White Witch's mansion and the square where Jamaica's freedom began

This guided tour of Montego Bay covers two historical landmarks: Sam Sharpe Square, where an 1806 slave cage and monuments to national heroes mark the site of the 1831–32 Emancipation War, and Rose Hall Great House, an 18th-century Georgian mansion overlooking the Caribbean where your guide recounts the story of Annie Palmer, the "White Witch." The tour includes roundtrip hotel or port pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and a live English-speaking guide for the five-hour outing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Sam Sharpe Square10m · entry included
2. Rose Hall Great House1h · entry included

Explore Montego Bay and Rose Hall

• Depart from cruise terminal by bus
• Scenic 2-hour Montego Bay city tour
• Visit Sam Sharpe Square historic sites
• Learn Montego Bay history and Rastafarian culture
• Taste Jamaican beef patties
• Stop at St. James Parish Church
• Optional 20-minute shopping stop
• Tour Rose Hall Great House and gardens

The experience

The tour departs from your hotel or cruise terminal in an air-conditioned bus and takes a two-hour scenic route through Montego Bay. You stop first at Sam Sharpe Square, the historic heart of the city, named after a national hero executed for his role in the 1831–32 Emancipation War. The square holds an 1806 cage used to confine enslaved people, monuments to other national figures, and the Montego Bay Cultural Center, which houses an art gallery, museum, and Rastafari exhibit. Your guide explains how the square connects to Jamaica's path to freedom.

From there, you visit St. James Parish Church, over 200 years old and built in a classic cross shape. An elaborate 1911 stained glass window commemorates important figures in Montego Bay's history. After the church, there is an optional 20-minute shopping stop. You will also taste Jamaican beef patties (seasoned meat in a flaky pastry shell) as part of the cultural experience.

The final stop is Rose Hall Great House, an 18th-century architectural landmark set on grounds with panoramic views of the Caribbean and a garden where hummingbirds move through the trees. Your guide leads you through the mansion and tells the story of Annie Palmer, known as the White Witch, recounting how she killed three husbands, took numerous slave lovers, and was ultimately killed by one of them. The tale is woven into the rooms and history of the estate itself.

What’s included

• Roundtrip hotel or port pickup and drop-off.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• live English-speaking guide.
• entry to Rose Hall Great House and Sam Sharpe Square.
• a cultural tasting of Jamaican beef patties.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Wednesday, Friday and SaturdayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Senior (71 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 40

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 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 effortStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Fun Tours Jamaica Limited

Is this one for you?The tour moves at a steady pace with a two-hour drive, several stops to walk and listen, and a guided walk through the mansion: manageable for most fitness levels, though the five-hour span and Caribbean heat mean comfortable shoes and sun protection matter. Choose this if you want the landmarks and their stories told by someone who knows them, rather than exploring on your own.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is Sam Sharpe Square and why is it important to Montego Bay's history?

Sam Sharpe Square is named after a national hero executed for leading the 1831–32 Emancipation War. The square contains an 1806 cage that held enslaved people, monuments to national figures, and the Montego Bay Cultural Center with an art gallery, museum, and Rastafari exhibit: all marking Jamaica's path to freedom.

Who was Annie Palmer and what is the story told at Rose Hall Great House?

Annie Palmer, known as the White Witch of Rose Hall, is the subject of a legend your guide recounts as you walk through the 18th-century mansion. The story tells of how she killed three husbands, took numerous slave lovers, and was ultimately killed by one of them: a tale tied to the estate's history.

How long is the tour and what does the five hours include?

The tour runs five hours total. It includes a two-hour scenic drive through Montego Bay, stops at Sam Sharpe Square and St. James Parish Church, a cultural tasting of Jamaican beef patties, an optional shopping stop, and a guided walk through Rose Hall Great House with views of the Caribbean.

Is lunch included, and what food or drink will I get during the tour?

Lunch is not included in the tour. You will receive bottled water and a taste of Jamaican beef patties as part of the cultural experience, but a full meal is not provided.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel or cruise ship?

Yes, roundtrip pickup and drop-off from your hotel or cruise terminal is included. You travel in an air-conditioned bus with a live English-speaking guide throughout the five-hour tour.