Negril: Rastasafari ATV Tour, River Swim & Ital Lunch

Summary

ATV rides in the hills, river swims and ital lunch near Negril

You’ll ride ATVs through Jamaica’s countryside with a local guide from Negril, stopping for fresh fruit tastings and a swim in a natural mineral pool before sharing an ital lunch with music in a mountain village. Expect muddy shoes, laughter with locals, and moments that stick with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell—earthy, almost sweet, mixed with woodsmoke as we rolled into the village outside Negril. Our guide, Andre, waved us over with this big grin and handed out little cups of something cold (ginger and lime, sharp but good). There were kids playing barefoot nearby and a woman selling fruit out of a basket that looked older than me. I tried star apple for the first time—sticky fingers for the rest of the morning.

After a quick walk through tangled greenery (I tripped once—nobody laughed except me), we got our helmets sorted and Andre gave us a rundown on the ATVs. These weren’t those single quad bikes you see everywhere; they were side-by-side dune buggy things. Easy to drive if you don’t overthink it. We took off slow at first—dust in my teeth—and wound up into the hills. The main keyword here is freedom. Roosters crowing somewhere distant, sun on your arms, people waving from their porches like they’ve known you forever.

We stopped by a ganja field (not what I expected—just green and quiet), then down to this mineral pool where the water was so clear it looked fake. I jumped in before thinking about how cold it might be. It wasn’t bad—just enough to wake you up. Andre handed me some weird fruit to try while I was still dripping wet; can’t remember the name but it tasted sort of like pineapple crossed with grass? There was laughter echoing off the rocks and honestly, I could’ve stayed there all day.

Lunch was ital food under a tin roof while someone played reggae on a battered speaker nearby. Simple stuff—rice, callaloo, something spicy I couldn’t pronounce—but after all that riding it tasted perfect. People drifted in and out, sharing stories or just sitting together in that easy way Jamaicans do. On the ride back to Negril I watched sunlight flicker through banana leaves and thought about how open everyone felt here. Still do sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rastafari ATV village experience

• Pickup from Negril hotel
• Arrive in village and meet guide
• Jungle walkthrough to main property
• Register and ATV tutorial
• ATV ride with stops at points of interest
• Swim in natural mineral pool
• ATV ride back to main location
• Lunch with musical performance
• Departure from village

Top questions

How long is the Rastasafari ATV tour from Negril?

The tour lasts around 3 hours plus transfer time from your hotel.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip from Negril?

Yes, round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Negril or Montego Bay.

What should I bring for the Rastasafari ATV experience?

You should bring closed shoes and your swimsuit for swimming in the mineral pool.

Is lunch included on this ATV tour?

Yes, an ital food meal is included as part of the experience.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children can join when accompanied by two paying adults; child rates apply.

Do I need previous ATV experience?

No prior experience is needed; guides provide instructions before starting.

Are vegetarian options available for lunch?

Yes, vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking.

What kind of ATVs are used on this tour?

The tour uses side-by-side dune buggy type ATVs (not single quads).

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Negril or Montego Bay, bottled water to keep you cool, welcome drinks when you arrive at the village, use of helmets for safety during your side-by-side ATV ride through the mountains with certified local guides leading the way, time to swim in a natural mineral pool along the route, plus an ital food lunch with music before heading back home by minivan.