Appleton Estate Rum Tour & YS Falls Adventure
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Appleton Estate's rum-making process
- Cruise the Black River to spot crocodiles
- Swim in YS Falls' natural pools
- Experience Jamaica's rich cultural heritage
- Enjoy scenic views of the Jamaican countryside
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of Appleton Estate Rum Distillery
- Black River Safari boat ride
- Visit to YS Falls with natural pools
- Meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary
Itinerary
Immerse yourself in the exclusive Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience. The Appleton Estate is the oldest and most famous sugar estate and distillery in Jamaica in continuous production, and has been handcrafting some of the finest rum in the world since 1749. Savour your favorite Appleton Estate cocktail as well as sweet sugar cane and molasses on your tour. Take further joy in exploring the rum distillery, the ageing house and a guided tasting of three of Appleton Estate’s premium aged rums. You can also shop for your original Appleton keepsakes in the gift shop. Don’t forget to dig into an authentic Jamaican lunch at the beautiful full-service restaurant and bar with both indoor and outdoor seating. Get ready to experience a deeper appreciation of Appleton Estate Rum and a further love for the excellence of Jamaica.
Explore one of the longest rivers on the island by taking a boat tour along the swamp’s main waterway. The Black River got its name from the darkness of the river bed caused by thick layers of decomposing vegetation. Cruise down the river in the midst of towering mangrove trees and lush plant life, while surrounded by crocodiles sunning alongside the banks. This trip will also have you viewing over 100 species of birds in their natural habitat. Be on the lookout for whistling ducks, egrets and other wildlife as you go along. Enjoy the scenic ride as you navigate the river with a local guide showcasing the true beauty of the island.
Located off the beaten path on the South Coast, you’ll arrive at the famous YS falls. YS boasts seven stunning waterfalls where cool, clear waters cascade into naturally forming pools; perfect for a dip or a photo op. Originally a cane farm with a working factory, YS Falls opened its doors to visitors as a nature-based attraction in 1992, offering the opportunity to experience the exceptional beauty of the waterfalls surrounded by magnificent gardens and trees. YS Falls is the perfect place to experience authentic Jamaica, locals and visitors alike take advantage of this Jamaican gem.
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour duration is approximately 7 to 8 hours, including travel time.
- Meals and beverages are not included; plan accordingly.
- This tour is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and swimwear for the day.
- Bring a waterproof camera to capture wildlife and waterfall moments.
- Consider bringing cash for optional purchases or tips.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Good to know
- ARRIVAL TIME Please note the time selected during checkout is your arrival time, not the hotel pickup time. Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 90 minutes prior to this time depending on the hotel location.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum 18 years and older to consume alcohol
- The Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience is approximately 2 hours away from Montego Bay and Negril
- There will be scheduled rest stops along the journey
- Journey may cause motion sickness
- At Appleton Estate, photos can be taken except for in the distillery
- Some areas of waterfalls are fairly rocky, as such water shoes are recommended
- Please note that this tour requires a minimum number of guests to operate. Should your this tour not be confirmed for your selected tour date, we will make contacted in advance to offer a rescheduled date, suitable alternative tour or a full refund.
Traveler reviews
A fantastic and...
A fantastic and well-organized excursion ! The day was rich, diverse, and incredibly complete — from the peaceful Black River safari with crocodiles to the stunning YS Falls and the authentic Appleton Estate experience. Everything flowed smoothly, and the guides were knowledgeable and engaging throughout. It is a long day with quite a bit of travel, but absolutely worth it given how much you get to see and experience in one trip. Highly recommended if you want to make the most of your time in Jamaica !
Great experience!
This was an amazing tour! The bartender was charismatic, our tour guide Peter was knowledgeable and personable, and the rum was delicious. The food was also very tasty. Highly recommend! Combined with the the Black River Safari and YS falls this made for a long day from Negril (11 hours) but it is worth it. You also get to see the Jamaican countryside.
A great way to spend a day!
The entire experience was great. YS falls was so fun, the safari was awesome, and the Appleton tour was very good. Tiffany was super knowledgeable and made everything fun!
Good value for money but rushed experience
I didn't know what to expect with Appleton Estate tour, but I actually enjoyed it and that's down to our excellent tour guide Peter. He was a great storyteller, very funny and very knowledgeable about rum and the history of appleton estate. The tour is well organised, interactive and informative. But was sad to see how they glossed over the legacy of slavery, it is mentioned of course, there's a weird documentary with inappropriate music and we saw the memorial that was only erected in 2023. However they still talk about Colombis "discovering the new world" and generally offer now details about how appleton addressed the wrongs of history. Where the family of those enslaved compensated? All of this would have made the tour feel more grounded and enriching. In terms of the other activities theybwere also good. The whole package was about £120, which seemed to be the best value for money, and is why we booked. However, in hindsight three locations was too much for one day and I wouldn't recommend it, instead if you can afford to book just one or two and space out your experiences on different days. We only had one hour at YS Falls which was very disappointing. Also make sure you stick with your group while there or you lose out!! But other than that it was a good day, pick up and transportation was all good, tour guide was friendly and driver kept us safe. Other highlight was Black River, after the devastation of hurricane melissa there is still a lot to be rebuilt in the area but now not only did we get to see the natural beauty of the river but also the beautiful resilience of the community. Plus the crocodiles!!
Informative and fun day!
We had an amazing tour! It was a wonderful day with our guides Kareen(sp?) and unfortunately I'm not sure of our other guides name but she was equally wonderful, and our driver Anthony. On the river cruise we saw four crocodiles and many birds, very relaxing and enjoyable! The YS Falls were beautiful! The tour of Appleton Estate was informative and fun! Most of all I appreciate the day with our guides and learning about Jamaican culture. This is my third trip to Jamaica and I have learned so much more than my other trips. It was an informative and fun day! I highly, highly recommend this tour!