Jamaica Endemic Jewels of the Caribbean

      Kingston, Jamaica

      HN
      Hillstar Nature
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      43 reviews
      Apr 3 - 9, 2023
      Group size: 4 - 10
      Jamaica Endemic Jewels of the Caribbean
      Kingston, Jamaica

      Hillstar Nature
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      43 reviews

      Apr 3 - 9, 2023
      Group size: 4 - 10

      About this trip

      Jamaica offers a perfect Caribbean birding getaway! Vibrant birdlife and uniquely-delicious cuisine combine to make this short and sweet tour one full of amazing experiences.


      View full itinerary on the Hillstar Nature website.


      Final Payment Due: January 3, 2023, or at registration if after.

      Maximum group size is 10 registrants, plus guide(s) and driver(s). If there are fewer than 4 registrants, this tour may be canceled or re-negotiated. Note that if you want a roommate we can try to find you one, but we cannot guarantee all guests a roommate. If none is available, you will be charged the single supplement.


      The tour price (fee) includes services from upon arrival on Day 1 into Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston until your transfer to the airport on Day 7.


      Documents

      All travelers must have a current passport, valid for at least six months beyond the start date of this tour.

      Citizens from the US, Canada, the UK, and most European nations do not need a visa. If you are unsure about the entry requirements for your nationality, we advise checking on the Jamaican immigration website here: https://www.pica.gov.jm/immigration/entry-visa-requirements

      Cancellation Policy

      We strongly recommend all guests purchase travel insurance, including coverage for medical evacuation services and trip curtailment, in advance of this tour. It is important to protect against financial losses in the event that a registrant becomes unable to participate in the tour. Note that such coverage is often non-refundable so please check with the Hillstar Nature team before purchasing it, to confirm the tour is to proceed as planned.

      If cancellation is received:

      • 180 days or more prior to the start of the tour, a full refund minus a $250/person processing fee is issued to registrant(s).
      • Between 179 and 90 days prior to the start of the tour, half of the tour fee will be returned to the registrant.
      • 89 days or less prior to departure, no refund of payments or deposits are issued.

      The team at Hillstar Nature reserves the right to refuse service to any registrant/participant who acts disruptive, routinely disrespectful, or in a manner inconsistent with the goals of the company. All guests are expected to comply with the rules and agenda set forth by the guide(s) of the tour, and to behave in a way that is considerate and conducive to a quality group experience.

      Pace, Rigor, Climate & Pests

      • Warm and humid Caribbean climate, with daytime highs between 75 and 90 F degrees.
      • Cooler temps in the Blue Mountains where it’s warm and pleasant, with cool and comfortable nights.
      • Food is excellent throughout and accommodations are 3 to 4 star.
      • No rigorous hiking required, a few mornings of walking and birding along dirt roads and easy trails.
      • Only a couple drives of 2+ hours, otherwise mostly short drive times between sites.
      • Early mornings, up before dawn. Usually back to the hotel by 12pm for lunch. Afternoon birding after lunch, with one afternoon of optional beach time.

      Packing

      Please limit yourself to one suitcase/duffel and another daypack/backpack for daily outings from the lodge. Group travel dictates we consider our fellow traveler’s comfort, and this includes not over-packing.
      Laundry services are available at our lodge in Port Antonio for an additional fee.

      Lightweight and breathable clothing good for warm climates is recommended, as well as neutral colors and earth tones to increase the chances of close bird encounters and reduce startling wildlife.
      Rain jackets/rain shells are recommended as we may encounter light afternoon showers, but they usually don’t last long.
      A light sweater for mornings in the Blue Mountains where it can be 60 F degrees at dawn, but it warms up quickly.

      Comfortable trail or hiking shoes are recommended, as well as sandals or light shoes for wearing around the lodge and on travel days.

      Power outlets in Jamaica are Type A and Type B, the same plug configuration as the United States and Canada. They are 110V supply voltage and 50Hz, but the vast majority of phone/battery/laptop chargers have built-in converters that will convert it to the US standard of 120V and 60Hz.

      What’s included

      • All meals
        From dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 7.
      • All accommodations
      • All transport
        From arrival into the KIN on Day 1, and including transport back to KIN when guests depart on their international flight out of Jamaica.
      • All guiding services
        Access permits and entrance fees to birding areas included.
      • Tips
        Tips for drivers and staff at hotels and restaurants.

      What’s not included

      • International flights
        We can advise, but Hillstar does not book international flights.
      • Alcoholic beverages
      • Personal expenses
        Laundry services, charges for phone calls, additional expenses associated with travel such as insurance, visa fees, airport taxes, airline baggage fees, COVID tests, vaccinations, etc.

      Available Packages

      Shared room (price per person)
      $2,625
      Deposit: $500
      Single room (price per person)

      Single supplement: $380

      $3,005
      Deposit: $500


      Your Organizer


      HN
      Hillstar Nature
      43 reviews
      Hillstar Nature offers authentic wildlife experiences, from half-day trips to week+ tours to Earth’s most spectacular wildlife destinations. Arranging custom/private trips and scheduled departures, Hillstar Nature specializes in delivering trips that celebrate biogeography, especially where it overlaps with community.

      Reviews

      It was an amazing trip where we experienced all manner of natural wonders from a full solar eclipse to seeing 12 million bats pouring out of a cave to hundreds of great birds. Our guides, Whitney and Holly, really worked hard making sure we had the best chances of seeing the birds we were targeting, as well as making sure we ate it interesting and unique, local places. The amount of planning and replanning they did cannot be overstated. They had a plan a, a Plan B, a plan C, D, E and F for just about every site, and sometimes we needed them!
      By Bart H for Texas: Total Eclipse Birding on Apr 17, 2024
      Great experience. Friendly, knowledgeable, extremely helpful tour guides. Tour leaders didn’t just point out birds but provided excellent ornithological information about individual species + cues to identification. Willing + ready to pursue a “Plan B” if “Plan A” wasn’t working out. Nice added “side trips” to make sure group was getting the most out of the tour. Good selection of eateries.
      By Jim M for Texas: Total Eclipse Birding on Apr 17, 2024
      AB
      This was an amazing trip! Timed both with a total eclipse and spring migration in Texas. I loved it. The food, the snacks, the sights and of course the birds! We had over 180 species in the week with several rarities mixed in. The food was also great (maybe too good!) We also had a bonus stop at the Rio Frio Bat Cave, which was almost as awe-inspiring as the eclipse, 10-12 million bats leaving their cave at dusk was quite something to witness. The guides were awesome and were super organized. They were up to date on the birds in the region and were able to pivot our plans quickly when conditions changed. This was one of the best birding tours I've been on, I'd do another Hillstar trip in a heartbeat.
      By Amanda B for Texas: Total Eclipse Birding on Apr 16, 2024
      This was a great trip for birding! We saw some fantastic birds including the quetzal, and Josh, our guide, was very knowledgeable about hotspots and how to see a variety of habitats. Costa Rica is an easy country to enjoy, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and the people are lovely. I highly recommend Hillstar and this Costa Rica experience!
      By MARILYN O for Costa Rica: A Birder's Paradise on Mar 30, 2024
      We had a wonderful trip. It exceeded all expectations!
      By Sharon M for Costa Rica : Private 10-day trip with Josh Covill on Mar 21, 2024
      Show More Reviews

      Photo Gallery