THE PELICAN BAR TOUR
Private Appleton Estate Rum and Pelican Bar Tour from Montego Bay 2
THE SUGAR CANE TASTING STATION
THE PELICAN BAR
Private Appleton Estate Rum and Pelican Bar Tour from Montego Bay 5
MAKING SUGAR CANE JUICE
THE MOLASSES STATION
Appleton Estate
The Pelican Bar
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Private Appleton Estate Rum and Pelican Bar Tour from Montego Bay

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Santa Cruz, Jamaica
Bus & Minivan ToursPlantation ToursEducational TourWalking ToursWater Activities
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About this activity

Combine Jamaica's rum heritage with Caribbean coastal beauty on this full-day private tour from Montego Bay. Visit Appleton Estate, one of the island's oldest distilleries nestled in the rural Nassau Valley, then unwind at the iconic Pelican Bar—a floating wooden structure a mile offshore.

The Appleton Estate and The Pelican Bar Tour is a great way to enjoy a full day on the south coast of Jamaica, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the tourist life. Tucked away in the Nassau Valley, sheltered by the Nassau Mountains in the deep rural community of Maggoty, The Appleton Estate is one of Jamaica's oldest rum producing facility.

Tour starts with an early pickup from Montego Bay hotels for a 2 - 2 1/2 hours scenic drive through the mountains and along the coastline to Appleton. After paying your entrance fee, you are allowed to enjoy complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or hot beverages until your tour is ready to start. Watch a short documentary feature about the estate and all the work that goes into producing their top quality rums from over 100 years ago to the way it is done now. You then get a guided tour of the grounds and sample all the byproducts of sugar cane before entering the factory to see the entire process, then move to the ageing room where hundreds of barrels of rum are stored to go through the ageing process to acquire different tasting rums. The tasting room is next to where you sample 3 different rums and get free lessons from the expert about them after which you tour comes to an end and its time to do you shopping (optional).

Next up is a 30-45 minutes drive to the local district of Parottee to get to the Pelican Bar, approximately a mile out in the Caribbean sea, for food, Red Stripe Beer and relaxation after all that rum. A 5 minutes ride in a local fisherman's boat is all it takes to get there. You are able to swim in the warm crystal clear shallow waters, sunbathe, have lunch or simply relax on the deck. 

 

Highlights

  • ✓Guided tour of Appleton Estate's production facilities and 100+ year heritage
  • ✓Watch sugar cane processing from field to barrel in the working factory
  • ✓Expert-led rum tasting of three distinct Appleton varieties
  • ✓Explore the barrel-aged rum storage rooms
  • ✓Relax at Pelican Bar, Jamaica's most unique beachfront bar floating in the sea
  • ✓Scenic mountain and coastal drive through rural Jamaica

Insider tips

  • ★The 2–2.5 hour drive to Appleton is part of the experience—request a window seat to catch views of Nassau Mountains and coastal stretches
  • ★Arrive early at Appleton to enjoy complimentary welcome beverages while waiting for your tour group to assemble
  • ★Pace yourself with rum tastings; the three samples are potent—drink water between each
  • ★Pelican Bar has limited shade; bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat, and plan to swim or wade in shallow waters

Good to know

  • •Round-trip transport from Montego Bay hotels included; early morning pickup required (exact time depends on hotel location)
  • •Entrance fees to Appleton Estate not included in base price—budget separately for entry
  • •Pelican Bar is accessible only by boat from Parottee district (30–45 min drive from estate); water transfer included
  • •Wear comfortable walking shoes for the estate grounds and the factory floor; swimwear recommended for Pelican Bar
  • •Tour is fully private, so timing and pace can be customized within the 8-hour window

Who it's for

Rum enthusiasts and spirits collectors seeking hands-on distillery knowledgeBeach and coastal explorers looking for off-the-beaten-path Caribbean experiencesCouples and small groups wanting a private, customizable full-day itineraryPhotographers capturing rural Jamaica, sugar production, and unique waterfront venues

Best time to visit

Visit between November and March for dry, sunny weather ideal for both the distillery tour and seaside relaxation at Pelican Bar. Avoid September–October (hurricane season) and midday heat (10 a.m.–2 p.m.); the early morning drive to Appleton and late afternoon at Pelican Bar offer the most comfort.

Frequently asked questions

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From€201
per person