Located on a flat plain overlooking Kingston Harbour, Portmore is a densely populated city near the Jamaican capital. It was established as a residential area in the 1960s to help alleviate the over-population of Kingston and was originally known as “Independence City”. Today, Portmore is home to a growing number of shopping malls and family-friendly attractions while offering easy access to the beaches of Hellshire.
Things to do in Portmore
If you’re after a retail fix head to Portmore Mall, where you’ll find clothing stores, a supermarket and a food court. You can see what’s screening at the on-site cinema or socialise at the skating rink. On the other side of Portmore is Sovereign Village, which is home to a wide variety of retail stores and casual eateries.
A short drive south of Portmore is Hellshire Beach, a white expanse of sand that’s ideal for sunbathing and swimming. Previously known as the health retreat of “Healthshire”, it was home to a 19th-century community of runaway slaves. Today, Hellshire Beach is famed for its stalls selling fresh fish, which you can have prepared any way you like.
Travelling with kids? They’ll love whizzing around the course of Rocket GoKarting, which is designed for drivers both young and old. Opened in 2018, the facility also includes a miniature golf course and a casual eatery. Alternatively, head to Buzzers Gaming Arcade to shoot basketball hoops, play laser tag or try your luck on the claw machines.
Getting around Portmore
Portmore is around 20 minutes' drive from the centre of Kingston and just under an hour from Norman Manley International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the Caribbean and North America. Regular buses connect from Kingston to Portmore and travel throughout the area.