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Jamaica🇯🇲 | landmarksNanny of the Maroons MonumentQueen Nanny statue, Bump Grave, Moore Town, abeng horn | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Nanny of the Maroons Monument
👀 For curious travelersunique site ranked #8
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Nanny is the only woman among Jamaica’s seven National Heroes, and the village where this monument stands is still governed by a Maroon colonel and council. Nanny of the Maroons Monument sits in Moore Town, in the rainforested Rio Grande valley of Portland parish in the east of Jamaica. The road in winds past banana groves and tight bends, and the approach is the first lesson in why the Maroons held out. I stepped off the minibus and a man on the verandah of a shop nodded toward the statue before I asked, then told me about Nanny's guerrilla tactics. Skip it if you want polish, because there are no ticket gates or souvenir rows. Go for the stories, the quiet and the local company. History readers and independent travelers will love it, while those wanting a packed attraction will not.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Jamaica Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #8 unique site in JamaicaWhat makes this unique site worth visiting

Nanny of the Maroons Monument is worth the winding ride because it puts you in a living Maroon community, not a staged heritage site. Moore Town is one of the few places in Jamaica where descendants of people who freed themselves from slavery still hold treaty-based self-rule, and you can talk to residents about it directly. Nanny led resistance in the early 1700s, and the mountains behind the village explain how a small force held off British troops. That context turns the monument from a statue into the start of a story.

The village also fits easily into an east-coast loop. Combine it with Port Antonio and the Rio Grande bamboo rafting, and you get history, river and rainforest in one trip. If you have an interest in the Blue and John Crow Mountains, Moore Town is also where guided trips … read more 👉
Nanny of the Maroons Monument is worth the winding ride because it puts you in a living Maroon community, not a staged heritage site. Moore Town is one of the few places in Jamaica where descendants of people who freed themselves from slavery still hold treaty-based self-rule, and you can talk to residents about it directly. Nanny led resistance in the early 1700s, and the mountains behind the village explain how a small force held off British troops. That context turns the monument from a statue into the start of a story.

The village also fits easily into an east-coast loop. Combine it with Port Antonio and the Rio Grande bamboo rafting, and you get history, river and rainforest in one trip. If you have an interest in the Blue and John Crow Mountains, Moore Town is also where guided trips toward the old Nanny Town site are arranged, so it works as a practical starting point for the more serious hikers.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Nanny of the Maroons Monument: The statue honoring Queen Nanny, the Maroon leader and spiritual figure, is the reason most people come. It stands in the village center, and stopping here gives you a sense of how much Nanny still matters to the community.
  2. Bump Grave: A small mound in Moore Town said to mark Nanny’s resting place. It is a quiet, respectful stop, and local guides will explain the story behind it and the customs around visiting.
  3. Moore Town Maroon community: Walk the village streets and meet people who can explain the council, the colonel and the treaty that shaped life here. It is best done slowly, with a local guide.
  4. Nanny Falls: A waterfall in the hills near the village, with cool freshwater pools and green forest around. It is a good pairing after the history stops, and a guide
… read more 👉
  1. Nanny of the Maroons Monument: The statue honoring Queen Nanny, the Maroon leader and spiritual figure, is the reason most people come. It stands in the village center, and stopping here gives you a sense of how much Nanny still matters to the community.
  2. Bump Grave: A small mound in Moore Town said to mark Nanny’s resting place. It is a quiet, respectful stop, and local guides will explain the story behind it and the customs around visiting.
  3. Moore Town Maroon community: Walk the village streets and meet people who can explain the council, the colonel and the treaty that shaped life here. It is best done slowly, with a local guide.
  4. Nanny Falls: A waterfall in the hills near the village, with cool freshwater pools and green forest around. It is a good pairing after the history stops, and a guide helps you find the way.
  5. Abeng horn demonstrations: The abeng, a cow horn, was used by Maroons to send coded messages across the mountains. If someone offers to blow one for you, take it, because the sound carries remarkably far through the valley.
  6. Rio Grande valley: The river below the village is famed for its bamboo rafts. The ride is gentle, and the forested banks give a sense of the terrain that sheltered Maroon settlements.
  7. Blue and John Crow Mountains edge: The ridges behind Moore Town are part of a protected national park. You will see the forested slopes that explain why the Maroons were so hard to dislodge, even if you do not hike in.
Nanny of the Maroons Monument should come first, because it sets up the history and gives you a natural moment to ask locals about the Bump Grave and the walk beyond.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Nanny of the Maroons Monument

Blue Mountains Peak Hike

Blue Mountains Peak Hike

4.5(28)
From €236
per personViator
Rio Grande Bamboo Rafting Tour from Port Antonio

Rio Grande Bamboo Rafting Tour from Port Antonio

5.0(18) 4h
From €170
per personViator
Blue Mountain Coffee and Sightseeing Tour

Blue Mountain Coffee and Sightseeing Tour

4.2(11)
From €295
per personViator
Portland Nature and Eco Tour

Portland Nature and Eco Tour

5.0(1) 48h
From €544
per personViator
Rio Grande Bamboo Rafting Tour from Port Antonio

Rio Grande Bamboo Rafting Tour from Port Antonio

5.0(1) 2h 30m
From €272
per personViator
Exotic Portland Adventure

Exotic Portland Adventure

5.0(1) 14h
From €200
per personViator
Green Grotto Caves Excursion from Port Antonio

Green Grotto Caves Excursion from Port Antonio

0.0(0) 8h
From €242
per personViator
Jamaica Bobsled & Dunn's River Falls Adventure Tour from Port Antonio

Jamaica Bobsled & Dunn's River Falls Adventure Tour from Port Antonio

0.0(0) 8h
From €279
per personViator
Konoko Falls and Garden Tour from Port Anotonio

Konoko Falls and Garden Tour from Port Anotonio

0.0(0) 7h
From €205
per personViator
Jamaica Bobsled Adventure Tour from Port Antonio

Jamaica Bobsled Adventure Tour from Port Antonio

0.0(0)
From €227
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Dry Season (December to April): The best window for Moore Town, with less mud on the roads and easier river crossings. Days run 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F), evenings in the valley drop to 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F). Hotel prices in Port Antonio peak, but the monument itself stays quiet.
  • Shoulder Months (May to June): Warm, greener and cheaper, with showers that usually pass within an hour. Highs reach 30 to 32°C (86 to 90°F).
  • Hurricane and Wet Season (July to November): Heavy rain in the Blue Mountain foothills can swell the Rio Grande and wash out sections of road. October is the wettest month. Rooms are cheapest and crowds are nearly nonexistent.
  • Maroon Celebrations (October): Moore Town marks National Heroes Day with drumming, speeches and food, which is the liveliest time to visit.
Aim for a dry-season … read more 👉
  • Dry Season (December to April): The best window for Moore Town, with less mud on the roads and easier river crossings. Days run 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F), evenings in the valley drop to 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F). Hotel prices in Port Antonio peak, but the monument itself stays quiet.
  • Shoulder Months (May to June): Warm, greener and cheaper, with showers that usually pass within an hour. Highs reach 30 to 32°C (86 to 90°F).
  • Hurricane and Wet Season (July to November): Heavy rain in the Blue Mountain foothills can swell the Rio Grande and wash out sections of road. October is the wettest month. Rooms are cheapest and crowds are nearly nonexistent.
  • Maroon Celebrations (October): Moore Town marks National Heroes Day with drumming, speeches and food, which is the liveliest time to visit.
Aim for a dry-season morning, since the village is quietest then and the drive back is easier in daylight.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Port Antonio is the place to sleep, because Moore Town has almost no formal lodging and the monument is a 30 to 45 minute drive up the Rio Grande valley. The town sits on twin harbors, and its guesthouse-heavy streets around the West Harbour and the Folly Point area suit budget travelers who want to walk to restaurants, the produce market and the minibus stops. It is the easiest place to meet other backpackers, and shared taxis and route cars to Moore Town leave from here.

For a quieter stay, look at the small guesthouses and hostel-style rooms along the coast toward Boston Bay and Long Bay, … read more 👉
Port Antonio is the place to sleep, because Moore Town has almost no formal lodging and the monument is a 30 to 45 minute drive up the Rio Grande valley. The town sits on twin harbors, and its guesthouse-heavy streets around the West Harbour and the Folly Point area suit budget travelers who want to walk to restaurants, the produce market and the minibus stops. It is the easiest place to meet other backpackers, and shared taxis and route cars to Moore Town leave from here.

For a quieter stay, look at the small guesthouses and hostel-style rooms along the coast toward Boston Bay and Long Bay, where surf and jerk stands draw a relaxed, social crowd. Expect dorm beds and simple private rooms, with prices rising in winter. Safety is fine in these areas by day, but arrange a licensed taxi after dark rather than walking unlit roads. Staying in the Rio Grande valley near Berridale can work if you prefer river sounds and early starts.
Best hostels in Jamaica


Best quality hotels in Jamaica

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Nanny of the Maroons Monument costs a backpacker roughly US$55 to 95 a day when based in Port Antonio, with the site itself nearly free. The table covers the main categories.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Monument EntryUS$0 to 5The monument and Bump Grave are open to visit, though a local guide or donation is expected.
Guide in Moore TownUS$10 to 25A community guide explains Maroon history, and the fee is negotiated on the spot.
Accommodation (Low Season)US$20 to 40Dorm beds or basic guesthouse rooms in Port Antonio.
Accommodation (High Season)US$30 to 55December to April prices climb, so book ahead.
TransportUS$10 to 40Shared route taxis cost a few dollars each way, while a private round-trip taxi from Port Antonio runs higher.
FoodUS$10 to 20Jerk chicken, patties and soup at local cookshops
… read more 👉
Nanny of the Maroons Monument costs a backpacker roughly US$55 to 95 a day when based in Port Antonio, with the site itself nearly free. The table covers the main categories.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Monument EntryUS$0 to 5The monument and Bump Grave are open to visit, though a local guide or donation is expected.
Guide in Moore TownUS$10 to 25A community guide explains Maroon history, and the fee is negotiated on the spot.
Accommodation (Low Season)US$20 to 40Dorm beds or basic guesthouse rooms in Port Antonio.
Accommodation (High Season)US$30 to 55December to April prices climb, so book ahead.
TransportUS$10 to 40Shared route taxis cost a few dollars each way, while a private round-trip taxi from Port Antonio runs higher.
FoodUS$10 to 20Jerk chicken, patties and soup at local cookshops are the cheapest meals.
Total Daily BudgetUS$55 to 95Paid in Jamaican dollars, so carry small cash.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Nanny of the Maroons Monument

Nanny of the Maroons Monument is a memorial to Queen Nanny, the Maroon leader and national hero of Jamaica who resisted British forces in the early 1700s. It stands in Moore Town, Portland, next to Bump Grave, where the Maroon community keeps its history alive. The site is small, a park-like space with a statue and information, and local guides can explain the story.
Nanny of the Maroons Monument needs about 1 to 2 hours on site, including a walk to Bump Grave and a talk with a local guide. Add 1 to 1.5 hours of round-trip driving from Port Antonio. Most travelers fit it into a half day, or a full day if combined with Rio Grande rafting or Berridale.
Nanny of the Maroons Monument lies in Moore Town, about 30 to 45 minutes by road from Port Antonio up the Rio Grande valley. Route taxis and minibuses run from Port Antonio toward Fellowship and Moore Town for a few dollars, though schedules are irregular. A private taxi costs roughly US$30 to 50 round trip, including waiting time, which is the easiest option for a half-day visit.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Jamaican landmarks near Nanny of the Maroons Monument

Explore more nearby:

  • Reach Falls—Limestone staircase, natural jacuzzi, cave swim, jerk stands| 12 km away
  • Blue Hole—Turquoise limestone pool, rope swing, upstream cascades, rock chutes| 75 km away
  • Fern Gully—Tree ferns, A3 green tunnel, wood carvers, pullout birdsong| 80 km away

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Nanny of the Maroons Monument suits curious travelers who like learning from people, not placards, and anyone building an east-coast route around Port Antonio. If you want big attractions, skip it. I would go with a local guide arranged in the village, and bring small cash for the guide’s time.

✈️ When did I visit Jamaica?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Jamaica in May 2016.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Jamaica, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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