Falmouth to Siloah Drive

I am visiting Jamaica for the 3rd time and will be driving from Falmouth/Duncans to Siloah to visit Appleton Estate. Last trip we drove from Montego Bay through Maroon Town, it was pretty hairy, but really only skirted Cockpit Country. This year I really wanted to immerse myself in the Jamaican Jungle. I know secondary roads on the island are like the surface of the moon, but the trip is too much of an adventure to pass up. Once through BBQ Bottom it looks like there is not a soul for 20Km.

Does anyone know if there is cellular service in the event that we need assistance? Google Maps is telling me the 69KM journey should take about a hour and a half. Last year's 35KM took almost 3 hours soI know it will take 4 hours or more. I am just a bit concerned about road conditions and if we will be welcome in small roadside villages along the way. Has anybody traversed this route?

Conversely: what about skirting along the western edge on B5: From Jackson Town through Ulster Springs, Albert Town. Then west through Spring Hill, south to Troy and on through Balaclava?

On the way home we would go around the other way: through Marketplace, Montpelier and Montego Bay. I've driven this route before, and although it's not as rough as Maroontown , it's no easy drive either.

Did I happen to mention that last year was the first time I drove on the left hand side of the road with the steering column on the right? ;-)

Thanks for your advice, I want to experience as much of the real Jamaica, but don't want to drive off a 70 meter drop off in the process.

Peace, love & prosperity!
Robert

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prague Polo

I am visiting Jamaica for the 3rd time and will be driving from Falmouth/Duncans to Siloah to visit Appleton Estate. Last trip we drove from Montego Bay through Maroon Town, it was pretty hairy, but really only skirted Cockpit Country. This year I really wanted to immerse myself in the Jamaican Jungle. I know secondary roads on the island are like the surface of the moon, but the trip is too much of an adventure to pass up. Once through BBQ Bottom it looks like there is not a soul for 20Km. That is B10 and the road from Barbeque Bottom to Troy should be passable but there have been a lot of rains recently so it is hard to say for sure. I have personally taken the road a couple of times but at least two years ago.

Does anyone know if there is cellular service in the event that we need assistance? Although service can be spotty, I can get a 2G Signal on my Digicel phone in that area. Google Maps is telling me the 69KM journey should take about a hour and a half. Last year's 35KM took almost 3 hours soI know it will take 4 hours or more. I am just a bit concerned about road conditions and if we will be welcome in small roadside villages along the way. Has anybody traversed this route?

Conversely: what about skirting along the western edge on B5: From Jackson Town through Ulster Springs, Albert Town. Then west through Spring Hill, south to Troy and on through Balaclava? B5 and B10 are mostly in a similar condition. I think B5 might be a slightly safer route as Ulster Springs is a larger destination and the road from the North Coast is a little more traveled.

On the way home we would go around the other way: through Marketplace, Montpelier and Montego Bay. I've driven this route before, and although it's not as rough as Maroontown , it's no easy drive either.

Did I happen to mention that last year was the first time I drove on the left hand side of the road with the steering column on the right? ;-)

Thanks for your advice, I want to experience as much of the real Jamaica, but don't want to drive off a 70 meter drop off in the process.

Peace, love & prosperity!
Robert

---

Most readers on here have no clue as to the roads and towns you are talking about. You might be getting better, first hand information if you try to contact people who live and travel regularly in this area. Predicting the conditions of roads in Jamaica is an inexact science at best.

Peace and Guidance

Thanks so much for your input. I was directed here by someone who said that this would be the place to find the insight. And though there has only been your response it is a great help. After further research it looks like B10 from BBQ Bottom to Spring Hill is only navigable with a 4x4 and that the B5 will be better to get to Albert Town where we can pick the B10 and continue southwest.

Hopefully we'll be lucky and not encounter any major problems.

Be well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prague Polo

After further research it looks like B10 from BBQ Bottom to Spring Hill is only navigable with a 4x4 and that the B5 will be better to get to Albert Town where we can pick the B10 and continue southwest.

---

me personally, i would only do the drive with a 4x4. we drive all over haiti and, because if the conditions of a lot of the roads, will only drive in a pick-up or SUV. i'm pretty sure the route you're talking about is on par with some of haiti's more gnarly roads.

After looking at the B10 there's no way I would drive it though the raw jungle it traverses looks so amazing. The B5 is supposed to be OK to Ulster Springs and on to Albert Town. The stretch over to Spring Garden may be a bit rougher. Then from Spring Garden, Troy, Balaclava to Siloah it should be relatively OK. We went through Maroon Town and Eldersley (close to Accompong) to Maggoty last, it was pretty hairy as well. We'll be in an SUV so we'll have clearance, but not sure if it'll be 4x4.Attachment 54326Attachment 54327

I am writing to the car rental now to request a SUV.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prague Polo

I am writing to the car rental now to request a SUV.

---

let us know how the trip goes.