Real Lifestyle Retreat and Tours
Overview
Real Lifestyle Retreat & Tours offers tours and hotel transfers islandwide and is owned and operated by Martel Thompson, a licensed tour operator. He was previously managing operator of the world-renown HotBox Jamaica.
Providing alternative experiences for visitors
Martel likes to work with travellers with a desire for something different from the traditional Jamaican resort experience. For over 10 years, he has offered tourists a taste of true Jamaican culture and heritage. From 420 accommodations to ganja farm tours, his clients leave on a “high”, satisfied and knowledgeable. His aim is to introduce his clients to the very best locally grown ganja, ganja experiences and Jamaican food.
About the ganja tours
- The minimum tour length is three (3) hours but can extend for an entire day. On a day tour you get to do more, see more and smoke more.
- Among other things, you get to interact with the farmers, ask questions, sample ganja and take lots of photos and videos.
- There are no special requirements except that you wear light clothes and comfortable shoes
- A driver pick will you up from wherever you are – even if you arrived on a day cruise
- It’s best to pre-book at least a day ahead but even if you call at the last minute, a driver can be at your location within 1-2 hours.
- Ganja farm tours start at USD $80 per person (smoking included)
- Transportation cost is based on your pickup point



Our Tours
Natural Herb Tour


Real Lifestyle Retreat and Tours welcomes clients to their Natural Herb Tour with spliffs in hand and lots of knowledge about ganja as well its purposes and benefits. You will spend an exciting couple of hours or so on a guided tour of an off-the-beaten path ganja farm in the hills.
This tour package includes:
- Pick up at your hotel
- Farm entrance fee
- First hand information on how the plants are grown, cared for and harvested
- Opportunities to touch and take photos
- Smokes
- Information on ganja in Jamaican culture, history, and heritage
- Stops at attractions and sites of interest along the way
- Stops to sample iconic Jamaican foods – sweet potato pudding, jerk chicken, jerk pork, bammy, etc.
Price: USD$ 140 per person
(This price is subject to change based on the pickup point.)
Nature Blue Hole Tour


This is a tour to Cascade, a village on the White River in the hills about 15 minutes east of Ocho Rios. The area is beautiful and lush with lots of places to chill, picnic or even spend the entire day. There are multiple “blue holes”, deep areas for swimming, rope jumping and more. The guides will help you to climb the falls and even take a mud bath in the river cave. This tour is suitable for kids and non-swimmers.
From the Ocho Rios area
USD $65 per person
USD $150 per person – with weed farm tour and brunch
From Montego Bay
USD $120 per person
$210 per person – with weed farm tour and brunch
Minimum 2 people
Includes entrance fee and smokes
Add White River bamboo rafting at no additional cost
Dunn's River Falls - Mystic Mountain


420 friendly excursions from your hotel, or cruise ship for either of these attractions.
USD$80 per person
From the Ocho Rios area
Smokes included
USD$115 per person
From Montego Bay
Smokes included
The prices quoted are for each tour. Add an additional $25 per person to do both.
ATV RIDES


ATV rides at Dirt Adventure Park, in Boscobel about 30 minutes from Ocho Rios and about 90 minutes from Montego Bay. Rides last 30-45 minutes.
USD $125 per person
From Ocho Rios area
Includes transportation and rides
Smokes AFTER the ride
Horseback Riding


Ride a trail through the forest and into the sea alongside guides that provide historical and cultural information about the areas you traverse.
USD$100 per person
From the Ocho Rios area
Includes transportation and cost for the rides
Smokes AFTER your ride
Bob Marley Mausoleum


Visit the birthplace, and final resting place of reggae icon and Jamaican most favorite son, Bob Marley in the small hillside village of Nine Miles.
USD$150 per person
Includes entrance fee and smokes
USD $200 per person
Bob Marley Mausoleum plus ganja farm tour
Includes all entrance fees, smokes, and brunch.
Photos
Reviews
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Martel was a gentleman. Very knowledgeable about the areas we traveled through and of course the culture. We got to have a truly authentic experience including local food, and people. We had no shortage of smoke and the beauty of the ganja farm was a a sight to behold. Terrific experience with a fantastic guide. I highly recommend the experience and if you’re lucky enough get Martel you can feel secure in knowing he will take care of you. Top notch experience that we will never forget and definitely do again.
MANUEL & ANGELA, Massachussetts