Picture this: you escape to warm, sunny Jamaica with your loved ones to unwind for a few days. Would you want an unforgettable camping experience surrounded by the beauty of nature or to stay at your private villa in the countryside with all the modern amenities at your convenience? Wouldn’t it be great if no one had to compromise on their travel taste because one property offered both options? Exactly. Welcome to the Lowe’s Camping Ground & Retreat (formerly Orange Bay Camping Ground) in Portland, Jamaica, which offers a diverse range of accommodations in paradise.
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Staying at Lowe’s Camping Ground & Retreat
Lowe’s Camping Ground & Retreat is located in Orange Bay, a small fishing village fifteen miles west of Port Antonio, the parish capital of Portland, Jamaica. The community of Orange Bay lies on the coast which gives one easy access to the beach while staying at the Orange Bay Camping Ground. Even better, the Spanish River is also nearby, allowing one to choose between fresh and salt water swimming options. The Orange Bay Camping Ground is located on the Leyton Valley Road as a right turn from A4, driving in the direction of Buff Bay to Port Antonio. Leyton Valley Road is a little rough but no 4WD is needed. Drive slowly and you’ll see your destination on the left within five minutes.
Despite the name, Lowe’s Camping Ground has several accommodation options to choose from. The cheapest option is to bring your own tents and pitch them on their spacious campsite lawns. However, the owner plans to obtain tents so you’ll be able to rent his soon instead of lugging your own. Second, consider staying in their dorm style rooms with bunk beds, perfect for a large family reunion or church camp. Lastly, welcome to the most luxurious option: the Orange Bay studio villas. These attractive studios sleep two each and offer modern amenities. The smallest units start at JM$8,000 (US$52) per night, but you can pay slightly more for air conditioning and a larger room. My partner and I stayed in one of the air conditioned studios for my birthday weekend in Portland earlier this month and honestly, I had everything I needed and more to my comfort. My room had:
- A double bed with clean comfortable bedding
- Nightstand and lamp
- Television with local TV channels
- Table and 2 small chairs
- Iron & ironing board
- Bathroom with rainfall shower
- Well-equipped kitchen with a stove, refrigerator, toaster, electric kettle, plates, glasses, mugs and basic cooking supplies like sugar and pepper.
Lowe’s Camping Ground & Retreat offers basketball, football, cricket and cornhole. They have gazebos, benches, an outdoor kitchen, bar, grill and a large pavilion which doubles as a dining hall and event space. It was here that I played dominoes with the affable owners that weekend until the wee hours of the night. The Orange Bay Camping Ground also has a playground for children with swings and seesaws. Birdwatching, mountain climbing and crab hunting can be arranged. Even better, there are coconut trees everywhere which are some of my favourite trees because I LOVE coconuts! Stand under them at your own risk though, ha! Perhaps one day they’ll rebrand to boutique hotel because certainly, this large property has a lot to offer and more developments are in the works such as a swimming pool currently under construction.
Breadfruit trees spotted! 
Playground for children but the swing was big enough for me!
Pro Tip: Book travel insurance before your trip.
Things to Do in Orange Bay
Many people stay put at the campsite all trip but if you’re like me, you may want to venture out for an adventure and check out everything that Orange Bay has to offer. Visit the Spanish River which starts deep in the hills of Portland and emerges by Orange Bay at a spot which allows you to swim in both fresh and saltwater at the same time. Venture further upstream to the Spanish River Cove in Spring Garden and to Marley Falls in Chepstowe. Lastly, laze away by the pebbly Orange Bay fishing beach. I’ll publish a full article on one of these spots next month. If you’d like you can use the campsite as your base to check out the entire parish of Portland!
Wrap Up + Booking Details
I enjoyed my weekend stay at Lowe’s Camping Ground a lot. Camping in Jamaica is an adventure that promises an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and it’s a great chance to reconnect with nature even if you choose to stay inside a comfortable air-conditioned room instead of a tent like I did. If you’d like to book a stay or church campsite trip at the Orange Bay Camping Ground, you may reach the Lowes at:
Website: Book a stay here
Also, if you enjoyed this post, you may like:
- Glamping At Hidden Springs, St. Ann
- The 10 Best Hikes in Jamaica
- Benefits Of A Nature Retreat in Jamaica
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