Bluefields Organic Farm: Connect to Nature with a Homestay in Jamaica

Jamaica is a leading Caribbean tourist destination because of its vibrant culture, delicious food, stunning landscapes and warm hospitality. In fact, of the island’s record-breaking 4.1 million visitor arrivals in 2023, 42% represented repeat visits which attests to the beauty of Jamaica and the welcoming nature of its people. The best way to experience authentic Jamaica is to stay with its people: living like they do, eating like they eat and going where they go. Read on to learn six reasons why a homestay at the Bluefields Organic Farm in western Jamaica can allow you to accomplish all that– and then some.

---

Before we get started, subscribe for new articles this & every Friday! It’s free!

---

Bluefields Organic Farm

The Bluefields Organic Farm is located in Belmont, a rural community in Westmoreland, Jamaica. Bluefields is located a few minutes away from the emerging luxury resort town of Whitehouse, and about one hour’s drive from the island’s largest international airport. This farm is located on 2.33 acres on a craggy outcrop of rock, and commands a sweeping view of Jamaica’s southwestern coast and the majestic mountains which surround it. Its proprietors, Keith and Sandra Wedderburn, are proud Jamaicans who have transformed the sloping land over 11 years into a modern sustainable farmstead which houses over 60 fruit trees and herbs, along with three luxurious king-sized suites which comfortably accommodate up to eight guests.

Keith’s primary goal is to provide valuable information about local fruits to the public in a fun and educational manner. As a result, he offers farm tours to schoolchildren and discerning travelers, showing them how farming can be done in simple container gardens to feed one’s household or how to use farming as an entrepreneur to liberate oneself. Sandra wears the hats of resident chef, baker and massage therapist, allowing visitors to savour first class farm-to-table cuisine and experience exquisite relaxation from facials, massages, body wraps and scrubs offered from the comfort of your own balcony while overlooking the lovely view and immersed in the sounds of nature.

1. Regal Accommodations
2. Organic Farm-to-Table Meals
3. Sandra’s Healing Touch Massages
4. Divine Views & Unique Adventures

1. Regal Accommodations

I was pleasantly surprised to find three luxurious suites at Bluefields, set high above the farm and shrouded by beautiful palms and rosebushes. These oversized rooms boast vaulted ceilings with delicate carvings, as well as an en-suite bathroom, dining space and sitting room. Each room contains air-conditioning, a ceiling fan, 50-inch smart TV, mini refrigerator and microwave. The bathroom has a large shower with hot water sustainably supplied by solar water heaters.

Each room affords beautiful mountain views, so you can lie in bed and appreciate a beautiful sunrise, sunset and the ever-changing contours of the mountain as the light changes throughout the daytime. The rooms are also tastefully decorated with unique artwork to compliment their unique location smack between the mountains and the coast. Thus, Haven View Villa & Spa at Bluefields is a great spot to experience luxurious Jamaican country living and can serve as your base for exploring western Jamaica. Complimentary shuttles to and from the Montego Bay airport are included in their home stay packages.

2. Organic Farm-to-Table Meals

When you stay at Bluefields, breakfast and dinner are included in your home stay package. Sandra prepares these meals from organic fruits and vegetables grown on the farm, or from fresh ingredients locally sourced at neighbouring markets. Pictured above left is a traditional Jamaican breakfast of ackee and saltfish (Jamaica’s national dish) served with sweet potato, dasheen (taro), pumpkin, steamed vegetables and lemongrass tea. Above right is a Jamaican dinner of brown-stewed fish served with dasheen, plantain and tomato slices. Dinner was accompanied by otaheite (Malay) apple juice which was extremely refreshing. Everything was absolutely delicious and filling.

We hardly had room left for the tropical fruit plate which concluded our farm tour (I’ll talk about the farm tour in a separate post), or for Sandra’s delectable pastries. But, there’s always room for dessert, right? We had to find space to tuck away a bit of Sandra’s mouthwatering carrot cake, her pumpkin muffins and best of all, the sorrel fruit cake. Sorrel and fruit cake are two traditional Jamaican Christmas staples, and it’s absolutely genius that she chose to marry these flavours into one luscious pastry. You must try something from Sandra’s Pastry Central, and I’m pleased to report that they deliver cakes and pastries islandwide. The delicious home-cooked meals from locally sourced ingredients and Sandra’s scrumptious pastries are reasons # 2 and 3 to book a homestay at Bluefields.

3. Sandra’s Healing Touch Massages

Reason # 4: to experience island pampering at its finest from Sandra’s Healing Touch. By now, you’re probably thinking that Sandra is a jack of all trades, master of many and you would be right. Sandra and her team promotes health and wellness through body wraps and scrubs, facials, reflexology and a plethora of massage services such as Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, chair and foot massages. Sandra treated my partner and I to Swedish massages, and we both left her table feeling relaxed and limber. In fact, my partner was previously skeptical of massages, and left converted. Ladies, don’t forget to encourage your men to take care of themselves!

Massages usually start at US$45 and Jamaican guests with proof of nationality enjoy an exclusive discount of 15% on all services! However, if you’re reading this before February 13, 2024, check out Sandra’s Valentine’s Day packages for both singles and couples which include complimentary chocolate and wine.

4. Divine Views & Unique Adventures

Reason # 5 is self explanatory: the view from Bluefields is absolutely spectacular. Pictured here is one of the adorable gardeners; yes, their six sheep are tasked with “cutting” the grass so they comprise part of the Bluefields labour force. 😂 In the distance, you can see the beautiful contour of the mountains which flank the Bluefields Bay, and you can admire this view from your balcony, bedroom and bathroom windows.

Lastly, there’s a lot to do in and around Bluefields to keep one occupied for a few days. On their farm tours, you get to learn about Jamaican fruits and herbs in an enjoyable way. You’ll also spot or hear several birds such as the endemic swallowtail hummingbird and the colourful Jamaican woodpecker.

Within a 5-mile radius you can also visit:

• Bluefields Beach
• Bluefields River, and
• The Peter Tosh Memorial for dedicated reggae fans.

Other spots worth checking out around this corner of Jamaica include the: Black River Safari, YS Falls, Pelican Bar, Appleton Estate, Blue Hole Mineral Spring, Benta Falls, Mayfield Falls, Cabarita River and the Chukka Outpost in Montpelier. Marijuana tours can also be arranged for those so inclined, and up to 8 complimentary grams of the herb can be included with your stay if you’d like.

Wrap Up

The Bluefields Organic Farmstead offers the best homestay for city folk interested in experiencing a slower pace of life, and for visitors who want to explore authentic Jamaica. I enjoyed the farm-to-table cuisine, farm tour, organic fruit plate sampling and the deluxe suites very much, in that order. 🙂 Which aspect of Bluefields would you be most excited to experience? Get in touch with Bluefields on:

• Their Website
• Phone: +18763736435
• Email: hi@bluefieldsorganic.com
• Social Media: Facebook and Instagram

Lastly, Keith has recently taken the bold move to document his life story of overcoming obstacles and emerging victorious, along with sharing nuggets of wisdom in his debut memoir: From Homelessness to a Healing Haven. It’s OUT NOW on Amazon, and his book launch is tentatively set for February 24 at the farm. Please check it out, tell a friend and leave a review. Doesn’t this sound like an excellent “excuse” to revisit! Who’s coming with me?

---

Before you go, don’t forget to subscribe. It’s free! New posts weekly or bi-weekly. 🙂

Find Elle on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Amazon.