River Rendezvous at Tapioca Getaway, St. Mary

The best adventures are spontaneous ones. With summer coming to a close and finally having a mutual day-off with my partner, we decided that a river trip was a must. Deciding on Tapioca was easy because they answered the phone on my first try, and pleasantly confirmed that walk-ins were indeed welcome! Even better, Tapioca was super easy to find along the Junction main road (A3) in St. Mary. Here’s how this adventure went + why you should add Tapioca Getaway to your Jamaican bucket list.

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How to Find Tapioca Getaway

Tapioca Getaway is 40 minutes’ drive from Kingston 8, and conveniently located on the Junction A3 main road in Devon Pen, St. Mary. Look out for it on your left next to a “Concealed Entrance” sign after passing the Tapioca Village Retreat and a small jerk restaurant on your right. The Google Map marker is accurate but it’ll lead you astray onto a minor road if you follow it too closely. Stick to the main road and these directions, and you’ll have no trouble finding it. There are no turn-offs. The entrance is located on the main road.

Tapioca is starch obtained from the root of cassava, a plant that mostly grows underground like a potato & is native to South America. Cassava is a food staple in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

In 2024, entrance costs JM$1500 per adult and $1000 per child. Outside food and drinks are allowed, but drinks are on sale. Parking on the property is limited, but curbside parking is available. Tables, chairs and deck chairs are available– perfect for a picnic or playing games. Bring your own, or play theirs!

Exploring the River & Watersports

The river is very refreshing and clean; its greenish hue is a reflection from the trees overhead and dark riverbed. The cool water was a welcome contrast to the sweltering summer sun. What sets Tapioca apart as a true getaway is the abundance of water sports! They offer pedal boats, kayaking and rafting. This was my first time pedal boating and it was such fun, but quite a workout pedaling against the current. Kayaking required more upper body strength than I remembered so I ended the day with a full body workout, ha! Between my time in the water, swinging, lounging on the deck chairs and checking out the view from different observation decks, my afternoon at Tapioca was well spent!

Tapioca Village Retreat

Initially we took a ‘wrong’ turn to the Tapioca Village Retreat which became a blessing in disguise! Tapioca consists of the river attraction described above, but also a beautiful rustic resort with hotel rooms, conference rooms, a commercial kitchen and pool. These are two separate properties but within a stone’s throw of each other. Coming from the direction of Kingston, you’ll get to the Tapioca Village Retreat first hence the ‘wrong’ turn. But, nothing happens by accident and we were blessed with meeting a pleasant worker who invited us to park and explore the grounds since we were already there (forgot to ask his name!). We got to see inside the rooms and they were quite cozy. The tour was later continued by the affable proprietor, Mr. Errol Sinclair, who even gifted me some plants. He also introduced us to the black pepper plant, arrowroot and the shampoo ginger flower. Arrowroot is a tropical root vegetable which provides an excellent source of gluten free starch, protein, calcium and magnesium. I’ve never had it, but if my arrowroot plant and sucker grow big and strong, I’m looking forward to changing that!

The Tapioca Village Retreat is perfect for nature lovers with its lush tropical gardens, sweeping mountain views and breathtaking river vista. Tapioca Village Retreat regularly hosts weddings, conferences, retreats, church camps, family reunions and much more. Consider Tapioca for your next function, or to slip away and enjoy some serenity and seclusion.

Wrap Up

Tapioca reminded me that there are always hidden gems in your own backyard waiting to be explored. What a great way to conclude summer. Have you ever visited the Tapioca Getaway or stayed at the Tapioca Village Retreat? Are you adding it to the list? Sound off in the comments section below.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:

• Castleton Botanical Gardens
• 16 Photos Showcasing the Beauty of St. Mary
• Johnny Falls and Tacky Falls

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