Wow what a cultural uplifting experience! We stayed at the Gran Bahia in Runaway Bay and took the 1 hour trip up to nine miles. We went through the fern gully, It was so beautiful! Then things really start to get rural. Your driving up this mountain, with no rails. The sights are so amazing. We saw all the wonderful plants and herbs that grow in Jamaica. The museum was sad. Bob is laid to rest next to the house he grew up in. There is a lot of singing and happy moments as well. I would say do not go on this tour if you are at all afraid of heights. its amazing that people live in such places so beautiful. Children will beg you for your change so bring extra! Have fun meditate and enjoy!

Bob Marley and his reggae songs are inextricably linked with Jamaica. We visited Jamaica earlier in the Summer. We are not Marley fans, but were interested to learn more about him and his music. We were not disappointed!. There are 3 principal attractions in Jamaica which are dedicated to teh memory of this musical giant. Each is based in one of his former homes. One home (where he was born) is just inland from Ocho Rios on the North Coast at Nine Mile. This was his birthplace. The other two attractions are in Kingston, the Island's capital. One is where he first lived before becoming famous (and is in a still down-and-out area), the other is this site - his Colonial Home, after he found fame. The Museum is in an upmarket neighbourhood near the Prime Minister's residence, just along the road from the US Embassy and other prestigious addresses. A victorian stone-built two store building accessed via a walled courtyard. Your guided tour begins in the Courtyard. You are shown Marley's Landrover car, some wall murals and then enter the house (photos and video are prohibitted within the house). You see a rear conservatory replete with bullet holes, from a failed gangland assasination bid on his life, you visit each room in turn. Most are covered with newspaper clippings and display awards, golden discs, stage costumes etc. Upstairs you see his simple bedroom, some of his guitars and other relics of his life. You learn a little about the Rastafarian faith (of which he was an adherent) and then cross the back-yard to an air-conditioned cinema, where you watch an audio-visual depiction of his life, lasting 20 minutes. There are then 2 gift shops, one offering Jamaican goods galore, the other offering Bob Marley CD's, T-shirts etc and also a restaurant / bar. Each location within the museum is brought to life with period-photos showing Marley in precisely the same spot as you stand, when he occupied the property as his home. The tour is informal, informative and a great way to spend an hour or so while in Kingston. Our visit was part of an organised coach tour, which took in other sights of Kingston and a visit to a coffee bean farm in the Blue Mountains above.

What a blast... The Bob Marley "9 mile" tour is a must visit... It's a fantastic tour for all reggae fans. The ride into the rain forest, up the Jamaican Blue Mountains and into 9 Mile is unbelievable. Our driver stopped a few times for some breath taking photos. Take the time.... (On a side note, please bring some sweets,candy,coloring books, rubber balls etc. for the children... They are so beautiful and very appreciative of such a small gesture.) Dollar store......

My husband and I visited on February 6/07, what would have been the legendary Bob Marley's 62nd birthday. Once arrived, we found ourselves a guide - Fozzy - (many to pick from, take advantage, they tell a great story and, I hear all employees are related to Bob so, that's pretty cool)... To my total amazement, Mama Marley was at 9 Mile on her son's birthday. What a super thrill to meet and chat with Cedella. She was so kind and patient.. She took the time to talk with us and tell us stories of her son Bob's life as well as let us take as many pictures as we wanted. I cried like a baby. She was just wonderful.

Up to "Mount. Zion " What a treat... All visitors must remove foot wear before entering the gates.. As states in his song "Is this love", the shelter that he shares with the single bed, is there man.. Wild.... And, they even share cornmeal porridge from the song "No woman no cry"... Unreal.... The meditation rock that Bob would sit and think is a site to see...

Then, the moment we waited for years, entering into the mausoleum to pay our respects to such a legendary man. No photos are permitted so, store it in the memory bank kids. Again, I cried. It's like going to a funeral... So much cool memorabilia, gold records, lots of photos, hand written letters... Fozzy, our guide, told great Bob stories while we visited inside the mausoleum. Priceless... Don't forget to bring a keep sake that you're permitted to leave in the mausoleum as a memento that you've been...

It's was such a joy to be their on his birthday. I would totally recommend this day trip. It might take you a full day if coming from Negril but, it is so worth it.. We took a private car from our hotel (Couples Ocho Rios - 4 hour tour), and we were only given one hour in the compound... Definitely needed more time to take it all in. There's a small bar for some cold drinks and there was a small live band performing, of course, Marley toons...

I'll never go to Jamaica again without visiting this place....

P.S. Our cost was $72.00 ( US ) each which included the admission. Watch out, they tried to double charge us when we arrived....

GO, YOU WON'T BE SORRY!!!!!!

P.S. Don't forget to tip the guides... They certainly deserve it... What's a few bucks...

My husband, two other hostellers and I rented a car and drove over to 9 Mile to visit the birthplace of Bob Marley, and take the tour of his home and mausoleum. We are all very savvy travellers and had been in Jamaica (Negril) partying for a few days before we went up to 9 Mile, so we were used to the typical hustling that went on thus far, but these hustler's in 9 Mile should be given a Hustler of the Year award! When you pull up to the attraction, look for the large purple gate, that is where you enter, just pull open the large gates yourself and walk in to find a rasta tour guide. Do not let anyone hustle you and get you to go to the cafe across the street if you do not want to go, nor to the ganja field across the street (there are better ones to see anyways, and this one is very sketchy). Don't let people 'steer' you any direction but straight to the purple gate to enter and ask the Red Stripe hustler inside the gate the price FIRST for a beer before he opens it for you (he tried to charge over $5 US for them!). The entrance fee is $15 you pay in at the gift shop NOT to anyone else! Also, careful of kids reaching in your pockets and begging nonstop for money, just tell them firm NO's and walk into the gate. The tour was totally rad, and was an amazing time. To sit and meditate on the awesome landscape there and realize what Bob was thinking when he was writing there was amazing. Just some tips for you since I couldn't find any for us before we went!!! ENJOY!! Irie!