Bob Marley Mausoleum
at Nine Mile

Bob Marley Mausoleum
at Nine Mile Village

Bob Marley, the high priest of reggae who died in 1981, is buried where he was born, in the tiny village of Nine Mile, south of Runaway Bay between Claremont and Alexandria.

The stained glass windows of the small chapel (mausoleum) containing the crypt are in the rasta colors of gold, green and red. Ganja has been known to grow in the church garden. A smoke is normally shared with visitors by their guide and one reason for the hefty admission fee.

The largest and most important celebration marking Marley's 60th birthday in February, 2005, was not be in Jamaica but in Ethiopia, Africa. Makes sense. Ethiopia was the home of Emperor Haile Selassie, the founder of the Rastafarian movement to which Marley belonged.

The village of Nine Mile is a small place, hard to get to and not on all maps. B3 is the main route but much of it is a pot-holed road instead of a well-maintained tourist route. You’d be better off taking a tour if you’re not accustomed to driving on Jamaica’s challenging roads.

Besides, if you intend to partake of the Rastafarian sacred sacrament during the mausoleum tour, you don’t want to drive yourself; in fact, you may not be able to make the return drive safely.

Check the taxi fares or look for a group tour. Taxis from Ocho Rios are more realistic than from Montego Bay or Negril, where joining a group tour is the most economical course.

Travel distance to Bob Marley's Mausoleum, each way: From Ocho Rios, about 1.5 hours. From Montego Bay is 2.5 hours. From Negril, about 3.5-4 hours each way. Bob Marley Mausoleum at Nine Mile: 876-995-1763.

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