My husband and I visited Nine Mile on our Honeymoon. This trip is honestly the only way to truly experience the "real" Jamaica! We were part of a Safari Jeep tour and it was about $70 each. The ride was absolutely breath taking, so beautiful, like nothing I have ever seen! We soaked up every second, learned so much about Jamaica, the culture, the people and of course Bob! I had read somewhere touching Bob Marley’s bed brings fertility - I am living proof that this legend is true as upon returning home we discovered we conceived while in Jamaica!!! I would recommend the visit to Nine Mile as the best excursion in Jamaica!

The long trip to Nine Mile from Ocho Rios is worth every second and every dollar. You get to see the real Jamaica. The scenery on the way is absolutely gorgeous. I went with the Zion Bus tour. The guide gave lots of information about Bob Marley and sights along the way. The bus stops for meat patties (and of course Red Stripe) on the way up and returns to the same rural stop on the way back for a lunch of jerk chicken, jerk pork and rice and beans. Food is included in the price of the tour. You can buy souveniers at the rest stop but there is no pressure to do so. Reggae music plays continuously in the bus.

The town of Nine Mile is small. When you pull up to the Bob Marley compound, two purple wooden gates open to let the bus in. The tour guide instructed us to only buy ganja (if you desire - I recommend it highly - if you don't, it's like going to France and not drinking the wine) from the Rasta behind this small opening in a wall. Other people from the town will try to sell you ganja but reportedly some of the stuff they have will drop you in your tracks. Your guide was an older gentleman named Fuzzy. He was fantastic, telling tales of Bob and showing us where he was born, lived, and wrote his songs. The surrounding countryside is so beautiful! You'll always think of Nine Mile when you hear a Bob Marley song. A chapel surrounding Bob's mother's marble mausoleum was being constructed when I was there. Out of respect, no pictures are allowed inside the small chapel where Bob and his brother Anthony rest. You can walk completely around the mausoleum that is made entirely of Ethiopian marble. On all sides of the tomb are a variety of articles that were important to Bob Marley in life. You truly get an understanding of how important the Rastafarian religion was to Marley and how they consider us all one people.

All in all, it's an experience I'll never forget and one that I can't wait to do again.

I was fortunate enough to set foot on the property Bob Marley once called home!

I must say, I now feel a deeper connection to this man and his music after setting foot here. The scenery across the hills, coupled with the 'Rasta' atmosphere, makes this a worthy half day trip!

My fiance and I negotiated a price of $120/US for a return trip to Nine Miles from Ocho Rios, with a local cab driver. The drive from Ochi up to Nine miles was approximately 1.5 hrs. It was one of the most scenic drives I have ever taken. Ask your driver to take you through 'Fern Gully' on your way back, it's in the same direction as Ochi (just a different way).

TIP: Bring some Gravol just in case the 'up & down, left & right' drive makes you motion sick, as this drive takes you up into the highest peaks in the region.

Once in the 'Marley Compound' you will have the opportunity to purchase some special tea, smoke and cold beverages. Afterwards, we were paired with our guide Benji, who took us through the small village and home of Bob Marley.

It is a small tranquil place without the touristy gimmicks one would expect to see at a tourist spot. Okay, well there were a few, but nothing that spoiled the atmosphere. We were able to view Bob's house, pay our respects and hear some incredible stories of what Bob's life was like when he was living here. This is a must for any Bob Marley Fan!

Robert Nesta Marley's mausoleum is a MUST visit while in Jamaica. The tour guides are so friendly and Mount Zion helps to provide a spiritual experience. 9 Mile satisfied my soul! I will be going back!