Bob Marley Mausoleum, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Bob Marley Birthplace, Nine Mile Mausoleum, Photo: david_e_waldron, Flickr
Bob Marley Mausoleum and Bob Marley centre are great attractions available to tourists visiting Ocho Rios in Jamaica. The mausoleum is located in small hamlet called Nine Mile that houses both birth place and burial place of Bob Marley, his childhood home and a cottage with two rooms that contains Bob Marley family keepsakes. A vegetarian restaurant and a Bob Marley memorabilia gift shop are adjacent.
Bob Marley Mausoleum Location
Nine Mile, the hamlet where Bob Marley Mausoleum is located is about an hour and a half away from Ocho Rios. It may seem like a long ride, but it’s well worth it, especially if you’re a fan of reggae music or Bob Marley as an artist, singer and musician. Zion Bus services run between Ocho Rios and Nine Mile offering affordable and comfortable transport to and from the place. Zion Buses to Nine Mile are often painted in bright colors with Bob Marley posters all over and play Bob Marley’s music to get you all in the mood. You also have an option of renting a 4×4 and driving to Nine Mile at your own pace. Parking at Nine Mile is limited, though. Either way, visiting Nine Mile and the Bob Marley Mausoleum is likely to become the highlight of your stay in Jamaica. Do it, you won’t regret.
Getting off Ocho Rios and its tourist resorts will introduce you to the real Jamaica. There are many Jamaican kids around Nine Mile asking tourists for dollars, but small trinkets from a dollar store or lollipops make them just as happy. This is what real Jamaica looks like and these things are part of it. It’s also not unusual to see every local in sight ask money for everything. You could get approached by a random guy who would ask you to give him money for looking at the field he helped to maintain. Or he could ask you to give him money for simply talking to you. It’s easy to reject if you don’t feel comfortable giving anything away, but it could get overwhelming especially if this type of approach is not common in your home country.
Also, be aware that road to Nine Mile is not in the greatest of conditions and depending on a driver, could turn into a rather jumpy adventure. The further you get, the narrower, curvier and steeper it gets. You’ll see the driver honking his horn just to let everyone know that he’s coming through. It’s different, it’s Jamaica.
Bob Marley Mausoleum Address:
off the B3
St. Ann
Nine Mile
Jamaica
If you decide to drive there yourself, you may want to call first to make reservation. The phone number is +1 876 995 1763.
Driving Directions:
Take the B3 south from Ocho Rios to Brown’s Town, which is about 24 miles away. Continue south to Alexandria, then turn east at the signs for Alva. Continue for next 9.25 miles until you arrive at Nine Mile.
Bob Marley Mausoleum Tour
The Bob Marley Mausoleum guided tour is about an hour to three hours long and will take you through Bob Marley’s life, starting with his birthplace and finishing with his place of eternal rest. You will get to see the tomb of Bob Marley, which is elevated to about 6 feet above ground level. You will also get to see his cooking pit and his rock pillow.
The tour is accompanied by a lot of singing and is guaranteed to leave you in awe. It’s highly inspiring to see that someone from such humble surroundings appealed to millions upon millions of people. Once within mausoleum, you will feel like you’re feet away from one of the greatest musicians of 20th century.
The tours are open from 9:30am to 6:30pm every day and cost $10 – $15, depending on season.
Kids Selling Ganja at Bob Marley Mausoleum, Photo: skibler, Flickr
Bob Marley Mausoleum and Ganja
Ganja smoking is legal within the gates of Nine Mile. As a matter of fact, not only it is legal, everyone is expected to have some. As a parent, you may want to reconsider taking a tour if you’re with kids. Similarly, if you’re not a marijuana smoker or if it offends you, you may want to pass on visiting Nine Mile and the Bob Marley Mausoleum.
Rastafari Sign at Bob Marley's house, Photo: skibler, Flickr
How to Behave at the Bob Marley Mausoleum
Visitors to the Bob Marley Mausoleum should be aware of a few customs surrounding near sacred grounds of Nine Mile. You are free to smoke ganja inside the Bob Marley Mausoleum, but you have to take your shoes off. The Bob Marley Mausoleum is a sacred place for many Rastafarians, taking your shoes off is a sign of respect and should not be disputed. It is not allowed to take pictures inside the mausoleum. The tomb of Bob Marley is placed in such spot so the sun gets to shine on it through a stained glass window Star of David. It’s really breathtaking.
February 20th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
heck yeah! lets go!
February 21st, 2009 at 12:40 am
i love this man what he stood for and of course his music
forever one love
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I love the nine mile tour. If your a tourist, I think its an amazing way for you to see the real Jamaica. The ride up to the final destination is part of the experience. The kids you see along the way are wonderful, they’ll make you laugh. & If you love Bob Marley or his music you cant miss this tour. Its enlightening and with make you feel closer to our Island. Enjoy!
March 9th, 2009 at 6:48 am
omg i love bob marley and seeing this page just made me relise what a great rolemodle he was
March 20th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I am Jamaican, who resides in Jamaica and I appreciate this webpage because it assisted me in planning my vacation weekend.
However, the picture above labelled “kids selling ganga” is NOT accurate. It is clear that the individuals in the picture are adult men, not boys. Thanks for the information provided at this site, but be careful not to perpetuate the inaccurate lawless image of Jamaica. We do have ethics and values here.
June 16th, 2009 at 8:39 am
hmmm.. that would be awesome to visit jamaica one time
have a tour trough the bob marley musean wile smoking a spliff 
.. i’m from holland,but smoking ganja in museums isn’t allowed here, but we have coffeeshops haha!
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:38 pm
You saved me a lot of time researching for my class assignment. I am in your debt forever!
July 13th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
wow..great place to go.. i must visit jamaica..im from philippines here ganja is illegal but we use it..hahahah…bob marley the best!
August 9th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
thanks to Bob, me n my cousin got really close. he even showed me how to smoke weed haha!!! thanks alot Bob and rest in peace. Love You
August 21st, 2009 at 12:13 am
I’ve taken the tour and it was one of the best experiences of my life in Jamaica. I’m coming back again and bringing some friends. I want to share this beautiful place and our beloved brother Bob with everyone. Bless-ed Love.
September 17th, 2009 at 10:36 am
i’m truly inspired by bob marley.He always has a message to give in his music u just have to listen. i love to listen to it after i smoke, so i can really catch his message.He was a great man n will forever live on n our hearts. One Love all day
October 20th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
R.I.P my brother bob marley you the best
November 4th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
we visited nine miles and the mausoleum 1994 and 1996
December 7th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
this is an amazing place. truly brethtaking
January 10th, 2010 at 12:06 am
I went on this tour with my lil bro in 2007, while at port in Ocho rios on a Carnival cruise. I was 22 and my brother was 18. We had the best time. The bus ride to nine mile was an adventue and the scenery was well worth the $$ alone. A meal was provided on the was back that was scrumptious. And the nine mil tour was just superb. I loved Marley before this journey but afterwards I had a new found admiration and sentiment towards him and everything he stood for. I recommend it constantly to anyone who will listen.
January 10th, 2010 at 9:56 am
I rented a motorcycle in Montego Bay and rode it to Nine Mile. It was the most beautiful ride I’ve ever been on. It sure beat hanging around all the tourists on the coast. I met a lot of beautiful people, ate some of the best food I’ve ever tasted, and the mausoleum tour was an experience I will cherish forever. A word of advise…while aki and codfish is good…aki and lobster is better!
January 15th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
i love bob marley.i.ve never been on this tour i will soon but i have a question.when it says the kids asking for money is overwhelming.does that mean when tou reject them that they will be offended by you or that you’ll get kids asking for money alot
February 4th, 2010 at 8:20 am
i went there, i had a awsome time, i recomend going there for ur trip.
February 28th, 2010 at 1:46 am
i wish to go there and se the bob marlay grave .and somck on the name of bab marly i loe u bob marlay .u will never die in this world ur name will be for ever .
March 8th, 2010 at 4:15 am
iam really inspired by bob marley
March 13th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
We went to see Bob’s resting place quite a few years ago now, but it was wonderful. The ride to the mausoleum is an experience in itself! Along the way are Rasta’s enjoying their days by the side of the road smoking. As you arrive at the gates you would barely know that you were there. It is so peaceful and laid back. Everyone is happy, children running around and some sing to you. The surroundings are lush and green. It is so humbling that such an important man to so many is in such a quiet and faraway place. I got quite choked up and shed some tears until bobs relation started to sing “no woman no cry” that just made me blab even more!!!! A lovely experience. Remember to take something to put by his marble casket before you leave. This is something that I wished that I had done, many of the flowers at the time we went were silk and had faded badly. Such a tragedy for someone so special. God Bless You Bob X
March 15th, 2010 at 4:47 am
bob marley is a legend
March 15th, 2010 at 4:53 am
if got all his songs
March 15th, 2010 at 4:56 am
i havent got time to go there but how much is it to get there
March 19th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
i went to jamaica in 1996, going to bob’s home in nine miles was spiritual, seeing sugar hill where he played guitar as a boy and going to pay respects to him in his resting place was a life’s ambition, rest in peace bob, one love.
March 26th, 2010 at 9:09 am
BOB morreu tem 27 anos …
mais ate hj ele vive entre nós …
mundo RASTA ….
muita maconha … JAH
March 27th, 2010 at 11:00 am
io ci sono stata nel maggio 2005 in viaggio di nozze ed e un posto meraviglioso da rimanere a bocca aperta come tutta la Jamaica e ci sono stata per la seconda volta in dicembre 2009. Graie ai ragazzi che ti fanno guida e un incanto con le canzoni che ti emozionano.
March 29th, 2010 at 3:36 am
do they sell ganja
April 14th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
I am an extreme Bob Marley Fan!! I love his music, his message, and the man he was. Yet, I have never been to Jamaica. I am saving to make that the most wonderful experience. I want to stay as long as I possibly can to get as close as I can spiritually…to him. This article makes me wanna go and love him even more!
May 1st, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Bob was simply the greatest ever. will we have another? “time alone, old time will tell”
Laser Bolt
May 18th, 2010 at 2:18 am
yes i love bob marly he nice song rgey i love that song yeyeyeye that is live a wave….alon of big sufing on siargao of tha cloud 9 surfing..i love
June 7th, 2010 at 7:39 am
how old was he when he died i want to go but im only 13 but bob is a lengend and so’s bobs sons like damien and his song all night
June 9th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
My wife and I just got back from our honeymoon in Jamaica. This tour was the first thing we did. I’ve always liked Bob Marley’s music, but this tour gave me a whole new respect for him. The drive is good, and we had a great driver that gave us an in-depth background on Bob and Jamaica. I couldn’t have asked for a better day. There is an amazing calm energy around this place that will leave you in total awe.