KINGSTON, Jamaica —The Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) has moved to dismiss claims on social media that members of the public will need to pay to access the Blue Lagoon in Portland.

JNHT’s comments follow reports that the Blue Lagoon and surrounding lands will be sold to a private entity and access restricted to people who can afford to pay to use the facility.

However, the JNHT, in a media release, said these claims are inaccurate and misleading. The Trust maintained that the Blue Lagoon in Portland is available to the public free of charge.

The Trust pointed out that there have been recent renovations at the facility, including rehabilitation of restrooms, landscaping, and installation of signs and storyboards. It noted that some vending, including craft vending, is allowed on the Blue Lagoon shore.

“Space for parking is limited. This challenge has contributed to some visitors using privately owned properties such as the nearby Tropical Lagoon Resort Limited to park at a minimal fee. The JNHT does not provide security at the Blue Lagoon,” the Trust said in its release.

It underscored that the land surrounding the entire Blue Lagoon is currently, and has been privately owned, for more than 50 years.

The JNHT said it has been regulating the space, protecting the national monument, and facilitating direct access by land and sea to the Blue Lagoon.

The Blue Lagoon is a national monument that is managed by the JNHT.