Jamaica Places to Visit

THE CITY LIFE

Ocho Rios!
Crowds, Energy, Excitement?
This is the main cruise port and has some serious nightlife on offer. It can be crazy busy when the big cruise ships dock

The famous James Bond Beach is a short journey from Ocho Rios where you can experience the beautiful backdrop of the lush mountains of St Mary and Golden Eye where Ian Flemming wrote the James Bond Books.

Kingston
This is the big smoke of Jamaica. Visit the Bob Marley Foundation Museum – a 15th century house where new Reggae artists call at Marley’s recording studio for inspiration

Montego Bay
The locals call it Mo-Bay and it has a happening Hip Strip where you can tarry to drink the best Marguerita’s and cocktails in the world.

Negril
Plan to be at Seven Mile Beach at the end of the day as the sunsets are legendary. The nightlife is great with fire eaters, Bob Marley look-alikes, great restaurants and there is plenty to do during the day – including snorkeling, diving and cliff jumping. You can also visit the nearby Rhodes Hall Plantation where you can ride a horse along the Rhodes Mineral Spring beach or jump on an all terrain vehicle to explore the bamboo groves deep in the interior.

The island abounds with history and the following tours and activities will double as an educational experience

Croydon in the Mountains
The interior of Jamaica boasts the Blue Mountains. A tour into the country will not only introduce you to different varieties of pineapples and other fruits but also to the culture and history of the Island.
www.croydonplantation.com/

Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting
Jump on 30 feet of bamboo and raft along the Martha Brae – the expedition starts only 22 miles from Mobay and includes the telling of stories (how the Spanish Treasure hunters captured an Arawak Indian Witch to find a treasure for instance!) of Jamaica, its traditions and culture. www.jamaicarafting.com

Dunn’s River Falls
If you don’t like rushing or rush hour – then try not to visit Dunns with the passengers from the Cruise ships. Made from travertine rock it constantly regenerates itself as the river precipitates calcium carbonate when it flows over the falls. Great tips are to rent rubber shoes and to do it with a guide. www.dunnsriverfallsja.com/

Swim with Dolphins
Dolphin Cove will allow you to choose between touch, swim dorsal pull or foot push Dolphin program, You can swim with sharks and interact with Stingrays Captain your own mini boat and they also have birds, snakes, iguanas and a lost jungle! Close to Dunn’s river Falls. www.dolphincovejamaica.com

Chukka Carribean Adventures - Canopy Tours
Glide along nine crossings through a rainforest canopy at speeds up to 35 mph and covering 600 ft in 15 seconds.
www.chukkacaribbean.com


The untouched private romantic scene more your thing?

Make the Rugged South Coast your first stop
There are many wonderful beaches and at the top of YS Falls there is a 120 foot cliff right in the middle of a jungle from where you can swing into the river below. http://www.ysfalls.com/

And our top architectural pick?

Rose hall

Annie Palmer was a lady of small stature who left a large impression. The legend surrounding her life remains completely unsubstantiated but it includes beauty, love, revenge, sex, a bevy of mysterious deaths and just in case you are not already intrigued a healthy helping of voodoo. The White Witch lived in a gorgeous Great House built in 1770 called Rose Hall – Visit this Georgian house not only because of its intrinsic mystery but also because the threads of this story will introduce you to all the threads binding together the fabric that is the island of Jamaica.You can also play 18 rounds on the White Witch Golf Club – prepare for the view to be distracting! www.rosehallresort.com/

17 May 2008