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Touring Jamaica can be both thrilling and frustrating. Rugged (albeit beautiful) terrain and winding (often potholed) roads make for slow going. Always check conditions before you set off by car, but especially in the rainy season, June through October, when roads can be washed out. Two-lane primary roads that loop around and ac
Touring Jamaica can be both thrilling and frustrating. Rugged (albeit beautiful) terrain and winding (often potholed) roads make for slow going. Always check conditions before you set off by car, but especially in the rainy season, June through October, when roads can b
Touring Jamaica can be both thrilling and frustrating. Rugged (albeit beautiful) terrain and winding (often potholed) ro
Touring Jamaica can be both thrilling and frustrating. Rugged (albeit beautiful) terrain and winding (often potholed) roads make for slow going. Always check conditions before you set off by car, but especially in the rainy season, June through October, when roads can be washed out. Two-lane primary roads that loop around and across the island are not particularly well marked. Numbered addresses are seldom used outside major townships, locals drive aggressively, and people and animals have a knack for appearing out of nowhere. That said, Jamaica's scenery shouldn't be missed. To be safe and avoid frustration, stick to guided tours and licensed taxis.
If you're staying in Kingston or Port Antonio, set aside at least one day for the capital and another for a guided excursion to the Blue Mountains. There's at least three days of activity along Mo'Bay's boundaries, but also consider a day trip to Negril or Ocho Rios. If you're based in Ocho Rios, be sure to visit Dunn's River Falls; you may also want to stop by Bob Marley's birthplace, Nine Mile, or Firefly, the restored home of Noël Coward. If Negril is your hub, take in the South Coast, including Y.S. Falls and the Black River.
One of the Caribbean's premier rum distillers, Appleton Estate offers guided tours illustrating the history of rum making in the region. The tour begins with a lively discussion of the days when sugarcane was crushed by donkey power, then proceeds to a behind-the-scenes look at the modern facility. Upon being fully educated about rum you can partake of the samples that flow freely. Every visitor receives a complimentary miniature bottle of Appleton. Reservations are not required for the tour are necessary, 24 hours in advance, for lunch. There's also a restaurant, bar, and a gift shop.
A quiet alternative to Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios, these falls are part of a cattle and horse farm and are reached via a tractor and trailer. There is actually a series of seven falls on the property that cascade into natural pools. An exhilarating zipline zooms over them. Other features include a river pool, a garden, a gift shop, and a lounge with food.
On the South Coast road to Negril, this relatively narrow stretch of sand and rock near the small community of Bluefields is typically crowded only on weekends and holidays. The swimming here is good, although the sea is sometimes rough; and you can get food (mainly jerk chicken and beer) from vendors. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming.
Coffee beans grown on nearby plantations—Baronhall Estate Coffee, Island Blue Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, and Jamaica High Mountain Coffee—are brought here for processing. Tours aren't offered, but you can stop by the gift shop for a sample taste and purchase their many fine coffee products.
As legend has it, two slaves in love, Mizzy and Tunkey, chose to jump off this 1,700-foot cliff rather than be captured by their master. At the entrance of the property is a wooden statue dedicated to the tragic pair. This site includes a restaurant with a balcony, a photogenic lighthouse, and stunning sea views. Tours detail Jamaica's history and Mizzy and Tunkey's story. Weddings can be held here.
At 2,000 feet above sea level, Mandeville is considerably cooler than the coastal areas about 25 miles (40 km) to the south. Its vegetation is also lusher, thanks to the mists that drift through the mountains. But climate and flora aren't all that separate it from the steamy coast: Mandeville seems a hilly tribute to all that's genteel in the British character. The people here live in tidy cottages with gardens around a village green; there's even a Georgian courthouse and a parish church. The entire scene could be set down in Devonshire, were it not for the occasional poinciana blossom or citrus grove.
In the small community of Belmont, this simple white-concrete building contains the grave of reggae great Peter Tosh (born Winston Hubert McIntosh), who was murdered in Jamaica in 1987. Together with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, Tosh formed the seminal reggae group the Wailers in 1967. In contrast to the Marley memorials in Kingston and Nine Mile, Tosh's burial place is quiet and uncrowded.
The most atmospheric beach in the southwest is in the community of Treasure Beach. Here there are several long stretches of sand and many small coves. With more rocks and darker sand, the beach isn't as pretty as those to the west or north, but it's a bit of the "real" Jamaica. Both locals and visitors use the beach, though you're as likely to find it deserted, beyond a friendly beach dog. Treasure Beach attracts a bohemian crowd, and you won't find as many hustlers as in North Coast resort towns. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); lifeguards. Best for: solitude; sunset; walking.
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