Most
travelers flying into Jamaica are booked into one of the resorts lining the
island's northern coast. These guests may leave the hotel properties for an
excursion or two to iconic sights such as Dunn's River Falls, but many are
content to simply relax by the pool that is only steps away from the buffet.
However, if you want adventure and the road less traveled, it is there just
waiting to be explored.
Port
Antonio
Port
Antonio is on the eastern side of Jamaica's north shore, 120 miles from Montego
Bay's International Airport. This has isolated "Porti" from
mainstream tourism, which many will say is a huge plus for the region. Ask
Jamaicans where they go to relax and chances are Port Antonio will be their
answer. The pace is slow, the hillside lush and green and the beaches are
secluded. There's also a range of hotels that fit a variety of travel budgets,
including boutique properties.
A
visit to Port Antonio can include waterfall hikes, bird watching, swimming in
the turquoise ocean, and dining on authentic jerk cooking — many Jamaicans
claim the best jerk cooking can be found in the roadside stands along Boston
Bay.
Romantic
couples will want to book a rafting trip upon the Rio Grande. There's nothing
whitewater about the experience. This is a gentle, scenic ride along a river
edged with towering trees. The raft only holds two passengers and is guided by
an individual raft captain. For an extra boost to the romantic mood, there's
also the option for a nighttime trip, when the moon is full.
Southwestern
Jamaica
Those
looking for slightly less isolation should consider exploring southwestern
Jamaica, just a 90-minute drive from Montego Bay. Jamaica's southwestern coast
lacks an international airport, and much like Port Antonio, the region is less
accessible to mass tourism. There are several top notch tour operators —
including Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours and Chukka Caribbean
Adventures — that provide a comprehensive one-day experience of the south
coast.
Major
southwestern coast sights include a safari excursion on the Black River, where
crocodiles can be observed; a tour of the historic Appleton Rum Estate
(including a tasting) and kicking back at YS Falls, where visitors can hurl
themselves over a waterfall pool via a Tarzan swing.
Those
looking to delve deeper into the attractions of the south coast will want to
stay a few nights. A full-on resort experience can be had at the all-inclusive
Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa. If travelers are looking for a more
intimate place to lay their head, they could do no better than Jake's, a
beachfront boutique hotel with an appealing hand-crafted ambience. There are 31
thatch roofed accommodations to choose from, including those that resemble
traditional modest, tin-roofed Jamaican homes.
Mandeville
& Central Jamaica
Jamaica
isn't all about white-sand beaches and bright blue waters, landlocked
Mandeville in Central Jamaica is something else altogether. Mandeville is 64
miles west of Jamaica's capital city of Kingston, and is the island's only
major city not located on the coast or on a river. The town was named after
Viscount Mandeville, the eldest son of the Duke of Manchester and a former
governor of Jamaica. Mandeville boasts the Caribbean's oldest golf course, the
Manchester Golf Club, dating back to 1868.
Call
Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event
today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com.
Presented
By:
Rawhide
Travel and Tours Inc
6008
West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale,
Arizona 85308-3793
(602)
843-5100
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