Off the Beaten Path - Jamaica

Most vacationers 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 vacationers are content to simply relax by the pool only steps away from the buffet. This is unfortunate, because Jamaica's true charms are found through chance encounters beyond the walls of the large resorts.

It takes an adventurous spirit to experience the true spirit of Jamaica, but the rewards are worth it. Less visited areas like Port Antonio and the south coast can give you a glimpse of what the Caribbean was like before the advent of mass tourism.

Over the last few years, the road system in Jamaica has been vastly improved, making it much more feasible to tackle an independent journey. Those who are apprehensive about renting a car and setting off on their own can always hire a driver to get them from Point A to Point B.

Port Antonio
Port Antonio is on the eastern side of Jamaica's north shore, 120 miles from Montego Bay's International Airport. This distance has isolated it from mainstream tourism, which many will say is a huge plus for the region. 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. For an immersive experience, travelers will want to book a few nights in one of the region's hotels.

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. Be sure to make time for a visit to Treasure Beach, site of Lovers Leap, a 1,600-foot sea cliff where two star-crossed Jamaican slaves leapt to their deaths rather than be separated.

Mandeville & Central Jamaica
Think of Jamaica and it's inevitable that white-sand beaches and bright blue waters will come to mind. Land-locked 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. Mandeville boasts the Caribbean's oldest golf course, the Manchester Golf Club, dating back to 1868. There's a pronounced English vibe to Mandeville. Driving through a visitor may see a cricket game in progress. They'll also have the option of dipping into an English-style pub to hoist a pint. 

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. 

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6008 West Bell Rd # F105
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