Author: Jonathan Williams
This green jewel basking among the warm blue waters of the
Caribbean is a great place to take in exotic scenery and
Old-World history. Jamaica has excellent facilities for tourists
and great beaches and outdoor destinations. You can do a lot,
from seeing remnants of the island's history, to exploring the
verdant jungle on foot and horseback, to working on your tan in
one of the numerous beaches.
1.) Spanish Town
Visit the former capital of Jamaica, Spanish Town, and get an
idea of what made Christopher Columbus enthusiastic about the
beauty of the island. Check out the old buildings including the
St. Jago de la Vega cathedral built by the Spaniards. Have your
picture taken in the Spanish Town Square, a charming
representation of colonial architecture brought over by the
island's colonizers.
2.) Negril
Those who have a passion for activities such as scuba diving,
sailing, fishing, and windsurfing are in for a treat when they
visit this town 80 kilometers beyond Montego Bay. A bustling
nightlife and many small shops are among the things tourists
will encounter in this place where an alternative lifestyle was
practiced in the past. Watch the sunset from West Point, the
westernmost place in the whole of the island, then dance until
sunrise in the many clubs along the beach.
3.) Ochos Rios
This town whose name means "eight rivers" in Spanish was once a
sleepy village that now boasts of international-class resorts
and hotels. Ochos Rios is a haven of gardens, such as the Shaw
Park Botanical Gardens. See the sparkling beauty of Dunn's River
Falls, dine in one of the local restaurants and sample their
varied cuisine, and visit Brimmer Hall, a plantation where, like
in the old days, crops are still cultivated and harvested
according to age-old methods.
4.) Montego Bay
This large, modern city is the second largest in Jamaica. While
there, drop in at Rose Hall, a restored house belonging to an
old sugar plantation. Gaze upon the blue Caribbean from the city
avenues with that special someone and then take them frolicking
on one of the city's three main beaches.
5.) Falmouth
Located 40 km west of Montego Bay, this resort town contains
the Church of Saint Paul. Visit the Greenwood Great House, which
was once owned by poetess Elizabeth Barrett-Browning and her
husband. For the energetic, the Martha Brae can be rafted from
Rafters Village.
6.) Kingston
Jamaica's capital, Kingston offers a lot to see and do. Learn
about the island's past by visiting the White Marl Museum,
dedicated to the Arawak Indians who lived on Jamaica, and the
Port Royal, which features exhibits and information on the bad
old days of the buccaneers. Sample the cuisine of the local
restaurants and buy a souvenir from the Crafts Market, and if
you're feeling lucky, you can gamble on horse races in Cuyamas
Park.
7.) Treasure Reef
Swim with marine life at this aquatic park located near the
Dunn's River Falls. Make some piscine friends while feeding the
sharks and interacting with the dolphins at Dolphin Cove. Or, if
getting wet doesn't suit you, explore the lush greenery of the
Jungle Trail Walk.
8.) Green Grotto Caves
Go exploring this cavern east of Discovery Bay. A sanctuary for
people since prehistoric times, these caves have seen occupants
such as the Taino Indians, refugee Spaniards hiding from the
English, smugglers, and rumrunners. Green Grotto is a kilometer
and a half long and contains an underground lake, Grotto Lake.
9.) Water Sports
Outdoor activities of all kinds can be found on Jamaica, but
among the most prevalent are water sports, which are available
at myriad locations. Fresh and saltwater fishing is permitted
without a license. Parasailing, scuba diving, surfing, rafting,
and the like are also offered at many locations such as Negril.
10.) Beaches
Jamaica would be nothing without its beaches. The island offers
many types to suit any person's tastes. From the busy sand of
MoBay and Ocho Rios to the private tranquility of the beaches of
Port Antonio, Jamaica offers beachgoers of all type the blend of
sun, fun and friendship that will suit them perfectly.
About The Author: Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for
Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos. Visit
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