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Places to Visit in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Ocho Rios has a number of unique attractions to enjoy. Dhana Car Rental and Tours, Ltd. can help you experience these sites by renting a car. Reserve online now or call tollfree for more information 1-866-276-1884. We have rates as low as US$175 per week, plus taxes and insurance. Click here to find out why Dhana's rates are so low.
Tower Cloisters, an intimate apartment complex located just outside Ocho Rios, is ideal for couples and families looking for a relaxing holiday with choice of restaurant or self catering facility. Call (876) 975-4763/4, mads@cwjamaica.com.
Chukka Cove. Situated about 15 minutes from Ocho Rios, just beyond St. Ann's Bay on the way to Montego Bay, Chukka Cove is a farm and stable which offers rides to suit anyone, from beginners to the most experienced. Their beach ride takes you through a dairy and cattle farm to the beach where an exhilarating ride through the waves will get your adrenaline flowing. They have recently added an exciting new attraction.. a bike ride through the spectacular scenery of the Jamaican mountains down to a white sand beach and a refreshing plunge into the clear blue sea. 972-2506
Safari Tours. Zebra-striped jeeps will take you to White River for a breathtaking river tubing ride or on a hiking trip through the hills and down to Dunn's River Falls or through the timeless, unhurried, Jamaica countryside, seldom seen by visitors. 972-2506
Cranbook Flower Forest is located off the North Coast Highway in Laughlands, St. Ann. Well laid out gardens with nature hikes, swimming, bird watching, pond fishing, horse and donkey rides. 995-3097
Places to Visit in Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston has a number of unique attractions to enjoy. Dhana Car Rental and Tours, Ltd. can help you experience these sites by renting a car. Reserve online now or call toll free for more information 1-866-276-1884. We have rates as low as US$175 per week, plus taxes and insurance. Click here to find out why Dhana's rates are so low.
Blue Mountains Visitors should not miss the rewarding drive into the Blue Mountains, home of Jamaica's famous coffee. The route via Hope Road and Papine will take you to Newcastle, a historic fort which, in the past, has housed many famous British regiments and today is a training centre of the Jamaica Defense Force. A mile further on is Hardwar Gap in the Blue Mountain/ John Crow National Park. At Hollywell, a little further on in the park you will find trails and magnificent views which will make you glad you made the effort.
Mavis Bank Mavis Bank, a coffee farm high up in the Blue Mountains, invites visitors to come and see how the world famous Blue Mountain Coffee is grown and processed. The drive up into the mountains is spectacular and the tour of the factory is extremely interesting. A cup of Blue Mountain Coffee sampled on its own home soil, so to speak, must be every coffee lover's dream but Nature lovers too will enjoy this trip. 977-8005/8015
City Tours of Kingston Any tour company in the city will offer you a tour of Kingston's cultural and historic points of interest or you can make arrangements with an individual taxi driver. Agree to a price before setting off. Devon House should be included on every visitor's itinerary. Situated on Hope Road, it is an old colonial mansion of outstanding elegance and architecture. King's House next door is the residence of the Governor General. Further up Hope Road lies the Bob Marley Museum which attracts thousands of fans each year. Still further up Hope Road is Hope Botanical Gardens which also houses a small zoo with birds and animals from all over the Caribbean and the Americas. In the same area lies the campus of the University of the West Indies, surely one of the prettiest campuses in the world, nestling in the foothills of the Blue Mountains.
The National Art Gallery on Ocean Boulevard, has a large collection of works of Jamaican artists.
Lime Cay Morgan's Harbour Hotel at Port Royal offers an excellent trip out to the offshore island of Lime Cay, a favorite spot of local yachtsmen. The white sand beach and clear water that abounds with fish make skin diving and swimming memorable. 967-8075
Port Royal Most of the old city of Port Royal, once the pirate capital of the New World, sank beneath the waves in a violent earthquake in 1692. Over the years much excavation work has been done to recover artifacts from this rich, but wicked town. Fort Charles, where Lord Nelson once strode the quarterdeck, still stands and the silent cannon still keep watch from its battlements. The Maritime Museum is located in Fort Charles itself while the Port Royal Archaeological and Historical Museum, which houses artifacts salvaged from the sunken city, is situated in the old Naval Hospital. To get there you can drive beyond Norman Manley International Airport or catch the ferry across the harbour.
Cambioman Visitors in New Kingston can change foreign money to Jamaican dollars very conveniently and at very competitive rates at Cambioman situated in the Dehring, Bunting and Golding Building on Holborn Road. 960-6699.
Revolution Gallery offering ceramics, sculpture, textiles, jewelry, prints and photographs by Jamaica's leading artists. Upcoming exhibitions not to be missed include "Scandalous Pleasures of Myth & Memory" in March 2002. In June experience "Heavy Metal." 929-0045
Wassi Art This gallery at Devon House carries unique pottery pieces from its studio in Ocho Rios (see the Ocho Rios section for details of the studio tour).
Mayfair Day Spa; a day spent here will rejuvenate body and mind.
Things to do in Montego Bay, Jamaica
Montego Bay has a number of unique attractions to enjoy. Dhana Car Rental and Tours, Ltd. can help you experience these sites by renting a car. Reserve online now or call toll free for more information 1-866-276-1884. We have rates as low as US$175 per week, plus taxes and insurance. Click here to find out why Dhana's rates are so low.
Montego Bay offers a great deal to photographers, adventurers or those afflicted by curiosity or inability to sit on a beach for long periods. These people should contact their hotel tour desk or rent a car, or bike and with a copy of Focus on Jamaica firmly in hand, sally forth to discover this exotic land. There are so many things to do to that one visit to Jamaica is not enough.
Shopping in Montego Bay Part of the pleasure of a vacation is buying souvenirs or simply splurging out on something you have always wanted. Jamaica offers the necessary temptations.
City Centre Plaza in Montego Bay is a plaza devoted almost entirely to in-bond stores but you will find others in the Holiday Village and Half Moon Shopping Village, in larger hotels and at Montego Bay Plaza on the waterfront. Be sure to bargain in these stores - it is expected.
The main Crafts Market is on Harbour Street in town but there are two smaller ones in the hotel area, one next to Fantasy Hotel and another on Fort Street on the site of a 17th century fort.
Art Galleries in Montego Bay A visit to Lester Art Gallery in the hills above Reading can also be a tour in itself or can be combined with visits to other places of interest. The Gallery is devoted to works of Polish sea captain and painter the late Michael Leszczynski, who anglicised his name to Lester and is famous for the work of his Jamaica period. The gallery is at his former home and studio which he built in the 1950s on a cliff side at the village of Belmont. The house has stunning views. Call 605-1299 and arrange a visit. In the same area are Rocklands Bird Sanctuary and Mountain Valley River Rafting.
Aquasol Theme Park Situated on the dazzling white sand Walter Fletcher beach, this theme park offers enough entertainment to keep you busy all day. It has a go-kart track with 10 Honda bumper carts and water sports such as kayaking, parasailing, banana boating and glass bottom boating in addition to trampolines, wave runners, beach volleyball and two professional tennis courts. The Voyage sport's bar and restaurant not only serves excellent food, there are 42 big-screen TV's for sporting events, pool tables, slot machines and many other games. 979-9447
Montego Bay Underseas Tours The "Coral See" looks a bit like a submarine but it is really a boat with an air conditioned underwater viewing compartment six feet under the surface where you can sit in comfort and watch the wonders of the Montego Bay Marine Park. Coral, hundreds of different fish, turtles, and sting rays are all displayed for your enjoyment. 940-4465.
Belvedere Estate Belvedere is a family-owned estate set on one thousand acres of land just minutes away from Montego Bay. It was one of the first sugar cane plantations in Jamaica and is still a working estate. The owner, Mr. Pat McGann, has opened it to the public so that all can share the natural beauty of its rivers and waterfalls, its ruins and exotic plants and birds. 952-6001
Bird Sanctuary A visit to Rocklands Feeding Station in Anchovy, only minutes away from Montego Bay, is a must for all bird lovers and bird watchers. Feeding time is four o'clock .
Bob Marley Experience and Theatre Situated in the Half Moon Shopping Village. Shows every hour on the hour are a touching tribute to Bob Marley. This tastefully produced documentary film is a must for all lovers of his music and for those who have never had the pleasure of watching Bob Marley in concert. The adjoining shop has the largest selection of Bob Marley T-shirts in the world. 953-3946.
Caribbean Showplace This entertainment Centre at Ironshore offers a games room, two restaurants and a "state of the art" nightclub with two bars cater to every taste.
Chukka Blue Adventure Tours Situated at Blue Hole, Sandy Bay, this company offers a horseback-riding tour through an ancient sugar estate. The tour meanders for two and a half hours through the picturesque Jamaican landscape and finishes with a dip in the sea (horse and all). First class horses, and equipment as well as experienced guides ensure a memorable experience for all.
They also offer an exciting bike tour through the cool hills of Hanover down to the beach.
Yet another tour is aptly named the Heritage Tour. Safari jeeps meander deep into the Jamaican countryside, taking in the occasional great house on the way. 817-3624
Coral Cliff Gaming/ Entertainment Lounge A flashing neon sign is the GO signal for the "Hip Strip's" best seven nights of live entertainment. From live jazz to fabulous fashion shows, cabaret or vintage reggae, it is exciting, entertaining and exhilarating. Coral Cliff, Montego Bay's gaming lounge, is a haven for conservative and adventurous players alike. Slots range in denomination from US$0.50 to US$5.00 for jackpots as big as your dreams. 952-4130
Tryall Golf Club The Tryall resort sits in a beautiful 2,200 acre estate with sweeping vistas down to the incredibly blue Caribbean sea. The 72 par 18 hole golf course here is world-famous. Call 956-5660.
Rose Hall Beach Club They call themselves the water sports capital of Jamaica and with great reason. Name any water sport and they have it — waterskiing, wave runners, para sailing, kayaking, diving, fishing, snorkeling, hydrospeeding. The list goes on. If you are a water sports fan or would like to learn any of the above. this place is a must. The club now offers family and corporate memberships at very reasonable prices. 680-0969
Rose Hall Great House This is without doubt the most celebrated Great House in Jamaica. It was once the home of the notoriously wicked Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Rose Hall, who murdered three husbands and terrorized her slaves. U.S. entrepreneurs, John and Michele Rollins, restored it to its original glory, complete with furnishings from the same time period. Charming Jamaican hostesses will chill your blood with tales of the evil Annie. A refreshing walk in the beautiful gardens will restore your equilibrium — or should you need stronger sustenance you can find it in Annie's Pub in the dungeon of the Great House. 953-2323
Tours To Cuba Vacation Outlet and Tropical Tours can add a Latin flavour to your holiday with a side trip to Cuba which lies a mere 90 miles from Jamaica's north coast. Day or weekend trips are on offer. Tour historic Havana, dance to the rhythms of salsa. Call Vacation Outlet at 971-3859 or Tropical Tours at 952-0400
Water Sports Companies like Cool Aqua Sun Sports (680-0969), North Coast Marine Sports (953-9266), Captain's Watersports & Dive Centre (952-5860), offer expert services. Call for weather and visibility conditions.
Cambioman At 8 Market Street, Montego Bay changes money at very competitive rates. 940-0691
Lucea (pronounced Lucy) is a coastal town to the west of Montego Bay about halfway to Negril, where the ruins of a 17th century fort make a pleasant sightseeing trip.
Falmouth
To the east of Montego Bay lies the sleepy town of Falmouth, the capital of the parish of Trelawny. It is hard to visualize it as the social capital of the island and one of its major commercial centres, which indeed it was in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
However, if you look for it you will find evidence of past splendour in the architecture, not only of the unusual old church and court or town house but of its many old Georgian dwelling houses.
Falmouth has its share of tourist attractions which should be on your list of places to visit.
Glistening Waters At Rock, just beyond Falmouth is the amazing Luminous Lagoon. It is one of the most spectacular wonders to be found in Jamaica. Schedule your trip for after dark and take a boat ride from Glistening Waters Marina (954-3229). The water is luminous when agitated and you can see the outlines of fish and streaks of light as they swim around. Words fail to do it justice, so go see for yourselves.
Deep Sea Fishing Trips can also be arranged on one of the marina's fully equipped fishing boats.
King Pepper A company which produces such spicy ( and with a name like King Pepper can you doubt it?) Jamaican favourites as Jerk Seasoning, Hot Pepper Sauce and Jerk Ketchup to name a few, welcomes visitors to its factory just beyond Falmouth on the road to Ocho Rios. Look for their sign on the deep bend just past the bridge.
