Jamaica’s Down Home Charm:
Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios
Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios all have delightful tropical beaches in common, but once you walk off the sugary sand, each spot has a whole different array of activities and attractions, from historic architecture and dining to natural wonders and unique animal life.
MONTEGO BAY: The Complete Resort
Montego Bay began its days as a small shipping port but has grown into Jamaica’s premier destination for those in search of white-sand beaches and tropical perfection.
Best of all, Montego Bay is a stone’s throw from Jamaica’s greatest historical attractions, including, the gorgeous St. James Parish Church, known for its stained glass window; The Cage, an 18th-century jail for unruly sailors since converted to a museum; and Rose Hall, Jamaica’s most famous plantation mansion, which is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of the lady of the manor.
New to Montego Bay is the Outameni Experience in Trelawny. This interactive journey takes visitors all the way through Jamaica’s history, from the first Jamaican tribes to the island’s colonial days and its present-day fun-loving incarnation of music, sun and fun. Drama, dance, music and native rituals highlight the extraordinary story.
The area also has great natural beauty. Visitors are dazzled by the Montego Bay Marine Park, where divers explore coral reefs teeming with exotic fish. Families love Aquasol Theme Park, where visitors can try banana boating or parasailing, as well as mountaintop horseback rides that wind down to the ocean and four wheel drive rainforest tours.
NEGRIL: The Capital of Casual
Negril is also a perfect place for adventurers, nature buffs and beachcombers. Surrounded by gorgeous cliffs and ideal water conditions for swimming and snorkeling, Negril is an explorer’s heaven.
Horseback riders can trek to the clifftop ruins of the Whitehall Great House, and animal lovers will be thrilled by a canoe trip to Negril Great Morass, a protected palm forest where visitors can view exotic birds and even crocodiles—from a safe distance, of course!
Adventurers have some of the best sea kayaking and parasailing at their fingertips, and exceptionally clear, calm waters loaded with spectacular coral reefs make Negril a fantastic location for diving, even for beginners.
Negril’s famous orange and purple sunsets can be experienced on an array of evening cruises or from the decks of Rick’s Café, a perennial favorite onshore viewing spot with music, cliff-diving shows and dinner by sunset. It’s a spectacular way to cap off the day.
OCHOS RIOS: The Centerpiece of Jamaica
The towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls and scenic beaches of Ocho Rios inspired Columbus to call Jamaica “the fairest island ever eyes beheld.” The craggy coastline is dotted with relaxing sandy coves that are perfect for swimming, and visitors can even swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cove, as well as get up-close views of turtles, iguanas, and sharks!
No trip to the area is complete without a visit to the dramatic 600-foot Dunn’s River Falls. The astounding view is absolutely worth a climb to the top of its limestone tiers, and a swim at the bottom of the falls is an incredible reward. Nearby, Fern Gully affords views of otherworldly trees that grow to 30 feet in height, a species unique to the island.
Visit Mystic Mountain for adventures of the man-made variety. At this amusement park, families can go wild on the Rainforest Sky Explorer, an open-air chairlift that climbs from sea level to 700 feet, high above the rainforest canopy. Other attractions include an early 1900’s train that tours the entire expanse and a thrilling zip-line that flies visitors over the tree canopy and between stunning limestone cliffs.
Ocho Rios also has an intriguing heritage. Tiny Nine Miles is the birthplace of Bob Marley, where his birthday is a yearly festival celebration. And in the Seville Great House & Heritage Park are the ruins of Sevilla La Nueva, founded by the son of Columbus.