The southern
coast of Jamaica is the next big thing in
terms of tourism, with Sandals Resorts
opening a new property. The selling point
here is life in the Caribbean as Jamaicans
know it—authentic and supremely peaceful.
The "quiet side" of Jamaica is highlighted
by the breezy hill town of Mandeville
sitting 2,000 ft. above sea level, and the
Treasure Beach area with its empty beaches
and spectacular villa rentals around
Bluefields Bay.
The genteel
British heritage and cooler climate of
Mandeville make it attractive to Caribbean
travelers seeking something new to discover
beyond the beach. Highlights include garden
tours led by the local horticultural society
and golf at the Manchester Club, which
opened the first golf course in the
Caribbean way back in 1868.
Around
Treasure Beach, there are three
once-in-a-lifetime opportunities no visitor
should miss if they’re in the region. YS
Falls is a magical escape with waterfalls
emptying into a series of pools for swimming
and swinging on ropes.
For rum
aficionados, there’s a fun tour and free
tasting at the historic Appleton Estate
sugar factory and rum distillery. And
whatever one does in the south coast of
Jamaica, a pontoon ride up the Black River
to see the wild alligators up close is a
must. Sitting in silence a couple of miles
up the river among the mangroves and vines
is as pure a Jamaican event as any tourist
will ever discover.
