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.
