Port Antonio is the Jamaica you thought was gone for good. Untouched by mass tourism, green in look and consciousness, its isolated shores have been bypassed by modern construction. This town is for the traveler who doesn't need boutiques and postcard stands.
Situated between two idyllic harbors, the town of Port Antonio is one of the most verdant landscapes in all of Jamaica because it’s nestled at the foot of the mist-covered Blue Mountains. The narrow roads twisting through the countryside are literally swathed in cascading bougainvillea, tall royal and traveler’s palms, and
jungle vines straight out of Tarzan. Far away from any tourist hordes, the region is popular for romantic couples and ecotourists who come for the Garden of Eden atmosphere.
Accommodations offer a choice of full-service properties directly on the beach or more homey environs higher up in the hills with breathtaking views and loads of old Jamaican charm. There is not much in the way of man-made attractions in Port Antonio, but there’s enough of that throughout the rest of Jamaica. Instead, visitors tend to hang out at their hotels and breathe the fresh Blue Mountain air while sipping on the world-famous Blue Mountain coffee. The most famous attractions are Blue Lagoon and the bamboo raft tours down the mighty Rio Grande River that winds through the palm-strewn hills.
Other activities include Athenry Gardens, the ancient stalagmites and stalactites inside Nonesuch Caves, swimming under the Somerset Waterfalls, and hiking/horseback riding through Rio Grande Valley.
