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.
