Miles of untouched coastline, cascading waterfalls and natural mineral baths make Jamaica the magical place it is…
The old seaside town has long been a favorite resort for the rich and famous who, attracted to the seclusion, sophistication and serenity of the place, built elegant villas in the surrounding areas. Port Antonio is one of the most accessible towns in Jamaica.
Port Antonio is today’s grown-up playground for mature free spirits. Within the town itself, few places are out of walking or bicycling distance. From end-to-end, graceful old buildings with Jamaican gingerbread verandas and elaborate fretwork transoms evoke illusions of grandeur from a time when the banana trade was at its zenith, and movie stars mingled effortlessly with the local elite.
Rafting on the Rio Grande is the ultimate vacation treat. The practice began in the early 20th century when flamboyant celebrity Errol Flynn noticed banana farmers from the interior highlands strapping the much valued fruits to bamboo rafts and floating them down the river to the wharf at Port Antonio. Since then, privileged tourists have followed suit, becoming part of what is certainly one of the most magical experiences available anywhere in the world. The trip from the town of Berry dale in the hills to Rafter’s Rest on the coast at times takes two and a half hours, a slow idyllic meander through rain forests and farmland on a thirty-foot raft steered expertly by a local “captain”. Along the way, stop for a cool dip, enjoy a cold beverage or stop to chat with singing washerwomen and giggling children. There’s always a pleasant surprise along the way, so do indulge your senses in an afternoon of luxury, and soak up the natural tropical beauty.
The Blue Lagoon, called “Blue Hole” by residents, is a small, almost landlocked cove, long reputed to be bottomless. Myriad shades of blue are surrounded by lush foliage, kept green by hundreds of tiny, underground mineral springs. The attraction is certainly one of the most scenic spots in Jamaica, as well as one of the most romantic places to enjoy a gourmet meal. Visitors are permitted to swim in the lagoon, and it is quite safe, despite the fanciful fables spun by locals about marine monsters lurking in its depths!
