Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Jamaica activities: Port Antonio

Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, Port Antonio on Jamaica’s northeast coast is a major tourist attraction promising its visitors an unrivalled package of natural beauty, rich local culture, and adventurous activities. If you are looking for a pristine, beautiful and a quiet retreat then this is the place to visit. There is a lot to see and do and so a little bit of planning in advance will ensure that you make the most of your visit.

One really important aspect of your planning should be to decide where to stay. The first thing that may come to your mind would be a stay in a hotel but it is time you considered some other options. For example, Jamaica has great many options of vacation rentals complete with all luxuries and services required for a comfortable stay. The benefit is that by staying in Silver Sands Jamaica, you can get a first hand perspective of the local way of life and you can explore the island at your own leisure and pace. Also a stay in a vacation rental in Jamaica can prove to be more cost-effective especially if you are traveling with family or in a group and are here for an extended vacation. The vacation rentals in Jamaica provide convenient access to Port Antonio and its sights, attractions, entertainment and nightlife options.

Coming back to all the interesting things you can do in Port Antonio, well the list is endless. The beaches here are absolutely spectacular and have not yet borne the brunt of too much tourism. You can still catch a glimpse of what Jamaica used to be before it was swept over by the huge influx of visitors from all over the world. Boston Bay and Blue Lagoon are the more popular ones and attract quite a crowd. San San Beach and Frenchman’s Cove are more quaint, secluded and pretty and offer a perfect retreat from the crowds. Rent a beach lounger and simply relax and enjoy a cool drink while you get that gorgeous tan. If you seek thrill and adventure, you can always try out the various water sport activities including kayaking, snorkeling and diving.

If you have had enough of beaches, you can definitely take a detour one day and head towards Athenry Gardens and Cave of Nonsuch. Marvel at the 1.5 million years old cave as you venture inside to explore its underground beauty by walking through its concrete walkways. You can then meander through the beautiful Athenry Gardens, which offer spectacular views over the island and the sea.

You can also check out the scintillating Somerset Falls. A short ride will directly take you the site of the falls, where you can enjoy a dip in the various rock pools. This region also gives you plenty of reasons to go on a short trek or even mountain biking through the terrains of the majestic Blue Mountains. Make the most of your trip to Jamaica all the more special by a stay in a vacation rental and if you decide on doing so, you can check out Silver Sands Jamaica, a secure community of villas and cottages encompassing an exclusive white sands beach.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Jamaica: A dream holiday destination

Jamaica in the Caribbean is one of the most beautiful island countries and if you are planning to visit this paradise, you need to plan well in advance. It is important to find out all the information you can about the place so that you truly enjoy your vacation and it always remains as an unforgettable and a memorable experience. But before you do that, there a couple of aspects that you need to look into such as generic information on Jamaica, accommodation options and how to get there etc.

Once you have zeroed in on Jamaica, you would need to concentrate on learning a little about the country so that you are better equipped on their culture, surroundings, climate etc. Invariably a number of resources online as well as travel guide and travel books available offline serve as resources for learning about the country. Which time of the year to travel is also important because obviously you would not like to land in Jamaica and allow your holiday to be hampered by seasonal differences. The good part is Jamaica is literally an all year destination owing to its tropical maritime climate. Winter months are usually warm during day and pleasant at night while the summer months are really hot. The rainy season usually begins in May and continues up to November. Usually heavy downpours are expected in the months of September and October and therefore it is best to avoid these months.

The Jamaican culture is quite a potpourri of cultures and besides African and English, to quite an extent indelible influence of Asian and Middle Eastern regions can also be found. English is widely spoken in most of the major tourist attractions.

Where traveling to Jamaica is concerned, the positive is that it has direct service from many countries. Usually a flight from New York to Kingston or Montego Bay takes about 4 hours while from London and Paris it is about seven hours. To save money on flights it is better you book a round-trip ticket and well in advance. While Montego Bay and Kingston have the largest airports and receive international flights, there are many small airports too that service local flights. If you like to travel in luxury and style you can even choose to opt for a cruise liner such as the Carnival, Celebrity, Costa and Royal Caribbean.

Once your travel plans are taken care of accommodation should be the next big thing on your agenda. Though Jamaica has plenty of hotels and resorts, another great alternative is the option of vacation rental homes. These quaint and charming Jamaican rentals seem to be a popular choice of accommodation for most travelers seeking luxury, comfort and privacy. Since they are well equipped with all the services and comforts that one expects from a luxurious hotel therefore, they are more popular and even well accepted by all kinds of travelers. The Silver Sands Jamaica are an ideal abode when away from home in Jamaica. Available in a choice of 2, 3, 4 or more bedrooms, these Jamaica rentals give you the luxury to plan your holiday according to your preferences

Friday, September 10, 2010

Water activities in Ocho Rios in Jamaica

If you are interested in water activities, you simply must include Ocho Rios in your itinerary. There is plenty that you can do from climbing waterfalls to swimming with dolphins and sharks to kayaking and tubing in Jamaica’s navigable rivers. To enjoy the best of activities, you can set base in family-friendly Jamaica rentals that cater to all age groups and even offer childcare facilities so you can have some peaceful moments to your self.

You can start with the Dolphins Cove which offers three exciting interactive programs with the dolphins, sharks and stingrays. You can feed, pet and swim with the dolphins after an initial lesson from the trainers. For the adventurous, there is the swim with trained nurse sharks; for the less adventurous there is the Shark Show from dry land. Also try out the Jungle Trail and interact with exotic birds and snakes. And if all these activities leave you tired, relax and enjoy a picnic on Ocho Rios’ finest beaches.

Next visit the Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica’s signature attractions. The main attraction here is not the falls, though they are no doubt beautiful but the fact that you can actually climb up to the top. The water cascades over a series of limestone rocks that form a natural staircase. The climb is not difficult; however if you wish you can go along with a guide.

Then you can go river tubing and kayaking on White River. The trip begins from Old Spaniard Bridge and ends under the shade of the Bamboo Cathedral arches. On disembarking, you’ll enter the beautifully landscaped gardens of the Village of Flowers where you can browse the gift shop or listen to Caribbean music while enjoying a drink at the bar.

More water activities are available at Montego Bay, Port Antonio and Negril. You can set base in rentals such as Silver Sands Jamaica from where you can take day trips to these places.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Greatest activities in Jamaica

If you are planning a visit to Jamaica and are planning to indulge in great outdoor activities, you will be spoilt for choice. From beaches to rainforests, from mountains to forest reserves, from the sparkling waters of the Caribbean to navigable rivers that meander their ways through scenic routes, Jamaica has it all.

It is important to point out that where you stay can make all the difference to your trip. While the island boasts plenty of hotels and all-inclusive resorts, you could do well by staying in Jamaica rentals comprising private villas, cottages and apartments perfect for all group sizes and budgets.

Once you are settled in your own Jamaica villas, cottages or apartments, you can consider the following outdoor activities.

Blue Mountain Tours (Ocho Rios): Enjoy a downhill ride on a bike through the Blue Mountains. Visit coffee plantations, enjoy a brunch and take a refreshing dip in a waterfall.

Boston Beach (East of Port Antonio): This is the best place on the island to enjoy jerk pork. The beach is lined with vendors smoking jerk-seasoned food the old-fashioned way and selling it at outside stalls.

Columbus Park (Discovery Bay): This is Jamaica’s only open-air museum with a crafts park. It was recently acquired by Dolphin Cove at Treasure Reef. You can see historic artefacts such as railroad paraphernalia, farming equipment and water wheels.

Cockpit country (South of Falmouth): This tour takes you to the area where Maroons (runaway slaves) hid, fought defeated and gained independence from the British. Adventures include birding, caving, underground rivers, waterfalls, cliffs, hiking trails, exotic plants, birds and reptiles.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Top attractions in Jamaica

If you are planning a trip to Jamaica, you couldn’t have chosen a better holiday destination. Beautiful beaches, lush green forests, misty mountains, scintillating waterfalls, stunning shoreline, rafting, snorkelling, paragliding and even a meet the people program offered free of charge by the Tourist Board---the list is endless. To top it all, you can make your visit all the more special by staying in Jamaica villas, cottages and apartments that cater to all your needs be it privacy, space and all the facilities and services you would need for a comfortable stay. Compare prices and you will find that these Jamaica rentals as they are commonly known are equally easy on the pocket also.

As already stated, the list of things to see and do in Jamaica is endless. However, to make your choice simpler, we have listed some that you should definitely include in your itinerary.

Dunn’s River Falls

Have you ever climbed waterfalls? Yes, you have got it right. This is exactly what is so special about the Dunn’s River Falls. The water cascades from a height of 600 feet down on a series of protruding steps that function as a natural staircase. The climb is no doubt slippery and that is why accompanied by a guide, you can join a human chain slipping, falling, steadying and laughing all the way to the top. You can carry along a waterproof camera and capture the moment, your fellow hikers and the surrounding scenery. Climb up to the top and you will be rewarded by the spectacular views and also vendors selling everything from food, drinks to souvenirs.

Dolphins Cove

If you still have the strength left, proceed to the nearby Dolphins cove. The marine park is perfect for a family outing where apart from indulging in numerous water activities you can swim with a family of bottleneck dolphins. You can float face down and have the animal propel you by pushing the soles of your feet with their noses. Or position yourself between two dolphins, grab on to their fins and hang on for a wild ride of your life.

Doctor's Cave Beach Club in Montego Bay

Well if it is Jamaica, it has to be the beaches. From the secluded to those brimming with activity, you can take your pick. One such beach worth a mention is the Doctor’s Cave that is good both for water activities and savouring the native cuisine from meat patties to goat curry to other native dishes. The kids can find make new friends for a pick up game of surfside touch football.

Reggae Explosion, Island Village in Ocho Rios

If you are a compulsive Bob Marley fan, you can learn more about him and his music at this interactive museum. Besides you can also learn about Reggae's roots in mento, ska, and rock steady. You can plug in your headphones at various spots and hear songs by and interviews with the island's music greats of the past 50 years.

Seven Mile Beach in Negril

This is another beach that is worth checking out considering the fact that it is listed amongst the best in the world. You can indulge in a variety of water sports, from jet skiing to parasailing and snorkeling. However, if you are taking your kids along, be careful because there are a number of clothes-optional beaches interspersed nearby.

Rafting the Martha Brae

There is no better to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the beautiful Caribbean island than by taking a rafting trip on the Martha Brae. Both day and night trips are available. A boatman will pole a 30-foot bamboo raft for three miles, passing overhanging tree branches and wild banana plants, all the while recounting local tales.

Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours

Few can evade the charm of the misty Blue Mountains. You can hop on your mountain bike and dart through amazing sceneries, towering trees, blossoms, and ferns, and a coffee plantation as the oxygen-rich air pours refreshingly in your face. And if all this effort leaves you hot and tired, you can cool off by splashing in a waterfall.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Jamaica Villas travel guide: Runaway Bay

Runaway Bay is one of Jamaica’s scenic attractions on the north coast of the island. It is perfect for those looking for a relaxing break in the tropical Caribbean sun. And if spending some relaxing moments by the Caribbean Sea is high on your agenda, you might wish to consider staying in Jamaica rentals as opposed to hotels and all-inclusive resorts. This is because Jamaica villas, comprising private villas, cottages and apartments, provide you all the privacy, space and freedom you need to spend idle hours or explore the island at your own leisure and pace. These rentals are professionally managed and provide all the services you would associate with a hotel and are more affordable than them

Once you have settled in your Jamaica villas and cottages, enjoyed the comforts they offer, you can explore the following attractions in and around Runaway Bay.

Green Grotto Caves: The caves once served as the home of the Ararak Indians, a fact that gained ground with the discovery of several pieces of pottery and stone tools from this lost tribe. Later, they became the hideout by the Spaniards when Jamaica was a British Colony and finally for slaves (Maroons) and smugglers running arms to Cuba. Visit them not just because they are so seeped in history but also because they are an attraction in their own right. You can go through the tunnels of the cave to an underground lake (Green Lake) and then from there take a boat ride.

Dunn’s River Falls: These are Jamaica’s premier tourist attraction. The water cascading over limestone rocks from a height of 600 feet are a sight to behold but the real fun is joining hands with people to form a chain leading right to the top of the falls.

Chukka Adventure Tours: You actually have to go through a jungle to reach Chukka Adventure Tours. Before this scares you off, realize that there are buses that take you to your destination and the ride through the jungle is very scenic and enjoyable. Chukka Adventures offers many interesting tours one of them is horseback riding to a beach and right into the Caribbean Sea. You can also tube down the Jungle River.

Dolphins Cove: This man-made marine park near Dunn’s River Falls offers fun for the entire family. Besides swimming with a pair of lovable bottleneck dolphins, you can actually hold, pet and swim with trained nurse shark. Then there are scenic rainforest trails you can explore besides enjoying a picnic on the beach.

All the above attractions are found in and near the island’s north coast. If you wish to set base there, you can consider staying in Silver Sands villas Jamaica that are affordable, family-friendly and at a convenient distance from Runaway Bay and its attractions.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Places to visit in Jamaica: Montego Bay

If you are planning a trip to Jamaica you must visit Montego Bay. It is the second largest city in Jamaica and it is also the hub of the tourist industry on the island. The city has much to offer to its visitors including shopping plazas, stunning beaches, fine dining, challenging golf courses and everything else you could ever want from a dream Caribbean vacation.

You can check out the Silver Sands Jamaica, conveniently located on Jamaica's famous North Coast, about 30 miles from the airport, midway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Set amidst spectacular surroundings, these vacation homes are designed and furnished to give you the best of luxury, comfort, and space. Giving you a glimpse of the best of Caribbean style and décor, they are perfect for spending quality time with the family or entertaining friends. Stay in Jamaica villas offering ultra luxurious facilities or choose a comfortable apartment that fits in with your budget. These vacation homes provide you the perfect opportunity to explore the island at your own leisure and pace.

There are numerous things to see and do in and around Montego Bay, some of which are:

Doctor's Cave Beach: This is one of the most popular beaches in Jamaica and the fact that it is located right on the "Hip Strip", close to restaurants and night life has only added to its popularity.

Rosehall Great House: Jamaica boasts some great estates and one of them is the magnificent great house of the infamous Annie Palmer (The White Witch of Rosehall), who was known for her murderous ways to both husbands and slaves.

Greenwood Great House: If you are a literary buff, you can visit the former plantation home of the Barrett family. Elizabeth Barrett Browning spent time there during her childhood. The house still contains furnishings and personal items belonging to the family.

Rocklands Bird Sanctuary: This is undoubtedly a paradise for the bird lovers housing countless varieties of birds including the Streamertail Hummingbird, the National Bird of Jamaica.

Green Grotto Caves: Explore these historic caves with a crystal-clear lake at the bottom located between Discovery and Runaway Bays. The first Jamaicans, the Arawak Indians are believed to have found shelter here, a fact that is backed by the multiple fragments of pottery and adzes that have been unearthed from time to time.

Cinnamon Hill Golf Course: If your holiday is incomplete without a round of golf, you can enjoy a challenging round of golf or simply take in the spectacular views.

Half Moon Golf Club: This is another golf course that you can visit. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, this golf course has set the standards for other golf courses in Jamaica.

After a fun-filled day, return back to your Jamaica villas where your every whim will be pampered to by the attentive staff.