
Port Antonio - Step off the Beaten Track
Lush, secluded, and unspoilt, Port Antonio is the most naturally beautiful area in Jamaica and perhaps its best kept secret. Movie star Errol Flynn said it is more beautiful that any woman he had ever seen. He also called it "Heaven on earth". With the imposing Blue Mountain peak as its backdrop and overlooking the azure water of the Caribbean Sea, Port Antonio has a certain charm that has been drawing celebrities such as Ian Flemming, Bette Davis, and Ginger Rogers for several decades. This is where Femmings wrote all of his "James Bond" novels and where a young Brooke Shields filmed the movie "Blue Lagoon". Port Antonio is off the beaten track, but if you are bold enough to venture here, you'll be rewarded with an unforgettable Jamaica experience.
Profile
Port Antonio is located on the northeast coast of Jamaica. It is opposite Kingston, on the other side of the Blue Mountain but a little further East. Because of the high level of rainfall caused by the rain forest of the Blue Mountains, this is the most verdant area of Jamaica. It is characterized by green hills that sweeps down from the Blue Mountain, tall towering trees, thick lush undergrowth, rivers, waterfalls, lagoons, and many secluded coves.
Port Antonio started as a small fishing town and the main port for banana export. But talk about the town staggering natural beauty must have gotten back to England. Before long, the banana boats were getting bigger - not because of more bananas but because they were taking tourists to Port Antonio. After the banana trade died, the banana boats were replaced by cruise ships. Today, Port Antonio is an elite tourist destination for celebrities, the rich, and people in the know.
One of the main features of Port Antonio is its twin harbours. The main part of the town is the large horseshoe shape crescent that wraps around the East Harbour. On the tip of the longer eastern peninsula is Folly Point Lighthouse. The Titchfiled Peninsula accupied the western tip. Navy Island, where Errol Flynn lived, sits off the Titchfield peninsula. Initially, only the East Habour was part of Port Antonio. However, over the years, the town grew to the west and now includes West Harbour.
Attractions and Activities
If you love nature and enjoy the outdoors, then there is plenty to see and do in and around Port Antonio. With misty rain forest and home to many endemic species of birds and butterflies, the spectacular Blue Mountain is beckoning you to explore its varied terrains. Other than that, you can take a hiking or biking tour of the area's splendid beauty; go rafting on the Rio Grande; get a massage under a sparkling waterfall; lay on a beautiful beach, or plunge into the torquise blue or emrald green water of the Caribbean sea.
Hotels and Resorts
Port Antonio is one of the few places in Jamaica not yet invaded by herds of tourist and mega all-inclusive resorts. Nevertheless, your choice of accomodations are many and varied. This is the area for many of the Jamaica's best boutique hotels and villas - most of them family operated. you'll also find small guest houses and cozy inns. Of course, there are posh expensive seaside villas and hotels if you need one.
You'll find some of the most spectacular view here from hotels' balconies and verandas than anywhere else in Jamaica. I once stayed at Fern Hill Club and was awe-struck by the panoramic view I had of both the ocean and the Blue Mountain from my hotel room.
Restaurants and Night life
The Maroons, the runaway slaves who tormented the British, first introduced jerk pork to the area of Port Antonio. Boston Jerk Stop, just outside of Port Antonio, was the first place to sell jerk pork and chicken. If you really want to taste good jerk foods, this is the place to try it.
Apart from your roadside jerk stands, you can find excellent foods in Port Antonio. Most of the hotels, inns, and villas serve excellent Jamaica cuisine. If you crave continental foods, the larger hotels like Trident villas and Hotel have excellent seaside dining. The Mille Fleurs Restaurant at the Mockingbird Hill's serve gourmet cuisine with an island flare.
As for night life, there is not much here. If you are the party type, you are in the wrong place here. You can find a few places to have a beer and hangout a little, but thats it.
Shopping
Like night life, you won't find much shopping in Port Antonio. If shopping and night life is important to your vacation, then don't come here. The only two places where you'll find any kind of shopping are Musgrave Market on West Street and Fort George Village Shopping Arcade. However, they don't have a lot of merchandises for tourists.