News & Updates: ‘Pon Di Road in Jamaica’ Season 2 starts Tomorrow!

Your favourite travel couple is back! The eccentric Stephen and Calee are returning to Jamaica for another Season of the travel series ‘Pon Di Road in Jamaica’. This pair of travel enthusiasts are hell bent on uncovering just about every Jamaican travel treasure and sharing their adventures with the whole world. This time around they thought it a great idea to finish off their road trip around the island by visiting many of the places they did not get to see last time, especially the eastern part of the Island with it’s quiet and undeveloped beauty.

This time however there is a third visitor: their baby Nyla! In Season 2 we’ll watch them all as a family unit as they visit many locations and stay at hotels that are child friendly in particular where they can make use of the ‘baby sitting’ facilities so the daring duo can both enjoy some of the adventure! Their journey will begin in Kingston and will take them to Port Antonio, St Thomas and Ocho Rios for some brand new experiences and a myriad of sun, sand, sea, food and fun in the tropical oasis that is Jamaica.

read more!

August 31, 2011 at 4:11 pm | News & Updates | 2 comments

Vacation Themes: Beaches: Seven Mile Beach, Negril

Looking for heaven on earth? The warm azure waters of The Caribbean Sea have a magnetic pull that very few (if any) can resist. Just looking at the ocean will tempt you to dive right in. Negril, Jamaica’s casual, laid-back pace and natural beauty make it a favorite escape for locals and visitors alike. Here, anything goes and everyone is welcome.

Outrun your cares on seven miles of white sand beach on the island’s western-most point. Stake out a blanket-sized spot of paradise or meander along soft white sand. By day, funky eateries serve ice cold drinks. By night, sizzling hot Reggae. Frequently flocked to by thrill-seekers and sun-worshippers alike, Negril’s Seven Mile Beach boasts turquoise, see-through waters hugging a coastline of rocky cliffs and white sands that seem to trail on forever. If you’re seeking a vacation experience heavily based on relaxation and uninterrupted hours of one on one time to enjoy the majestic beauty of the Utopian coastal environment then a day spent on this beach is ideal.

read more!

August 23, 2011 at 11:23 am | Negril, Vacation Themes, What to Do, Where to Visit | 1 comment

Where to Stay: Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios

Located in the beautiful area of Ocho Rios on one of the best private beaches in Jamaica. Jamaica Inn has consistently been ranked as one of the top resort hotels and holiday destinations in the Caribbean. Built in 1950, and painted a shade of blue-violet, this gracious and elegant property consists of a series of long, low two-story buildings set in a U-shape near the sea, 2km (1 1/4 miles) east of town.

( via Jamaica Inn )

Since opening nearly a half-century ago, Jamaica Inn has been known as a private getaway with first-class services and amenities. Past guests have included Marilyn Monroe, Arthur Miller and James Bond creator Ian Fleming. A true retro hotel in the most upscale sense of the word it has remained little changed in 4 decades, sticking to a way of life that many clients adore. Each room is furnished with Jamaican antiques and well-crafted period pieces. Lovely patios open onto the lawns, and the bedrooms are reached along garden paths and come equipped with balustraded balconies opening onto views of the sea.

read more!

August 22, 2011 at 3:04 pm | Ocho Rios, Where to Stay | 1 comment

What to Do: The Au Naturel Experience

With more nude beaches than any other Caribbean island, Jamaica is the perfect place to bare it all. Our au naturel beaches range from sedate and relaxing, to wilder and more self-indulgent. So it’s just a question of packing a towel and some serious sun block, and then picking a patch of sand that’s right for you.

( via Destination 360 )

Nude tanning is permitted on private beaches island-wide. Find a secluded spot to slip out of your suit at Oracabessa’s James Bond Beach or at Negril’s Bloody Bay. Or take a boat ride to an island shared only by fellow nudists, Negril’s Booby Cay. Ask for a little more privacy at Reggae Vibes, Ocho Rios, and the managers will corner off a section of the beach just for you. In Trelawny, Time & Place’s deserted white sand offers quiet seclusion that’s perfect for wearing nothing at all.

read more!

August 18, 2011 at 12:17 pm | Negril, Ocho Rios, Trelawny, What to Do, Where to Stay | No comment

Vacation Themes: Adventure: 5 Adventure Experiences in Jamaica

There’s more to Jamaica than just scrumptious food, stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife. The island is bejeweled with fascinating hidden gems and natural wonders suited for anyone looking for an off the beaten path adrenaline rush. From exciting hikes through mysterious landscapes to heart-stopping dives into dark caves and deep waters, get ready for a thrill ride in Jamaica.

Cliff Diving

Throw caution to the wind and launch yourself into the warm, blue Caribbean Sea. While the food is to die for and a stunning view of the sunset, without a doubt the main attraction at Rick’s Cafe is the cliff jumping displays. You can either watch the professional cliff jumping displays or participate yourself if you’re feeling the daredevil spirit. Countless visitors and locals have jumped or dived from the cliff and into the crystalline water below. The highest platform jump is 35 feet and ensures the thrill of a lifetime, though some choose to jump from even higher points from tree limbs. Catapult your body from breathtaking heights into the cool embrace of the Caribbean.

read more!

August 16, 2011 at 5:01 pm | Kingston, Ocho Rios, Off the Beaten Path, Vacation Themes | No comment

Travel Resources: Portland, Jamaica’s Hidden Beaches

With its stunning blue waters, romantic coves, remote white sand beaches, breathtaking panoramic views and some of the best food on the island the parish of Portland on Jamaica’s east coast is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. Portland’s bigger beaches – Frenchman’s Cove, Winnifred Beach and Boston Bay – are well-travelled, stunning locales. But tracking down the off-the-beaten-path beaches, can be gratifying, providing you with serenity and exposure to the authentic Jamaica and its rustic charms.

Turtle Bay

( via Kelroy Brown )

A particularly unusual spot, located near Manchioneal and about an hour outside of Buff Bay, named for it’s view of a turtle shell shaped rock that sits just offshore is the visually stunning Turtle Bay. This spot is more famous for its towering rock formations than its sands. Coastal erosion has worked it’s magic to create this idyllic setting and the majestic variegated rocks are quite a wonder to behold. It’s so far off the beaten path you can be sure there’ll be no crowds here, it’s a local secret which can be disclosed only by them. To find it, go a little pass Manchioneal to Hectors River and turn on Long Road, ask for directions from a friendly local there.

read more!

August 12, 2011 at 5:34 pm | Off the Beaten Path, Portland, What to Do, Where to Visit | 2 comments

Weddings & Honeymoons: Weddings at Strawberry Hill, Jamaica

Jamaica is among the most romantic of the Caribbean islands and each year hundreds of lovebirds flock to its vast golden shores and breath-taking vistas to make their dream of a wedding in paradise come true. In addition to awe-inspiring natural scenery there are many resorts equipped with wedding planners and packages designed to cater to your every need. Strawberry Hill, a signature mountaintop oasis, offers an enchanting mix of rich Jamaican heritage balanced by healthy conscious living.

( via Strawberry Hill )

Perched in the Blue Mountains, and located 3,100 feet above sea level, this unique boutique property houses a Living Spa, a Main House, and twelve handcrafted 19th century Georgian style cottages, including one bedrooms, studios and deluxe villas; each is carefully sited in a private tropical haven with magnificent mountainside and city views. Shout your love from the mountaintop in a summit ceremony. Towering above the horizon in this magical mountain range, you’ll feel on top of the world. This stylish retreat just outside of Kingston is a favourite for chic weddings and honeymoons infused with classic Caribbean charm.

read more!

August 11, 2011 at 1:50 pm | Kingston, Weddings & Honeymoons, Where to Stay | No comment

Event Update: Makka Pro Surf Contest 2011

Surfers from across the Caribbean and the USA vied for top prizes in the 5th installment of the Makka Pro Surf Contest held at the Makka Surfing Beach at Southaven in Thomas, Jamaica from July 29-31, 2011 and people came from far and wide to witness the grand spectacle.

Jamaica’s own Imani Wilmot and Jensen Callaway of the USA took home the top prizes in their respective categories for conquering the waves at the event which was one of the biggest ever in Jamaican surf history. The day saw awe-inspiring radical manoeuvres from the region’s finest surfers, including Jamaican Danielle Ohayon, Americans Leslie Dickerson and Alexis Lautkzer and Jamaican Elim Beckford who competed in the Women’s Open Division.

read more!

August 10, 2011 at 5:19 pm | Jamaica Events | No comment

Where to Visit: Treasure Beach, Jamaica

Travelling on Jamaica’s South Coast, you’ll discover a treasure chest of coves and bays, where the Caribbean meets the island’s sandy and sometimes rocky shores. A mixture of dark and white-sand stretches, rocky coves, fishermen’s enclaves and secluded swimming spots, the South Coast’s shores promise a range of possibilities. Lined by a string of sleepy fishing villages and colourful roadside stands is a “treasure” of a beach off the beaten path of Jamaica’s more popular North Coast.

A favourite beach community of both locals and visitors alike, Treasure Beach is a spot that surely lives up to its name. Set against a background of lush greenery, this charming hideaway is a six-mile stretch of coral-coloured and sometimes black sands, private coves and rocky shores. For travelers who want to discover the South Coast’s vibrant local culture and people and are in search of untrodden beaches, a visit to one of Treasure Beach’s four main bays – Billy, Calabash, Great and Frenchman’s– is a must. In Calabash Bay, the largest of the four main bays, friendly fishermen dock their brightly painted canoes and unload the day’s catch.

read more!

August 9, 2011 at 10:18 am | The South Coast, Where to Visit | No comment

Travel Resources: 5 Places to Get Married in Jamaica

Whether you dream of love by the sea or on the steps of a historic great house, Jamaica has the perfect spot for you to celebrate your nuptials with a destination wedding. From its tranquil oceanfronts, to its majestic waterfalls Jamaica is packed with settings simply ideal for a wedding even the angels would envy.

The island’s many resorts also offer an assortment of wedding packages, some with complete wedding coordination services and discounts for the bridal party. Hotel staff and professional planners can help you plan your special day to perfection. So you can let your imagination run wild in a place where fantasy and reality meet. If you’re not choosing to go the resort route one alternative is to plan your own Jamaican wedding. Rent a private villa, hire a local wedding planner, and plan your own wedding!

read more!

August 3, 2011 at 2:25 pm | Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Portland, The South Coast, Travel Resources, Weddings & Honeymoons | No comment