Travel Resources: Top 5 Spring Break Experiences in JamaicaJamaica has a unique combination of adventurous activities, breathtaking locales and the most exceptional spirit in the world, perfect for spring breakers. Plan for these top Spring Break experiences on your next trip to Jamaica during this our most festive year, Jamaica 50. Rick’s Cafe The daring challenge of plummeting over 30 feet into crystal clear ocean blues has attracted revellers year after year to Rick’s Cafe in Negril. Started as one of the only modern entertainment facilities in 1974 Negril, Rick’s Cafe is located on the West End Road, near to the famed Rockhouse Hotel and Pushcart Restaurant. Rick’s mixes Negril’s laid back vibe with tasty cuisine, live music and a panoramic view of Negril’s world famous sunsets. Whilst thrill seekers can enjoy the cliff jumping, spectators will be entertained by the skilled local jumpers who up the ante, tending to jump from points higher than the 35 ft platform. For a more romantic experience visit Rick’s After Dark to dine beneath the moonlight to the sound of crashing waves below. March 6, 2012 at 3:32 pm | Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Off the Beaten Path, The South Coast, Travel Resources, What to Do | No comment Travel Resources: 5 Intimate Hideaways in JamaicaJamaica is one of the most sought after romantic destinations in the world, let alone The Caribbean. Whether old or young, eccentric or laid back, couples from across the globe travel to the island’s shores to experience its seductive charm. When you’re looking for a cozy, private place to stay try this list of 5 Intimate Hideaways: ( via Varun Baker ) Great Huts Scattered on the cliffs overlooking Boston Bay, Portland (on the North east point of Jamaica), Great Huts is an oceanfront ecotourism resort described by many as “the perfect place to see the real Jamaica”. The uniquely built huts on the property create an African styled beach-jungle-cliff habitat village that presents a pleasant hideaway for the back-packing ecotourist as well as the easy-going romantic. January 24, 2012 at 1:24 pm | Montego Bay, Negril, Off the Beaten Path, Portland, Trelawny, Weddings & Honeymoons, Where to Stay | 1 comment The Jamaica Tourist Board’s Soft Adventure Bloggers Meetup 2011From November 9-13, 2011 The Jamaica Tourist Board invited 9 Bloggers from across the US and Canada to experience the “softer” side of adventure travel in Jamaica. Bloggers Stephen Barrymore of The Wanderer Cynthia White of Johnny Jet, Lindsey Davis of Go Nomad Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil of The Planet D, Michael Ortiz of Smart Women Travelers, Robert Lloyd of Stop Having a Boring Life, and Teresa Plowright of About.com were those selected to enjoy these 5 days exciting action. Upon arrival on the evening of the 9th, our bloggers (now guests of the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall in Montego Bay) were ushered my a bellhop and almost immediately introduced to their very own personal Butler who ensured that they were comfortable and connected to the internet so that they could share the journey they were about to embark on with the world. November 24, 2011 at 3:04 pm | Montego Bay, Negril, News & Updates, Ocho Rios, Off the Beaten Path, Trelawny, What to Do, Where to Stay, Where to Visit | No comment What to Do: River Boarding on the Rio Bueno, JamaicaThere’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 or simply a tranquil day amongst seductive scenery. Numerous navigable rivers and exhilarating waterfalls offer a number of exciting opportunities for activities and adventures. ( via ) Famous for the popular sea swim on horseback riding tours, Braco Stables now offers hiking and biking tours as well as river tours on the Rio Bueno with rafting and kayaking options. For the most extreme thrill seekers, they now offer the new activity of river boarding. Gear up, grab a board, and follow their experienced tour guides into the splashing waters of the historical Rio Bueno river for an unforgettable journey downstream that will take you through many sections of captivating rapids and clear water pools. November 17, 2011 at 8:21 am | Off the Beaten Path, Trelawny, What to Do | No comment Vacation Themes: Adventure: 5 Adventure Experiences in JamaicaThere’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. August 16, 2011 at 5:01 pm | Kingston, Ocho Rios, Off the Beaten Path, Vacation Themes | No comment Travel Resources: Portland, Jamaica’s Hidden BeachesWith 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. August 12, 2011 at 5:34 pm | Off the Beaten Path, Portland, What to Do, Where to Visit | 2 comments What to Do: Chukka Caribbean’s Dune Buggy AdventureJamaica is well known as the home of some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. White sands and golden sunshine is a source of appeal for many vacationers. However many travelers prefer to take a detour through the island’s striking mountains, backroads and hidden rivers, for their very own uniquely Jamaican excursion. One such excursion is the Chukka Dune Buggy Adventure. With locations in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Trelawny this tour is for those who want to go off-road for a bumpy, dusty, dirty ride through Jamaica’s interior. Travel in the depths of the Cascade Rainforest where the sun plays hide and seek through the canopy of thick tropical foliage. Tour the historic hills of Rose Hall or take a tour through one of the great plantation estates of Jamaica the 18th century Good Hope Estate. With experienced and knowledgeable guides and so much to see this is an experience not to be missed. Start your engines in your Dune buggy built for two. Get ready for the drive of a lifetime ‘Caribbean Style’. July 8, 2011 at 12:09 pm | Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Off the Beaten Path, Trelawny, What to Do | No comment Travel Resources: 5 Must See Rivers and Waterfalls in JamaicaThere’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 or simply a tranquil day amongst seductive scenery. Numerous navigable rivers and exhilarating waterfalls offer a number of exciting opportunities for activities and adventures. To help you decide which ones to visit here’s a list of 5 Must See Rivers and Waterfalls in Jamaica: Dunn’s River Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios is one of Jamaica’s most celebrated national treasures. It is hands down the island’s most frequented waterfall and one of most popular attractions in the Caribbean. This 600-foot majestic waterfall, known as “the Niagara of Jamaica” sees thousands of visitors from around the world each year climbing the limestone rock formation as water cascades past them and splashes into the ocean below. A truly outstanding treasure for everyone from the adventurous tourist to the more cautious individuals and an experience the whole family can truly enjoy together. May 18, 2011 at 3:21 pm | Negril, Ocho Rios, Off the Beaten Path, Portland, The South Coast, What to Do, Where to Visit | No comment 10 Reasons to Visit Jamaica Now: # 4 – Great Huts, Port AntonioScattered on the cliffs overlooking Boston Bay (on the North east point of Jamaica), Great Huts is an oceanfront ecotourism resort described by many as “the perfect place to see the real Jamaica”. The uniquely built huts on the property create an African styled beach-jungle-cliff habitat village that presents a pleasant hideaway for the back-packing, barefooted ecotourist.
Accommodations boast Tree houses and Huts constructed of Bamboo, hand-crafted furnishings, exotic fabrics and tribal art. Nature lovers, romantics, artists and other travelers will find warmth, authenticity, and adventure here. The sounds of the waves are completely relaxing while the views are amazing. The huts on the property are spaced out nicely so you feel as if you have the place all to yourself. December 21, 2010 at 10:48 am | Off the Beaten Path, Where to Stay | No comment Vacation Themes: Off the Beaten Path: Scatter Falls and Fox CavesArguably the most beautiful and scenic part of Jamaica, Port Antonio in Portland was founded in 1729, and was many years ago the heart of Jamaica’s tourism industry. In recent years visitors have more frequently flocked towards the island’s West Coast for a taste of the wide spectrum of sights and activities to be found there, leaving Port Antonio free to stake its claim as one of the best “off the beaten path” destinations in Jamaica.
Here one gets a feel for the culture, the people, and the natural attributes of the real Jamaica. With it’s navigable rivers, twin harbors, waterfalls, freshwater blue holes and so much more presenting ample opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, river and sea rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, biking, hiking, boat tours and deep-sea fishing (to name a few) Port Antonio is almost like an island all to itself. The Rio Grande River and the river valley, lying within the Blue Mountain range, are among the region’s natural assets and it is in this valley that you will find the Scatter Falls and Fox Caves. November 30, 2010 at 1:58 pm | Off the Beaten Path, Vacation Themes, What to Do | No comment |












