“See” listings
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Belvedere Estate Tour
This family-owned estate— one of the first sugar plantations in Jamaica— is set on 1,000 acres just minutes away from Montego Bay. Nature lovers will enjoy the natural beauty of its rivers and waterfalls, as well as numerous exotic plants and birds. (09/2011)
Twin River Farms, Chester Castle
876-956-7310 -
Appleton Express
Named for a train that once carried day-trippers across the island, this tour takes visitors to the legendary Appleton Distillery aboard a luxury bus, where they can learn how the favorite local rum is made, from start to finish (plus get a complimentary bottle to take home). Trips leave from Montego on Tuesday through Thursday, and also stop at Ipswich Caves. (07/2011)
From local hotels to Appleton Rum Distillery St. Elizabeth Parish
876-952-3692
appletonrumtour.com -
Rocklands Bird Sanctuary
This sanctuary in the lush mountain community of Anchovy has been wowing birders since 1958, four years before the island gained its independence. Guides are available to help aspiring birdbrains identify exotic species—including bananaquits and the Streamertail hummingbird (Jamaica's national bird)—and caretaker Fritz happily taps his wealth of avian knowledge. Open 2pm to 5pm daily. (05/2011)
Anchovy
876-952-2009 -
Sam Sharpe Square
When in town, take a walk to this public square to relive the passion of Sam Sharpe, the national hero who spear-headed the Christmas Rebellion of 1831 that eventually led to the emancipation of Jamaica's slaves. Other nearby monuments include the Cage (an early 1800s jail) the Old Court House and Freedom Monument. (05/2011)
Downtown Montego Bay
jnht.com -
Aquasol Theme Park
This place is for thrill-seekers only. Try go-kart racing, kayaking, parasailing and trampoline jumping. After all the excitement, cool down with a Red Stripe at the Voyage Sports Bar & Grill. (03/2011)
Walter Fletcher Beach Complex
876-979-9447 -
Croydon Coffee and Pineapple Plantation
Learn the secrets of coffee cultivation at this famed plantation in the rolling Catadupa Mountains, three-time winner of the coveted National Plantation Trophy. You'll sample several pineapple varieties on the way to a lunch of barbecue served with world-famous Blue Mountain coffee grown on-site. (03/2011)
22 miles south of Montego Bay Catadupa
876-979-8267
croydonplantation.com -
FAIRFIELD THEATRE
This place offers an alternative to the island’s many dance halls, clubs and nightly sessions—live theater produced by the 35-year-old Montego Little Theatre Movement. This local outfi t produces a variety of shows year-round. (01/2011)
Fairfi eld Rd, Montego Bay
876-952-0182 -
GREENWOOD GREAT HOUSE
For a glimpse of colonial Jamaica, visit this museum that was once the center of an 84,000-acre sugar cane plantation owned by the family of famed Victorian poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The original library and impressive musical instrument collection are still intact and on view. (01/2011)
Rte A1, 15 miles east of Montego Bay
876-953-1077 -
CLIFF DIVING
When this café opened in 1974, it was the first to cater to tourists in the quaint fishing village of Negril. Today, the restaurant and bar is still one of the town’s hottest spots for live music and postcardperfect views of the sunset. It’s best known, however, for the 35-foot cliff that locals and visitors can’t resist jumping from into the water below. Just be sure to keep your body perfectly straight! (11/2010)
West End Rd, Negril
876-957-0380
rickscafejamaica.com -
RAFTING ON THE MARTHA BRAE RIVER
This is not “rafting” as you know it. There are no rubber-ducky-yellow boats, PFDs or even rapids, for that matter. It’s just laidback Jamaican rafting on the placid, aquamarine rivers of the Martha Brae River in a raft made of lashed-together bamboo poles. Your guide uses a gondolier-style pole to steer you down three miles of lazy river. (09/2010)
Montego Bay
876-940-6398
jamaicarafting.com -
SKY DIVE JAMAICA
Though the whole adventure lasts only 8 minutes, from the big leap to free-falling toward the ground at 120 mph, sky diving is such a rush—especially when you do it with Jamaica’s verdant and undulating north coast as the backdrop. (09/2010)
70 miles east of Montego Bay Boscobel, St. Mary
skydive-jamaica.com -
THE NEGRIL LIGHTHOUSE
Built in 1895, this 100-foot-tall structure still guides ships to safety from western Jamaica. Go at sunset, when the jumpers at the famous Rick’s Café next door still have enough light for their 35-foot dives from the cliffs. (07/2010)
Westend Rd, Negril
876-957-4875
