A Paradise Cradled by Reggae Amaica Is the Land of Bob Marley
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RUNAWAY BAY A paradise cradled by Reggae amaica is the land of Bob Marley. The land of music. The best destination in the world to go to if you’re pure rhythm. Bob JMarley was born here, as were the most vibrant and elec- trifying sounds in history. Ska, dub, reggae, calypso… and all the Rastafarian culture that emerged together with it, which to this day is one of the island’s distinguishing marks. Not only that, it is a land blessed with natural marvels. From its infinite beaches to its highest peaks, passing through its charming villages, harbors and bays... Runaway Bay is famous for its joy, a place full of fun and exciting proposals for your leisure time, ideal if you’re looking forward to dancing until the break of dawn. Discover... The región. P/3 Useful information: how to get there, climate and currency. P/4 Essentials: What to Do in Runaway Bay? P/5 Top experiences. P/10 Theme Parks P/14 Festivals. P/16 Activities Full of adrenalin, sun and sand. P/18 Typical flavors.P/ 19 Where to sleep. P/20 The region at a glance Jamaica has a million faces, and offers as many unforgettable ex- periences and stories as you can imagine. The first thing that will amaze you about Jamaica is that, despite being only 150 miles long and 50 miles wide, it is one of the most diverse islands in the Caribbean in terms of its natural richness. It’s also one of the most mountainous islands. Its hot and humid climate encourages its vegetation to grow wild, almost supernaturally, creating idy- llic places in which to enjoy the exuberance of this magical land. Runaway Bay is on the northern coast of Jamaica, about 10 miles west of Ocho Ríos. The area is considered one of the most beauti- ful places on the island. Laguna Luminosa Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Ocho Montego Bay Complex Airport Ríos Cascada Río Dunn Mystic Mountain Negril Cockpit Country Kingston Blue Treasure Nine Lagoon Beach Miles Blue Mountain Peak 3 HOW TO GET THERE Montego Bay international Airport (MBJ): The airport of choice for those wishing to visit the northern coast of Jamaica. It is located 1 hour from the Runaway Bay area and can be reached by transfer (shuttle, taxi...) or regular bus service. WEATHER The average annual temperature at Runaway Bay is 77°F. Summers are usually very hot. The beaches can be enjoyed year-round, since the winters are very warm as well. Over the year, the temperature ranges from 73°F to 90°F CURRENCY The official currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican dollar. You can find exchange offices very easily, and don’t forget to bring your credit cards. Essentials: What to Do in Runaway Bay? 5 FROM TOWN TO TOWN Saint James, Saint Ann, Saint Elisabeth, Rocky Point, Morant Bay, Trinity Ville… The endless list of cities, towns and tiny villages dot- ting the Jamaican countryside is another example of the great di- versity that can be found in this land. There’s something different, unique and characteristic in all of them, which you will only be able to discover by visiting them yourself. 6 MONTEGO Relaxation is the hallmark of Montego Bay, a refuge for lovers of BAY the sea, nature and the good life. BEACH PARTIES AND MUSIC TEMPLES Jamaica’s beach parties and its best-known temples of music, like Bibibips, Ricks Café, Rum Jungle Café or Jamaica’N me Crazy, scattered throughout the island, provide a variety of sounds and rhythms that will captivate you from the very instant you arrive. 7 BEACHES THAT STRETCH AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE AND BEYOND... The long, sandy stretches that can be found at Negril, Doctor’s Cave, Ocho Rios (known as Ochie among the locals), Winnifred Beach, Treasure Beach or Bluefileds are magnificent examples of what can be viewed as the perfect paradise. Its calm, turquoise waters create a unique palette of shades that blend harmoniously with the deep green of the island’s forests. KINGSTON If you’re looking for a vibrant, eclectic city, the most cosmopoli- tan on the island is Kingston, the capital, where you’ll find all kinds of services, shops and typical arts and crafts, as well as bars and restaurants where you can savor Jamaica’s delicious cuisine. Don’t forget to visit the Bob Marley Museum! 8 NEGRIL: THE BEST CARIBBEAN SUNSET There are few things that evoke holiday bliss like a Caribbean sun- set, surrounded by coconut palms, with the murmur of the waves and the sound of kettledrums in the distance, a delicious cocktail in hand and in the very best company. This postcard-perfect image comes to life at Negril, which boasts the most perfect sunset of all Jamaica. NATURAL FALLS ROUTE Dunn’s Falls is the country’s best-known set of waterfalls, the des- tination of many guided tours that will take you to one of the many terraces where you can bathe and enjoy the island’s excellent cli- mate. Other beautiful waterfalls well worth the visit include YS Falls, in Santa Cruz; Reach Falls in Port Antonio, and the Turtle Ri- ver Falls, in Saint Ann Parish. 9 TOP 8 EXPERIENCES 1 LUMINOUS LAGOON A fantastic lagoon surrounded by tropical mangroves, home to countless millions of microscopic organisms that emit fluorescent light when they move. When touched, the magical waters take on an eerily beautiful neon blue color. The phenomenon known as bioluminescence can only be seen in four places around the world, and Jamaica’s Luminous Lagoon is considered the best of the four to experience the dazzling light display. 2 VISIT BOB MARLEY’S HOME Bob Marley was born in the picturesque village of Nine Mile, in beautiful Saint Anne Parish, where his mortal remains were laid to rest after his tragic demise. You can visit the house where the legendary king of reggae was raised while a guide explains the hi- ghlights of his colorful life and musical career. 10 TOP 8 EXPERIENCES 3 DUNN’S RIVER FALLS Take a refreshing dip in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful spots on the island, where water cascades from on high into pools and lagoons that make for an idyllic setting for the whole family. 4 MYSTIC MOUNTAIN Mystic Mountain is about 690 feet high and hosts a beautiful tropi- cal forest. It is one of Ocho Rios’s main attractions. It offers multiple options for the adventurous at heart, including watching the local birds, hummingbirds and butterflies, swimming in natural pools, delighting in lush gardens, and much more. 11 TOP 8 EXPERIENCES 5 BLUE HOLE AND OCHO RÍOS Ocho Rios Bay is known by everyone as that little slice of paradise where one can get back to basics: an old fishing village that has grown along the shores of the Caribbean to become one of the world’s most popular spots for lovers of adventure sports, espe- cially scuba diving. 6 THE EMBLEMATIC RICK’S CAFÉ To enjoy another breathtaking sunset, visit the emblematic Rick’s Café, a mythical establishment overlooking the cliffs of Negril. Watch the sun set from on high as it paints a magical, fascinating multi-colored portrait over the horizon. 12 TOP 8 EXPERIENCES 7 THE MAGIC OF THE UNIQUE: COCKPIT COUNTRY Cockpit Country, the island’s largest rainforest and home to some of its most stunning native bird species, is one of those places that looks like it was pulled right out of a fairy tale. 8 BLUE MOUNTAIN, LAND OF COFFEE Coffee first came to Jamaica from Martinique and eventually found its way to its natural home in the Blue Mountain area, where the regular rainfall, cool temperatures and perfect humidity all year round made for the ideal location for Jamaica’s fabled coffee plan- tations. This place, among the beautiful Jamaican mountains, is where the famous Blue Mountain coffee comes from. Its aroma in- fuses and envelops you from sunrise to sunset. 13 THEME PARKS RAINFOREST ADVENTURES Rainforest Adventures. The theme park par excellence. Located just a few miles from Ocho Rios, the park extends around Mystic Mountain, one of Jamaica’s most popular natural landmarks toge- ther with the Blue Mountains and Dunn’s River Falls. 14 THEME PARKS KOOL RUNNINGS WATERPARK. All kinds of slides, splash pools and aquatic activities await you, along with a paintball park where you can enjoy fun sessions with your family and friends. SHAW PARK BOTANICAL GARDENS Learn about the natural species that grow in this magnificent desti- nation. Located in Ocho Rios, the park boasts more than 600 spe- cies of flowers, trees and plants, along with numerous waterfalls and pools. The park is famous for its magnificent views of the coast, as it is located some 900 feet above sea level. 15 FESTIVALS REGGAE SUMFEST The world’s biggest reggae festival is held every July on the beaches of Montego Bay. Don’t miss the big inauguration party or the famous White Party, where you can mingle with the country’s elite crowd. REBEL SALUTE One of the most popular reggae festivals at the local as well as inter- national level. It is usually held every year in mid-January. The festival is known for its perspective, as it focuses on the local roots and culture. 16 FESTIVALS TMRW.TDAY An event that promotes contact with the local culture. It is held every May on Negril beach. The festival is a vegan and naturalist proposal, ideal for lovers of Rastafarian culture. You can listen to reggae and electronic music, and maybe practice some yoga on the beach.