5416 JT_ISSUE4_AW 17/10/06 00:04 Page 1 JAMAICA TOURIST WWW.JAMAICATOURIST.NET EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE PERFECT HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE IN THIS ISSUE GREAT GOLF IN SPECTACULAR SURROUNDINGS ISLAND ADVENTURES JAMAICAN FASHION CRICKET FEVER THE PALMYRA RESORT & SPA POPULAR WITH REAL ESTATE INVESTORS ELEGANT AND CASUAL DINING DUTY FREE SHOPPING WHAT A GWAAN? YOUR OWN TROPICAL HOME! JAMAICA NUMBER ONE REAL ESTATE VALUE IN THE CARIBBEAN YOUR FREE ISSUE SEE ISLAND MAP INSIDE 5416 JT_ISSUE4_AW 17/10/06 00:04 Page 2 YEAH MON! ithout a doubt the most diverse of the Caribbean Wdestinations, Jamaica is just under 150 miles long and 51 miles wide, and the largest English speaking island in the Caribbean. Whether you have Firefly (Photo: JTB) (Photo: JTB) courses of Rose Hall exciting degrees of challenge. See our pages on GOLF and ISLAND ADVENTURES for chosen to spend your vacation in some good ideas on how to get the most out of your days. Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio or another of the islands many Local real estate is booming with the construction of the island’s gated second home community, The Palmyra pretty spots, don’t waste time: get with the program and learn to say ‘Yeah Resort & Spa. The luxurious development in Rose Hall has opened the door to real estate investments for Mon!’ Pronouced something like ‘Yeeeaaaah mawn!’, this Jamaican expression foreigners in a major way. See our REAL ESTATE section to find out more. of joy and happiness is representative of the manner in which the local A vast amount of creativity resides among the natives of this tiny island nation, credited for being the cradle of reggea. population express their appreciation for the simple things in life. In yet another music tribute, 12,000 Conde Nast Traveler readers who were asked to pick tunes that ‘unforgettably evoke their country’s culture’ picked reggae icon Bob Marley’s ‘One Love’ as Number 1 ‘Top Foreign Song’. But Jamaicans are warm, welcoming people and despite creativity is also evident in the area of fashion, where Jamaican’s are making their marks. See our FASHION spread. their many hardships, smiles are never far from the surface. These gentle islanders have a strange way Above all, relax and have a great time. Put some good reggea tunes on your i-pod and get in the groove. Have of creeping into your heart with their laid back, some Red Stripe with your jerk. And most importantly; don’t forget to say ‘Yeah Mon!’. positive attitude to life and their infectious laughter. Go with the flow and say ‘Yeah, Mon!’ in appreciation MONTEGO BAY of the good experiences the island and it’s people A cosmopolitan holiday centre, Montego Bay is the are sure to bestow on you. island’s second-largest city and the number one A multifaceted mosaic of international customs and tourist resort. Locally known as ‘MoBay’, the clubs traditions, the native population is a mix of ancestors throughout the area provide visitors with an endless from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, from Jamaica’s many craft markets sell an abundance of island souvenirs. (Photo: JTB) variety of bars, eateries and nighttime action. which comes the nation’s motto: ‘out of many, one people.’ This varied ancestry has created a unique culture, At the heart of the action lies Gloucester Avenue, evident above all in the island’s culinary heritage and the local food, perhaps the island’s richest history lesson. known as the ‘Hip Strip’, where music, dancing, food Dine on jerk pork or chicken at the local ‘Pork Pit’ or enjoy a meal at one of many casual or more elegant and drink are abundant. From reggae to rock, favorites popular dining spots the island has to offer. There are also plenty of places to reggae away the night. Check hangouts include Margaritaville and Coral Cliff our DINING OUT and NIGHT SPOTS sections for some good advice on where to go. Entertainment Centre, who also offers a gaming lounge. Jamaica surprises most visitors with it’s diversity of adventures, and there is an abundance of fun experiences MoBay’s original claim to resort fame was the Doctor’s Cave Beach (Photo: Heidi Zech) to choose from. Excursions go to the island’s most popular attractions from every resort, whether you would fabulous Doctor’s Cave Beach which attracted celebrities and socialites from all over the world. The Beach, like to climb the famous Dunns River Falls, glide down the Martha Brae on a bamboo raft, swim with bottlenose which is said to be fed by mineral springs, is still one of the area’s most popular beaches. Activities and dolphins and sharks or swim with horses into the Caribbean Sea. For golfers, the three championship golf excursion to all parts of the island are available from MoBay. The Palmera Resort & Spa Falmouth Rose Hall Montego Bay Duncans Lucea Sandy Bay Runaway Bay Ocho St. Ann Bay Green Island Rios Oracabessa Negril Buff Bay Savannah-La-Mar Hope Bay Port Antonio Blue Fields Boston Bay LongBay White House Mandeville Black River Manchioneal Kingston Port Royal Bull Bay Treasure Beach Bowden Yallahs Morant Bay Lionel Town APPROX DRIVING MILEAGE Black River Falmouth Kingston Mandeville Montego Bay Negril Ocho Rios Port Antonia St. Ann’s Bay Black River • 62 107 43 46 49 94 156 87 Falmouth 62 • 91 53 23 75 44 110 37 Kingston 107 91 • 61 119 153 54 61 59 Mandeville 43 53 61 • 70 92 72 117 62 Montego Bay 46 23 119 70 • 52 67 133 60 Negril 49 75 153 92 52 117 181 110 JAMAICA Ocho Rios 94 44 54 72 67 117 66 7 Port Antonia 156 110 61 117 133 181 66 73 St. Ann’s Bay 87 37 59 62 60 110 7 73 • JAMAICA TOURIST 02 5416 JT_ISSUE4_AW 17/10/06 00:04 Page 3 OCHO RIOS The once sleeping fishing village of Ocho Rios, or ‘Ochi’ as it is called my the locals, is located in the heart of the north-coast region. Visitors to Ocho Rios can enjoy a climb up the limestone tiers of Dunn’s River Falls dramatic 600-foot drop of cascading water, followed by a swim at the beach below. ‘Ochi’ is also home to Dolphin Cove at Treasure Reef where bottlenose dolphins, sharks and stingrays are trained to swim and mingle with happy visitors. Margaritaville is a favorite A wet kiss from one of the bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Cove. hangout not to be missed, known for day and night- (Photo: Dolphin Cove) time fun in the sun. NEGRIL Negril is the ‘Capital of Casual’. This favorite resort area prides itself on it’s relaxed ambience; it’s laid-back mood; and it’s casual fashion. Negril is known for its seven-mile white-sand beach and grotto-lined cliffs and the area is a paradise for diving and watersport. Favorite spots include the world famous Rick’s Café, where pre-sunset entertainment includes daredevil dives by local athletes from the 30-foot cliff top, and Margaritaville, known for it’s great atmosphere both day Cliff diving at Rick’s Café (Photo: Heidi Zech) and night. The Hungry Lion is another popular hangout. PORT ANTONIO Port Antonio is perhaps one of the most beautiful destinations in this island. The first star to come here was Errol Flynn, who made the spot famous by entertaining many Hollywood celebrities at his hideaway on Navy Island. In more recent years, many other celebrities have frequented this spot and it’s beautiful turquoise waters was made famous by the Brook Shields movie ‘The Blue Lagoon’. Visit nearby Boston Beach for it’s island jerk, slow-cooked in pits. THE GREATEST CHILL UNDER THE SUN! The Braco Stable horses swim in the Caribbean Sea (Photo: Braco Stables) Visitors to Negril will soon be able to laugh and get wet in the attractions of Kool Runnings Water Park, expected to open its doors in late 2006. Thrilling attractions include a 40 foot high ‘Main Tower’ with four water slides, a 30 foot high ‘Auxiliary Tower’ that connects three slides with an interactive children’s area and a large tipping AIRPORT ‘RED CAP’ SERVICE bucket. Last but not least, visitors can enjoy the ‘Lazy River’. With their red caps, beige uniforms and smiling faces, the airport ‘Red Caps’ are often the first people you get into contact with when you arrive or depart the island. Says Michael Robinson, Porter #94 and President of the Red Cap Association; “We are here to take care of arriving and departing passengers and get them to the right destination!” Of a total 77 ‘Red Caps’ an approximate 50 are on duty to help traveling passengers at any given time. Originally started by the JTB as a service to passengers in 1967, the ‘Red Cap’ service has since evolved to an independent association of service minded islanders and what most people don’t know is that the dedicated team of ‘Red Caps’ work on tip only. Please show your appreciation by tipping the Red Cap team generously for good service. Recommended tip is US$1 per bag. Red Cap Association Vice President Robert Rodney (standing far left) and President Michael Robinson (in the middle) with some of the ‘Red Cap’ team members. Kool Runnings Water Park, Negril - set to open late 2006. (Courtesy of Kool Runnings Waterpark) Additional attractions include a grand prix go-kart race track, a carousel, a rock climbing wall, a bungee trampoline and a sand volleyball court.