The country's name is derived from an Aarawak (aboriginal Indian) word "Xaymaca", meaning "land of wood and water". And so it is, with waterfalls, and springs, rivers and streams flowing from the forest-clad mountains to the fertile plains, Jamaica has one of the richest and most varied landscapes in the region.
For those who like to explore, the island offers a feast of contrasts. The north coast, with its popular resort areas of Montego Bay, Runaway Bay, Ocho Rios and Port Antonio, features fine coral beaches and broad plains where sugar cane, coconuts and citrus fruits are grown. On the western tip of the island is Negril, once a remote, swampy outpost but now a beachcomber's paradise. The southern region of the island offers a rugged coastline where majestic mountains plunge into the sea - like inspirational Lover's Leap in St. Elizabeth, a 1500-foot cliff of romantic legend. The center of the island is mostly mountainous and heavily wooded, spotted occasionally with small mining towns and villages. And, of course, there's the famous Cockpit Country in the northwest region, an eerie terrain of conical hills and deep sinkholes. The central mountain range, dominated by 7,402-foot Blue Mountain, divides the south coast of the island from the north and extends from Half Moon Bay to Portland. This great variety of terrain and climate allows virtually everything to grow here. Visitors can step into a country market and see a vast array of tropical fruits and vegetables.
Major Cities & Resort Towns of Jamaica MONTEGO BAY (MoBay)
Montego Bay is the second largest city in Jamaica and has its own International airport. Montego Bay is the capital of St. James Parish. The population is over 70,000
Montego Bay's tourism dates back to 1924 when its first hotel was built. Today, the city boasts a wide range of hotels and guesthouses ranging from the super luxurious to the modest. The area has three championship golf courses, tennis facilities, numerous attractions, restaurants and entertainment spots. There is ample opportunity for water skiing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and Scuba diving. The city of Montego Bay has excellent shopping, local crafts, and famous brands of liquor, china, glassware, perfumes, and English cashmere's. It has a modern cruise ship pier and Freeport.
Interesting Attractions Cornwall Beach Party: Evening entertainment on the beach with dinner, music and Jamaican folklore show.
Doctor's Cave Beach: White sand, clear water beach believed to be fed by mineral springs.
Evening on the Great River: Canoe trip up torch-lit river. Dinner, open bar, music and folklore shows. Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Greenwood Great House: Built by Elizabeth Browning family. Said to have ghosts in residence. Daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rose Hall Great House: 1760 plantation where legend has it that Annie Palmer the White Witch ruled with cruelty and met a violet death. Daily from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm.
OCHO RIOS (Ochee) & RUNAWAY BAY
Ocho Rios is in the middle of the island's long north coast. Like Montego Bay, Ocho Rios boasts a wide range of visitor accommodations. It's particularly noted for spectacular waterfalls, working Plantations, beaches, busy modern cruise ships and beautilful tropical gardens. Nowhere else on the island is there such a rich profusion of hibiscus and poinsettia.
At nearby Runaway Bay, slaves escaped from the island in canoes. In this town are the intriguing limestone Green Grotto Caves which lead to an underground lake. Further along the coast, the Seville Estate is the site of Sevilla Nueva, the first Spanish settlement in Jamaica. Runaway Bay is considered today as the newest resort area with hotels, restaurants and souvenirs.
Interesting Attractions
Dunn's River Falls: 600 feet of gently terraced cascades for climbing. A feast on the beach every Wednesday at 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Fern Gully: 4-mile road built in an old riverbed that winds through a lush valley of ferns.
Jamaica Night on the White River: Canoe ride up a torch-lit river to the sounds of drums. Folklore show, dinner and open bar. Tuesday and Sunday 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Prospect Plantation Tour: Daily tours of a working plantation in an open jitney ... bananas, sugar cane, coconuts and breadfruit. Tours daily.
Shaw Park Gardens: Tropical gardens with waterfall overlooking the town of Ocho Rios. Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.
Interesting Attractions, Runaway Bay
Columbus Park: Open-air park exhibiting relics of Jamaican history. Landmark of where Columbus landed on Jamaica.
Chukka Cove Farm Ltd: The newest and most complete equestrian facility in the Caribbean.
Circle "B" Plantation: Walking tour of a small working plantation. Lunch available.