mzambo

We have been to Negril twice, done Mayfield Falls, YS Falls, Treasure Beach, Pelican Bar, Black River to name a few.

This trip in April we are trying Ocho Rios, and plan to do a day trip to Port Antonio.

We plan to do either Somerset or Reach Falls, Blue Lagoon and absolutely eat at Boston Beach for the jerk.

Anything we are missing as a must see??? Somerset or Reach Falls??

Looking for suggestions.

doug_stallings

I hope Tivertonhouse or someone with the latest information can give you a timely and accurate estimate on the driving time, but I don't think you can possibly do this trip in a single day. The road between Ocho Rios and Port Antonio has been so bad in the past that it would take 4 or 5 hours just to make the drive one way. People who are going actually fly into Kingston and drive up from there.

doug_stallings

I just checked our new Jamaica guide, and my writers report that it takes 3-1/2 hours to get to Port Antonio from Ocho Rios. So not as bad as I feared last night, but still no picnic. I still say it's a punishing day-trip, but at least it's possible (but be sure you get back before dark).

mzambo

Hi Doug,

Thanks for your replies, our guide told us 3-1/2 going because of frequent stops for pictures and 2-1/2 to 3 coming back.

Still hoping someone will confirm and let us know of any "must see's" in the Port Antonio area.

doug_stallings

That's pretty much it. Port Antonio doesn't have many "must-sees". The appeal is to get away from the tourist rat-race for a quieter place and a slower pace. Though the Blue Lagoon may still be closed ... I'm not sure if it's reopened.

mzambo

The draw for us to that area is that it is close to the Blue Mountains and we have read Port Antonio is one of the most beautiful of all area's of JA. We are into natural beauty and can't wait to see this area.

liza

I think there are far too many "must sees" to do in one day, honestly.

Beaches: Long Bay - beautiful long palm tree lined beach with waves and not much else, Winnifred - currently a public but quiet rootsy cove beach - maybe not for long as the gov't is planning to take it over and develop it, Frenchmans - private, quiet, freshwater stream comes into the sea, San San - private for villas nad a couple of hotels but you can pay to go, Boston - home of jerk has a jerk center off the main road and also very good jerk on the beach which can be calm or wavy depending.

Waterfalls: Reich - the clearest water I have EVER seen and not busy at all in a lovely setting, Somerset, Scatter falls and Fox caves - you hike into the Rio Grande valley to visit these - with a guide, an unnamed one inland from Buff bay we spent an afternoon at once, no one around but us.

Mountains - hiking, waterfalls, river views, cool plants and birds, so lush and just pretty.

Port Antonio - historical sites, Folly, gingerbread trim on old buildings in pastel colors, shopping, twin harbors

Blue Lagoon - incredible swimming, amazing shades of blue and green that change through the day. The restaurant is closed right now but you can still enter the water on foot or by boat.

Snorkeling on reefs that get a lot less tourist traffic than those in Ochi

Some incredible views driving along the coast and up into the mountains

All types of restaurants, jerk stands to mountainside fancy meals at hotels that are similar to or literally palaces.

We spent 5 days last time and it wasn't nearly enough.

mzambo

Liza,

Thank you so much for your response.

If you only had one day to see some of it not knowing if you would ever get back to JA (this will be our 3rd trip and may be our last for awhile too many places to see) would you????

How far is the drive? I have heard so many different things... Is the drive itself as beautiful as I have heard?

I can't decide what to do.