TRAVEL TALK: Jamaica a versatile travel destination

Some of you may have cruised into the Jamaican ports of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Or you may have flown into Montego Bay and transferred to your island resort destination such as Negril.
Each of these destination cities offers unique vacation possibilities and beautiful white sand beaches.
The Jamaicans are wonderful people with a rich heritage.
Jamaica is about 550 miles south of Florida and is 146 miles long and 51 miles wide. If you are a coffee connoisseur, Blue Mountain coffee is grown in the Blue Mountain area of the island. The island also has a peach and strawberry industry.
Montego Bay is on the northwest coast of Jamaica. The ruins of the old British Fort Montego and lively entertainment are featured in this city.  There are a few luxury resorts in Montego Bay, such as Sandals and Rose Hall Resort.
A favorite activity would be to raft down the Martha Brae and swim at Doctor’s Cave Beach. The Martha Brae River is a favorite for those who want to take a very leisurely float on a tranquil river. Doctor’s Cave Beach boasts one of the best beaches in the West Indies.
Head west and you will reach Negril, about a 90-minute drive from Montego Bay. Negril is known for its excellent snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, sailing and Seven Mile Beach.
Seven Mile Beach is spectacular and a real joy for those who like to take long walks on a white sand beach.
If you like sunsets, Negril is famous for them. Have you ever heard of Bloody Bay? This is a more private bay with its name dating back to the whaling era.
Another sightseeing idea  might be the Royal Palm Reserve, which features horseback riding and bird watching.
There are numerous cafes, with Rick’s Café being one of the most popular.  Honeymooners and anniversary couples especially like Negril with resorts such as Couples, Sandals and the Grand Lido Resorts.
Ocho Rios is on the north shore of Jamaica and is rapidly growing due to the cruise ships that sail into port daily.
If you like water sports, Ocho Rios is a great destination, offering personal watercrafting, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing and kayaking.
We stayed at the RIU Ocho Rios and enjoyed daily its beautiful beach, relaxed in its two-person pools and even took catamaran lessons.
There is good shopping nearby and the local wares are handcrafted and colorful.
Dunn’s River Falls is just outside Ocho Rios. The waterfall is 600 feet and cascades through lush tropical foliage. It is advised that you wear rubber soled shoes when climbing Dunn’s River Falls.
The White River Valley region is also near Ocho Rios. We took an excursion  into the White Mountains and floated in a tube down the cool river and cascading rapids. The rapids were tame and we enjoyed the experience.
Take another look at Jamaica. You might be surprised at the beauty and culture of this Caribbean Island.
A word of caution: If you take an excursion outside of your resort, go with a reputable company, not by yourself.