Located in the midst of the Caribbean Sea, Jamaica is the third largest island of the Antilles. Most of the beaches are in the northern and western coasts.

GETTING THERE By plane: There are two international airports in the island: Norman Manley in Kingston and Donald Sangster in Montego Bay. The following airlines fly to Jamaica: Air Jamaica: Fly to Montego Bay and Kingston from several US cities as New York, Atlanta or Miami. Also from London and from Caribbean islands as Cuba or Barbados. Phone: 800 523 5585. American Airlines: Fly to Montego Bay and Kingston from New York and Miami. Phone: 800 44337300. British Airways: To Montego Bay and Kingston from London. Phone: 800 247-9297/0181. Cubana de Aviación: To Montego Bay and Kingston from Havana. Phone: 876 953-2600/876 952-5629. By Cruiser: Several companies call at Ocho Rios coming from Miami. Carnival: Phone: 800 327-9501. Royal Caribbean: Phone: 800 327-6700.

CLIMATE Along the coast may vary between 27ºC and 32ºC in the months of July and August, but never goes down to 20º C. There is a high degree of humidity. The best months to visit the island are from December to April.

KINGSTON The capital of the island since 1870, is the perfect image of the true Jamaica. Kingston with 750,000 inhabitants, is the commercial center of the island and has one of the best natural ports of the world. Some kilometers away is New Kingston where many hotels, offices, shops and restaurants are available. On the sea drive, the most outstanding buildings are found as the Jamaican Bank, Jamaica’s Conference Center and the National Gallery. Among its main interesting places are: Castleton Gardens: Castleton, St. Mary; Phone: 8766-927-1257. The Botanical Garden at just 20 minutes from Kingston. It has 15 acres between mountains and rivers. Free entrance: 9.30 a.m.-5.30 p.m. Mavis Bank Coffee Factory: Mavis Bank , St. Andrew: Phone: 876-977-8013. This factory has been producing the famous Blue Mountain coffee since 1920. Tourists can visit the plantation. Admission rate: J$5. Near Kingston Blue Mountains, beyond doubt are the most spectacular sights of the island, a paradise for ornithologists and botanists. En route you can visit coffee plantations as that of Pine Grove. Bob Marley Museum: 56 Hope Road. Kingston, 6. Phone: 9782991 /3-4. Visit to Bob Marley’s House and Tuff Gong’s studio. An interesting collection of the memories of Bob Marley, films, books, posters, etc. Tourists: US$10, US$5. Locals J$350, adults; J$175, kids.

DINING IN KINGSTON Blue Mountain Inn: Gordon Town Road. Phone: 876-927-1700. International cuisine. Devonshire: 26 Hope Road, Kingston 10. Phone: 876-929-7046. Continental Jamaican cuisine. Grog Shoppe: 26 Hope Road, Kingston 6. Phone: 876-977-5130.

HOTELS IN KINGSTON Courtleigh Hotel: 85 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5. Phone: 876-929900. It has 118 rooms, 2 restaurants and pools. Crowne Plaza Hotel: 211a Constat Spring Road, Manor Park, Kingston 8. Phone: 876-925-7674. Hilton New Kingston: 77 Knutford Boulevard, Kingston, 5. Phone: 876-929-7439.

Ocho Rios Not-to-be-missed in Ocho Ríos: Falls at Dunn River. These are some stepping waterfalls and surrounded by rainforest vegetation. Golden Eye: The place where Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, used to spend his winters. Brimmer Hall Plantation Tour: Brimer Hall, Port Maria. Phone: 876-994-2309. Tour along the historic building and the plantation which produces cane sugar, pineapple, banana and coffee. Schedule: 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. US$ 15. Calypso Rafting: Exchange, St. Ann. Phone: 974 - 25 27/974 -5199. A short stop is made at Calypso Cove, where a refreshing splash can be enjoyed. US$ 17.50 per person, JS$80 for two person on rafting. DINING IN OCHO RIOS Jamaican restaurants: Almond Tree: Main Street. Ocho Rios. Phone: 876-974-2813. Typical Jamaican restaurant. Jeff’s Restaurant & Lounge: 10 Main Street. Ocho Rios. Phone: 876-974-2664.

HOTELS IN OCHO RIOS Jamaica Grande Resort: Main Street, Ocho Rios , St. Ann. Phone: 876-974-2200. The hotel has 725 rooms, restaurants, golf courses, tennis courts, water sports. Sandals Ocho Rios: Main Street, Ocho Rios. St. Ann. Phone: 876-974- 5691. It has 237 rooms. Kangaroo programs are organized and sports like polo, golf or tennis can be practiced.

NIGHT LIFE in ocho rios Ocho Rios has popular discotheques as: Jamaica Me Krazy: (Jamaica Grande Hotel): Main Street. Ocho Rios . Phone: 876- 974-2200. Little Pub: 59 Main Street. Ocho Rios. Phone: 876-974-5826.

PORT ANTONIO This is the first tourism city that the island had. Among the interest points are: Somerset Falls: There is a concrete stair of 140 m. Some part of the excursion is made on a raft. Blue Lagoon: Located near San Beach in Fairy Hill. Phone: 876-993-8491. The lagoon has 180 feet. It has a bar and a restaurant. Tourists: US$3, locals: J$80. Open from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.

DINING IN PORT ANTONIO Jamaican restaurants: Blue Lagoon: San San, Fairy Hill. Port Antonio. Phone: 876-993-8491-2. Bonnie View: Richmond Hill. Ph.: 876-993- 2752.

HOTELS IN PORT ANTONIO Dragon Bay Villas: Zion Hill, Port Antonio, Portland. Phone: 876-993-3281. It has 90 rooms and an assortment of restaurants, tennis courts. Jamaica Palace Hotel: Williamsfield. Port Antonio, Portland. Phone: 876-993-3459. It has 80 rooms with access to the beach, pool and water sports.

RUNAWAY BAY Not-to-be-missed in Runaway Bay: Chukka Cove: Located between Runaway Bay and Saint Ann’s Bay. It is an "equestrian resort," which teaches horse riding lessons and has organized routes to enjoy riding on the back of this beautiful animal.

DINING IN RUNAWAY BAY Seafood Giant: Main Street, Runaway Bay. St. Ann. Phone: 876-973-4801. Jamaican cuisine and fish. HOTELS IN RUNAWAY BAY Club Ambiance: P.O. Box, Runaway Bay, St. Ann. Phone: 876-973-2066. Club Caribbean: Main Street, Runaway Bay, St. Ann. Phone: 876-973-3507-8.

GASTRONOMY Every ethnic group has contributed to make the typical dishes more tasty. They serve their food with rice and plenty spice. It worths to mention: Ackee with codfish, a popular dish that blends codfish with ackee (a legume introduced in Jamaica by captain Blith of Bounty). Pepper Soup: The most popular soup of the island. It is a combination of cured pork, okra and callaloo (an indigenous green).

CAR RENTAL Island Car Rentals LTD. Kingston: 924-8075. Montego Bay: 952-5771. Ocho Rios: 974-2666.

Currency Jamaica uses the Jamaican dollar, compared to US dollar: US$1.00 accounts for J$40.00 and J$1.00 are 3.90 pesetas. The main credit cards are accepted in stores and restaurants in the island.

taxis and buses Taxis: Some taxis have mile counters, but not all, therefore, it’s important to fix the price before starting the trip. It’s possible that the same taxi driver can be the tourism guide along the island. The rates are per car and not per passengers. From the airports and in many hotels are taxis with JUTA licenses, where the rates for the most frequented places of the island are in writing. Buses: This service is good in Kingston, Montego Bay and the main populations.

MORE INFORMATION Jamaica’s Tourism Office: Kingston: 2nd Street. Lucia Avenue, Kingston 5, PO Box 360. Phone: 9299200/19. Ocho Rios: Ocean Village Shopping Centre, PO Box 240. Phone: 9742582 / 3. Port Antonio: City Centre Plaza, PO Box 151. Phone: 9932117. Web: www.jamaicatravel.com E-Mail: jamaicatrv@aol.com

You can also consult Excellences’ web site: www.excelencias.com and the numbers 7 and 19 of the magazine where background articles on Jamaica can be found.