Spend 3 Days In Nature In Port Antonio, Jamaica
The quiet coastal town of Port Antonio, Jamaica is synonymous with lush greenery and an abundance of rivers and waterfalls that empty into the Caribbean Sea. This breathtaking beauty boasts the most amazing beaches, fresh seafood, a wide array of organic fruits and vegetables, and is home to the famous jerk method of cooking.
It’s a small town exploding with natural attractions. Port Antonio is the ideal place for a relaxing vacation, spent connecting with nature and the warm people who call this townhome. It’s no wonder that the parish is a playground hideaway for celebrities. They come to get away from the spotlight in a place that’s dripping in natural beauty and serenity.
Port Antonio Resorts
Although Port Antonio is everyone’s favorite retreat destination, it remains relatively untouched. You won’t find any sprawling all-inclusive resorts here. What you will find are villas and boutique hotels of all kinds tucked away in the hillside or blending in with the coast, offering pristine views of the sparkling sea.
For a taste of living like an icon, Geejam Hotel is the place to be. This luxurious resort is nestled in the rainforest and seamlessly marries luxury and nature. Contemporary suites and villas are connected via natural paths and wooden walkways in this eclectic high-end property. Guests will enjoy the modern touches of the spacious rooms, all with spectacular mountain or sea views. Relax in the gorgeous infinity pool or saunter down to the private beach to enjoy the white powdery sand and water activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling.
This property is home to the recording studio that regularly welcomes stars such as Beyonce, Rihanna, John Legend, and DJ Khalid. If you’re not making music but love to drop feet, check out the Bush bar where live music is a regular feature, or the new Bentley’s Yaad, a beach bar and grill.
Goblin Hills Villa is a well-established property spanning 14 pristinely manicured acres with 27 villa-styled rooms. All rooms are fully equipped with kitchen, living, and dining areas so guests may prepare meals or reserve the services of a private chef. The property has been described as perfect for weddings with expansive lawns overlooking the majestic San San Beach below. Nature lovers who enjoy the beauty of the environment while still wanting to be enveloped in luxury will appreciate the immaculately appointed spaces this property offers.
The rustic traveler will love the amenities at Great Huts. This eco-friendly resort sits on a cliff overlooking the roaring Boston Bay and is African-inspired in its decor. It is unpretentious yet spotless and welcoming with rooms of varying levels offering different comforts and price points. Adrenaline-fanatics can jump from the cliff into Boston Bay below or try their luck at surfing here. Boston Bay is one of only a handful of locations in Jamaica where the waves are prime for amateur surfing.
This property also hosts yoga classes and yoga and meditation retreats, a real treat for those seeking serenity and a mind-body connection in nature while adventuring.
If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a castle, here’s your chance. The Trident Hotel mimics the grandeur of its sister property the neighboring Trident Castle and is the ultimate in picturesque luxury, offering 11 private retreats, most with their own dip pool. Each is made unique from the next with fine hand-selected artwork and furnishings. The impeccable villas all open up to the airy views of the Caribbean Sea and the rooms within flow flawlessly from one to the next, combining indoor and outdoor living spaces.
The infinity pool at the Trident Hotel is legendary, providing the perfect backdrop for relaxation and spectacular memories. The exceptional private beach here is a prime location to catch fresh lobsters to be prepared on-site. The water is calm and perfect for SUP, paddle boarding, and other water activities and can be booked by guests for private events. The property boasts a bar, lounge, library, and movie room along with top-notch spa services.
The nearby Trident Castle is a majestic architectural delight, rising almost 50 feet over the coastline and spanning 40,000 impressive square feet. The awe-inspiring banquet halls, multiple seating spaces, and resplendent outdoor areas make this palace the perfect backdrop for destination weddings or other notable events.
Things to Do in Port Antonio
The nature lover is right at home in Port Antonio with a plethora of waterfalls, lagoons, beaches, and natural attractions to see. One of the most famous spots in this beautiful town is the Blue Lagoon. This is a lagoon tucked away in a bay in Port Antonio presenting the most magical greens and blues you’ve ever seen.
Take a boat ride or a leisurely raft offered by the operators waiting to serve you. They will regale you with stories of the many movies shot on location and the many celebrities who have taken a dip in the 200ft deep lagoon. It is a mix of cold and warm water as it is fed by multiple freshwater streams while it opens out to the warm Caribbean Sea. Your expert vessel operator will take you out to Monkey Island if you wish, a small uninhabited island visible from the lagoon. It’s a beautiful spot to snorkel and swim.
Another famously exotic location in Port Antonio is Frenchman’s Cove. Here, you’ll find a beautifully quaint river flowing out to the most idyllic beach. This beach is so alluring that it was chosen as a location for a handful of notable films such as the James Bond franchise and a Tom Cruise movie. You’ll find a restaurant and hotel here offering comfortable conveniences for your beach day.
Over on San San Beach, you’ll find a quieter atmosphere but just as stunning. This beach is surrounded by some of Port Antonio’s most gorgeous villas and is kept clean and welcoming thanks to the locals who may be around offering eats and treats when you visit.
A stop you must make while on this side of the island is to Boston Bay. This beachside town is the birthplace of jerk meats, a place filled with rich history still alive and buzzing today. Sample authentic jerk chicken, pork, fish and veggies, and even jerk ice cream and rabbit if you happen to be in town for the famous Boston Jerk Festival. Grab yourself a jar of authentic jerk marinade to remake your favorite Jamaican flavors when you head home.
