Columbus Cruise Review - Port Antonio

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Time Zone: GMT - 5.

Currency: Jamaican Dollar (J$) = 100 cents.

Language: English.

Sightseeing: Port Antonio offers many historical sights, including Folly Ruins, the remnants of a majestic mansion built in the early 20th century, Fort George, Trident Castle and Bonnie View hotel, all of which boast interesting architecture and fascinating stories. The famous Blue Lagoon is also a popular attraction and Port Antonio’s magnificent twin harbours, separated by the 64-acre (26-hectare) Navy Island, are spectacular. Many cruise passengers choose to make the most of the breathtaking views of Jamaica by renting a car and driving along the north coast road heading east past Long Bay, Winnifred Beach and Boston Bay, the famous home of Jamaican ‘jerk’. Alternatively, some prefer to spend the day hiking through rainforests or rafting on the meandering Rio Grande through a lush valley teeming with bananas, coconuts and other tropical delights.

Shopping: The Carriacou Gallery and the Port Antonio Craft Market offer a variety of arts and crafts. A new shopping centre with elegant Georgian architecture, the Village of St George, also offers a good shopping experience. Crafts include hand-loomed fabrics, embroidery, silk screening, woodcarvings, oil paintings, woven straw items and sandalmaking. Jamaican rum, the Rumona liqueur (the world’s only rum-based liqueur, hard to find outside the island) and Ian Sangsters Rum Cream are unique purchases. Other local specialities are Pepper Jellies, jams and spices.

Eating Out: Port Antonio is the home of the Jamaican jerk-style of cooking. Prepared with Scotch bonnet peppers and a host of other herbs and spices, jerk is a must for every visitor. Port Antonio also has a range of other culinary options, including Italian dining, complete with classical Italian operas playing in the background, or continental cuisine. For casual dining the options are limitless. Port Antonio has menus to fit all tastes and many restaurants serve I-tal (Rastafarian vegetarian dishes) cooked to order. Jamaican rum is world-famous, especially Gold Label and Appleton. Red Stripe beer is excellent, as is Tia Maria (a Blue Mountain coffee and chocolate liqueur).