“More beautiful than any woman I had ever known”— that was what Port Antonio was to Errol Flynn, a Hollywood legend and one of the city’s most famous residents. The sleepy town located just 60 miles from Kingston offers respite for many Kingstonians in search of peace.

There is something magical about waterfalls, and Port Antonio boasts two of the island’s most breathtaking. Reach Falls is located on Driver’s River and flows from the John Crow Mountains to form crystal-clear rock pools on its journey to the bottom. Its main pool was the location of that unforgettable waterfall scene in the movie Cocktail, with Tom Cruise. Surrounded by legends and myths, Blue Lagoon is the island’s largest spring-fed lagoon. Plunging to a depth of nearly 180 feet, ice-cold mountain spring water collides with warm tidal currents, making bathing in it a mystical experience.

From Blue Lagoon, you can hire a knowledgeable river rafting captain for another Portie experience: rafting on the Rio Grande. Passengers aboard these bamboo rafts garner a unique view of the island. You can even stop in at Belinda’s Riverside Canteen and enjoy great Jamaican fare right at the river’s edge.

Back on shore at the iconic Frenchman’s Cove, enjoy the unique merging of fresh river mineral spring water and the temperate ocean. For a “wilder” sea experience, head to Winnifred Beach and explore the reef just offshore. Shady trees, white sand and charismatic food vendors make this the perfect place. Heading east, Long Bay Beach offers one of the island’s longest uninterrupted stretches of coastline, as well as rolling surf, perfect for surfers.

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The heights of Port Antonio open a window to the local Maroon history and culture. Maroons are descendants of escaped slaves who established free communities in the rugged mountains in the 17th century. Travellers can get to know a little more about them at the Charles Town Museum and Safu Yard.

Somerset Falls is also steeped in history. This 97-acre property encompasses lush gardens and “Hidden Falls” accessible by boat. Visitors traverse a windy path through a rich tropical landscape before witnessing the Daniels River cascade into a 20-foot-deep pool.

Shopping in Port Antonio can be extremely rewarding, as fine jewellery and other high-quality fashion items can often be found at a much lower price point than in other parts of the island. The Royal Mall is a double-decker structure designed in a hodgepodge of architectural styles where you’ll find a variety of boutiques and shops selling stylish beachwear, Blue Mountain coffee, premium rum, cigars, jewellery and Jamaican handicrafts. Market Square is at the heart of town, where you’ll find Musgrave Market. Here you’ll come across a fine selection of Jamaican products, from woodcarvings to hand-woven straw items.

Also, keep an eye out for members of the Rio Grande Valley Craft co-op, an organisation comprised of Port Antonio’s local artisans who make and sell their handcrafted goods throughout the area.

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