Port Antonio - Hidden Treasure on Jamaica's North Shore

Visitors to Jamaica won't accidentally stumble upon the hidden treasures unique to Port Antonio. Port Antonio is not your typical all-inclusive tourist destination.

Decades ago Port Antonio was thought to be the exclusive retreat of the stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Richard Burton and Errol Flynn.

Port Antonio remains an infrequently visited, remote destination, but it is no longer exclusive to Hollywood's rich and famous.

Port Antonio is located on the rugged northeast coast of Jamaica. The serpentine roads leading to Port Antonio make the 120-mile drive from Montego Bay a 5+ hour excursion. Kingston, Jamaica's capital, located on the southeast coast of the island, is approximately 60 miles away making it the closest airport and best choice for arriving from the US when planning a trip to Port Antonio.

Moving beyond the resorts in Negril, Montego Bay or Ochos Rios, the quiet elegance of Port Antonio presents a great opportunity to visit pristine beaches and enjoy the unpressured local hospitality.

After driving more than five hours and enduring hundreds of a hairpin turns, my initial impression of Port Antonio was it appeared to be a series of roadside restaurants and shops not resembling any of the frequently visited vacations spots such as the Hip Strip of Montego Bay or stretch of all-inclusive hotels along the beach in Negril.

It took only a few minutes in Port Antonio to realize that it was a very special place. Nested between the Blue Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, Port Antonio is an eclectic, slow-placed, serenely beautiful slice of authentic Jamaica.

There are several famous beaches - Winnifred Beach, Boston Beach and Frenchman's Cove. The most famous placed to explore is the famed Blue Lagoon. This 200-foot deep lagoon best know for the 1980s moving of the same title (Blue Lagoon) starring Brooke Shields. The visit to Blue Lagoon was very nice, but swimming in the shallow waters of Boston Beach is transformative.

After a full day of exploring Port Antonio, enjoy a late lunch at one of the local beachfront restaurants.

The escovitch red snapper is delicious (you get to select your own freshly caught fish). The service is outstanding and unrushed. Be careful - the cocktails might just "go to your head"......

Please mention Nomad's Lens on your next trip to the bars, restaurants, and shops in Port Antonio.