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Airports
Sangster’s International Airport (Montego Bay)
and Norman Manley International Airport (Kingston) can
be accessed from all major American gateway cities as
well as many European cities. Charter flights to and
from the Ken Jones Aerodrome about an hour from Port
Antonio are available. These flights are provided by
Intl. Air Link, TimAir, and other commuter or charter
aircraft offering intra-island flights. These companies
are popular with visiting celebrities as they promise
privacy and cater to specific requests. The flight takes
about 40 minutes. Driving time from Montego Bay to Port
Antonio is approximately four and a half hours and from
Kingston to Port Antonio approximately two and a half
hours. It is best to fly to Kingston - most hotels will
arrange transfers for you if you give them your arrival
details when making your reservation. For those concerned
about flying into Kingston, it must be said that Kingston
is as dangerous or as safe as any other major city.
However, the airport is located on the Palisadoes Peninsula
to the east of the city. Most drivers take the southeast
coastal road to Port Antonio so that visitors who do
not want to venture into the city (which is vibrant
and exciting and packed with history) never see the
town.
Banks
Banks are generally open Monday to Friday 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m., but some may close at 2 p.m. There are
three ATMs in Port Antonio. These are located at:
RBTT Bank, Harbour Street
Scotia Bank, Harbour Street
First Caribbean Bank, corner West and Harbour Street
Most hotels and restaurants accept major credit
cards; including American Express, Visa and Master
Card. Travellers cheques are also widely accepted.
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Money can also be exchanged at registered
cambios. There are a few in the town:
FX Traders, City Centre Plaza
Kamals, in the Kamals Supermarket (this has the
advantage of being open until about 8 p.m. every
evening)
Jamaica National |
Climate
Port Antonio enjoys a tropical climate with clear days
and occasional showers some of which are sudden, short
downpours. Happily, rains often occur at night and the
morning after is clean and clear. The temperature ranges
from a maximum of 33°C in the summer and 28°C
in the winter. The evenings are cooled by wonderful
breezes floating off the mountains. There are two rainy
seasons: a weaker one in May/June and the main one in
October/November. The hurricane season begins in June
and lasts until November. The high point of the hurricane
season is September. Jamaica’s geographical location
and its size relative to its neighbours results in the
fact that the island is seldom hit by hurricanes. Prior
to Ivan in 2004, the island was last hit in 1988. Before
that, Jamaica was hit in 1980 and prior to that in the
1950s.
Cuisine
The lush countryside calls you to sample the plentiful
bananas and tropical fruits. A skilled machete chop
by a helpful resident will open a coconut to reveal
refreshing water to “wash your heart”.
Savour a ripe slice of “paw paw” (papaya)
or a luscious mango. While all things natural are
definitely the attraction, Port Antonio serves up
a delectable variety of flavourful foods; wonderful
home cooking at Woody’s Bar in Drapers or
at Dicky’s (The Best Kept Secret) in his unique
cliff-hugging roadside eatery. |
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Lunch riverside with Miss Betty while you break journey
rafting down the Rio Grande or beachside at Chill Out
at Long Bay or with Miss Cherry at Winnifred Beach,
not to mention the Blue Lagoon. Taste creative Caribbean
cuisine at Mille Fleurs and Norma’s or stop by
the Boston Jerk stand for a spicy sampling of Jamaican
barbecue.
Getting Around
Travel Port Antonio by foot, bicycle, taxi, rental cars,
hotel-arranged transportation, or the island’s
transport service, JUTA. If renting a car, you must
be at least 25 years of age, have a valid driver’s
license and post a bond with a credit card to cover
insurance needs should you have an accident. Most rental
companies do not offer full third party coverage. Visitors
from North America may use their license for up to three
months per visit; United Kingdom up to 12 months; and
Japan for up to one month, all per visit. This insurance
is offered by Island Car Rentals. Car rental is relatively
expensive. If you are not planning to tour the island,
it is usually cheaper and more comfortable to hire a
car with a driver (who is also your personal guide).
This can be arranged by your hotel. Jamaican road conditions
are for the more adventurous and driving at night is
a major challenge as the roads are, for the most part,
neither lit nor marked with reflectors. Jamaicans do
not typically dip their headlights for oncoming traffic.
Remember, if you are driving you will have little chance
to enjoy the scenery. For visitors from the United States,
Canada and Europe, remember, in Jamaica we drive on
the left.
All taxis should have a red licence plate with the letters
‘pp’. If taking a taxi, you should verify
the fare before you set off. This will avoid misunderstandings
about the price when you reach your destination. Tipping
is not a requirement, but rather as a token of appreciation
for a job well done. When tipping, the rule of thumb
is 10 percent the value of the service provided.
Jamaica Tourist Board
City Centre Plaza
P. O. Box 151
Port Antonio
Jamaica, West Indies
Tel: 876-993-3051
Fax: 876-993-2117 |
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Location
The parish of Portland is located on Jamaica’s
north east coast. The parish capital is Port Antonio.
Nightlife
Nights in Port Antonio are generally quiet and best
enjoyed under the stars with a fine wine or Red Stripe
beer. Many local bars and restaurants welcome evening
business. The best known night spot is Roof Club where
things start to sizzle at 10 p.m.
Population
Approximately 80,900 of Jamaica’s 2.8 million
people live in Portland.
Religion
Protestant 61.3 percent; Roman Catholic 4 percent;
other, including some spiritual cults, 34.7 percent.
Portland parish has more churches than anywhere
on the island, and you are invited to experience
firsthand the services, the people, and their music.
Brother Farr’s church is recommended, as is
the Anglican Church in the town of Port Antonio,
which boasts an impressive organ and an organ player
who is known as the best informal historian in town.
Special requests are often played for guests. |
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You should dress appropriately for the services (no
shorts or tank tops). Sunday services can last up to
three hours, but you can politely retreat after an hour
if you wish. The service at Brother Farr’s church
begins at 10 a.m.
Shopping
Browse in the craft shops and stores to see authentic
local handicrafts such as the handmade paper from Nature’s
Handmade Paper (a women’s collective project)
or the craft items from Sista P at her shop, “The
Lioness”, on 10 Matthews Avenue, off Mannings
Avenue. Masterpieces from local artist Mr. Stewart are
displayed at his roadside studio/shop at Turtle Crawl.
A wide selection of paintings and sculptures is offered
at Gallery Carriacou or from the collection at the Jamaica
Palace. There are souvenir shops at the shopping mall
in town, commonly known as the St. George building.
Duty free shopping will soon be available at the Marina.
Tennis
Goblin Hill offers complimentary use of their tennis
courts for guests. Non-guests can also use the tennis
courts for a fee.
Unwanted Visitors
When you visit Port Antonio, and all of Jamaica, you
are visiting a natural destination, complete with natural
wildlife. This includes mosquitoes and other strange-looking
flying insects, as well as lizards of all shapes and
colours (these lizards actually help keep the mosquitoes
in check). While indoors, keep your fans moving inside
your rooms, use mosquito netting over your beds, light
special candles and use a “vape” (electric
device that keeps mosquitoes away). While outdoors,
use mosquito repellent and keep arms and legs covered,
especially at dusk and dawn when the mosquitoes and
sand flies are most active. |
