This former banana boat port is not as fancy or touristy as some of Jamaica's other cruise ship stops but visitors will still find lively markets in the new cruise ship marina.

Villas and tin-roofed huts dot the town's many scenic, white sand beaches. Inland, Port Antonio contains some of Jamaica's most beautiful greenery, and in its efforts to be more eco-friendly, it is turning its beautiful Navy Island into an eco-park.

Days can be spent hiking through rainforests or rafting on the meandering Rio Grande through a lush valley teeming with bananas, coconuts and other tropical delights.

Port Antonio offers many historical sights, including Folly Ruins, the remnants of a majestic, early 20th-century mansion, Fort George (which has its cannons pointing out to sea), 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' meat and fish flavoring.

Highlights
• Long Bay
• Boston Bay
• Blue Mountains
• Reach Falls
• Rafting the Rio Grande

Jamaica Tourist Board
64 Knutsford Blvd. Kingston, Jamaica
Tel: +876 993 3051.
Website: www.visitjamaica.com

The Carriacou Gallery, the Port Antonio Craft Market and the elegant Village of St George are all nice places to shop for local specialities, like hand-loomed fabrics, embroidery, silk screening and woodcarvings. Other souvenirs include Jamaican rum, like the sweet Rumona liqueur (the world's only rum-based liqueur, hard to find outside the island) or Tia Maria Blue Mountain coffee.

Jerk flavouring (Scotch bonnet peppers plus other herbs and spices) was created in Port Antonio and is a must-try with meat or fish. Another culinary option is I-tal (Rastafarian vegetarian dishes).

Consistently warm weather makes Jamaica a year-round destination. The temperatures in the mountains tends to be a little cooler but also more humid. Between late May and November, Jamaica is prone to hurricanes. It also lies within the earthquake zone.

Jamaica

GMT - 5.

Jamaican Dollar (J$) = 100 cents.

English and English Patois.

The Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba.

2.8 million (Jamaica).

Constitutional parliamentary democracy.

62.5% Protestant, Roman Catholic 2.6%, other 14.2%, none 20.7%.

Jamaica is slow and relaxed. Beachwear is only considered appropriate for the poolside or the sand. Eveningwear varies according to the venue.

Tipping: Hotels and restaurants tend to add 10% as standard; otherwise 10 to 15% is expected. Tipping is included at many all-inclusive resorts.