Far Out Fish Hut is actually on the outskirts of Montego Bay in the Parish of Trelawny. The fish hut is a bar and hut overlooking the nice blue ocean water. The vibe is extremely relaxed so plan […]

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The White Witch golf club is located on 600 acres of land on the Rose Hall Plantation in Jamaica.

This course is recognized as one of the Caribbean’s premier golf courses.

The par-71, 6,859-yard golf course is differentiated by its mountainous landscape, cool trade winds, colorful plant life and impressive ocean views.  The elevation changes are interesting, especially if you are used to playing on flat courses.

The greenery is very lush and the view from the golf course is absolutely amazing!  16 of the 18 holes offer views of the beautiful Caribbean Sea.

The layout is great – every hole is thought out and far enough apart so you feel like you are the only one on the course.

The ambience here is perfect for any level golfer, however, if you are already an experienced golfer, this course will give you a run for your money.  Normally this golf course is empty so you are able to take your time.

Golfers state they are thrilled with their caddies here – they are all knowledgeable, friendly, patient, outgoing, and will help with the course and shots.  If you aren’t familiar with the story of the White Witch of Rose Hall, ask your caddie to tell you about her – it is a fascinating story!!!

After your day of golfing, leave enough time to have a beer or even lunch on the patio, which features a spectacular view of the Caribbean ocean.

Club rentals are high quality Callaways.
What to bring:

Camera – the view is breathtaking

Bottle of cold water

Cost:

Approximately $170 US (including green fees, cart and caddie)

*A Pro Shop is on site

*Snack bar on site

*Several beverage carts will make rounds

Approximate playing time: 3.5 hours at a reasonable pace

Presently the Rose Hall Great House has been transformed into a tour site as well as a museum which is used to show the history of slavery as well as the famous legendary story of the white witch of Rose Hall which is Annie Palmer.

This has attracted a number of tourists to the house which is located in Montego Bay Jamaica.

The tour includes the story of the White Witch of Rose Hall, Annie Palmer, and includes a heart rendering tale of her betrayal as well as her complex love affairs which are full of mystery and intrigue.

The mansion resembles a haunted house from the horror films. It is easy to understand how many visitors get an eariee feeling while moving around in the house.

In fact the lower level of the house seems exceptionally scarry where one can take a look at the large traps which surround the property. These were used to trap the slaves trying to run away to freedom.

You need to be very careful while passing the picture of Annie Palmer because she is always following you with her eyes.

If you concentrate carefully then you are likely to hear some sounds deep down in the dungeons. They are said to be the loud voice of the murdered.

Contemporary music can also be heard while in the house and you may even hear someone tapping the walls along with the sounds of footsteps rushing accompanied by the fluctuations of the lights.

The tourist guides are adept at their jobs and give you a real and captivating tale while describing Jamaica during the early era. Although the story does give you the creeps, be assured that you are not in danger. In fact there are numerous weddings being conducted here as the grounds here are exceptionally and breathtakingly beautiful.

You will surely enjoy a drink of “white witch” at the basement. In case you wish to get an additional dose of horror and thrill then you can also opt for the tour during the night hours where you will have to walk around in candlelight.

The legend of the House 

Annie Palmer is known as the ‘White Witch” and she was originally from England. However she had lived the better part of her life in Haiti.

She lost her parents to a bout of yellow fever and it was her nanny who was a practitioner of voodoo.

The nanny trained Annie and introduced her to the art of witchcraft.

Annie then shifted to Jamaica and got married. She married John Palmer in the year 1820. John Palmer owned the Rose Hall Plantation.

Annie was not an easygoing woman and the plantation housed around 2000 slaves as well as was a lucrative source of income.

However, Annie could not resist wielding her black magic powers to control the people living near her.

Annie lost her husband under mysterious circumstances. She later remarried twice however these two men too did not survive and it is commonly believed that Annie was the main cause of these unnatural deaths.

Annie used voodoo to scare the plantation workers and often slept with the male slaves. She later killed them.

When the slave uprising of the 1930 Annie’s lover Takoo killed her in bed. The legend also states that Takoo took this drastic step as Annie was supposedly attracted to Takoo’s son in law. However as Annie could not win him over she then practiced voodoo on Takoo’s child and later the child succumbed within a week.

There were rumors of mass deaths at the plantations. Annie also pushed her housekeeper out of her balcony. The poor slave broke her neck and eventually died.

There are rumors about Annie’s spirit still lives in the house and she roams around the plantation till date. Many Seances have been conducted in the premises in order to call on the spirit of Annie. Annie was barely five feet tall in height, however she still plays a vital role in the history of Jamaica.

Length of Tour:

The tour is about 45 minutes.  Allow yourself another 30 minutes to walk around the beautiful grounds, and another 15 minutes to browse in the air-conditioned gift shop.
Night Tour hours:

Saturday-Thursday, 6pm to 10pm

Friday, 8:30pm to 10:30pm

What to bring:

A camera

An extra pair of underwear

Recommended Age:

All ages are welcome, however, the night tour may be a little too scary for young children.

Did you know?

….Rose Hall was bought in 1977 by former Miss USA Michele Rollins and her entrepreneur husband John Rollins?

Gleaner Article:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090816/ent/ent8.html

Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Annie-Palmer-for-silver-screen_10549447

Rocklands Bird Sanctuary is home to some of Jamaica’s most exquisite species of bird. This place is a must see if you are a bird or nature lover!

The bird sanctuary is located at a quaint little house.  The setting here is absolutely peaceful and relaxing.

When I first arrived, it was raining. So I thought it may have been a bad day to go. I figured at best, if I was lucky, I might get a glimpse of some exotic birds here and there. I was soo wrong.

The experience was nothing like I had imagined. The birds here are unbelievably friendly and have no fear of humans whatsoever. I’ve seen many hummingbirds in my life and would never even dream of one landing on finger! Well this is exactly what happened.

Once you get in, you’re given a seat and a bottle of sweetened water. After no more than about 5 minutes, these exotic birds will start flying around you (I guess checking you out).

Once they are comfortable enough and ready, they will land on your finger, and start drinking. Nothing like I’ve ever seen before.

The story behind the place is that the original “bird trainer” moved to this remote area in the hills of Jamaica in the early 1900’s, and fell in love. She would take daily strolls through the hills admiring and feeding the exotic species of birds.

I was told that after about 5 years of these daily strolls, the birds started following her back home. Before she knew it, her home became their favorite hangout spot.

What’s really interesting is that on the day she died, each and every bird left her home. Everyone thought they were gone for good. But miraculously, the day she was buried, they started coming back around.

It’s been many years since she has passed away, and surely the original birds are no longer around either. But the new generations of birds continue to come and are still very human friendly. They’ve been taught that this home, is a “safe zone”.

Types of birds you may see here:

American Redstart

Bannaquits

Black-throated Blue Warblers

Caribbean Doves (Found in Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Honduras, Mexico and Colombia)

Greater Antillean Bullfinch (Found in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Hispaniola, and Turks and Caicos Islands)

Ground-doves

Jamaican Orioles (found in only Jamaica and San Andres – formerly found in Grand Cayman but is now extinct there)

Jamaican Mango Hummingbird (Endemic to Jamaica)

Jamaican Tody

Jamaican Vireo (Endemic to Jamaica)

Jamaican Woodpecker (Endemic to Jamaica)

Loggerhead Kingbird

Northern Mockingbird

Northern Parula

Orangequit (Endemic to Jamaica)

Red-billed Streamertail Hummingbird (aka Doctorbird – Endemic and indigenous to Jamaica)

Rufous-tailed Flycatcher (Found in Jamaica and Cayman Islands)

Shiny Cowbirds

Vervain Hummingbird (Found in only Jamaica and Hispaniola)

White-chinned Thrush (Found in Jamaica and Cayman Islands)

Yellow-faced Grassquit

*Endemic means it is found only on the island of Jamaica and nowhere else in the world.

Peak bird feeding time: 6am-9am

Length of Tour: 1 hour

Entrance cost: US$20 (includes coffee, tea or juice)

Trave time from:

Negril 1.5 hours

Montego Bay 20 minutes

Some people say the only unpleasant part of this experience is the very bumpy ride up the mountain to sanctuary.

There are a few Scotchies restaurants located throughout the island and they are all known for their authentic Jamaican jerked chicken and jerked pork.

Along with great food and a real Jamaican outdoor atmosphere, the prices are relatively reasonable.

This is no frills type restaurant.  Its appearance is rather rustic and authentic.  It is situated outdoors and is quite casual.

Here you order chicken by the pound (or 1/2 or 1/4 pound). It is then chopped up into smaller pieces and served in tin foil.

The meats here are cooked to perfection with mouth watering barbecue/grilled flavour. If you can handle the heat, go ahead and add a few dashes of the hot sauce provided.  You can also order fish which is fantastic!

What makes the food so tasty?  Well, it would be a combination of perfect Jamaican seasoning and the food being cooked over pimento tree wood.

For sides, you can choose from Jamaican festival, rice & peas, yam, roasted breadfruit or sweet potato which are all delicious.

For the adults, don’t forget to wash it all down with a very cold Red Stripe Beer. The kids can try a cold drink of coconut water or a bottle of Ting (grapefruit soda).

Keep in mind that here everything is best eaten with your fingers.

This is a must place to visit if you plan on leaving the resort for genuine local cuisine.  No Scotches is located on any of the resorts so you will have to arrange transportation from your hotel.  Feel free to contact us…

Cinnamon Hill Golf Course is an 18-hole tropical golf course located in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
 
Overlooking the beautiful Caribbean Sea, it is one of world’s finest destinations for golf.
 
This golf course is suitable for all levels and is the most visually striking in the Caribbean.
 

Croydon is a beautiful coffee and pineapple plantation located at the bottom of the Catadupa Mountains, near Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The grounds at the Croydon Plantation are impeccably maintained and the panoramic views of the mountains are amazing.

Your tastebuds will be nicely delighted here as you get to sample many exotic fruits.  You will see and taste many local fruits like, various kinds of pineapple, sugar cane, coconut, star fruit, jack fruit, among others.

You will see other fruits such as breadfruit, mango, lychee, cashew and macadamia nut trees.

On the tour you will hear a lot about the plantation’s past and learn interesting facts about Jamaican culture.  The tour educates on the cultivating and processing of coffee.  You will also learn about beekeeping and the production of honey.

The tour guides at the plantation are a lot of fun and will entertain well as they educate you on the area.  At the end of the tour you will be offered an amazing and authentic Jamaican lunch served with world famous Blue Mountain Coffee.  The lunch is complimentary.  You can also purchase drinks which are reasonably priced.

The roads to get to Croydon Plantation are typical of most Jamaican roads. Because Jamaica is full of mountains the roads can get quite winding and bumpy.  This is just part of a true Jamaican experience!

On the drive to Croydon you get to witness a very rural Jamaica which is a part of Jamaica not many tourists get to see. If you suffer from motion sickness, try sitting in the front of the car or bus you are traveling in. That works for me

This tour has won many awards but not awards for adventure and excitement.  It is pretty laid back and may or may not appeal to the younger generation.

The grounds are beautiful and the tour is educational. If your children are interested in learning about different fruits and vegetation then this is right up that alley.  Seniors will also enjoy this tour although there is some walking. The tour guide will help with that if assistance is needed.

Another interesting fact about this tour is that this is the area that Samuel Sharpe was born in. He is one of Jamaica’s 7 National Heroes who gave his life in the fight against slavery. You will learn all about his struggle here.

What to bring:
Insect Repellent
Camera

Cost:
Starting from $70 per Adult
Starting from $50 per Child
Infants are free

From Ocho Rios:
About 1.5 hours each way

Length of Tour:
5.5 hours (including drive from Ocho Rios)

Tours:
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

If you are looking for food, entertainment and an exciting, cool atmosphere then Margaritaville is the place for you.

Margaritaville Montego Bay is located in the town’s “Hip Strip” on Gloucester Avenue.

Just so you are aware, this isn’t an authentic Jamaican spot.  This place is considered to be somewhat Americanized.  It is a restaurant/bar with a wonderful slide available to its patrons.  It boasts big screen TVs that are available for watching during the day.

Margaritaville is a huge tourist attraction in Montego Bay and it can get very crowded when there is a cruise ship in port but it is well worth the experience as the vibe is always nice and cool.

The view here is spectacular, particularly from the top floor where you get a wonderful panoramic view.

The food and drinks here are very good, however, it is relatively expensive. The Cheeseburger in Paradise gets great reviews so make sure you try it. Many people also rave about the Pina Coladas.

Do not forget to take your swimsuit – slides are not just for kids! This exciting 120ft water slide spits you out into the beautiful ocean.  There are also two large trampolines offshore.  Certified lifeguards are on duty so enjoy yourself and swim with ease.

If you want somewhere to party or dance, Friday and Saturday nights would be best.  Try getting there around 11pm.  Nightlife here includes a good mixture of locals and tourists and of course, because it is Jamaica, you will hear quite a bit of good reggae and dancehall music.

Hours of Operation
Bar & Restaurant are open from 11:00am
Restaurant closes at 10pm, after which the club comes alive

Age Restrictions
There is no age limit during the day. The age limit for the nightclub is 18 and a valid government ID is required.

Cost
Restaurant: Free.  However, only patrons can use the water amenities for free
Nightclub: US$10 most nights; Fridays is “All You Can Drink” party that includes Smirnoff vodka, Appleton Special and Red Stripe draught between 11pm and 2am for US$24.95.

Wifi is available.

The Sam Sharpe Square, located in the center of Downtown Montego Bay, gives visitors a historical snapshot of Jamaica during the 1800s.

It was originally named Charles Square, but was later renamed in honor of Sam Sharpe, a Jamaican National hero, and anti-slavery activist.

The main attraction to the area is the monument, commemorating the struggles faced by Sam Sharpe.

Other points of interest in the area are the Montego Bay Civic Center that houses the Montego Bay Museum, and “The Cage”, which is a small structure made of bricks and stone, that served as a jail for drunks, vagrants and runaway slaves.

The area is bustling with activity. There are street vendors littered all over the square trying to sell their goods, and local taxis dropping off and picking up. It’s an interesting place to do some people watching, but unless you go inside the Montego Bay museum, be prepared for a sensory overload.

Photo by s0rrelpunch CC BY

Who was Sam Sharpe?

Born in 1801, Sam Sharpe was born into slavery. Though he was a slave, he was allowed to learn to read, and educated himself by reading the newspapers, and books he could get his hands on.

Because of his education, he earned the respect of his fellow slaves, and became a Baptist Lay-Preacher.

Sharpe developed a plan of passive resistance and shared it with his followers after religious meetings. He wanted slaves to refuse to work on Christmas day of 1831, and continue afterwards unless their grievances were accepted by the slave masters.

On December 27th, 1831, the plan of passive resistance quickly turned violent, as the Kensington Estate Great House was set on fire, which was the beginning of the slave rebellion.

As a result of the uprising, hundreds were killed, including Sam Sharpe. He was singled out as the main instigator of the rebellion, and after a trial, was sentences to death by hanging. On May 23rd, 1832, at the age of 31, he was hanged in the area now known as Sam Sharpe Square.

Photo by Stéphane DAMOUR CC BY

Tour Packages That Include Sam Sharpe Square

Built in the early 1700s, Fort Montego is one of many forts built by the British to protect Jamaica’s coastline from Pirates, and the naval forces of the Spanish and French.

Located just a few minutes from the Donald Sangster International Airport, and walking distance from Montego Bay’s hip-strip, the Fort is central and easy to get to.

The fort houses four 12-pound cannons and a few lower caliber guns. It never saw military action but claimed the life of a gunner when it exploded during the celebration of the fall of Havana to the British. The cannons and guns were fired mostly for celebrating the birthday of British Monarchs, or the visit of important persons like the governor.

Getting to Fort Montego requires a bit of an uphill hike, but is not too physically challenging. But be sure to wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes.

What should you carry?

• Cameras
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Cash (there’s NO entry fee but you’ll be right by the craft market)

There are no restaurants or bars on site but Fort Montego is quite central and is a few minutes away from various lunch spots.

Fort Montego is heavy on the history and the colonial ambiance so if that’s what you desire then it will more than fit the bill. History and architecture buffs must visit this attraction on a trip to Jamaica.

The Montego Bay Marine Park is an area of protected sea water on Jamaica’s north coast. It is managed by the Montego Bay Marine Park Trust, which was set up to preserve the natural environment in the area and to educate the surrounding community of the importance of the marine resource.

The Park includes the waters of four main beaches:

• Doctor’s Cave Beach
• Aquasol Beach
• Cornwall Beach
• Dead End Beach

Additionally, it includes the coral reefs in the area, as well as the mangroves.

Montego Bay Marine Park can be casually explored by visiting one of the above-mentioned beaches, however, to really enjoy the full impact of the natural beauty of the park requires more effort.

If you’re a certified scuba diver, someone from the Marine Park will gladly give you an escorted tour of the area. If you’re not certified, lessons and certification courses are also available.

If you’d rather not do scuba diving, you could try a relaxing tour on a glass-bottom boat, or explore the area with snorkeling tour.

What should you carry?

• A swimsuit
• Waterproof gadgets
• Cameras
• Towel
• Cash
• Aquatic Footwear for reef exploring

The Marine Park is easily an all-day activity. If you are planning to visit the Marine Park on the way to or from another attraction, we recommend that you reserve at least three to four hours.

All necessary facilities and amenities (Washroom/Change-room, Emergency Services, Lifeguard etc.) are available within the Marine Park and the facilities are generally well-kept.

If you get hungry, the Pier One Bar and Grill is literally footsteps away.

The Montego Bay Marine Park is a great family experience and has something for everyone. If you’re an ocean lover or just want to explore nature in the ideal marine environment, its entire splendor awaits you.

If you ever wanted to know what it was like to be a Rastafarian or live in the faith shared by such luminaries as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Jimmy Cliff, Damian Marley etc. then the Rastafari Indigenous Village showcases a microcosm of the Rastafari faith and lifestyle that will interest you.

Rastafari is a faith that has roots in ancient Ethiopian Judaism. The faith began in Jamaica in the turbulent 1970’s.

Rastafarians believe, or as they would say, have the knowledge of, the teachings of Marcus Garvey, pointing especially to his prophecy that a great king would rise out of Africa. Rastafari have the faith that Haile Selassie I- is that King, born in the lineage of David and Solomon. This knowledge would come to clash with the heavily Christianized Post-colonial Jamaican Society, so Rastafari were treated poorly, at first, but through their collective message of peace and oneness, they have kept themselves a largely positive force in the society with even Jamaica’s greatest legend, Bob Marley, proudly championing the faith.

The Rastafari Indigenous Village Tour begins at the Montego River botanical gardens just minutes away, by car, from the Sir Donald Sangster International Airport and a short ten-minute drive away from the Montego Bay cruise ship pier.

The tour begins down river and there’s a short hike upstream to the village proper. As you walk you will be taught the guiding principles of peace and harmony that are foundations of Rastafari faith.

You may have worked up an appetite on the walk but not to worry- one of the first things the Rastafari do is give you a tour of the kitchen. On the menu are all-vegetarian, salt-free(Ital) delights. They start you off with a cup of “Sip”(vegetarian Ital soup), then its on to an appetizer of local natural fruit, in season, then you will be treated to some Ital Ackee and Breadfruit or one of the many other vegetarian meals as a main course. Wash it all down with one or two refreshing, freshly cut coconuts.

While your meal is being prepared and after you eat you are free to tour the meditative grounds, commune with nature or discuss spirituality and nature with the Rastafari “bredren”. You can also visit the herb garden at any point and your guide will explain the intricacies of growing and using natural herbs as medicine.

The tour ends with the sound of sweet Music as the Rastas sing the ‘Sattamasagana’ a traditional Rasta man chant sung to the sound of the Congo, Niabingi, and Kete drum orchestra. It’s quite a spiritual experience with the cool river breeze swaying you and the invigorating natural cuisine energizing you from the inside along with the driving beat of the drums.

What should you carry?

• A swimsuit (A river swim may be in the cards)
• Cameras
• Towel
• Cash
• Athletic Footwear

You can take everything with you on this tour, there is always a place to put your things and the Rastas won’t let you lose anything so feel free.

The Rastafari Indigenous Village is an activity that requires a whole day away easily. Its well worth it but it must be planned for. This tour is best done at the end of a vacation because then you can carry the Zen from it into the remainder of your life. The experience really is life changing.

All necessary facilities and amenities (Washroom/Change-room, Emergency Services, Lifeguard etc.) are available in the village and are suitable for the most part. The scenery and the vibe are understated and rustic so adjust yourself accordingly.

The Rastafari Indigenous Village is a family experience but its probably best restricted to older children who can process everything they may see. Pregnant women and the physically challenged can manage the up and down of the tour, but it will be moderately taxing. The tour is very much recommended for those seeking inner peace and a holistic approach to healing.

The Rastafari Indigenous Village is a great way to top off any trip to the island. Jamaica’s indigenous faith is strong and proud and offers a real oasis from the urban environment and the stress involved in it. Everything about this tour is meditative and awe-inspiring.