Serving as the capital of Portland Parish, Port Antonio is a lively city on the north-east coast of Jamaica. It remained a sleepy coastal town until the late 19th century when it flourished as a port for the exportation of bananas and coconuts. Today, Port Antonio serves as a gateway to the jungles and waterfalls of the Blue Mountains.
Things to do in Port Antonio
On the opposite side of East Harbour from Port Antonio are the Folly Ruins, the remains of a once opulent mansion. It was built by the American businessman Alfred Mitchell in the early 20th century and had more than 60 rooms once complete. After he passed away, the property fell into disrepair and it is now owned by the Jamaican government.
A short drive inland from Port Antonio is the Restoration Village Farm, which encompasses 12 hectares of mountainous terrain. In addition to cacao, bananas and yams, the farm grows other tropical crops such as breadfruit, bamboo and Scotch bonnet peppers. The farm is located a stone’s throw from the forested banks of the Rio-Grande River and the photogenic cascade of Nonsuch Falls.
For a day at the beach, head east to Frenchman’s Cove, an idyllic crescent of golden sand lapped by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Umbrellas and sun loungers are available for rent, while the beach bar and grill serves drinks and meals throughout the day. Further along the coast is Winnifred Beach, which is a popular spot for snorkelling.
Getting around Port Antonio
Port Antonio is around two hours’ drive from Kingston and 2.5 hours from Norman Manley International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the Caribbean, North America and Europe. Long-distance buses connect to Port Antonio while local services travel throughout the city.