Port Antonio is a city in Jamaica.
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| Port Antonio | ||
| Parish | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 13.000 | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| Tourist information Tel | 993-3051 (Jamaica Tourist Board. City Center Plaza) | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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background
This place is very attractive at two natural harbors and is an old banana loading port. Only a few years ago the port facilities were restored to make it more attractive for cruise ships to call at.
In 1623 the Spaniards founded "Puerto de Anton" and "Puerto de Francisco". In 1793, Captain Bligh of the Bounty landed here with the first breadfruit tree seedlings. The mountain slopes near the coast were not suitable for large sugar plantations. It is also the rainiest corner of the country. From 1870 onwards, intensive banana cultivation was practiced. In 1871 the American captain Lorenzo Baker brought bananas from here to Boston. He did such good business with it that he founded the Boston Fruit Company, which later became the United Fruit Company. He had the first hotel built around 1890 and brought American tourists there with his banana steamers. The old, imposing, five-story Titchfield Hotel, now owned by Erroll Flynn, burned down several times and was not rebuilt after the last fire in 1969.
The Titchfield Peninsula divides the harbor into two unequal bays. There are several very simple guest houses in this district. Parking spaces are in short supply, the streets are relatively narrow and often one-way streets. The easiest way to find parking is on Allan Avenue on the waterfront, in close proximity to the Village St. George Shopping Center.
The Port Antonio area is a popular film location. In the vicinity of the Blue lagoon scenes for the films "cocktail“, „Club Paradise“, „The Mighty Quinn“, „Clara's Heart"And the remake of"Lord of the Flies" turned. On the approximately 10 km long section of road over Drapers to San San, which adjoins Port Antonio to the east, there are some very expensive hotels and villas. They owe their creation to Tiffany's and Errol Flynn, who used to celebrate lavish parties on his island. As a result, the rich and the nouveau riche came to this corner of the island during the 1960s. The noblest and most expensive hotels in the Caribbean were built there for this company.
This region has not been sponsored by any Jamaican government. The tourist environment is unfortunately very limited despite the natural beauty. The local hotel industry is hoping for the future. Since the end of 2008, the North Coast Highway from Montego Bay to Port Antonio has been consistently passable as a good road.
getting there
By plane
The airfield Ken Jones is 10 km west of Port Antonio, right next to the main road. Due to a lack of demand, there is currently not even a regular regional flight service there.
In the street
From all places on the north coast, Port Antonio can be easily reached on the newly developed coastal road. Coming from the west, however, the end of the upgraded route has been reached here. Nevertheless you can on the national road A 4 Continue east, along the east coast to the south coast and on to Kingston.
From Kingston you can also take the national road A 3 via Annotto Bay or via the county road B 1 come to the north coast via Buff Bay and continue to Port Antonio - or vice versa. Since the county road runs quite far and high above the Blue Mountains, you always have to expect road closures due to landslides, although this route is very scenic.
By boat
Port Antonio has a new, very nice, small marina and is also visited by cruise ships, but they come very rarely, about every 2 months a ship.
mobility
Minibuses and taxis can be found at the port on Allan Avenue. The trip from Port Antonio to Kingston costs about 250 JA dollars, from Port Antonio to Annotto Bay one pays 120 JA dollars, the onward journey to Port Maria and Ocho Rios costs 130 JA dollars each.
Rental car
- B & B Rent-A-Car, 21-A West Palm Avenue. Tel.: 993-9661.
- Eastern Rent-A-Car, 18 King Street. Tel.: 993-2562.
Gas stations
- Braham's Texaco, 15 Harbor Street. Tel.: 993-2706.
- Cool petroleum, 7 Harbor Street. Tel.: 993-3353.
- Cool petroleum, 6 Allan Avenue. Tel.: 993-2744.
- Petcom, Bryan's Bay. Tel.: 993-2856.
- Esso Service Center, 35 West Street. Tel.: 715-6822.
Tourist Attractions
- Fort George. Fort George is on the very tip of the Titchfield Peninsula. It was built in 1723–1729 and has 3 m thick walls. Some of the original 21 cannons are still in their original position. The powder magazine shows the best of Jamaican architecture. Today there is a school on the site, but the fort is freely accessible.
- Fort George also has a beautiful view of the 25 hectare offshore island Navy Island. The English navy used the island in the 18th century, and from 1946 it was privately owned by the American actor Erroll Flynn for years. The Errol Flynn Memorial Room in the Admiralty Club houses personal items, original drawings and photos of the movie star. His films are shown on Tuesdays. On the island there is now a restaurant, beach bar and a sailing port. Island Water Taxi, motorboat to Navy Island: US $ 3, children half. Traffic is currently closed and the island is inaccessible.
- There is a on the eastern side of the harbor lighthouse from 1888. The 15 m high brick tower has an upper gallery with a beacon. It is visible 21 km at night. The tower is locked, but the area is accessible.
- The remains of a large building can be found within sight of the lighthouse. Folly Estate was built in 1905 by order of Alfred Mitchell for his wife, from the New York jewelery family Tiffany, with whom he lived there until his death in 1912. The roof collapsed as early as 1938 - according to legend, the cement was mixed with seawater.
- Christ Church, Bridge Street. This 1840 Anglican church was recently renovated. The organ inside was built by the English company Walker & Son in 1909.
- Bonnie View Hotel. Currently closed, but you can go up. From the hotel parking lot you have a wonderful view over the harbor.
- Trident Castle. Construction of this castle began in 1979 at Pegg Point, 6½ km east of Port Antonio. The client was a member of the German von Habsburg family. It was designed and built by the architect Earl Levy. It took around ten years for it to be finally completed. The fabric of the building was so excellent that it survived the severe hurricane “Gilbert” without any damage. The house with many towers, battlements and a huge flight of steps has a ballroom, a banquet hall, two living rooms, eight bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, a pool, a chapel and of course a helicopter landing pad. The whole facility can be rented for events.
activities
fishing
- Jamaica Deep Sea Adventures. Tel.: 909-9552.
- Bonita II, Port Antonio Marina. Tel.: 993-3086. Price: Prices: half day US $ 275, full day US $ 550.
Fitness center
- Body Flex Total, 2-A Harper Lane. Tel.: 715-4892.
Marinas
- Port Antonio Marina, Ken Wright Drive. Tel.: 993-3209.
- Westrec Marina & Boat Yard. Tel.: 715-6044. 50 berths, souvenir shop, bar, restaurant, toilets, washroom, 24-hour immigration and customs formalities.
Diving
shop
Along the main street of Port Antonio, that is West Street to the clock tower and then Harbor Street, you will find a number of small shops. There is also the in a radius of a little more than 100 meters from the center Musgrave Market (it should be rebuilt in the same place), the City Center Plaza on Harbor Street, the imposing building of the Village of St. George at the beginning of Fort George Street and the West Harbor Plaza, Number 22, West Street. The eye-catching Village of St. George only has a few shops on the lower floor, but also a restaurant with German owners.
kitchen
- Anna Banana Restaurant, Allan Avenue. Tel.: 993-2835. Sports bar & grill.Open: Opening times: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Barracudas Restaurant & Lounge, 1 Bridge Street. Tel.: 715-6111.
- Chenel's Pizza Pub, 26 West Street. Tel.: 993-2152.
- Crazy Jim Ice Cream, 9 West Palm Avenue. Tel.: 993-2153.
- Green Palm Restaurant & Bar, 19 1/2, West Palm Avenue. Tel.: 715-4482.
- Kentucky Fried Chicken, 22 West Street. Tel.: 715-5356.
- Norma's at the Marina, Ken Wright Pier, Port Antonio Marina. Tel.: 993-9510. International, expensive.
nightlife
- Club LaBest, West Street across from Musgrave Market.
- Roof Club, 11 West Street. Open: Opening times: Tue - Sun.Price: US $ 5 admission at the weekend.
accommodation
Accommodation in Port Antonio
- Ivanhoe's Guest House, 9 Queen Street, East Harbor. Tel.: 993-3043, Fax: 993-9350. 12 rooms, contact: Noel Burke.Price: Prices: DR 30-65 US $; Breakfast, 8-11 a.m., US $ 5; Dinner, 6-7pm, US $ 8.
- Jamaica Heights Resort, Spring Bank Road. Tel.: 993-3305, Fax: 993-3563. 6 rooms 2 studios, restaurant, bar, pool. Owner: Helmut Steiner, speaks German.Price: Prices: DR 75-125 US $, Cottage 175 US $. Breakfast, US $ 12.50; Dinner, US $ 18-28.
- Ocean Crest Guest House, 7 Queen Street. Tel.: 993-4024. 6 rooms.Price: Prices: DR 35-60 US $ for bed and breakfast.
Accommodation in the Port Antonio area
- Dragon Bay Beach Resort, Dragon Bay, Zion Hill. Tel.: 993-8514, Fax: 993-8971. 107 rooms, is currently closed.Characteristic: ★★★★.
- Trident Villas & Hotel, Anchovy Point. Tel.: 993-2602, Fax: 993-2960. 11 rooms and 15 villa suites. Is closed for major renovations, partial renewals and expansion.Characteristic: ★★★★★.
- Bay View Villas, Turtle Crawle Bay, Anchovy. Tel.: 993-3118, Fax: 715-5779. 21 suites in 3 villas, restaurant, bar, pool, child-friendly, 30 hectares of coconut plantation. It is owned by Caribic Vacations, Montego Bay.Price: Summer prices: single / double room US $ 126; in winter on request.
- Faith Cottages, Dolphin Cove. Tel.: 993-3703. 9 rooms, pool. Location: near the Trident Hotel, 500 m from the sea.Price: Prices: DR 75 US $ for bed and breakfast, plus 10% service.
- Fern Hill Club, Mile Gully Road, San San. Tel.: 993-7374-75, Fax: 993-7373. 30 rooms, suites and villas, restaurant, bar, 3 pools, tennis, gym, horse riding, beach; Location: 8 km from Port Antonio and 1½ km from the sea.Price: Prices in summer: single / double 80 US $, suite 115 US $, villa 147-265 US $.
- Frenchman's Cove, Frenchman's Cove, Drapers. Tel.: 993-7270, Fax: 993-7404. 10 rooms, 2 suites 18 villas, restaurant, bar, beach, water sports. Location: former manor house with 20 hectares of land.Characteristic: ★★★★.
- Goblin Hill Villas, San San Estates. Tel.: 925-8108, 925-7896, Fax: 925-6248. 20 villas, pool, 2 floodlit tennis courts, 5 hectares of gardens. Location: 8 km from Port Antonio and 500 m from the beach.Price: Summer prices: Villa for 2 people US $ 135-195; in winter: Villa for 2 people US $ 155-215. Rental prices plus 8.25% tax.
- Jamaica Crest, Fairy Hill. Tel.: 993-8400, Fax: 993-8432. 50 room suites, 9 villas, 2 restaurants, pool, fitness center, tennis court, Christian-run hotel, no alcohol! Location 11 km from Port Antonio.Price: Prices villa rooms US $ 150, villa suites US $ 150-190, tower rooms US $ 180-260.
- Jamaica Palace, Turtle Crawl Bay, Drapers. Tel.: 993-7720-21, 993-7331-32, Fax: 993-7759. 24 rooms 55 suites, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, pool, souvenir shop. Location: 4 km outside of Port Antonio.Characteristic: ★★★★.Price: Prices in summer: double room 150-170 US $, suite 190-300 US $; in winter: double room US $ 170-190, suite US $ 210-320. The hotel can be booked in Germany through TUI Reisen, double rooms with breakfast for € 175.
- Mocking Bird Hill, Mocking Bird Hill, Drapers. Tel.: 993-7267, Fax: 993-7133. 10 rooms, restaurant, bar, pool. Location: 15 minutes by car from Port Antonio and 3 km from the beach.Characteristic: ★★★.Price: Prices: Single / Double 130-150 US $. The hotel can be booked in Germany through TUI Reisen, double rooms with breakfast for € 140.
- Rio Vista Resort Villas, St. Margaret's Bay. Tel.: 993-5444, Fax: 993-5445. Rooms, studios, villas, restaurant, pool, 4 ha garden, location: 6½ km outside of Port Antonio. Contact: Henry Miller, Snow Hill.Price: Prices for bed and breakfast in summer: double room 65-95 US $, studio 105-175 US $, villa from 135 US $; in winter: double room 75-105 US $, studio 115-185 US $, villa from 155 US $, payment by credit card 5% fee, plus 10% service in the restaurant / bar.
- River Lodge, Strawberry Fields, Robins Bay. Tel.: 995-3003, Fax: 995-3003. Rooms and 2 cottages, River Lodge Info Germany: Waldtraud Fuchslocher, Grünbauer Str. 28, 81479 Munich, Tel. / Fax 089-999797. Restaurant, bar, they speak German, location: in a fort from the 17th century.Price: Prices: Single 45 US $, Double 70 US $, Cottage 80-100 US $.
- San San Tropez, Main Road, San San. Tel.: 993-7213, Mobile: 999-0305, Fax: 993-7399. Restaurant.Price: Prices in winter: DR 68-102 US $, bed and breakfast, including taxes, min. 7 nights.
health
doctors
- Port Antonio Public Hospital, Nuttall Road, Taylor's Hill. Tel.: 993-2646-48, 715-5778. 24-hour emergency service.
- Portland Health Department, Fairy Hill. Tel.: 993-8312.
optician
dentists
- Douglas Dental Lab, 1 Harbor Street. Tel.: 993-2151.
- Dental clinic, Port Antonio Dental Clinic. Tel.: 993-2605.
Pharmacies
- A&E Pharmacy, 3 West Street, Market Square. Tel.: 993-9348.
- City Plaza Pharmacy, City Center Plaza. Tel.: 993-2620, Fax: 993-3509. Open: Opening times: Mon, Fri, Sat 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Tue - Thu 8 a.m. - 6.30 p.m.
- Square Deal Gift Center & Pharmacy, 11 West Street. Tel.: 993-3629.
- Ytecaves Pharmacy, 38 West Street. Tel.: 993-3364.
Practical advice
Banks
- Scotiabank, Braham's Taxaco gas station at 15 Harbor Street. ATM.
police
miscellaneous
- Post office, Main Road, Drapers. Open: Opening times: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
trips
Excursions to the west of Port Antonio
- Somerset Falls, next to the main road, Hope Bay. Mobile: 383-6970. 3 km outside Hope Bay. Located on the Daniels River, the facility is around 16 km from Port Antonio. It offers a small botanical garden, a fish farm, souvenir shop, restaurant with bar and room rental. There is a small waterfall.Open: Opening times: daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.Price: Admission: Adults US $ 8, children US $ 4.
- Rio Grande rafting, Rafter´s Rest, St. Margaret´s Bay. Tel.: 993-5778, 913-5434. The Rio Grande flows into the sea around 8 km west of Port Antonio. There you will find a restaurant, bar, souvenir shop. Here rafting in Jamaica was "discovered" by the actor Errol Flynn. The way to the Rafters Village at St. Margaret's Bay is signposted. From there you will be driven inland or the rental car back to the Rafters Village. The Rio Grande has the longest stretch of rafts on the island. At Berrydale, 7 km as the crow flies from Rafter's Rest, the 13 km long raft trip begins and ends at St. Margret's Bay, where the river flows into the Caribbean Sea. On the way you can buy something to eat and drink as you drive past.Open: Opening times: daily 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.Price: Fare for 2½ to 3 hours: US $ 60 per raft for two people.
Excursions in the south of Port Antonio
- Athenry Gardens and Nonsuch Cave caves. Tel.: 993-3740. This stalactite cave is located around 8 km southeast of Port Antonio. It can be reached via Red Hassell Road, which leads to Nonsuch. This road can only be used with normal cars in good weather conditions. In the cave you can see petrified marine animals, shells and fossils. Nearby is the Athenry garden with a restaurant.Open: Opening times: daily 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Price: A visit to the stalactite caves costs around US $ 4.
- Drive into the Blue Mountains to Moore Town, 15 km - same way back. Moore Town is a settlement of the "Maroons" there is the grave of "Nanny of the Maroons" one of the national heroes of Jamaica. Slaves released and run away by the Spaniards withdrew to the inaccessible areas of the Blue Mountain Mountains and to the Cockpit Country in the west of the island. For decades they fought the British island conquerors. It wasn't until 1739 that there was a treaty of freedom signed by Cudjoe, Nanny's brother, for the Maroons. This guarantees the Maroons land ownership to this day, their own language Kromanti (closely related to Asante Twi in Ghana), tax exemption and its own jurisdiction. The Maroon Settlements are administered by an elected Colonel, currently Colonel Sterling in Moore Town. He replaced Colonel C. L. G. Harris, who had held the post since 1964 and who enjoyed an excellent reputation in Jamaica. Moore Town is under special protection by UNESCO.
Excursions to the east of Port Antonio
- Reach Falls. Waterfalls, 38 km east of Port Antonio. On the main road behind the Manchioneal Police Station and in front of the bridge over the Driver's River, turn right and drive inland on a bad road about 3 miles or 5 km until the road forks. From there you have to follow the path and the sound of the water on foot. The Reach waterfall is a natural arrangement of several successive cascades that flow into natural mini lakes. The main pool is deep enough to jump in from above. From the large boulder it goes down about 8 m. 800 m above the waterfalls is the 400 m deep Mandingo Cave with a whirlpool in the middle. Unfortunately there is no infrastructure.
- Blue Lagoon, Fairy Hill. Deep bay with fresh water source, no sandy beach, restaurant. There is no beach there. If you want to swim, you can jump into the water from the terrace or the jetty of the restaurant. The restaurant is unfortunately closed due to inheritance disputes.
- Boston Beach. 15 km east of Port Antonio, narrow sandy bay with very strong waves, suitable for body surfing. The "jerk" food is said to have been invented on Boston Beach and that's where it still tastes best - say the locals.
- Frenchman's Cove. Hidden bay with fresh water source, hotel beach.Price: Admission for non-hotel guests: US $ 2.
- San San Beach, Fairy Hill. Tel.: 993-7300. A private beach on a hidden bay, hotel beach. This bay is now privately owned and is to become part of the new golf course.Open: Opening times: daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.Price: Admission: US $ 5.
- Winifred Beach, Fairy Hill. According to plans by the Urban Development Corporation, an ECO park is to be built there.
