Best places to visit for romance in Jamaica?

[Lucky Lulu]

We're planning a trip to Jamaica for our anniversary and I'd like to make it real romantic. We're both in our 50s so not looking for noisy nightclubs or similar.

Does anybody have any advice about places we could visit that would create the right kind of romantic atmosphere fitting for what could be called a second honeymoon?

My husband's always wanted to visit Jamaica but it's just never happened for one reason or another but now that we're going, I really want it to be memorable.

Anybody?

~Lucy~

[Shazza]

Lucy!

How marvellous that you've chosen Jamaica for your second honeymoon. How many years married?

I've visited Jamaica on several occassions, the last time to attend a friend's wedding. The ceremony took place at sunset and was just about the most romantic wedding I've ever attended. Have you thought about renewing your vows out there? That would make the whole thing really romantic and I'm sure it wouldn't cost much.

As to where you should go for romance in Jamaica, I suppose the answer is anywhere. The whole place is synonymous with romance! It also depends on where on Jamaica you're going to be staying because the island isn't that small.

One place I'd defnitely recommend, if it's anywhere near where you're staying, is the restarant at the caves of Negril. They're about an hour and half from Montego Bay and although the restaurant is actually part of a resort, it's like nothing I'd ever experienced before and if I ever go back to Jamaica (fingers crossed) I'd definitely dine there again. It's actually inside a romantic grotto that's lit by hundreds of candles. If that isn't romantic, what is?

Perhaps you could let us know where you'll be staying - I'm sure you'll get more response that way.

Shazza

PS: When will you be going?

[Jimbo]

I have to concur with Shazza; the whole island is one gigantic lovers paradise. It really depends on what kind of mood you want; intimate special moment; hellbent lust; Hallmark memories etc.

For that intimate special moment, I suggest a cruise on the Rio Grande, culminating in a trip through 'Lover's Lane,' an Errol Flynn specialty. This is on the north shore just a few kilometers from Port Antonio.

If it's hellbent lust you're after, try the Reggae Sunsplash Festival every June or July in Kingston; an entire week of top rated reggae performers, extended bar hours, and incredible Irie Woodstock party atmosphere that won't stop. If that doesn't put you in the mood, nothing will.

For that special Hallmark memory, if you can afford it, try renting a cabana for youselves in either Ocho Rios, Negril or Port Antonio, that comes complete with cook and maid services; it's a slice of luxury that's worth every penny and will make you feel like Island Royalty. Fair warning, this particular mood isn't economical, but if money is no object, then you will not regret the expense.

If you can only do the regular tourist thing in either Montego Bay or similar, never fear. Save enough for one night out on the town; fine restaurant with dancing, champagne and a moonlight stroll on the beach, and you can have it all just like Romeo and Juliet in dreads and beads.

Me say onnu c'yan lose yuh know. Irie.

[Lucky Lulu]

Thanks for that, both of you!

Shazza - 25 years! Our silver. This is my second marriage but one I haven't regretted for a single day!

I quite fancy the cave. I looked it up on the www and wow! Yes please!

Jimbo, you seem to know the island well. Are you Jamaican by any chance?

I'm not sure hellbent lust is quite what we're after - although if I'd been 10 years younger and not had quite as many aches and pains! - but the Rio Grande.... Mmm... now you're talking!

I'm really getting excited about this trip now. Two more months and we'll be whopping it up in the Caribbean. I can hardly believe it!

~Lucy~

[Shazza]

You're really one of the lucky ones who can say you haven't regretted a day, aren't you? That's really wonderful and you both obviously deserve the holiday of a lifetime!

Shazza

[Lucky Lulu]

Sorry for being so late with my reply Shazza but I've been in Jamaica having a wonderful anniversary!

We were quite a way from the Caves of Negril but went there anyway as my husband had also seen the website (I made sure of that) and wanted to try it. I have to say it was absolutely stunning! What a fabulous place! And the food! Outstanding! Nice, friendly staff too. I really can't fault the place at all.

But then the whole holiday was one wonderful experience after another. Never having been to the Caribbean before, I'm sure you can imagine just how bowled over we were with all the new impressions. The smells, the sounds, the colors, the food, the people - everything!

The only down side was the amount of "traders" on the beach. We weren't given much peace at all because as soon as we got comfortable, along would come somebody wanting to sell us something and they're really pushy. At once point I tried to pretend I was asleep (I was resting after all) but he actually started to shake my arm to wake me! How rude! The beaches are policed because these traders are illegal as far as I've understood but the beach security people aren't around all the time and the traders take advantage of that. I ended up buying several strings of beads and other other unwanted items just to be able to get rid of them.

Still, no place is perfect and there's so much "good" on the island that we decided to accept that the beach isn't the relaxing place you imagine it to be and will be going back again some day.

~Lucy~

[TaniaT]

Wow Lucy - it sounds like you had a wonderful time!! We visited Jamaica on our honeymoon cruise, and boy, it is a beautiful place. I'd love to go back for one of our anniversaries and spend more time there. I've never seen more beautiful water.

When we were there, we ocean kayaked along the shore over to Dunns River Falls. The falls are the big tourist attraction there - everyone climbs up them - but it was a really neat experience. And I thought the ocean kayaking was actually romantic! It was just us in our little boat cruising along that beautiful coast. And we got to stop a visit a lovely, secluded beach along the way... Ah, I'm ready to go back now!

Anyway, glad to hear you enjoyed yourselves!

TaniaT

[Shazza]

I'm so glad you liked the caves, Lucy.

It sounds as though you had a whale of a time, no doubt just what the doctor ordered :)

Like Tania, I'm ready to go back there now, too! All this talk of lovely places make the feet start itching, doesn't it?

Shazza

[baileym1]

We stayed at a place called The Enchanted Gardens in Ocho Rios. It was extremely romantic. It used to be an old botanical gardens turned resort with an avairy, natural waterfalls, etc.

[southboca]

So much of what you do will be determined by where you stay. If you are relatively fit, staying near Negril, and in search of a quieter version of Dunns Falls, you are in luck. (Boy, that's a lot of ifs!) Mayfield Falls is in the Dolphin Head Mountains. It has more than 20 waterfalls, some natural whirlpools, and swimming holes. My guess is that you'll probably want to take a pass on the swim through an underwater cave and diving off cliffs. :rolleyes: Instead, you can relax together in the shade surrounded by peacocks, colorful tropical flowers, and the lazy Mayfield River.