Category: Caribbean

The Blue Hole, St. Ann and St. Mary, Jamaica

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The Blue Hole is a place hidden up in the mountains with waterfalls and natural swimming pools, on the border of the parishes of St. Ann and St. Mary, at about 25 minutes from the town of Ocho Rios, in Jamaica. You can find two sections; the main Blue Hole and the waterfall of about 20 feet in height. You will find a path going along the river and you can walk from one to another. You can jump into the Blue Hole or just walk around if you prefer; the only thing is that you must be very careful because the rocks could be very slippery. The best thing to do, specially if you are there for the first time, is to hire a guide, he could tell you where it is better to walk or jump. Remember you are in a place that isn’t too commercialized yet and there’s no first medical aid nearby if something happens to you. On the other hand, the good thing is that you are really visiting a place in nature.

Tips

The site is open form 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM.

You must pay the entrance (15,00U$) and provide some extra money for your guide’s tip. If you are going with a group of 10 people or more, you can negotiate the price of the entrance.

Don’t forget to bring your water shoes, your swimsuit, a towel and a waterproof camera.

If you feel adventurous, there is a Tarzan swing you can use to jump into the hole.

Try not to visit the place when the cruise ships are docked in Ocho Rios, you’ll be better when there are a few people visiting the place.

Varadero, Hicacos, Cuba

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Varadero is a tourist destination located on the Hicacos peninsula, on the north coast of Cuba, with a million visitors a year, reputed to have more than 20 km of white sandy beaches. It is 140km from The Havana. The peninsula has 1,200 meters at its widest point and is separated from the island of Cuba by the Kawama Channel, but a bascule bridge connects it to the island. Punta Hicacos, is the nearest point of the United States.

Tips

You will find all inclusive packages at any time even with discounts depending on the company or the chosen hotel. Compare quality-price. If you like natural areas, you have the reserve of Punta Hicacos. Here you will find caves like the Cueva de San Ambrosio with pre-Columbian murals, a lagoon, Laguna Mangon and desert beaches. There are also 23 dive sites. Visit the Casa Dupont reflecting the origins of Varadero in 1930. It belonged to Irenee Dupont de Nemours. Bring items you are used to, especially toilet items or medicine because you can’t still find all what you would like on the island. Take a day trip to The Havana it’s worth it, you’ll learn a lot of history of the island. If you like music you want, go out to discover the local groups with dance demonstrations. And if your desire is just to relax under the sun, nothing better than a delicious ‘mojito’ (sweet drink made with folded fresh mint, sparkling water, lemon juice and rum).

Moon Palace Jamaica, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

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Moon Palace Jamaica is an all-inclusive hotel located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The complex has three buildings, one for accommodations in very spacious rooms with a king bed, no balconies; another one especially for families and one last for those who have a time share. It’s a good resort, not too big, with activities for all ages including non-motorized water activities, a wave simulator and even water slides for kids. You will find several restaurants: Italian (one inside and one at the seaside), Asian, seafood and grilled meat, sushi, a pizza-salad-panini area and a bakery open 24 hours a day that offers different coffee and tea specialties, pastries and ice cream all the time, a corner on the beach to enjoy the famous jerk chicken, as well as an excellent buffet with a large selection of food and a poolside bar. The beach is not very big but there are sunbeds and umbrellas everywhere. The sea is very calm because the hotel is on a small bay. The complex also has a spa, a training room, a theater, a disco, a covered scenario for evening shows, meeting rooms, a souvenir shop, a tourist agency where you can book your excursions, a currency exchange office and a very romantic place to celebrate weddings. There’s wi-fi everywhere on the site and free calls to USA and Canada from your room.

Tips

If you want to know the city of Ocho Rios with its main street full of shops and the craft market, you can do it coming out of the hotel and walking to your right; it’s really very close. You can continue to the port where the big cruise ships stop and have a drink in one of so many bars, cafes or restaurants around. You will also find a supermarket where you can buy all the local products at a good price.

If you spend 5 nights or more in the complex, you will receive a very important hotel credit that you can exchange by taking advantage of various services offered on site: spa, excursions, romantic dinner on the waterfront, etc. Ask about it at the tourist agency located at the entrance of the hotel.

If you are traveling with children or teenagers, you will find dedicated areas exclusively for them with different activities offered.

If you want to swim with dolphins, you will find this activity on site at a very affordable price.