by Tansy Quesada

Created on: August 21, 2008   Last Updated: August 24, 2008

An hour's drive from Montego Bay International Airport lies a tropical oasis replete with plenty of sun, miles of endless beaches and refreshing natural waterfalls, such as the Y.S Falls. The beauty of the South Coast has been painstakingly preserved in a pristine and rich landscape with the sparkling blue waters as the luscious backdrop. A vast multitude of quaint hotels, charming B&B's, villas and resorts dot the coastline and offer unique accommodations and entertainment.

Several towns make up the South Coast. The first is Black River, which boasts a 44 mile long beach, the longest in the country. Mandeville is safely tucked away in the mountains some 2,000 miles above sea level and it also is home to the Manchester Golf Club and Course. Treasure Beach is wonderfully well-kept secret in Jamaica. It is a small fishing village and has one grocery store. If it is privacy you crave in the Island's tropical paradise, then this is the place for you to escape from it all. Take in and enjoy to the fullest, the dark, warm sand and idyllic waves, perfect for any avid surfer's and beachcomber's fantasies. Soak up some rays in quiet style in a gorgeous setting.

Enjoy exquisite and world class food prepared in the original and typical Jamaican style. The popular spicy and kicked up cuisine of Jamaican jerk chicken is well worth the trip in itself some claim. With a vast array of tropical fruit and fresh and decadent treasures from the ocean, enjoy the catch of the day in any fine dining establishment. Jamaican's tasty one of a kind recipe is sure to tickle and please your taste buds. Just remember, some dishes tend to be on the spicy side.

If it's adventure you're looking for, dive in the region's local hotspots, the largest wetland in Black River is home to an abundance of crocodiles and other exotic bird and animal species. The dense and lush foliage and vegetation in the area is a botanists dream. Also in the Cashoo Ostrich Park you will be among some fair-feathered friends, the ostrich, the world's fastest and funniest looking bird. Worth putting on your to check out list as well is the Gouries Underground Caves, which features twelve long miles of caverns to be explored.

There is so much more to Jamaica's South Coast than first meets the eye. It is a tiny bit off the beaten path, but well worth your time if you're looking for something extraordinary.
It's a hidden diamond in the rough, waiting to be discovered.

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