| If you're looking for a great travel bargain take a look | | | | Jamaica is Negril, which comes from the Spanish word |
| at all inclusive resorts Jamaica where food, drink, | | | | for black and refers to the black cliffs south of the |
| recreation, and tips are covered with one upfront price. | | | | village. Many travel magazines have rated Negril on |
| Jamaica is part of the Greater Antilles islands, a | | | | Jamaica's southwest coast as one of the world's ten |
| sovereign nation just 145 miles long and 50 miles wide. | | | | best beaches. Besides its beach resort, Negril also lies |
| The original inhabitants were Taino Indians who named | | | | in an area of great natural beauty. The Royal Palm |
| the island Xaymaca which means The Land of | | | | Reserve on the Negril River has protected wetlands |
| Springs. When Cristopher Columbus came in 1494 he | | | | which help in the formation of coral sand on the |
| found more than two hundred villages ruled by local | | | | beachfront. The Negril Marine Park with its varied coral |
| Taino chiefs and he promptly declared the island a | | | | reef ecosystems brings snorkelers and scuba divers |
| Spanish colony. | | | | from all over the world. The lighthouse on West End |
| The first Spanish settlement on Jamaica was called | | | | Road offers scenic vistas of the beach. Don't miss the |
| Sevilla, near St. Ann's Bay, but it had to be eventually | | | | watching the cliff jumpers and the spectacular sunsets. |
| abandoned in 1554 due to frequent pirate attacks. In | | | | Another great scuba diving and water sport destination |
| 1655 the English, led by Admiral William Penn ousted | | | | is Ocho Rios on Jamaica's northern coast. Ocho Rios |
| the Spanish, and made Jamaica a Crown Colony. | | | | was originally a fishing village but it has now become |
| Jamaica gained independence in 1962 where it remains | | | | the second most popular tourist destination in Jamaica. |
| a member of the British Commonwealth. During the | | | | It is located an hour and forty-five minutes' drive from |
| two centuries of British rule Jamaica became a largely | | | | the Montego Bay International Airport. Besides its |
| slave-populated producer of sugar for export. | | | | luxurious resorts, Ocho Rios hotels are located near |
| Eventually the black population of Jamaica came to | | | | the fabulous Dunn's River Falls where water cascades |
| outnumber the white population twenty to one. The | | | | down a 695 foot high drop into the sea. Visitors can |
| final emancipation of Jamaica's slaves was decreed in | | | | climb the falls, which is fed by springs in the hills |
| 1838. When the slave trade was abolished in 1807 the | | | | beyond. Another popular attraction is Dophin Cove |
| British brought Chinese and Indian indentured servants | | | | where visitors can swim and interact with live dolphins. |
| in order to augment the labor pool, and descendants of | | | | Besides the local entertainment scene, nearby |
| these Asian workers still live in Jamaica and have | | | | Margaritaville boasts lively night clubs and world-class |
| influenced the island's culture and cuisine. | | | | gourmet dining. |
| One of the most popular beach resort areas in | | | | |