Jamaica Guide
The Blue Mountains and Portland
Towering behind Kingston, the Blue Mountains, named after the mists that colour them from a distance, are an unbroken, undulating spine across Jamaica's easternmost parishes. At 28 miles, they form one of the longest continuous ranges in the Caribbean, and their cool, fragrant woodlands dotted with coffee plantations, offer some of the best hiking on the island. The most popular hike is to Blue Mountain Peak – 7402ft, the highest point in Jamaica – but there are dozens of other trekking possibilities, such as the marked trails within the gorgeous Holywell Recreational Park. Otherwise, coffee is the chief interest here, and you can visit several of the estates producing some of the most expensive – and delicious – beans on earth.
On the other side of the Blue Mountains (here officially known as the John Crow range), the northeastern parish of Portland is justifiably touted as one of the most beautiful parts of Jamaica, with jungle-smothered hillsides cascading down to a postcard-perfect Caribbean shoreline. If you stay in the parish capital of Port Antonio, you'll be close to the lovely Reach waterfalls and fabulous swimming at the magical Blue Lagoon.