The place is home to over a hundred thousand people of varied descent and nationalities. Some estimates put about 40 nationalities making up the Arubans. Almost all the important languages of the world are spoken and understood here, however Dutch is the official language along with the native Papiamento, an eclectic mix of mostly European languages. The culture of the people is tourism and by nature they are hospitable, friendly, helpful and soft spoken.
The history of Aruba dates back to about 2000 years BC, when South Americans landed here in small vessels. The history of Arawak Indians can be seen in the artifacts of the era in various Aruban Museums. The Spanish were the first Europeans to land in Aruba in 1499. The island went into the Dutch hands and later had a brief British colonial period. The nation then reverted to Dutch control till their independence.
Aruba, the proverbial Happy Island, is located just 15 miles from Venezuelan coast in the midst of the Caribbean nations. The small island nation measures just about a score miles long and half a dozen miles wide. The unmistakably white sandy beaches and the clear azure sea add loads of charm to Aruba. The rugged and wild Northeast, the calm and quite South and the desert like main land with mostly dry summers all the year round make this place a sunny retreat for any season and reason.
Port Antonio offers the whole gamut of accommodations; private villas, luxury hotels and guest houses. The hotels have been built with nature but the best stay would be in private villas. You can choose from one to four bedroom villas depending on your budget. Then there are inns, holiday homes and guest houses for small groups, especially students.
The wild nature of Port Antonio offers more in the form of beaches at San San, Boston, Winnifred and the surfing beach of Long Bay. The Nanny, Scatter, Reich and White river falls invite you for a misty experience; the Non Such and Foxes caves would be fun for the whole family. The Marine Park would give you close encounters with the marine flora and fauna.
The Portland Ecotourism Art Community Endeavour (PEACE), a voluntary organization has tie-ups with tour companies like Grand Valley Tours for promoting ecotourism in the region. The partnership promotes sustainable development of the area and caters to the niche travelers who are interested in outdoors and fond of living with nature, some may say roughing it out in the wild.
There are numerous activities to connect with Mother Nature; the bamboo boat rides, snorkeling and scuba diving, fishing with the fishing communities or even swimming in the azure sea with exotic marine life. The Blue Mountains offer horse back rides on the mountain slopes and rain-forest hikes in virgin forests. The Maroon doctors would prepare special herbal medicine, based on centuries old formulas. The bush bath would rejuvenate you day in and day out. You can also learn a few tribal vocations like carving, wicker basket weaving or paper making in one of the workshops. The endless saga would culminate with community night in a village with local cuisine, music, the beat of traditional drumming and dancing.
The town has myriad number of things that you can do to connect with nature. The wild country, lonely pristine beaches, the fishing villages, the valley of Rio Grande and the slopes of Blue Mountains invite you into the lap of unblemished nature. The place is also called the Heart and Soul Retreat of Jamaica.
The town of Port Antonio was took formal birth in the year 1685 after the English captured Jamaica. The town has a place in the history of Jamaica; the history of rebellion, the story of freedom began with the Maroon Communities rebelling against the harsh practice of slavery. The British who imported slaves of the Ashanti tribe were forced to abolish slavery in the mid 1800s. The Windward Maroon communities even today celebrate the cherished memories of the uprising and the struggle for freedom in festivals and ceremonies. Queen Nanny, the fabled heroine and warrior is remembered for her valor and courage.
Port Antonio, the beautiful virgin green, in the foothills of Blue Mountain is located mere two hours drive from the capital city Kingston. The place located in the plain of Rio Grande, in the northeast of Jamaica is untouched by defiling modernity. The placid and serene surroundings would be a balm to frayed nerves and tired sinews. The natural beauty of the place is the inspiration of many artists, thinkers and writers.
The other prominent places to visit are the St Catherine Parish Church, Rodney’s Memorial, the Spanish Town Cast Iron Bridge and People’s Museum of Craft and Technology. The Parish Church was built in the early 1500 as a Roman Catholic Church. The Church was destroyed a century later to be rebuilt in early 1700. It is famous for an old pipe organ and stained glass windows. The Rodney’s Memorial depicts him as a Roman Emperor with a gun on either side. The cast iron bridge over the river Rio Cobre was built in 1801 and is being used by pedestrians even today, an example of fine metal work of the age.
The Spanish Town is known for its rich heritage and one can easily see all the epochs at one single place, the People’s Museum of Craft and Technology. The relics from the past, including those of the slave era, can be seen on display here. The Georgian Antique Square would let you drool over those exquisite pieces fit for Sotheby’s auction. The Spanish town is not all antique and history. The town boasts the finest 18 hole golf course of Jamaica in Caymanas Golf & Country Club just about six miles from the town. Spanish Town, a place where the antiquity hobnobs with modernity, beckons you to take a sip of its offerings.