TRAVEL POINTERS Flying time London to Montego Bay is approximately 10 hours non-stop . Virgin Atlantic has direct flights from London Gatwick to Montego Bay and to Kingston . British Airways has direct flights from London Gatwick to Kingston .
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS Red Stripe is the local beer and Appleton Estate produces Jamaica ’ s most famous rum . The doctor bird is native to Jamaica and one of the most outstanding species of hummingbird . Jerk is a Jamaican way of cooking seasoned meats over a wood fire set in the ground , and ackee and saltfish , once the staple diet of the plantation slaves , are now a Jamaican national dish . Blue Mountain coffee at the end of your meals is not to be missed . Rose Hall Great House is an imposing Georgian mansion near Montego Bay . Ricks Bar in Negril - great for sunsets and waiting for the legendary ‘ green flash ’ whilst sipping a Planters Punch .
GETTING OUT AND ABOUT For short distances or dining out , use a taxi . It ’ s well worth hiring a car for at least part of your stay to have independence and flexibility . There are numerous places of interest throughout the island , without your ever having to go into Kingston if you don ’ t want to venture into the capital . Appleton Sugar Estate , Rockland Bird Sanctuary , Belvedere Plantation , Rose Hall Great House and Greenwood Great House are all near Montego Bay . Ocho Rios is a major centre for tourism with some of the island ’ s best beaches and numerous waterfalls , gardens and plantations nearby to visit ( eg Dunn ’ s River Falls , Prospect Plantation and Harmony Hall ). One famous place of interest is Firefly , Noel Coward ’ s house set at 1,000 ft and enjoying one of the finest views in the Caribbean . Port Antonio is a beautiful old town in an extraordinary setting .
FACTUAL INFORMATION Capital : Kingston . Airports : Montego Bay and Kingston . Size of the island : 146 miles by 51 miles . Population : About 3 million . Average temperature : 27 degrees Centigrade on the coast ( much lower in the mountains in the winter months ).
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