Jamaica South Coast

The quiet side of Jamaica offers numerous natural attractions and wildlife refuges, including those for the rare, protected manatee as well as crocodiles. Boat trips are taken at Black River, Jamaica's longest, to a freshwater swamp filled with herons and snowy egrets. Birdwatchers and hikers can visit Marshall's Pen, a 300ac/120ha cattle farm with gardens and a renowned bird sanctuary.

Mandeville can be visited, a breezy hill town with a distinctly British feel. The main road between Mandeville and Black River passes through Bamboo Avenue, a translucent green tunnel formed by century-old bamboo groves.