Runaway Bay

Runaway Bay is located 20 miles west of Ocho Rios, and is a little over an hours drive from Montego Bay. It is located in St. Annes near the spot where Christopher Columbus first discovered the island. From here, you can take a day trip to Dunn's River Falls, or stay at one of the many resorts located on the bay. Jamaica is the third largest Caribbean island, and can provide both a stimulating and tranquil vacation. Its traditions of reggae, rastafarianism, and Jamaican art mingle with modern all-inclusive resorts, fine cuisine, and cosmopolitan shopping to make Jamaica an attractive destination to all sorts of visitors. The natural beauty of the island also offers endless entertainment -- don't miss the many amazing rivers, waterfalls, rainforests, coral reefs and sandy white beaches!

This laid-back town sits on Jamaica's northern coast, where waterfalls tumble down cliffs and azure waters lap white-sand shores. It is developing into a popular tourist area. Just south of Runaway Bay, guided tours explore the expansive limestone Runaway Caves -- a highlight is the boat ride across Green Grotto, a subterranean lake that lies 120 feet below the surface. Once a mere satellite of Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay has become a destination in its own right, with white-sand beaches that are much less crowded than those in Ocho Rios.

Since you're so far removed from the action such as it is in Ocho Rios, you stay at Runaway Bay mainly if you're interested in hanging out at a particular resort. It is especially recommended for those who want to escape from the hordes descending on Ocho Rios, where cruise-ship crowds and aggressive vendors can intrude on your solitude.

This part of Jamaica's north coast has several distinctions: It was the first part of the island seen by Columbus, the site of the first Spanish settlement on the island, and the point of departure of the last Spaniards leaving Jamaica following their defeat by the British.

There are two major international airports on the island: Kingston's Norman Manley Airport (KIN) in the southeast and Sangster Airport in Montego Bay (MBJ) on the northwest coast. Montego Bay is the most convenient airport to the tourist destinations of Negril, Runaway Bay, Ocho Rios, and Trelawny. They are served by American Airlines, Air Jamaica, Continental Airlines, BWIA, Northwest Airlines, Air Canada, and US Airways coming from North America. A departure tax of $27 US will be collected at the airport at the time of departure.