Port Antonio, Jamaica

Our trip to Jamaica was rather atypical in that we didn't stay in a 5-star all-inclusive resort amongst hordes of tourists on spring break. Instead, as I was planning our trip and deciding where to stay, I stumbled across Great Huts, a "resort" that offers eco-friendly huts (yes, huts) with outdoor showers (and yes, outdoors!). After reading raving reviews on TripAdvisor we decided to give it a try. Great Huts is located in Port Antonio, a 3-hour drive from Kingston. The long drive may sound daunting but I feel the experience of going off the beaten path was certainly worth it. Highly recommended for those seeking an unique, rugged experience. 

Upon arrival, we were pleasantly surprised by the African-inspired decor throughout the lobby. 

There is also a mini "farm" on the property that contained all sorts of small animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, roosters, and an assortment of parrots.

We stayed in a bamboo hut our first night, though we ended up having to switch rooms the next day after a rough first night. There was some loud music playing outside the resort that we could hear from our hut, and there was also an annoying rooster that woke me up consistently throughout the night since the hut was RIGHT next to the aforementioned farm. I was pretty tempted to slaughter the rooster the next morning and eat it for breakfast, but I refrained. Needless to say, it was basically impossible to get a good night's rest. 

It was the cutest little looking hut though, isn't it?!

Complete with mosquito netting

Fortunately, after complaining to the hotel staff the next morning, we were able to switch to a larger room (without extra charge) that was farther away from the farm for the remainder of our stay. Hooray, who doesn't love exceptional customer service?!

Our new room had a private outdoor shower and sink area!  Though I think after a few days of this I longed to return to more pampered living conditions. Sometimes one can only handle a certain amount of lizard-encounters in the shower and giant bugs crawling in the sink ;) This was unforgettable though and I'm glad we did this.

Private outdoor shower

Lizard friend in the shower

Right outside of Great Huts was a jerk centre, which was supposedly the biggest jerk center in the country. I wasn't exactly blown away by the jerk. There actually is a jerk restaurant in Menlo Park, CA near where I live that I thought was better.

Some things to do around Port Antonio include: Reich (Reach) Falls, Somerset Falls, Frenchman's Cove, Blue Lagoon, and bamboo rafting on the Rio Grande. 

Swimming at Reach Falls

Swinging on a rope at Somerset Falls

Rafting on Rio Grande

Tips

• Blue Lagoon is supposed to be a public area. But there are scammers trying to convince you to pay them an "admission fee" for staying there. If you decide to visit, try not to talk to anybody and certainly do NOT give them any money. If you have a "good" taxi driver, hopefully they will warn you of this.
• Wear bug spray. LOTS of it.