Jamaica's first tourists arrived in the late 1800s by banana boat, the result of a brainstorm by New England sea captain Lorenzo Down Baker, who fell in love with this mountainous island of delights. By the turn of the century banana exports had grown and Jamaica had become one of the trendiest vacation spots in the world. Today most tourists arrive by jet and cruise ship. In all, 1.3 million tourists -arrive each year to experience Jamaica's watersports, mountain vistas, night life and duty-free shopping. At 4,411 square miles, it is the third-largest island in the Caribbean after Cuba and Hispaniola. Geographically, it is a cornucopia of scenic wonders. Miles of soft sand beaches and lush greenery line the coasts, and high mountains loom inland. Overall, the terrain is very mountainous, with half of the land -rising above 1,000 feet. The highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, soars to 7,402 feet. - higher than any other peak in the eastern half of North America. Hundreds of wild rivers and plunging waterfalls crisscross the mountains and moisten the fertile valleys, which produce some of the world's best coffee, fruits, flowers and vegetables. The flatter southern coast can look like the African savanna or the Indian plains and has alternating black and white sand beaches as well as -mineral springs. Offshore reef tracts provide a bounty of dive and snorkeling sites. Many are a short swim from the beach. Wall dives predominate as Jamaica's north stretch of reef edges the Great Cayman Trench. A ledge of shallow reefs stretches around the island's perimeter. Depths range from extreme shallows to awesome depths. Based on the classic, Best Dives of the Caribbean, this guide zeroes in on the best dives of Jamaica. It includes the latest and best dive and snorkel sites, each rated for visual excellence and marine life. The author's knowledge of the Caribbean sites is unparalleled. From sunken planes and snorkel trails to blue holes, the best destinations beneath the waves are covered. Also included are places to stay and eat, activities and practical information for visitors. "I have bought both editions of this book, mostly because the first edition got so dog-eared that I wanted a clean one for vacation last year. The book is a marvelous source of information for both the snorkeler and the diver. The authors divide the book into chapters on individual islands, starting out with a brief but interesting history of the island, a topographical description, relative location map, best time to go, weather, and proximity to other islands. They then rate the island's diving locations, awarding from 1 to 5 stars, and provide another larger map visually locating the sites. Each site is described in detail, with info on depth, sea life, currents, visibility, photo ops and difficulty level. As if that weren't enough, they include some (but not enough!) beautiful photos, and end each chapter with yet more info on dive operators (detailed), beaches, other activities, dining, accommodations (with rates, addresses and phone numbers), medical facilities, documentation requirements, currency, driving, local customs, departure taxes, etc. I've been exploring the Caribbean for almost a decade now; I take this compact book with me everywhere. My only complaint: I wish they covered more islands!" -- (Suziekew) "Best Dives of the Caribbean is packed full of dive-vacation planning information. It tells what time of year to go, the most popular dive sites with details on what to expect, depths, average sea conditions-- I get seasick if it's rough and prefer diving where the sites are ten minutes or less by boat, or better yet accessible from the beach. Indeed, some of the other one-destination guides are more suitable for the coffee table, but they don't tell me anything about the dive resorts, the $$ cost. I would not consider planning a dive-vacation to the Caribbean without consulting this gem of a travel guide." -- Amazon reviewer

Annotation Includes the latest and best dive and snorkel sites, each rated for visual excellence and marine life. The author's knowledge of the Caribbean sites is unparalleled. From sunken planes and snorkel trails to blue holes, the best destinations beneath the waves are covered. Covers Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, the US and British Virgin Islands, the Caymans, Curaȧo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Vincent I take this compact book with me everywhere. My only complaint: I wish they covered more islands! -- (Suziekew). The new, 2006, third edition of Best Dives of the Caribbean is packed full of dive-vacation planning information. It tells what time of year to go, the most popular dive sites with details on what to expect, depths, average sea conditions-- I get seasick if it's rough and prefer diving where the sites are ten minutes or less by boat, or better yet accessible from the beach. Inde.

Barbados, a tiny island just 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, offers remarkable contrasts, from its boulder-strewn northern coast to its serene Caribbean leeward coastline. Inland, hilly forests slope down to golden fields of sugarcane, corn, sweet potatoes, and yams. Stunning white sand beaches rim the island. The easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles, Barbados boasts a unique range of natural and historic attractions, from its exquisite plantation "Great Houses" to vast caves filled with prehistoric formations. Its quaint colonial capital, Bridgetown, surprises visitors with upscale shopping and gourmet dining. Despite 30 years of independence from Great Britain, Barbados still exudes a British atmosphere. A statue of Admiral Nelson graces Bridgetown's Trafalgar Square, and afternoon tea remains a custom for many hotels. Good diving and snorkeling exists off the southwestern shores. Gorgeous reefs flank the rocky east coast, but pounding seas and strong currents usually limit A-access to this area. Based on the classic, Best Dives of the Caribbean, this guide zeroes in on the best dives of Barbados. It includes the latest and best dive and snorkel sites, each rated for visual excellence and marine life. The author's knowledge of the Caribbean sites is unparalleled. From sunken planes and snorkel trails to blue holes, the best destinations beneath the waves are covered. Also included are places to stay and eat, activities and practical information for visitors. "I have bought both editions of this book, mostly because the first edition got so dog-eared that I wanted a clean one for vacation last year. The book is a marvelous source of information for both the snorkeler and the diver. The authors divide the book into chapters on individual islands, starting out with a brief but interesting history of the island, a topographical description, relative location map, best time to go, weather, and proximity to other islands. They then rate the island's diving locations, awarding from 1 to 5 stars, and provide another larger map visually locating the sites. Each site is described in detail, with info on depth, sea life, currents, visibility, photo ops and difficulty level. As if that weren't enough, they include some (but not enough!) beautiful photos, and end each chapter with yet more info on dive operators (detailed), beaches, other activities, dining, accommodations (with rates, addresses and phone numbers), medical facilities, documentation requirements, currency, driving, local customs, departure taxes, etc. I've been exploring the Caribbean for almost a decade now; I take this compact book with me everywhere. My only complaint: I wish they covered more islands!" -- (Suziekew). "The third edition of Best Dives of the Caribbean is packed full of dive-vacation planning information. It tells what time of year to go, the most popular dive sites with details on what to expect, depths, average sea conditions-- I get seasick if it's rough and prefer diving where the sites are ten minutes or less by boat, or better yet accessible from the beach. Indeed, some of the other one-destination guides are more suitable for the coffee table, but they don't tell me anything about the dive resorts, the $$ cost. I would not consider planning a dive-vacation to the Caribbean without consulting this gem of a travel guide. The dive resort write ups are detailed and give rates and package deals. Any, the author gives an email for additional questions." -- Janice Brink. Diver-friendly resorts and hotels are featured, along with many recommended outfitters for learning, improving and mastering your diving skills. A list of decompression chambers is given. Landlubbers will appreciate the sightseeing sections. Color photos enhance the text. Maps show dive site locations. a€œA must-have for divers, snorkelers, or those who just love to float in liquid turquoise.a€ -- Brenda Fine, Travel Editor, NY Law Journal

Sooner or later every saltwater angler and diver begins casting glances toward the far off horizons of the Caribbean.

Includes: Atlantic (Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Bermuda, Florida Keys); Caribbean (Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Curacao, United States Virgin Islands); Central America (Belize); South America (Brazil); Pacific (Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary, Santa Catalina, Galapagos, Hawaii).

This travel guide walks with the adventurous traveler to the heart of Jamaica, to the miles of sand beaches, to the rugged Blue Mountains, to the country villages that provide a peek at the real Jamaica. The authors focus on the adventures this popular Caribbean island has to offer: scuba diving along coral reefs, biking mountain trails, deep sea fishing, parasailing, windsurfing, horseback riding, and other adventures that range from mild to wild. Special sections include a look at Jamaica's Meet the People program, home visits, local nightspots, festivals, and more. Maps and photos enliven the down-to-earth text. [The authors] are known for their attention to details. Chicago Daily Herald. Print edition is 360 pages.

With an iconic style and a bestselling brand, this is the quintessential pocket-sized travel guide to Jamaica Plan your trip, plan perfect days and discover how to get around - this pocket-sized guide is a convenient, quick-reference companion to discovering fun and interesting things to do and see in Jamaica from top tourist attractions like Seven Mile Beach, the Blue Mountains, the Bob Marley Museum, Dunn's River Falls and Runaway Bay, to hidden gems, including the craft market in Negril, tiny Lime Cay and Prospect Plantation. - What to see: comprehensive coverage of the country's attractions, illustrated with striking photography - What to do: how to make the most of your leisure time, from local entertainment to the best activities and shopping - History and culture: giving you a deeper understanding of the country's heritage, people and contemporary life - Practical tips: where to stay, dining out and how to get around: reliable recommendations and expert travel advice - Dictionary: quick-reference bilingual language guide to help you with vocabulary on the ground - Covers: Montego Bay, Annotto Bay, Port Antonio and the East, Kingston, the Central Highlands and the South, Negril and the West. About Berlitz: Berlitz draws on years of travel and language expertise to bring you a wide range of travel and language products, including travel guides, maps, phrase books, language-learning courses, dictionaries and kids' language products.