In my first post on Jamaica, I discussed a luxury resort on Treasure Beach on the south side of the caribbean island. In contrast to the images of the island that it is famous for, the south offers a different look at this island paradise.
Unlike the built up north where tourism thrives and appears to be the main source of income, in the south industry seems to be non existent and the way of life is a lot more relaxed in that respect. To some extent this may be a more authentic look at the Jamaican way of life in contrast to the loud and fast lifestyle that is presented in the larger cities and resorts. Shops are local and the produce locally sourced, and there literally is no hustle on the beach but fishing and goats.
The vision of Jamaica you might imagine may be the white sandy beach and turquoise seas, and with its slightly rougher coast and darker sand, the south initially may seem like a poor alternative. Once you've soaked up the sun and rested in the silence of a entire beach to yourself, the advantages to a lack of tourism are quickly realised.
This photon the one below were taken in Ocho Rios and highlight the main difference in swapping the orientation of your visit. In the north, the beaches offer a main source of income for a large number of the local population and you will often be approached by folk offering a variety of services, and while they can initially be perceived as a nuisance, often some of those services are pretty useful if you'll give them the minute to explain, and if not most people are happy to accept a polite decline and will move on with their business.
Support your local beach vendor!!