There is a reason that the Bahamas have long been a favored vacation destination. There is just so much to do and so much to see, that no vacation ever seems long enough. To take it all in, you have to return again and again. While, of course, there are many wonderful beaches to on which to enjoy the classic attractions of sun, surf and sand, the Bahamas has much more than that to offer tourists. New Providence Island in the Bahamas is home to interesting zoos and aquariums that are favorites among tourists, especially those traveling with children.   

Ardastra Gardens and Zoo is located at Columbus Avenue and Chippingham Road in Nassau, on New Providence Island in the Bahamas. This is a remarkable place, with 335 animals and an incredible variety of lush, tropical plants pack into a space that covers about two acres of land. It is open every day, from 9am to 4:30pm, which is a good thing, as it will take the whole day to fully explore all that it has to offer. There is an admission fee of $12 for people aged 13 years and older, with a fee of $6 for children 12 years old and younger.

There are many fascinating animals to be seen, including quite a number of exotic creatures. There are tame boa constrictors, iguanas, many varieties of monkeys, including some from such far away places as Madagascar, a sloth, a margay, which is a rare wild cat found in Central America, and many more unusual animals. The species of birds found in this zoo include peacocks, the Pintail Bahama Duck, several species of parrots and conures, parakeets, pheasants, cockatoos, and an amazing flock of brilliantly pink performing Caribbean Flamingos.

For several decades, the zoo has featured performing flamingos. Watching the 38 graceful flamingos in synchronized marching drills is just amazing. They perform three times a day, at 10:30am, 2:10pm, and 4:10pm.

In addition to this collection of wildlife, drawn seemingly from every nook and cranny on the globe, there is a wide variety of plant life. There are paths featuring plaques that name the various types of plants. Among the plants to be seen are tropical vines, numerous species of shrubs, a wide range of trees, including varieties of mangos, bananas, sapodillas, breadfruit and cherries, sea grape, mahogany, crotons, frangipani, and cabbage palm, as well as many types of flowers.

There are many other sights to see. The aquariums and marine life collections are some of the best and most varied in the world. Waterscape is said to be the largest outdoor aquarium in the world. It has 40 waterfalls, 6 separate lagoons full of marine life, and innovative underwater walkways that allow visitors a marvelous view of the fish and other water creatures. At Predator Lagoon, marine predators, such as the black nosed shark, are carefully bred and protected.

New Providence Island of the Bahamas features a wide variety of wildlife in its zoos and aquariums. The plant life is delightful to experience and creates a wonderful environment for the animal life. These are special places, each unique and completely worth the time spent.

Jamaica may be one of the most beautiful island nations in the Caribbean, famous for its coastal areas – the beautiful beaches, coves and bays – but it is not just sun and surf beach adventures. Jamaica is also home to the highest mountain peaks in the Caribbean, to dense growth forests, and even to tropical rainforests. This varied terrain had produced a number of waterfalls, each lovely in its own right. Some are popular tourist destinations, but others, due to their location, see fewer visitors, and thus, retain much more of their natural wonder.

Dunn’s River Falls is the most popular of the waterfalls in Jamaica, as it is easily accessible to tourists, especially those coming off of the cruise ships for a few hours or the evening. Located just outside of Ocho Rios, these 600-foot waterfalls attract crowds. The scenery is beautiful, despite the touch of commercialism, and the guided climb is not too strenuous, though slippery rocks do cause the occasional bump or bruise. There are places at the bottom and on the way up to refresh, wading and splashing in the cold, clear mountain water. The admission fee is $10 for people 12 and up, $8 for 11 and under, with no charge for children under 2. The site is open daily from 8:30am to 5pm, though on the days when cruise ships pull in to port, it opens early, at 7Am, to accommodate visitors.

The Y.S. Falls are a different sort of experience, and are located by the Black River, on a papaya plantation. Juta Tours, which operates out of Negril, Jamaica, at 2 Market Street, offers a guided tour that takes about half a day, and is really the best way to experience these much more natural falls. The fee is $12 and Juta Tours is open from 9:30am to 3:30pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

Just outside of Port Antonio, near Hope Bay on Route A4, are the Somerset Falls. These beautiful falls are in a natural, green setting, full of unusual plants and flowers. This peaceful spot definitely does not draw the crowds that other places more convenient to tourists do. Part of that may be due to the fact that visitors need to travel by water – either make a short swim or float along in a raft – to see these rushing waters. However, the site staff members are there to assist and are attentive and courteous. Just on the other side of the waterfall is a small cave, a perfect place to take in the sight and sound of the waterfall.  It is definitely worth the time and effort, and is a sight that should not be missed.

These are just a few of the waterfalls to be seen in Jamaica. Aside from the few that regularly attract tourists, most are in delightfully peaceful settings, rich in local flora and fauna, and full of the color and sound that make Jamaica the beautiful island that it is. There are a variety of hiking trails and tours from which you can see the rest of Jamaica’s beautiful waterfalls, easily arranged with the assistance of the hotel staff, who’ll be happy to suggest local guides.

The Exuma Islands, a collection of 365 tiny islands collected under one name, which are part of the many islands that make up the legendary vacation destination known as the Bahamas, offers a prime example of what an out of the ordinary Bahamas vacation can be. It shows off the very best of the Bahamas, that parts that are often outshined by the glitter and gleam of its luxurious casinos and tourist centers. The Exuma Islands have history, culture, a deep regard for nature and a splash of adventure.

Great Exuma Island is the largest of the Exuma Islands and the location Exuma’s capital city, George Town. Great Exuma Island is home to some of the island group’s most interesting historical sights.

Patience House and the Shark Lady of the Exumas is an unusual museum and shop located in the home of Gloria Patience. Past 80 years old, she once met the Queen of England, barefoot with shell bead around her ankles. It’s easy to imagine that she held her head just as high then, barefoot before the Queen, as she does now. Rumored to have caught more than 1,500 sharks, she is a formidable character, and presides over the amazing items she has collected through the years with a regal bearing quite her own. Her guided tours through her museum home provide a wealth of historical information and she is a fascinating and warm person.

Artistic expression has long been a part of Jamaican culture, as is often the case in societies that have endured the sort of social, political and economic inequality that leads to social unrest and struggle. There are many talented artists and several important art collections and exhibits to be enjoyed in Jamaica.

One of the finest art exhibits in Jamaica can be found at the National Gallery in Kingston. The work of some of the most important sculptors in the country can be found here. Among the most magnificent are the some of the works, including Ghetto Mother, by Edna Manley and the beautiful, mahogany creations of the esteemed Mallica Reynolds, who usually goes by the name Kapo.

Just a few miles outside of Ocho Rios, on Route A3, is the Harmony Hall Art Gallery, open every day from 10am to 6pm. Once a sugar plantation, this gallery draws both tourists and locals to view an astounding array of local arts and handcrafts.

Here, art enthusiasts will be able to enjoy displays that include a broad range of artistic expression, ranging from the traditional fine arts to the more immediate, urgent feel of urban style street arts. It offers a unique and fascinating opportunity for the exploration of the intermingled cultures of Jamaica and its and peoples. There is a gift store on site, featuring the finest of local arts and crafts, and a café that is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10am to 2:30pm and from 6pm to 11pm.  

At The Frame Centre Gallery, in Kingston, Jamaica, at 10 Tangerine Place, there are more than 300 works available for viewing. These are spread through three separate areas. The founder of this fine gallery, Guy McIntosh, is well known for his strong support and extensive knowledge of the arts in Jamaica.

Also in Kingston is the Mutual Life Gallery, at 2 Oxford Road. The tone and atmosphere are influenced by Gilou Bauer, and successfully captures the diverse and multicultural aspects of art currents in Jamaica. This gallery features both the works of established artists and those who are – as of yet – unknown. It includes a fine mix of artistic styles and perspectives. With a blend of exhibits, some being long term and others changing monthly, visitors are able to enjoy a variety of fascinating pieces.

Throughout the island, there are many beautiful works of art tucked away in numerous small museums, demonstrating the influences of the various cultural and social movements of the people of Jamaica through the years. A complicated history, one built upon cycles of oppression and triumph, of joy and sorrow, wealth and poverty, influences the culture of Jamaica, and thus the artistic expression of its peoples. Those interested in the arts should take the time to explore the smaller museums, the ones that are not typical tourist fare, viewing the many small masterpieces that the casual tourist is sure to miss. The best way to find these hidden treasures is by word of mouth, by asking around locally.

For those who enjoy seeing the expression of a culture represented in the arts, Jamaica offers a wealth of unique experiences. A tour of the art museums and galleries of Jamaica is sure to be a satisfying and unforgettable journey.

The tropical climate, cooled by ocean breezes, of Jamaica assures the growth of many fragrant and beautiful flowers. Jamaica is full of gardens, open to the public, in which to relax and smell the flowers, watch the birds flitting here and there, and enjoy the surrounding views of open sky and lush, tropical vegetation. There are also professional flower nurseries that can be toured, as Jamaica exports a large number of flowers.

Cranbrook Flower Forest is a wonderful example of what Jamaica has to offer those who choose to take the time to smell the flowers while on their Jamaican holiday. It is found at Llandovery, which is near Saint Anne’s Bay and located on what was once, during the colonial area, a water mill. It is open every day from 9am to 5pm, and does charge an admission fee, which includes a guided tour conducted by its knowledgeable staff. The fee is $6 for those 12 years of age and older and $3 for those under 12.

It is a professional nursery, growing an incredible variety of flowers on 130 acres. Many of these flowers are exported to the United States. There are greenhouses to be toured, with orchids and anthuriums, as well as beautiful outside gardens for wandering and relaxing. In addition to the gardens, there are numerous other sights to be seen, including waterfalls, natural rain forest growth, fountains and peaceful bodies of water. There are trails that can be explored, and for those who’d like to do so by horseback, the charge is $30 for a 2-hour excursion.

In the hills of Saint Andrew, Jamaica, visitors can enjoy a unique botanical experience at the Cinchona Botanical Gardens. This place is of historical relevance as well, as it has been in operation since 1868. In addition to a wide diversity of plant life, its altitude – which starts at 4,500 feet and extends to about 5,500 feet above sea level – offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. 

Castleton Gardens is another remarkable, historic botanical garden site in Jamaica. It has been serving as a botanical garden site since 1862, and many of the plants species that were brought to the island, such as the tangerine, navel orange and Bombay Mango, were tried out first in this site to see if they would be able to survive in and adapt to the local climate.  In addition to many, and often unusual, species of plants able to be seen at this 30-acre site, visitors will also see a wide variety of birds and other creatures. There are plenty of places for relaxing and swimming is also available.

Hope Botanical Gardens and Zoo offers both beautiful floral and tropical plants, as well as a small zoo. Located in Saint Andrew parish, on Old hope Road, these gardens were once a part of the Hope Estate. In 1881, a segment was bought by the Jamaican government to serve as an experimental garden, to try out new varieties of export crops, particularly new strains of sugar cane and coffee. Today, it is an attractive and quiet place, wonderful for spending a relaxing afternoon.

The gardens Jamaica are a spectacular visual experience. They are also, however, an important part of the history of Jamaica. A trip to Jamaica should definitely include some time among the flowers.