Located on the southwest coast, Black River makes a convenient place to stop if you're traveling between Kingston and Negril. The largest town is St. Elizabeth. In the mid-19th century it derived its wealth from exporting logwood, which was used to produce black and dark-blue dyes for textiles. The main attraction now is the Black River Safari, a short trip through the largest remaining crocodile refuge in Jamaica. Have a drink at the bar of the Bridgehouse Inn or try its restaurant for reasonably priced local cuisine.
Just 20 mi/32 km west of Black River is
Bluefields, a lovely beach used mostly by Jamaicans. This area has some lovely private villas for rent, as well as an all-inclusive resort. Nearby, the Font Hill Beach Park and Wildlife Sanctuary has boardwalks leading into mangroves for crocodile- and bird-watching.
North of Black River is the settlement of Middle Quarters, where you can buy hot peppered shrimp from roadside vendors. But beware: They're very peppery. Just east of Middle Quarters is Bamboo Avenue (Highway A-2, also called Holland Bamboo), a 3-mi-/5-km-long glade where feathery giant bamboo arch over the road and form a picturesque tunnel. Black River is 100 mi/160 km west of Kingston.
