South Coast Regions Guide - overview

The south of Jamaica is the most unspoilt part of this Caribbean island where the true heart of the nation still beats, relatively untouched by the tourist boom evident on the rest of the island.

Centre of the region is the breezy hill town of Mandeville, founded in 1816 and lying 2,000ft (610m) above sea level. The genteel British colonial influence is strong here, from the village green bordered by a church and courthouse to the Manchester Club, which boasts Jamaica's oldest golf course founded in 1868.

The surrounding area, and the south coast region, has numerous natural attractions and wildlife refuges. With its natural beauty and slow pace, Jamaica's south is sought after by more discerning visitors intent on secluded relaxation rather than glitz and glamour.