There's not a lot to do in Mandeville, Jamaica, but this pretty town 60 mi/95 km west of Kingston and some 2,000 ft/610 m up in the mountains offers relief from the heat of beach resorts. It's an important center for bauxite and alumina mining, which takes place outside town.
Spend a day walking around town to see the British colonial architecture, some of it dating from the 1700s. Marshall's Pen is a cattle plantation and bird sanctuary. You can take a tour of the restored 200-year-old estate house by appointment. On weekends, be sure to see the colorful Mandeville Market (handicrafts, clothing, produce) in the center of town.
Golfers will enjoy playing at the Manchester Club, said to be the oldest golf course in the Western Hemisphere. Mandeville's main appeal is its splendid scenery that can be seen while driving narrow country lanes lined with fieldstone walls. Temperatures in Mandeville can be chilly, so take along a sweater.
To request access to the full version of this destination guide, please provide your email address below. Your email address will only be used for verification purposes and will not be used for marketing purposes.