Why not hit the road, book into your favourite hotel and explore what the neighbouring parishes have to offer? Better yet, book a cottage and do your own cooking or stay with friends and relatives and check out some new attractions as well as the old and popular haunts.

You can be a tourist in your own island by visiting some of the places you've only ever heard of or are a distant memory from school trips in your younger days. You could stay in Kingston and do a host of activities in the surrounding parishes.

Kingston & St Andrew

There are a number of hotels to choose from in Kingston.

The Hotel Four Seasons offers, for locals, a standard room for two persons at $6,868 per night, a superior room at $7,555 per night or a luxury room at $9,224 per night and continental breakfast is included.

The Hilton, The Jamaica Pegasus, Knutsford Court Hotel, Morgan's Harbour Hotel, Altamont Court are other options. They are all listed.

In and around Kingston, visit Emancipation Park and enjoy the scenery free of charge. Want to dip in the sea? Journey to Lime Cay in a private boat or get a shuttle boat from Port Royal.

Visit one of the two locations of Gloria's, a seafood restaurant in Port Royal.

Tour the historical sites such as the Giddy House in Port Royal.

St Catherine

In St Catherine, visit the public beach Hellshire free of charge and purchase some of the fishing community's famous festival and fish.

You could try a more secluded private beach, Fort Clarence, at a cost.

Two Sister's Cave, run by the Urban Development Corporation, could also be a good adventure. Adults $200, children ages 4-12 $100.

Spend the day at Guardsman Serenity Park. Pay an entrance fee of $250 for adults and $150 for children. Tour their mini zoo or catch tilapia (at an additional cost).

St Thomas

Dip in the healing waters of the Bath Fountain Hotel and Spa. Known for its relaxation properties, you can choose between soaking in the Roman bath, $600, two persons or the Jacuzzi bath at $700, two persons for 20 minutes. Children under 11 pay $100 for the Roman Bath and $150 for the Jacuzzi.

St Ann

The parish of St Ann is filled with attractions that will make your vacation a memorable one. But first, you need a relatively inexpensive hotel in which to stay so that you will have enough spending money to take care of the entertainment. Ocho Rios is a central place to stay and you will have easy access to most of the attractions in the adjoining parishes.

A reasonable bed and breakfast hotel to stay is Rooms on the Beach. It is five minutes from the world-famous Dunn's River Falls and within walking distance of the best shopping and nightlife in Ocho Rios. Rates range between US$99 (J$7,029) to US$103 (J$7,313) singles and couples and children three-13 years US$13 (J$923).

Dunn's River Falls is one of Jamaica's national treasures. It is unique and very magnificent. It is a fun and relaxing place for the entire family to enjoy the beach or climb the breathtaking falls. Entry fee for persons 2-11years US$12 (J$150) 12 and over US$15 (J$300).

Dolphin Cove is rated as Jamaica's number one marine attraction. The property has a natural cove that is surrounded by lush rainforest. Visitors can swim with the dolphins or sharks. Take a tour through the rainforest and interact with the animals.

Pepe dances on his fins for the audience at Dolphin Cove. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Entry fee US$45 (J$1,620 is a special rate for locals, ends this month) per person; children 6-10 years US $30 (J$1,080 special rate for locals) and children five years and under, free with a paying adult.

To touch the dolphin US$ 67($2,412 special for locals) per person,

US$129 (J$4,644 special) or encounter swim

US$195 (J$7,020 special for locals) to swimming with dolphins

US$119 (J$4,284 special for locals) to swim with the shark.

Chukka Caribbean Adventure operates some of the wildest and most fun-filled excursions for people who know how to enjoy life to its fullest such as canopy tour, ocean safari, dogsled, ocean safari, river tubing, 4X4 off-road adventure, horseback riding 'n' swim, jungle buggy, river kayak, mountain bike adventure, sea trek.

There's no entry fee but tours for locals range from US$38 (J$2,698) to US$ 50 (J$3,550) International rate US$60 (J$4,260) to US$120 (J8,520).

Cranbrook Estate is a unique eco-tourism attraction, situated on 130 acres of tropical forest including 40 acres of landscaped gardens. Cranbrook offers a hiking trail along the Little River that leads to the cathedral-like source of the river with the water rising from a 14-foot deep pool. See dozens of tropical plants, flowers and birds; relax by the river or frolic on the large lawns.

Island Village is Jamaica's first theme park, located in the heart of Ocho Rios at the cruise ship port. It is your a playground for fun in the sun, with duty-free shopping and sightseeing. Take a journey through the lives of reggae icons at Reggae Xplosion. Then relax and have a drink at Margaritaville.

Prospect Plantation is a working agricultural property established in the 18th century. You will enjoy this tour by horseback and experience a Jamaican Plantation, where you will see bananas, cassava, sugar cane, coffee, all spice and many other crops. See Farmer Brown climb a 30ft coconut tree. US$70 (J$5,040) per person. There is a special rate from now till the end of September for locals of US$16 (J$1,152). Children ages 8-12 years old pay US$10 ((J$720). Camel rides attract a separate price of US$20 (J$1,440).

Portland

Portland is known as the hidden gem of Jamaica. It is home to some of the most beautiful white sand beaches. The parish is known for its lush vegetation and peaceful surroundings. In Portland, stay at Goblin Hill Villas, which will cost you J$6,500 plus tax (great Valley Rooms), J$7,500 (standard) and Superior rooms J$8,500 (one bedroom); J$11,700 (two bedroom).

Portland is home to some of the most beautiful beaches such as Boston Beach, San San, and Long Bay, so while you are there soak it all up.

Winifred Beach is like many in Portland, with streams running into the sea and good swimming. It is open to the public and just about anyone can go there and enjoy its beauty.

Frenchman's Cove is one of the island's most beautiful beaches. The beach is part of Frenchman's Cove Resort, a 45-acre private estate in Jamaica.

The beach is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission fee US$2 (J$?)

Somerset Falls has an array of exotic birds and tropical flowers. There is a meditation spot where you can sit down and enjoy nature at its best.

Admission: Adult US$8.00 (J$500) per person

Children US $4.00 (J$250) for children 12 and under. Children under three, are free; group discounts are also available.

Boston is the home of jerk pork, which originated with the Maroons who hunted wild boars in the Portland mountains and smoked it over open fires. When you visit the little town, the tantalising aroma of chicken, sausage, and pork being smoked over pimento wood will have your mouth watering for some good jerk.

Rafting on the Rio Grande is the birthplace of river rafting in Jamaica. The original use of these rafts was to transport bananas from the inland plantations to the harbour at Port Antonio.

Rio Grande Tours provides rafting trips on the river. The slow trip down the Rio Grande starts at either Berrydale or Grants Level and ends at Rafters Rest on the coast. The ride takes about three hours, depending on your entry point, the speed of the river and strength of your boatman.

Reich Falls A series of cascades tumble over limestone tiers from one hollowed, jade-coloured pool to another. A half-mile hike up river leads to Mandingo Cave, which has a whirlpool.

St Mary

While you are in St Mary, try Casa Maria Hotel, which is a quaint little place that has the amenities of its more expensive counterparts but is a comfortable stop-over during your stay in St. Mary.

Rates: J$3,500 per night per couple with television and J$4,500 per night with television and air conditioning.

Strawberry Fields Together sits on an 18 acre of land with two private beaches. The little hideaway is so peaceful and tranquil, one can escape there for total relaxation from the stress of everyday activities. It features seven cottages, sleeping for up to 40-dorm style, or nine couples, and a camping area for overnight accommodation. During the week, the beach is quiet and relaxing. On weekends, things come alive with a beach party where guests can join in the fun. For more excitement, take a nature tour on quad bikes or go horseback riding. There are also villas for the nights or weekends.

Entry fee to the property is J$300. Villa weekend packages range from J$9,200 to J$18,600 per couple, including breakfast and dinner.

One of the bedrooms at Bath Fountain Hotel and Spa. - photo by Paul Williams

Guardsman Serenity Park is the ideal place to practise fishing. Adrian Raymond of Airy Castle Primary in St Thomas tries his hand. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

This visitor is enjoying the thrill of Chukka Cove's River Tubing. - Photo by Roger Robinson