500 Adrenaline Adventures (Frommer's) - Lois Friedland [131]
The departure point is located at the top of Mystic Mountain. To get there, you have to ride one of the park’s other attractions, the Sky Lift Explorer, a chairlift that takes you more than 210m (700 ft.) up, high above the treetops. From here, you bobsled down a winding route that carves through a dense tropical forest. If you’re craving another escapade after this stomach-dropping rush, check out the park’s zipline called the Tranopy Ride.
The resort town of Ocho Rios also offers active pursuits for adrenaline junkies, in addition to its revered sunshine and sandy beaches. One of the most popular exploits is clambering up a limestone-tiered 285m (940 ft.) waterfall called Dunn’s River Falls (www.dunnsriverfallsja.com). Just try to avoid going when cruise ship passengers are in the port; it can quickly get overcrowded. A more off-the-beaten-path option is a 3-hour horseback ride and swim with Chukka Caribbean Adventures (www.chukkacaribbean.com). You’ll ride through historic St. Ann, two of the island’s oldest sugar estates, and along the coastline of Chukka Coves’ private beach. This company also offers kayaking trips on the White River and tours of Nine Miles, Bob Marley’s birthplace and burial site. Feel free to adopt the reggae spirit and chill out for a while. When you’re ready for more excitement, you’ll find it. After all, the country that figured out how to bobsled without snow clearly knows a few things about adventure. —JS
Jamaica Tourist Board, 18 Queens Dr., Montego Bay ( 876/952-4425;www.visitjamaica.com).
Tour: Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica, Mystic Mountain ( 876/974-3990;www.rainforestbobsledjamaica.com).
When to Go: Dec–Apr.
Sir Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
$$$ Jamaica Inn, P.O. Box 1, Main St. ( 800/837-4608;www.jamaicainn.com). $$ Riu Ocho Rios, Mammee Bay ( 876/972-2200;www.clubhotelriuochorios.com).
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Sandboarding the Dune of Pyla
Le Surf C’est Arrive
Pyla-sur-Mer, France
When the surf goes flat at France’s renowned Silver Coast (Cote d’Argent), and there’s no snow in the French Alps, there is still a thrill ride that awaits diehard adrenaline junkies: sandboarding down the largest sand dune in Europe, the dune of Pyla. At 110m (360 ft.) high, there are few waves that can really compare to that height, and the fine-grained sand that makes up the dune acts like snow—sandboarders can reach dizzying speeds comparable to those attained by snowboarders. All it takes to conquer the dune is a boogie board or a snowboard, and a whole lot of joie de vivre.
Sometimes spelled as Pilat, the great dune is located about 64km (40 miles) from the beautiful old city of Bordeaux, capital of one of France’s great wine-producing regions. The 258km-long (160-mile) Silver Coast, which stretches from the Spanish border north to the English Channel, has become famous for its pristine beaches, surf culture, and reliable surfing waves that are surprisingly uncrowded.
The hike from the beach to the top of the dune takes a few minutes, so you might want to pack some water. And because you’ll be shredding sand and not water, some experienced boarders recommend bringing goggles or some other kind of eye protection. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of the ocean, Archachon Bay, and the dense forest of the Landes, planted in the 18th century by Napoleon to halt the progression of the sand dunes. Once you’re done drinking in the view, take the plunge over the forest side of the dune on your board, and enjoy the ride!
If all that sandboarding doesn’t leave you whipped, there are more thrills to be had in the area. Besides world-class surfing, the charming seaside resort of Arcachon enjoys the steady ocean breezes that make it a favorite windsurfing destination. And Arcachon Aqualand (www.aqualand.fr) is a local