The Green Grotto Caves and Attractions, St. Ann, which is the first cave in the world to receive Green Globe Certification, now boasts a new website. Visitors to the new information portal launched on March 7, 2014, can now access a more interactive site at www.greengrottocavesja.com. The attraction is managed by the St. Ann Development Company (SADCO) on behalf of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC). According to Desmond Malcolm, General Manager, UDC, “Green Grotto Caves is an
important feather in the cap of the Corporation and plays a significant role in its diversified attraction portfolio alongside Dunn’s River Falls and Park, St. Ann; Reach Falls, Portland; Two Sisters Caves, St. Catherine, and its many beach operations located
in Jamaica”. significantly Laura Heron, General Manager of SADCO, also reflected on the significance of the launch by adding, “The website enables individuals from all over the world to easily access information on the attraction and, for the first time, see its exclusive photo gallery of the Caves and the many other alluring features of the attraction”.
Over the years, the Green Grotto Caves has achieved significant milestones. Green Grotto Caves and Attractions is now the first tourist attraction in the history of Jamaica to receive Platinum Certification, representing 10 years of continuous endorsement by EarthCheck. The Attraction received the platinum certification for the period April 2012 – March 2013. EarthCheck is widely regarded as the largest certifier of sustainable travel and tourism businesses and is one of the world’s most recognized environmental benchmarking and certification programmes.
Another milestone accomplished by Green Grotto Caves and Attractions is the achievement of Green Globe 21 Certification from 2002 for seven consecutive years. During 2002, Green Grotto Caves and Attractions distinguished itself from other
attractions when the Caves became the first attraction in Jamaica to obtain this certification.
Green Grotto Caves and Attractions was acquired by the Corporation in 1999, upgraded and reopened in April 2000. Over the years, the facility has been significantly developed by the Corporation. Work implemented included extensive landscaping, improvements to the tour trail, the installation of special effect lighting inside the caves, improved amenities and the recent opening of a logo and souvenir shop.
Green Grotto Caves and Attractions is situated on 64 acres of land in Discovery Bay, St. Ann, between the resort centres of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. A tour of the caves enables visitors to journey into the underground and rediscover Jamaican history.
Previously known as Runaway, Dairy, Rum, Hopewell and Dry Harbour Caves, the Green Grotto Caves are said to have provided shelter for Jamaica’s first inhabitants, the Taino Indians. The Caves boast a maze of stalactites and stalagmites and other exquisite formations.
The rates for non-residents to access Green Grotto Caves and Attractions are US $20 for persons aged 13 years and over and US $10 for children between the ages 4 and 12. Special rates apply for Jamaican residents. Patrons are encouraged to call the attraction at 973-3217; 973-2841; 973-2766 and 973-2767 or contact www.greengrottocavesja.com for further details. The attraction opens daily between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.