Royal Palm Reserve Negril

[ECO]

The Royal Palm Reserve is one of Jamaica's leading Eco-tourism attractions. The Reserve is an amazingly beautiful and tranquil forest within the Negril Great Morass.

This 300-acre site boasts 114 plant species including the Royal Palm found only in this area and over 300 animal species including birds, butterflies and reptiles.

Flora

A 1985 botanical study of the Reserve found 119 plant species:
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50 species of trees dominated by the endemic Swamp Royal Palm and Anchovy Pear
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7 species if shrubs
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20 species of herbs
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18 species of climbers including the Wicker Vine
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5 species of sedge including Saw-grass
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9 species of grass
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10 species of fern including the Crab Thatch or Giant Fern

Fauna

A 1985 ecological study of the Reserve found over 300 animal species, dominated by insects including butterflies, dragonflies, ants, termites, bees and wasps. Other animals include birds (about 52 species), reptiles including the endemic Jamaican Pond Turtle, frogs and toads, mongoose, fish, spiders and snails.

Bird species include:
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10 Jamaican endemic species including Jamaican Woodpecker, Jamaican Oriole, Jamaican Euphonia, Jamaican Parakeet and Red-billed Streamertail Hummingbird (Jamaica's national bird)
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13 Winter migrants
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3 Summer migrants
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26 Resident species including the West Indian Whistling Duck - regionally endemic and globally endangered, Little Blue Heron, Great Egret, Moorhen or Common Gallinule, Jacana and Red-tailed Hawk.

Source: http://www.royalpalmreserve.com/

[ECO]

This was on my list of things to do in April and since I didn't make it, it's now at the top of my list for this fall!

Note: Their website is not correct when it comes to prices, adults pay $15 per day.

[lamisah]

I went there - and I loved it! When we went there wasn't anyone else around - except the guy there who collects the money. It was such a beautiful place I was surprised more people weren't there, but I am definitely not complaining about that. I will try to post some pictures tonight when I get home.

[ECO]

It would be cool if you could post some pictures! The place is hurting to raise funds and for some reason can't seem to get enough of the tourist in Negril to spend the $15 to check the place out. Odd how people will travel 1.5-2 hours away from Negril to check out waterfalls and other attractions when this charm is only 10-15 minutes away from any resort in Negril.

[Wahoo]

I'd like to see the Royal Palm Reserve myself. For my second trip to Jamaica, I almost booked a reservation at Sunset at the Palms in Negril, which is close to the Royal Palm Reserve, but Sunset at the Palms was way too over-budget for me at that time. I'd still like to stay there sometime 'cause it looks really nice.

[ECO]

The place is almost directly behind where you stayed......but the roads are not really straight heading to it so a $3.00 taxi ride would be needed.

[trvellover]

Royal Palm Reserve looks really beautiful. It was amazing, when we 1st time booked CN for the five nights of our stay; we were just stay around the resort and pretty much doing zilch. After all, we will decide that spending here the eight nights.

Best regards,

[ECO]

A video about the Royal Palm Reserve: