Fort Charles

Built in 1655 as the first British fortification in Jamaica, Fort Charles sits at the tip of the Palisadoes spit in Port Royal - once known as 'the wickedest city on earth' during its pirate heyday. The fort originally mounted 36 guns and served as headquarters for Captain Henry Morgan and later Horatio Nelson, who commanded the fort as a young officer in 1779. The 1692 earthquake that destroyed Port Royal sank much of the city into the sea, but Fort Charles survived and remains largely intact. The Maritime Museum inside the fort displays maps, naval artifacts, and information about the earthquake and the city's pirate history. The 'Giddy House' - a former artillery store tilted at an angle by the 1907 earthquake - is a popular photo spot on the grounds. Port Royal sits at the end of the Palisadoes road that runs along Kingston Harbour, past Norman Manley Airport. The village retains a quiet, time-forgotten quality despite its extraordinary history. Aurum Transfers delivers you from Norman Manley Airport (KIN) in about 1 hour for $135 for up to four guests - your driver meets you inside the terminal with a personalized sign.