The real reason most travellers stop in May Pen is the south coast. The Milk River Bath spa, with mineral water reputedly the most radioactive in the world (at harmlessly low levels), sits about 30 minutes south. The Canoe Valley wetlands, one of Jamaica's most important bird areas, is in the same direction. Spanish Town and Kingston are an easy run east; the south-central hill town of Mandeville is half an hour west.