Ocho Rios is a quaint city to the north of the Jamaican coast with greater than a handful to supply vacationers. As soon as a sleepy fishing village, “Ochi,” because it’s popularly identified by the locals, has skilled momentous improvement lately to change into a premier vacationer vacation spot, welcoming guests from across the globe. The port metropolis is a well-liked cruise ship terminal, with passengers blissful to reap the benefits of its award-winning luxurious resorts, thrilling tropical journey excursions, and comfortable surrounding nature.
In contrast to most Jamaican resort cities, Ochi’s prime points of interest aren’t based mostly across the coast; however relatively its pure environment. The city has magnificent waterfalls, lazy rivers, and luxurious gardens, providing thrilling actions like bobsled rides, river tubing, ziplining, and dolphin encounters.
Basically, Ocho Rios is a cross between full of life Montego Bay and laid-back Negril, boasting a placing stability between a vibrant metropolis ambiance and a small-town vibe amidst the inexperienced Jamaican countryside. From bobsledding via the rainforest to dipping within the iconic Dunn’s River Falls, it’s by no means a boring second in Jamaica’s capital of journey.
High 10 Issues To Do In Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios is a must-visit vacation hotspot with engrossing adventures that may solely be skilled in Jamaica.
Whether or not visiting on a solo journey, honeymooning as a newlywed couple, or vacationing with household, Ochi guarantees an action-packed vacation filled with lifetime reminiscences. Listed here are the highest issues to do on this Caribbean gem:
16 Climb Dunn’s River Falls
Dunns River Falls, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Dunn’s River Falls is an thrilling pure surprise and one of many prime points of interest within the nation. The 600 by 80-foot travertine waterfall options terraced cascades that guests can climb to the highest to benefit from the scenic view beneath or discover the idyllic pure panorama.
The river water flows down {smooth} limestone rocks right into a pristine pure lagoon, ultimate for swimming.
Dunn’s River Falls is arguably probably the most photographed spot in Ocho Rios and is consistently thronged by cruise ship passengers.
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Admissions
: Adults $25, youngsters $17 -
Hours
: Open each day, 8 am – 4:30 pm
Put on grippy water sneakers when climbing the waterfall to stay steady in slippery areas. Friends may join the Blue Gap and Dunn River excursions to expertise two of Ochi’s prime points of interest in a single journey.
15 Swim In The Cool Blue Gap
A seaside in Ocho Rios with clear blue waters.
Vacationers seeking to escape the crowds at Dunn’s River Falls will discover the Cool Blue Gap to be the right various. Often known as the Irie Blue Gap, this beautiful collection of jungle swimming pools is simply 25 minutes from Ocho Rios.
The clear swimming pools, with a definite turquoise shade, are fed by waterfalls cascading down the mountain, leading to a paradise-like swimming location.
Guests can climb up the rocks to completely different vantage factors with dramatic views of the Blue Gap or channel their inside Tarzan and swing from ropes, plunging into the soothing waters of the pool beneath.
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Admissions
: $15 – $25 -
Hours
: Open each day, 9 am – 5 pm
All excursions to the Cool Blue Gap should be reserved prematurely
14 Bobsled By way of The Jungle With Rainforest Adventures Mystic Mountain
Dunn’s River Falls & Park, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Up for a tropical adrenaline rush? The Rainforest Adventures Mystic Mountain presents enjoyable occasions good forth rill-seekers. The Sky Explorer Chair Elevate takes individuals to the highest of the mountain, the place they will take pleasure in a hen’s eye perspective of the Jamaican rainforest earlier than zooming down via the dense cover on the Bobsled in what can solely be described as a roller-coaster expertise.
At floor degree, visitors can stroll alongside scenic nature trails, take a look at a hummingbird backyard, or swim in an infinity pool. There may be additionally an electrical ATV journey to maximise the customer expertise.
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Tickets
: Begins at $169 per individual
Select a bundle with the perfect mixture of actions vacationers are fascinated about.
13 Get Misplaced (Briefly) In The Inexperienced Grotto Caves
A man spitting hearth in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
The Inexperienced Grotto Caves is a set of well-known limestone caves in Jamaica with a wealthy legacy courting again to the slavery period. Initially occupied by the Arawak Indians, the underground tunnel system was used as a hideout by escaped slaves fleeing from the British, when it was famously known as the “Runaway Caves.”
The caves have been additionally immortalized on the Field Workplace, chosen as a taking pictures location for the James Bond film, Dwell and Let Die. Right this moment, they harbor 9 species of bat colonies and completely different snakes, including to the joys of visiting them.
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Admissions
: Adults $20, Youngsters $10 -
Hours
: Open each day, 9 am – 4 pm
12 Go to Bob Marley’s Birthplace In 9 Mile
Aerial view of a seaside in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
9 Mile is a village in Saint Ann Parish with connections to king or reggae music and considered one of Jamaica’s most celebrated sons. The quiet village is alleged to be the birthplace and last resting place of Robert Nesta Marley, providing guests an opportunity to expertise the life and exploits of the reggae legend.
9 Mile can also be residence to the Bob Marley Museum and Mausoleum, making it a preferred vacation spot for historians and followers of the music style. Touring it additionally gives the right alternative to be taught concerning the Rastafarian faith and Jamaican tradition.
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9 Mile tour ticket:
About $120 per individual
11 Store For Souvenirs At The Craft Market
Ocho Rios, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
The Jamaican flag and its shiny colours are conspicuous worldwide and popularly utilized in merchandise. At The Craft Market, visitors can don the well-known model by procuring from the quite a few distributors within the space.
The full of life market is situated on Predominant Road, comprising a collection of outlets underneath colourful tents promoting Jamaica-branded t-shirts, hand-stitched straw purses, carvings, and different lovely souvenirs.
That is the perfect place to search out memorabilia to take again residence. After procuring, cool down in one of many many eating places for a luxurious jerk meal whereas interacting with the locals.
Carry sufficient money for snug retail remedy at The Craft Market, and don’t be shy to cut price.
10 Get pleasure from River Tubing Down The White River
Stunning ocean of Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Vacationers who prefer to take it straightforward throughout their trip will need each a part of a serene journey on an inside tube because it drifts gently on the light waters of the White River. It’s the good alternative to unwind whereas soaking in charming views of tropical landscapes.
Birders may spot varied species alongside the best way, with some guides breaking into conventional songs to boost the expertise.
River rafting is without doubt one of the most romantic actions for {couples} in Jamaica and a good way to discover the biodiversity of the nation’s jungle.
9 Play On The Easy Sands Of Ocho Rios Bay Seaside
A lightweight on the Royal Plantation Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Whereas the seaside isn’t the very first thing that involves thoughts when contemplating Ocho Rios’s prime points of interest, vacationers ought to by no means sleep on the town’s coastal choices. Ocho Rios Bay Seaside is a well-liked cruise ship terminal and among the best seashores in Jamaica.
Enjoyable actions abound on this picturesque stretch of coastal bliss, with visitors coming to bask underneath the solar, lounge on the mushy seaside sand, or take pleasure in water sports activities.
Positioned simply 2 minutes from the town, Ocho Rios Bay Seaside is the right coastal escape for snorkeling, boating, parasailing, and tubing followers.
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Admissions
: $5 (entrance payment plus renting a chair) -
Hours
: Open each day, 8:30 am – 5 pm
8 Get Up Shut With Nature At Konoko Falls & Park
Wild nature in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Konoko Falls & Park is a serene and family-friendly piece of outside heaven that nature fanatics and out of doors lovers will crave to expertise. The spot options lush botanical gardens with peaceable trails that visitors can stroll alongside to discover its tropical blooms.
A small museum within the facility additionally permits vacationers to be taught some Jamaican historical past and info concerning the indigenous Taino Indians.
In the meantime, its mini-zoo homes a number of species of birds that guests can work together with, and a cute waterfall gives some superb picture alternatives.
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Admissions
: Adults $20, youngsters $10 -
Hours
: Open each day 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
7 Work together With Pleasant Marine Mammals At Dolphin Cove
Stunning shoreline in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Dolphin Cove is a well-liked marine park throughout the street from Dunn’s River Falls. It stretches about 5 acres and homes a stunning pure cove filled with underwater species like dolphins and stingrays. These can snorkel with the superb creatures in the midst of the rainforest.
Nevertheless, the spotlight of Dolphin Cove is the dolphin encounters, which allows vacationers an opportunity to rise up shut with these pleasant animals. There isn’t any higher strategy to spend household time within the metropolis than holding and petting, to kissing the dolphins.
6 Greatest Time To Go to Ocho Rios
Moon Palace Jamaica All Inclusive Resort, Predominant Road, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Ocho Rios experiences a sizzling tropical local weather with little temperature variations all through, making it a worthy vacation spot throughout any season.
Nonetheless, the perfect time to go to is between December and March, when the climate is milder and excellent for scoping out all of the out of doors points of interest within the metropolis. Temperatures common a toasty 83 levels Fahrenheit, providing the right circumstances for a dip within the seashores and the quite a few pure swimming pools in Ocho Rios.
The very best time to reap the benefits of offers is between September and December. That is primarily the low season for inns; therefore lodging charges drop drastically to draw as a lot enterprise as potential.
Flight charges typically drop by as a lot as half in lots of last-minute offers supplied throughout this era. It’s the good timing for funds vacationers looking for to tour the Caribbean metropolis with out breaking the financial institution.
Whichever time of the yr they go to, vacationers are suggested to pack sufficient suncream and costume warmly because it stays fairly heat year-round, and extended publicity may end up in sunburns.
Though uncommon, there’s a danger of tropical storms in the course of the moist season in Ochi, with the very best chance in September. This falls throughout the Atlantic hurricane season, so guests ought to test the native climate forecast for any warnings.
5 Greatest Methods To Get Round Ocho Rios
Vacationers sunbathe in Moon Palace Jamaica resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
The closest airport to Ochi is the Donald Sangster Worldwide Airport in Montego Bay, from the place a bus journey to the town will price vacationers round $3-5. As soon as in Ochi, there are numerous methods to get round, together with:
Taxi
Taxis are the first and hottest mode of transportation. These are ruled by MAXI, JUTA (Jamaican Union of Vacationers Affiliation), and ICAL and can be found at airports, inns, and main vacationer spots.
Taxi charges fluctuate from operator to operator as automobiles aren’t metered. They’re additionally charged by automotive and never by the variety of passengers.
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Taxi fare:
Begin at $5 to $7 for 10 miles.
Agree on a particular payment for the journey earlier than the journey begins to keep away from undisclosed add-ons on the finish of the journey. Vacationers may entry cheaper charges by sharing the taxi with different guests as a substitute of chartering alone.
Strolling
For these planning to spend a superb share of their time exploring downtown Ochi, strolling is an acceptable choice as most points of interest are condensed collectively, making it straightforward to find them by wandering across the space.
The Predominant Road runs from one finish of the town to the opposite, traversing in style websites just like the clock tower on DeCosta Drive and Dunn’s River Falls, accessible on foot.
Automotive
Most automotive rental companies are based mostly in Montego Bay and Kingston, though some, together with Cut price and Island Automotive Leases, will be accessed within the metropolis. Automotive hires are useful for day journeys to neighboring cities like Montego Bay and Negril.
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Rental charges:
Begin at $40 per day
Bus
Public transportation is proscribed in Ochi and the encircling area. Most routes are plied by minibusses that passengers should flag down from the aspect of the street to board.
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Bus fares:
About $1 for 30 miles
The buses in Ocho Rios are typically crowded and really gradual, stopping virtually anyplace to select up vacationers. This may be inconvenient for vacationers, so they’re greatest left to the locals.
4 The place To Keep In Ocho Rios
a waterfall in ocho rios
In contrast to different cities, Ochi is just not cut up into conventional suburbs. As an alternative, it has a number of seaside areas (aside from downtown) that may be outlined as neighborhoods, every providing a singular expertise with distinct points of interest.
Listed here are the perfect locations for vacationers to search out lodging in Ocho Rios.
Downtown
Downtown Ochi is the center of the town and a neighborhood by itself, that includes a cluster of companies and actions alongside Predominant Streets. It’s a excellent spot to search out souvenirs and expertise the native life-style.
It has a number of eating places serving delectable Jamaican delicacies and bars for these curious to pattern the electrical Jamaican nightlife.
Dolphin Cove/Dunn’s River Falls
Dolphin Cove and Dunn’s River Falls are two of probably the most thrilling locations to go to in Ocho Rios. These are a stone’s throw away from one another and supply a full of life, kid-friendly ambiance good for vacationing households.
The pristine seashores within the space are in style, with guests coming to bask within the silky-smooth white sands.
Vacationers ought to pack their favourite swimming costumes when within the Dolphin Cove space; infinite water-based adventures are value experiencing.
James Bond Seaside
James Bond Seaside is good for vacationers seeking to escape the crowds and revel in a laid-back seaside expertise. The world will get its title from Ian Fleming, the writer of James Bond, who owns a property close by. James Bond Seaside is located on the town’s outskirts and presents a quieter and calmer seaside go to.
Puerto Seco Seaside
Guests fascinated about experiencing uncooked Jamaican tradition can head to this lovely conventional Jamaican seaside. The seaside is stuffed with native distributors promoting merchandise and different wares to vacationers because the soothing sounds of reggae music blast the air.
Puerto Seco Seaside can also be a mini culinary Mecca, with a number of eateries serving conventional jerk-style meals.
3 Greatest Motels In Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios bay, Jamaica
There isn’t any scarcity of tremendous locations in Ochi to lie down and rejuvenate after a protracted day of exploring its points of interest. Town is residence to a few of Jamaica’s top-rated all-inclusive resorts but in addition presents quaint B&Bs for the extra economical traveler.
Listed here are the perfect inns in Ocho Rios.
Luxurious choice:
Sandals Royal Plantation
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Tackle
: 142 Predominant Road, Ocho Rios -
Charge per night time:
Begins at $542 for two visitors -
Facilities
: Non-public seaside, Bar/Lounge, Room service, Adults solely, Snorkeling, Spa and wellness middle, Health middle, Outside pool, Restaurant, Free Wi-Fi
Mid-range choice:
{Couples} Tower Isle
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Tackle
: PO Field 330, Ocho Rios -
Charge per night time
: Begins at $321 for two visitors -
Facilities
: Tennis, Free Wi-Fi, Non-public seaside, Room service, Basketball courtroom, Espresso machine, Health middle, Restaurant, Enterprise middle, Free toiletries
Funds choice:
Hibiscus Lodge
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Tackle
: 83-85 Predominant Road, Ocho Rios -
Charge per night time
: Begins at $96 for two visitors -
Facilities
: Free Wi-Fi, Free parking, Non-public seaside, Snorkeling, Spa and wellness middle, Restaurant, Outside pool, Bar/Lounge, Room service, Wi-Fi accessible in all areas
2 The place To Eat In Ocho Rios
Moon Palace Jamaica All Inclusive Resort, Predominant Road, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Ochi is extra than simply lovely seashores and superb pure points of interest. It additionally has an eclectic culinary local weather, that includes conventional jerk delicacies and chef-prepared tremendous eating choices.
Quite a few eating places and watering holes all through the town, principally alongside Predominant Road and DoCosta, cater to all eating preferences.
Each time in Ochi, listed below are the perfect spots for a implausible meal.
Breakfast:
Café Categorical
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Tackle
: Taj Mahal procuring middle, Predominant Road, Ocho Rios Jamaica -
Hours
: Open each day, 8:30 am – 10 pm -
Meals to order:
Jamaican espresso served with a flatbread
Lunch and dinner:
Evita’s Italian Restaurant
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Tackle
: Eden Bower Rd. Off Da Costa Drive, Ocho Rios Jamaica -
Hours
: Tuesday to Sunday, 12:30 pm – 10 pm -
Meals to order:
Seafood risotto, Jerk Hen pasta
Ocho Rios Village Jerk Middle
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Tackle
: DaCosta Drive, Ocho Rios Jamaica -
Hours
: Open each day, 11 am – 1 am -
Meals to order
: Jerk hen and pork
Drinks:
B’cloud 9 Hookah Bar
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Tackle
: CV4Q+RQR, Turtle Seaside Rd, Ocho Rios, Jamaica -
Hours
: Monday to Wednesday (10 am – 10 pm), Thursday (12 midday – 10 pm), Friday & Saturday (1 pm – 11 pm), Sunday (1 pm – 10 pm
1 How To Spend The Good Day In Ocho Rios
Dunn’s River Falls & Park, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Begin the day exploring the full of life corridors of Predominant Road in downtown Ochi, stopping on the busy Craft Market to buy a memento to take again residence. Head to Dolphin Cove for some high quality household enjoyable. Swim with the dolphins and work together with different particular marine creatures like sting rays. Proceed to Dunn’s River Falls for extra household leisure and revel in a dip within the cool waters on the backside of the waterfalls.
Later, journey to Fern Gully for a laid-back hike via the luxurious Jamaican jungle earlier than sitting for lunch at Scotchie’s to rejuvenate. Kick off the afternoon admiring items at Concord Artwork Gallery, then flip up the ante with adrenaline-rushing rainforest adventures up Mystic Mountain. Zipline, bobsled, and bamboo raft in the midst of the jungle whereas having fun with a singular view of the Ocho Rios backcountry.
Go to Ocho Rios Bay seaside to soak within the solar and marvel on the big cruise ships bringing in vacationers, then discover the myths and attract of the Inexperienced Grotto Caves. Later, take a day journey to the neighboring 9 Mile Village to find fascinating info concerning the lifetime of Jamaica’s most iconic music persona, Bob Marley.
Head again to the town for supper at Ocho Rios Jerk Middle with some scrumptious jerk hen and end the day sipping rum and dancing the night time away at B’cloud 9 Hookah Bar.
FAQ
Q: Which is healthier to go to, Ocho Rios or Montego Bay?
Each are prime trip locations that vacationers can’t go unsuitable with. Whereas Montego Bay is a superb place for household and people within the coastal points of interest, Ocho Rios is healthier fitted to journey seekers seeking to discover points of interest within the Jamaican backcountry.
Q: Is Ocho Rios value visiting?
Ocho Rios is residence to world-renowned websites like Dunn’s River Falls, Inexperienced Grotto Caves, and James Bond Seaside that may delight vacationers. However similar to in another Jamaican metropolis, there are issues guests ought to pay attention to when visiting.
Q: Is Ocho Rios higher than Negril?
Ocho Rios is a wonderful trip spot for a peaceful and secluded coastal expertise. But when the Jamaican social gathering scene is one thing vacationers are after, Negril can be a worthy various.
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