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Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios © Jamaica Tourist Board
The port town of Ocho Rios used to survive on the strength of fishing and banana boats, but now it is the daily arrival of cruise ships full of tourists that keep the coffers full all along the northeast coast of Jamaica. Ocho Rios and its near neighbours Runaway Bay, Discovery Bay and Port Antonio are mainly clusters of holiday resorts and hotels, catering for package-deal holidaymakers and several celebrities who maintain their private retreats in the region.

Ocho Rios cannot claim to be a genuine Jamaican experience, and is filled with tourist paraphernalia. Because of the need to entertain thousands of fun-seekers, the natural and historical attractions of the area have been commercialised and controlled. There is plenty to see and do in between bathing and sun-worshipping on the magnificent beaches, from climbing up waterfalls to horseback riding through sugar cane plantations, or taking afternoon tea at the former home of British playwright/songwriter, Noel Coward.

The surrounding countryside at Ocho Rios (sited in the ‘Garden Parish’ of St. Ann) is lush and tropical, with fern-clad cliffs and breathtaking waterfalls, and a self-drive tour of the region to take in the scenery, like a drive through the famous three-mile vine-draped Fern Gully, is well worthwhile.

Ocho Rios is a town dedicated to fun and sun, a crossroads of pleasure and leisure full of surprises and delights, in the centre of Jamaica’s vacation wonderland.




Attractions

Swimming with dolphins © Jamaica Tourist Board

Dolphin Cove

Alongside the Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios is Dolphin Cove, where visitors can swim with a family of Bottle Nose dolphins. The natural cove is surrounded by four acres of lush tropical rain forest. The cove is also home to other marine...  see full details



Dunn's River Falls

Dunn’s River Falls

Just about two miles (3km) west from the centre of Ocho Rios is the popular beach and waterfall attraction of Dunn’s River. The waterfall cascades down 600ft (183m) forming cool pools among slippery rocks, and a favourite tourist pursuit is to climb to...  see full details



Excursions


Bob Marley Mausoleum

Reggae music fans from the world over make the pilgrimage to the famed singer/songwriter's grave site at the village of Nine Mile, about 40 miles (65km) south of Ocho Rios. Marley lived in the Nine Mile hamlet between the age of six and...  see full details

Columbus Park Museum

At Discovery Bay this varied and fascinating open-air museum has a vast collection of exhibits to explore. Visitors can stroll around under Pimento trees among artefacts like a tally, used to count bananas on the plantations; a water wheel; a canoe made from a...  see full details

Firefly

The cottage on the cliff above Port Maria, 20 miles (32km) east of Ocho Rios, Firefly was the holiday retreat of famed British playwright and composer, Sir Noel Coward. The house is now a national monument and has been preserved as Coward left...  see full details

Green Grotto Caves

Jamaica's most prominent natural attraction are the caves on the island's north coast, between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, just a few kilometres from Discovery Bay and Runaway Bay. The huge labyrinthine limestone cave found here is 5,003 feet (1,525m) long and characterised by...  see full details

James Bond Beach

Fans of 007 will not want to miss a visit to James Bond Beach where the 1962 film Dr. No launched the career of the legendary Sean Connery when he took on the role of secret agent James Bond. The pristine stretch...  see full details
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