Though Ocho Rios, the garden parish, is surrounded by natural beauty—waterfalls, tropical gardens and jungled mountains—the town itself is little more than a hodgepodge of modern strip malls and shopping centers catering primarily to tourists. You can easily tour the town on foot in an hour or so, and if shopping is what you're after, everything is conveniently located on Main Street. (Note that the main highway is shown on some maps as "Main Road," but it's actually DaCosta Drive and not to be confused with Main Street, which runs parallel to it.) Along the waterfront and within walking distance are high-rise resorts where you can swim, catch some rays and partake in your favorite watersport.
Many hotels have rooms with slot machines and video poker. The largest video-casino venue is in Island Village. Check with the Jamaica Tourist Board office (phone 876-974-2582) on Main Street for other locations and hours.
The only casino in Ocho Rios is Treasure Hunt Gaming. It offers roulette, blackjack, bingo and a range of other games. Gaming starts at US$1 per token. Open 24 hours. 19 Main St. (beside KFC), Ocho Rios.
| Historic Sites | Top  |
The only historic site of interest in the immediate Ocho Rios area is Ocho Rios Fort. Located alongside Highway A3 near Reynolds Pier, it was built in the 1600s. This tiny fort has since been renovated and contains two original cannons. West of Main Street, Ocho Rios.
This well-conceived museum is dedicated to the evolution of Jamaica's distinct rhythms, from
mento and ska to reggae and soca. In addition to photographic exhibitions, the colorful interactive experience features a recreation of reggae artist Lee "Scratch" Perry's original recording studio, as well as special exhibits dedicated to reggae superstars Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Bob Marley. Main Street, Island Village, Ocho Rios.
This heritage site, approximately 15 minutes outside of Ocho Rios, sits on more than 300 acres/120 hectares of land and has artifacts on display from the era of the Tainos and the Spaniards. Guided tours are conducted daily 9 am-4 pm. A gift shop is on the premises. Admission US$5. Phone 876-972-9407.
Dunn's River, just a 15-minute drive west of Ocho Rios, is one of the most popular attractions in Jamaica. The tiered falls drop 600 ft/185 m over their course. You can actually climb up through the cascading water, but be careful: The falls can be slippery (wear a swimsuit and tennis shoes or swim socks). The safest way to climb is with a guide who will lead you up the tiered falls and into some small caves. You can also see the falls from a viewing platform. There's a nice beach for swimming and sunning where the river empties into the Caribbean. The area has become highly commercialized: At the top of the falls is a village full of crafts shops, T-shirt stands and hair-braiding kiosks. We prefer to experience the falls in the afternoon, when the cruise-ship crowds have departed. Cruise-ship tour days are Saturday-Tuesday 8:30 am-4 pm, Wednesday-Friday 7 am-4 pm. One-way taxi trips to the falls from Ocho Rios are US$20. US$15 adults, US$12 children 2-11 years old. Highway A3, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-2857. http://www.dunnsriverfallsja.com.
Jamaica has more than 600 species of ferns, and many of them can be seen in Fern Gully. You can drive through this old creekbed south of Ocho Rios. (Don't touch the plant life: In the 1960s and '70s, Fern Gully was almost decimated by cutting-happy tourists.) The road is lined with craft stalls. Be careful about where you pull over, as the narrow and winding road is heavily trafficked by fast-moving vehicles. Milford Road, Ocho Rios.
These caves lie 40 minutes outside Ocho Rios and are rich in history. They were traversed by the Arawaks, as well as the African slaves who came after them. Limestone stalactites and stalagmites line the caves and lead to a lake below ground level. Open Sunday and Monday 9 am-4 pm. US$20 adults, US$10 children ages 4-12.
| Parks & Gardens | Top |
On the site of an ancient Arawak village is this natural river garden. It is accessible by walkways and footbridges that lead you over a cascading stream and past natural aquariums formed by deep pools. Among the labeled plants are many rare species, and there's also a cactus garden. A museum at the gardens covers Jamaica's history—look for the replica of an Arawak
bohio (house). Daily 8 am-5 pm. US$10. Shaw Park Road (off Milford Road), Ocho Rios. Phone 876-874-6235. http://www.coyabagardens.com.
This splendid attraction is an award-winning, 130-acre/52-hectare botanical garden. With a restored sugar mill at its center, it has landscaped tropical gardens, as well as natural pools, waterfalls and a rain forest. Activities include wading in the river, croquet, bird-watching and nature walks. Children will be entertained by the peacocks and other bird displays, as well as the on-site playground. Daily 9 am-5 pm. US$10 adults, US$5 children younger than 12. Highway A1, Laughlands, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-770-8071. http://www.cranbrookff.com.
This working plantation grows a variety of fruit trees and spices. Many of the trees were planted by visiting dignitaries, such as Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill and Henry Kissinger. You can tour the property on a tractor-drawn jitney guided by a cadet from the estate's training center, but a more peaceful way of seeing the grounds is on one of the horseback or bicycle tours. Plan to spend about 75 minutes on the jitney and bicycle trips, and about two hours on horseback. Tours are offered Monday-Saturday at 10:30 am and 2 and 3:30 pm. US$32. Highway A3, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-994-1058.
This botanical garden displays the island's flora in a formal setting. Artfully planted trees and flowering shrubs such as hibiscus, bougainvillea and oleander vie with the many species of ferns. Guided tours are offered along trails that lead past a waterfall. It's said that a cutting from the park's Jamaican sword fern was taken to Boston in 1793 and crossbred to yield the Boston fern. The coastal panoramas from the viewing points are a bonus. Daily 8 am-5 pm. US$10. Shaw Park Road (off Milford Road), Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-2723. http://www.shawparkgardens.com.
| Zoos & Wildlife | Top |
West of Ocho Rios, close to Dunn's River Falls, this marine facility provides visitors with an exhilarating interaction with bottlenose dolphins. Children will be enthralled by these endearing mammals, and you can even opt to swim with them. Other species on display include snakes, sharks and tropical birds from throughout the Americas. You can also snorkel, walk in a rain forest, ride in a glass-bottom kayak or lounge on the beach. A beachfront bar and restaurant serves meals. Reservations are required for a dolphin encounter. A DVD of your encounter can be purchased. Dolphin programs daily on an hourly basis. Weekdays 1:30-4:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:30 am-4:30 pm. Admission US$45, US$67 for the touch encounter, US$129 for the swim encounter. Highway A3, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-5335. http://www.dolphincovejamaica.com.
The all-inclusive resorts in Ocho Rios offer a variety of activities, including golf, diving, Jet-Skiing, windsurfing, paddleboating and snorkeling. In addition, many watersports activities are offered by hotels or resorts and have to be booked through them.
There's a beach to fit most any preference in Ocho Rios, provided you know where to look. For lots of people and activities, head to Turtle Beach. Mahogany Beach is another option, located about 0.5 mi/1 km east of the town center. If you'd prefer a more intimate experience, make the extra effort and head to Irie Beach on the White River.
This beach, just west of Island Village and past the end of Main Street, is a great place to meet local fisherfolk.
If you'd enjoy a splash in one of the island's emerald, sandy-bottomed rivers, consider a trip to Irie Beach on the White River. It's very secluded and offers cool pools for swimming, as well as cascades and wooden decks for sunning. Located 15 minutes east of Ocho Rios by car (turn south off the road to the Sandals Golf and Country Club).
This beach has lockers, umbrellas and beach towels. It offers a variety of watersports. Located at the west end of Main Street.
Mammee Bay is a favorite of Jamaican beachgoers. The pretty, palm-fringed beach is fairly secluded and isn't overrun with tourists—yet. (The Mammee Bay Estate, whose garden villas face the beach, is private property.) Open daily 8 am-5 pm. Admission US$3, chair US$2, trampoline US$5. Phone 876-675-8993.
Sometimes called Ocho Rios Bay Beach, Turtle Beach is a favorite with people, including locals, who enjoy watersports and people-watching. It is located near the resort hotels, bars, restaurants and shops along Main Street. Swimming conditions are excellent there, and it has water-toy rentals and changing facilities. Expect to be hustled (and sometimes hassled) by vendors selling everything from straw baskets to fresh pineapple—it's also the place to get your hair braided in cornrows. Be aware that the shoreline to the northeast isn't public—it's part of the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa. Daily 8:30 am-5:30 pm. Phone 876-974-2853.
| Boating & Sailing | Top |
You can sign on for a party cruise along the coast aboard a catamaran or a yacht. The boats usually stay close to shore so you can admire the resorts and luxury homes. Most boats offer two outings: a day cruise lasting three to four hours, usually with an open bar, snorkeling and a visit to Dunn's River Falls, and a shorter sunset cruise of about two hours, with open bar. Boats of all sizes can be rented by the hour or for an entire day.
A good way to explore the jungle of Jamaica is to raft the beautiful White River on a sleek 30-ft/9-m bamboo raft for two. Be sure to wear a hat or rent an umbrella at the shore-off point. (Even though the river is mostly overhung with trees and ferns, the sun can be harsh.)
Jet Skis and other watercraft can be rented at this shop. It offers parasailing, snorkeling and boat cruises. Prices range US$15-US$60 per half hour. Shop 1, Island Village Plaza, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-675-8993.
If you want to try Jet-Skiing off Turtle Beach, contact Calski for equipment rentals. Expect to pay US$60 per half-hour. Phone 876-974-2527.
This company offers 45-minute rides of the White River. Daily from 8:30 am. Last ride at 4:30 pm. US$50 per two-person raft. Inner tubes are US$20 per person. Phone 876-350-4877. http://www.calypsorafting.com.
Try a trip on the
Cool Jazz,
Dream Weaver or
Sapphire Cat. US$30-$35 per person, depending on the type of cruise. 180 Main St., Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-5367. http://www.heaveho.net.
This company has a kiosk at Turtle Beach (the Ocho Rios Bay beach), as well as a shop at Silver Seas. The shops offer a variety of watercraft, including windsurfers, paddleboats, Sunfish, kayaks and more. The glass-bottomed boats allow you to enjoy the world below the waves. (You can peer down at Devil's Reef and the wreck of a minesweeper.) Prices begin at US$10 per hour per person. Phone 876-974-5005.
This group offers popular excursions. US$59-$69 per person. 212 Main St., Shop No. 4, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-2446.
Anglers can take a charter excursion to try for sailfish, wahoo and dolphin fish. Many fishing boats tie up at the dock off Main Street.
The tourist information office will be able to advise you on reputable charters and can assist you in arranging an expedition.
This company offers fishing trips aboard the
Misty,
Mystic Man,
Triple B and
Triple Header. Priced US$450-$650 per half-day. P.O. Box 54, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-874-2527. http://www.calypsorafting.com.
This group runs deep-sea fishing charters. It offers rod-and-reel fishing off the reef at US$50 for two hours. US$350-$500 per half-day (up to five people). Turtle Beach, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-544-4424 or 876-395-7023.
The course at this resort is a nine-hole, par-28 course. North Coast Highway, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-954-0000.
This club is widely regarded as having the best course in the area. It has an 18-hole, par-72 course. The facilities include a clubhouse, restaurant and pro shop. Greens fee US$100 for 18 holes (free for Sandals Resort guests). Cart and caddy are extra. Bonham Spring Road, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-975-0181.
This club has a PGA-quality 18-hole, par-72 course. Guests at Breezes enjoy complimentary rounds. Greens fee approximately US$80. North Coast Highway, Runaway Bay. Phone 876-973-7319.
| Horseback Riding | Top |
This is one of the best equestrian facilities in the Caribbean. Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers one-hour trail rides for US$40, two-and-a-half hour mountain rides with a swim for US$73 from the Pineapple Ring Riding Stables. It also has ATV and mountain bike tours, Jeep safaris and canopy trips. Llandovery, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-972-2506. http://www.chukkacaribbean.com.
This group gives two-hour guided horseback tours. Choose from a beach ride or a ride into the mountains. Tours include round-trip transportation from a hotel in and around Ocho Rios. Daily at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm. Mountain ride US$60, beach ride US$70, rainforest river trail US$110. 61 Windsor Road, Suite 5, St. Ann's Bay. Phone 876-972-0905. http://www.hoovesjamaica.com.
| Scuba & Snorkeling | Top |
Though Ocho Rios isn't known for great diving, there are several nearby coral reefs, including Devil's Reef, which stretches from Ocho Rios Bay east to Salt Bay. You can snorkel off Turtle Beach and Mallards Bay, but a boat excursion is necessary to get the best look at the undersea reefs and marine life.
Several dive shops rent snorkeling and scuba gear and arrange reef trips. Try Garfield Dive Station (phone 876-544-4424 or 876-395-7023) on Turtle Beach or Resort Divers, at Island Plaza on Main Street (phone 876-974-5338). Most all-inclusive resorts have scuba-diving facilities. Some shops provide free transportation from the cruise-ship docks and other points in town.
Expect to pay about US$60 for a one-tank dive and US$100 for a two-tank dive. You must be a certified diver and present your certification card to rent equipment and go diving. Introductory "resort course" scuba lessons are offered for beginners. These courses include limited instruction and a supervised dive. Some cruise ships also arrange classes for beginners—check with your shore-excursion staff if you're arriving by ship. To dive in Jamaica, you must be accompanied by a certified dive instructor. Avoid hiring "freelance" dive guides—stick with reputable dive companies.
Jamrock Tours offers deep-sea fishing, glass-bottom boat rides and scuba diving. Prices start at US$35 per boat ride. Helicopter tours and charters are offered, starting at US$55 for a 20-minute ride. Turtle Beach, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-5794.
This place offers scuba diving (including night dives) and snorkeling. It also has certification courses. It will pick you up in Ocho Rios (for a small fee). Single-tank dive for US$45 includes tax, boat ride and boat master. Additional charge of US$12 for buoyancy control device and regulator. Located at Club Ambiance, Runaway Bay. Phone 876-973-4845. http://www.jamaqua.com.
| Tennis & Racquet Sports | Top |
You can play tennis at most resorts for a small hourly fee. To reserve court time, contact Sandals Grande Ocho Rios (phone 876-974-5691 or 876-974-5696), Grand Lido Sans Souci (phone 876-994-1062 or 876-994-1064), Beaches Boscobel (phone 876-975-9777) or Jamaica Grande (phone 876-974-2201).
Ocho Rios sparkles with discos and clubs where you can hear reggae, soca and calypso music, as well as foreign hits and slow-dancing tunes. Most of the city's nightlife is along Main Street, but the all-inclusive resorts have discos and live entertainment and sell evening passes to nonguests. At least once a week, these resorts offer full floor shows with limbo, fire-eating and (more or less) traditional music and dance. They sometimes have headline entertainers.
Island Village is a setting for major concerts, held monthly in an open-air amphitheater.
| Bars, Taverns & Pubs | Top |
This is a laid-back yet upscale cliff-top bar that's popular with Jamaicans for its live reggae and rap on weekends. Local dishes, including seafood, are served. Open Monday-Saturday 9 am-1 am. $-$$$. 93 Main St., Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-7438.
This is the liveliest place in town. Its three bars pack in the party crowd throughout the day. Live bands often perform, and there's a whirlpool tub and a serpentine waterslide above the bar. It also has a full menu of international favorites, such as pizzas, burgers and salads, as well as local seafood and jerk. The killer cocktails pack quite a punch. The action heats up during spring break, with wet T-shirt contests. Daily 7:30 pm-4 am on party nights. Island Village, Main Street, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-795-4643.
This bar has football and boxing via satellite TV, and a different type of entertainment every night (details are posted on a board outside). The quirky decor includes a rustic alfresco sports bar with barrel seating. By daytime it aims squarely at the cruise-ship crowds, but it draws a more eclectic crowd by night. A live band plays nightly. Daily 10 am-1 am. 59 Main St., Ocho Rios. Phone 876-795-1831.
| Dance & Nightclubs | Top |
A favorite is Amnesia Disco, located upstairs in the Mutual Security Mall. It has an air-conditioned dance floor and an outdoor bar area. Expect to hear dance hall, R&B and hip-hop. It has theme nights, and Monday is talent night. This place can get hot and crowded. Usually a US$7 cover, but can vary on theme nights and when live bands play. 70 Main St., Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-2633, but don't expect anyone to pick up.
Combining fluorescent decor, occasional go-go dancing by waitstaff and international music, this colorful bar and disco draws mostly tourists. There's plenty of drinking and dancing. Open daily 10 pm-2 am. An all-you-can-drink day pass costs US$80. At the Sunset Jamaica Grande, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-2201. http://www.sunsetjamaicagrande.com.
This long-time favorite of the local middle class is located at the Shaw Park Beach Hotel. Silks is the most upscale disco in town. A day pass is US$65. Shaw Park Ridge Road, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-2552.
| Other Options | Top |
This place has slot machines, live jazz and good, if somewhat pricey, food. $-$$$. Highway A3 at Tower Isle, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-975-4360.
| Performing Arts | Top  |
There is a mini cinema inside the Island Village Shopping Center. The amphitheatre is used for shows and other performances.
| Spectator Sports | Top |
The British army introduced polo to Jamaica in the late 1800s. There is now a small but dedicated band of enthusiasts who have added a West Indian flavor to the game.
| Other Options | Top |
Take an idyllic tour through the Braco Estate, an hour away from Ocho Rios, and meander down to the shore for a delightful splash in the Caribbean Sea. US$60-$70 per person including transportation. Phone 876-954-0185. http://www.bracostables.com.
This club hosts matches every Saturday at 3:30 pm. On the grounds of this former plantation you can rub shoulders with Jamaica's landed gentry and partake of a delicious afternoon tea. Drax Hall, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-972-2762.
Ocho Rios is awash in shopping centers. Some contain only duty-free shops, and others house a variety of stores not necessarily geared to tourists. Prices are marked in either Jamaican or U.S. dollars. (Always establish the currency up front.)
Shopping will put you into contact with many aggressive vendors, who can be intimidating. If you aren't interested, a firm "no thank you" should suffice. If an aggressive hustler or vender won't take "no" for an answer, keep walking. If you do see something you like, expect to bargain: It is a time-honored tradition, always conducted with humor and mutual respect. Never pay a vendor the first asking price.
Shoppers in search of duty-free bargains on French perfume, crystal, watches, cameras and electronic equipment should scout the shopping centers along Main Street and DaCosta Drive. The largest of these are Taj Mahal Shopping Centre (near the cruise-ship terminal), Ocean Village Shopping Centre (in the center of Ocho Rios), Pineapple Place (east of the town center) and Soni Plaza (50 Main St.).
| Shopping Hours | Top |
Monday-Saturday 9 am-5 or 6 pm. Some shops close for lunch, and many close at 2 pm on Thursday. Most stores are open on Sunday if a cruise ship is in port.
This outlet supplies a wide range of books and stationery. Open Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm. Shop 12-15, Island Plaza, Ocho Rios. Phone 875-795-0705.
| Department Stores | Top |
Get great discounts at this huge store that sells a variety of T-shirts, resort- and beachwear. Open Monday-Saturday 8 am-6 pm. Located at Shop 11-19, Island Village, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-675-8790. http://www.coolcorp.com.
This one-stop shop supplies books, pharmaceuticals and food items. Open Monday-Saturday 9:30 am-6:30 pm. Shop 6, Island Plaza, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-9663.
This 350-sq-ft/32-sq-m facility carries a range of souvenir items. Seventy-five percent of the items in the store are sold for US$10, hence its name. Open 9 am-5 pm. Located inside the Taj Mahal Shopping Centre, 4 Main St., Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-6744.
Outside of Ocho Rios are several studios where you can visit with the artists, as well as view their paintings, sculpture, carvings and ceramic work.
Paintings and prints by local artists are featured in this establishment. It also does custom framing. Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm. Pineapple Place, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-9564.
One of the best art galleries in Jamaica is located in Harmony Hall, a graciously restored stone and wood Victorian mansion on the coast road 5 mi/8 km east of Ocho Rios. The works of contemporary local artists—Kapo, David Boxer, Everald Brown and Judy MacMillan—are on display in the manse, which was built in 1886 as part of a pimento estate. Tower Isle, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-2870. http://www.harmonyhall.com.
Southeast of Ocho Rios, before you enter Fern Gully, look for a retaining wall on the left painted with the name Wassi Art. Take the unpaved road (called Back Street) to enter a world of fanciful but functional pottery created by a group of young, self-taught artists. Bougainvillea Drive, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-5044. http://www.wassiart.com.
Shopping for island-made products requires determination, shrewdness and a good eye. Ocho Rios has several outdoor crafts markets: the Ocho Rios Craft Market off Main Street, Pineapple Craft Circle beside Pineapple Place on Main Street and Coconut Grove Craft Market at Main Street and Highway A3. There is also the Olde Market Craft Village on Main Street and markets at Dunn's River Falls and Fern Gully. Most of the straw work, wood carvings and leather products are of good quality, but you'll notice a sameness in the merchandise.
| Shopping Areas | Top |
This huge store sells souvenirs and silver jewelry. Open Monday-Saturday 9 am-5 pm. Taj Mahal Shopping Center, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-3633.
This center has several quality crafts, jewelry and boutique stores, including Tropic Lines, which sells quality batiks and resortwear; and Rum, Roast & Royal, which features rums, coffees and liqueurs. Stores open 8 am-5:50 pm. Main Street at DaCosta Drive, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-675-8796.
This compact plaza has a Chinese restaurant, minimart and Island Grill, and a fast-food outlet that sells Jamaican jerk. 59 Main St., Ocho Rios.
This facility houses a duty-free liquor store, gift shop, restaurant and bar. The gift shop carries a wide array of merchandise including T-shirts, colognes and craft items. The restaurant serves seafood. Hours are flexible and based on cruise-ship arrival. The bar closes in the wee hours. Lot 6, Fisherman's Point Road (close to the pier, opposite Fisherman's Point), Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-6896.
This shopping center has a wide variety of souvenir shops, duty-free stores and restaurants. 4 Main St., Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-2414.
| Specialty Stores | Top |
This high-end store has two outlets and carries a wide range of world-renowned watches and jewelry. Open Monday-Saturday 9 am-5 pm. Island Village (a second location at Soni's Plaza, phone 876-974-5392), Ocho Rios. Phone 876-675-8999. http://www.casadeoro.com.
This store carries an impressive array of watches and jewelry. Open Monday-Saturday 8:30 am-6 pm (also flexible upon cruise-ship arrivals). Island Village Shopping Centre and Taj Mahal Plaza, Main Street, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-675-8762.
This Bob Marley specialty store also carries CDs, DVDs, T-shirts, swimwear and souvenir items, as well as the Wassi Art line of pottery. Open Monday-Saturday 8 am-6 pm. Island Village, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-675-8795.
To
Brimmer Hall Estate. Just southeast of Port Maria (20 mi/32 km east of Ocho Rios) is this working plantation that includes a colonial-era great house built in the 1700s. A tractor-drawn jitney tour of the 700-acre/280-hectare property covers the cultivation and harvesting of coconuts, bananas, coffee, sugarcane, cocoa and pimento. A good restaurant serves simple Jamaican dishes, and there are shops and a swimming pool for cooling off (phone 876-994-2309). Open Monday-Friday 8 am-4 pm. Admission US$18.
To Nine Miles/Bob Marley Burial Site. Located well inland, about 35 mi/55 km southwest of Ocho Rios, on roads that become increasingly potholed and winding, Nine Miles is the place where Bob Marley, reggae legend, was born and is buried. Whether you're a fan or not, the drive through unspoiled countryside is well worth the effort. The house and grounds where Marley grew up are known locally as Zion. The site holds the Bob Marley Museum and a miniature chapel (painted in red, green and gold) that contains Marley's mausoleum and has a stained-glass window depicting the Lion of Judah. Be warned—the Bob Marley Museum compound, with a restaurant and gift store, has been turned into a center of commercialism. Single women have been known to receive unwanted advances there. Open daily 9 am-5 pm. Phone 876-843-0498.
To Oracabessa. This coastal town, 13 mi/19 km east of Ocho Rios, boasts some of the most spectacular seascapes in Jamaica. Die-hard 007 fans (and others) can visit James Bond Beach, near Ian Fleming's former home, Goldeneye, and the famous Goldeneye Hotel. Oracabessa is best-known as a gateway to Firefly (phone 876-997-7201), the estate where dramatist Noel Coward lived prior to his death in 1973. At 1,000 ft/300 m above the coastline, Firefly (3 mi/5 km southeast of Oracabessa) offers a stunning view along the coast and over the town of Port Maria. Firefly was renovated in the 1990s to evoke the heyday of the great playwright, who is buried in a corner of the garden—precisely where he enjoyed his evening cocktail. Visitors view an audiovisual presentation about Coward's life before viewing the simply appointed house, maintained as it was at the time of his death. His books, piano and other personal effects, including his shirts still hanging in the wardrobe, are on display. Memorabilia include photographs of Coward sipping cocktails with the many celebrities (from Peter O'Toole and Sean Connery to Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother) he hosted there. You may want to pay a visit to nearby Port Maria to get a look at its Anglican church and courthouse, both constructed in the 1800s.
If the ship-sponsored excursions are full or if you prefer to arrange your own guided tour, there are several reputable tour operators in Ocho Rios. If you book your own tour, you might save a few dollars—but keep in mind that it will take some time to contact operators, comparison shop and make a booking.
Most of the island tours offered are similar to those arranged by cruise ships. Some firms offer specialized tours such as bicycle trips, caving expeditions and nature hikes. Check with the tourist office for details.
The tour includes a free-wheeling 18-mi/28-km downhill ride in the Blue Mountains that takes you through tropical rain forest and past waterfalls. Brunch and lunch are included. Ask about tours to other locations. US$90 per person. 121 Main St., Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-3953. http://www.bmtoursja.com.
This group offers a five-hour jeep safari of the area. Sites visited include Murphy Hill, Dunn's River Falls and the Blue Mountains. It also offers a mountain-bike and canopy tour through the Laughlands River Gorge. Llandovery, St. Ann's Bay. Phone 876-972-2506. http://www.chukkacaribbean.com.
You can soar (or at least whir) above everything in an Island Hoppers helicopter tour piloted and narrated by a Jamaica Defense Force pilot. The scenery is spectacular, and the flight path is low enough to be able to discern villages, rivers, waterfalls and other sites. One tour lasts 20 minutes and goes inland over Ocho Rios to Boscobel and back along the coastline. A one-hour tour includes Kingston, the Blue Mountains and the northern coast. The trips depart from the helipad adjacent to Reynolds Pier. Twenty-minute tour US$260, half-hour tour US$360, one-hour tour US$520. 120 Main St., Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-2265. http://helicoptertoursjamaica.com.
This company has offices at the cruise-ship piers. Coconut Grove, Main Street, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-2292.
This company has offices at the cruise-ship piers. Pineapple Place, Main Street, Ocho Rios. Phone 876-974-2971.
Enjoy a one-hour tour at the home of the world-famous Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning. The tour includes product tasting. The factory is 10 mi/16 km outside of Ocho Rios. A gift shop on premises supplies local cookbooks. Cooking lessons available. Open Monday-Saturday 8 am-4:30 pm. Admission US$15. http://www.walkerswood.com.
To help you make the most of your time in Ocho Rios, we've designed three different itineraries for visitors.
PLAN A
The Beach Goeth Before the Falls
You'll spend the morning on the beach, so be sure to take your swimsuit, cover-up, hat, sneakers, sunshades and sunscreen. (Pack towels and an extra T-shirt in a zippered carry-all.) Walk or take a taxi to Turtle Beach, where you can indulge in your favorite watersport, try a new one or simply recline on the sand and people watch. (Don't leave your belongings unattended. Reputable watersports operators will check your bag.)
After you've tired of the sun, stroll along Main Street past the craft market and the clock tower for a lunch of Jamaican jerk pork or chicken at Ocho Rios Jerk Centre. Then hire a taxi and relax on the scenic coastal drive to the area's No. 1 attraction, Dunn's River Falls. By now, most of the tour buses should have cleared out, and you'll have peace and quiet to climb the falls or relax on the beach, as you wish.
PLAN B
First Rafting, Then Relaxing
Grab your hat and binoculars and hire a taxi to take you about 2 mi/3 km east of town to Calypso River Rafting to enjoy the White River. (Make arrangements with your driver to wait or return for you.)
After a 45-minute raft ride, head to nearby White River Valley, also on the White River. You can wade and float in the sandy-bottomed river or, if you're feeling energetic, hike along the bank to the upper falls or even take a horseback ride. There is also a guided horticultural tour through the "village of flowers."
For lunch, try a jerk burger from a local vendor. Head back toward Ocho Rios, stopping at the Coyaba River Garden and Arawak Museum. Then drive through Fern Gully to admire more local flora in wilder surroundings. Return to town for dinner.
PLAN C
Historic Houses
Hire a taxi for the day and tell the driver to take it slowly along the twisting coastal road east to Firefly, Noel Coward's cliff-side home overlooking Port Maria (the drive should take about 45 minutes). Take a quick tour of the house (closed Friday, Sunday and public holidays) where Coward entertained such luminaries as Winston Churchill, Vivien Leigh, Katharine Hepburn and England's Queen Mother (the playwright prepared a fish mousse for her visit, but it melted—he called it a cold soup and served it to her anyway). Be sure to check out his wild Hawaiian-print shirts that are on display and the studio on the ground floor where he painted. Everything has been left as it was when he was alive.
Then make the 15-minute drive to Brimmer Hall. Take a tour of the working plantation in a tractor-drawn jitney (they last about an hour). You can also sample some of the ripe fruit produced on the plantation. If you have the time, you may also take a refreshing swim in the pool, so take along your swimsuit.
Return to Ocho Rios and stop at Harmony Hall, a restored Victorian mansion where a variety of contemporary Jamaican art is displayed and where you can buy prints, books and other gift items in the adjacent shop. (It's considered to be the most important gallery on the north coast.) If you have time, visit Wassi Art to admire young artists crafting and painting ceramics in a unique visual style.