The hilly town of Ocho Rios sits on the north coast of Jamaica, at the base of the St. Ann Mountains. The former fishing village, now a tourist destination, is as noted for its resorts and beaches as its mountainous terrain and natural wonders. A trip here offers vacationers heaps of adventure and festivities with their sun and sand. Bring your flip-flops and your sneakers too to take advantage of all "Ochi" has to offer.
A Laidback Town
Planes fly tourists into the north central city of Montego Bay from all over the world. A two-hour bus ride going west takes you to the seven-mile beach town of Negril. If you stay in Montego Bay, the island's second largest city, you're central to restaurants, shops and resorts. Head east, on a one hour forty-five minute journey, pass farmland, grazing goats and horses, and the road to Ocho Rios eventually takes you pass huge industrial vats that once held bauxite, sugar and limestone that were picked up by freighters and shipped internationally.
Downtown Ocho Rios (population 9,450), the setting of the James Bond movie Dr. No, is pretty sublime and by all visible clues, it doesn't look anything like a tourist trap. There are no strings of souvenir shops, no tall buildings, just small stores, strip malls and locals walking around, heading to work, running errands, shopping in outdoor markets and socializing. The residents speak a blend of English and Patois: Wha'appen? = What's up? Bashment = party. Rhaatid! = Wow! If you hear all three in a sentence, grab your party shoes and go.
Natural Wonders
Though the name Ocho Rios literally means "Eight Rivers," and there are a number of rivers running through it, there are not eight. In fact, aside from the sea, the water source that is most famous in the environs is Dunns River Falls. Looking like gigantic steps constantly flooded by a stream of crystal clear water laden with travertine, this natural wonder measures 600 feet long and 180 feet high. The falls cascade down to a small V-shaped beach where the Battle of Las Chorreras (The Falls) was fought in 1657 when the English overpowered the Spanish/Cuban forces.
Years ago, if you couldn't climb Dunns River Falls, all you could do was look. Now, stairs and viewing stations parallel the falls, so anyone can ogle them from the top to the bottom, or easily step into one of its soothing whirlpools. Guides from Dunns River Park can take those who are adventurous up the falls, in about an hour and half, barefoot or wearing water shoes.
The tall Mystic Mountain crowns the hilly terrain in Ocho Rios. A state-of-the-art chairlift, dubbed the Rainforest SkyExplorer, helps guests ascend over treetops up to the 700-feet crest. Views of downtown Ocho Rios, the Caribbean Sea and the surrounding rainforest are visually arresting. Once you get to the top there are tourist shops and choices to make.
You can pick from two distinct adventures: 1.) The Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica is a fun ride that features a 1000-meter long gravity-drive through the rainforest on custom-designed, high-tech sleds fitted on rails that weave, pitch, turn and drop. You get in and a metal hood covers your legs. You control the speed of your sled by pushing (fast) or pulling (slow) on levers as you race down the mountainside through dense foliage. 2.) The Zip Line attraction whisks you through the rainforest, from platform to platform. Some dexterity, skills and arm strength are required to control the ride and stop. At the end you have the choice of taking the SkyExplorer back down the mountain from the halfway mark. Both attractions, and the chair lift, are a perfect family outing.
The hilly town of Ocho Rios rests on the north bank of Jamaica, at the base of the St. Ann Mountains. The previous angling town, now a vacationer destination, is as noted for its resorts and shorelines as its rocky landscape and normal miracles. A trek here offers vacationers stores of enterprise and merriments with their sun and sand. Bring your flip-flops and your tennis shoes too to exploit all "Ochi" brings to the table.
A Laidback City
Planes fly voyagers into the north focal city of Montego Bay from everywhere throughout the world. A two-hour transport ride heading off west takes you to the seven-mile shoreline town of Negril. On the off chance that you stay in Montego Bay, the island's second biggest city, you're fundamental to eateries, shops and resorts. Travel east, on an one hour forty-five moment excursion, pass farmland, touching goats and steeds, and the street to Ocho Rios in the long run takes you pass immense modern vats that once held bauxite, sugar and limestone that were gotten by tankers and transported globally.
Downtown Ocho Rios (populace 9,450), the setting of the James Bond film Dr. No, is really superb and by every noticeable piece of information, it doesn't look anything like a traveler trap. There are no strings of keepsake shops, no tall structures, simply little stores, strip shopping centers and local people strolling around, making a beeline for work, running errands, shopping in open air markets and mingling. The occupants talk a mix of English and Patois: Wha'appen? = What's up? Bashment = party. Rhaatid! = Wow! In the event that you hear each of the three in a sentence, snatch your gathering shoes and go.
Nature Wonders
In spite of the fact that the name Ocho Rios truly signifies "Eight Rivers," and there are various waterways going through it, there are not eight. Truth be told, beside the ocean, the water source that is most renowned in the environs is Dunns River Falls. Looking like immense steps always overwhelmed by a surge of clear as can be water loaded down with travertine - this characteristic miracle measures 600 feet long and 180 feet high. The falls course down to a little V-molded shoreline where the Battle of Las Chorreras (The Falls) was battled in 1657 when the English overwhelmed the Spanish/Cuban powers.
A long time back, on the off chance that you couldn't climb Dunns River Falls, everything you could do was look. Presently, stairs and survey stations parallel the falls, so anybody can gaze at them from the top to the base, or effortlessly venture into one of its relieving whirlpools. Guides from Dunns River Park can take the individuals who are courageous up the falls, in around an hour and half, unshod or wearing water shoes.
The tall Mystic Mountain crowns the uneven landscape in Ocho Rios. A best in class chairlift, named the Rainforest SkyExplorer, helps visitors climb over treetops up to the 700-feet peak. Perspectives of downtown Ocho Rios, the Caribbean Sea and the encompassing rainforest are outwardly capturing. When you get to the top there are vacationer shops and decisions to make.
You can pick from two unmistakable undertakings:
1.) The Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica is a fun ride that components a 1000-meter long gravity-drive through the rainforest on specially crafted, cutting edge sleds fitted on rails that weave, pitch, turn and drop. You get in and a metal hood covers your legs. You control the velocity of your sled by pushing (quick) or pulling (moderate) on levers as you race down the mountainside through thick foliage.
2.) The
Jamaica Zip Lines fascination whisks you through the rainforest, from stage to stage. Some smoothness, aptitudes and arm quality are obliged to control the ride and stop. Toward the end you have the decision of bringing the SkyExplorer withdraw the mountain from the midway check.
Both attractions, and the seat lift, are an immaculate family excursion.
horseback riding in the sea and ATV safaris.
