A seaside resort town in the Caribbean, Ocho Rios has all what it takes for a tropical beach vacations: wide sandy beaches, stunning waterfalls, lush rainforests, coral reefs for diving, colorful gingerbread houses, beach resorts, golf courses, beach bars and shopping arcades. Besides sunbathing on the beach, Ocho Rios offers a variety activities from jeep tours to horseback riding and from nightlife to sailing and deep-sea fishing.
Jamaican vacation paradise. Also known as Ochee, Ocho Rios is located on the northern coast of Jamaica, along a half-moon shaped cove just 70 miles away from Montego Bay and Kingston. Formerly a fishing and banana export port, Ocho Rios is today a thriving beach holiday and cruise ship destination and one of the fastest growing towns in the Caribbean. It is the second most popular tourism destination in Jamaica, after Montego Bay.
Dunn’s River Falls is a popular attraction near Ocho Rios, featuring stunning waterfalls that cascade into the sea. Eden Falls is another beautiful waterfall in Ocho Rios area. More natural attractions near Ocho Rios include Fern Gully, a forested gorge with over 500 species of ferns, Cranbrook Flower Forest and a botanical garden. Horseback riding and many types of tours in Ocho Rios area, from jeep safaris to plantation visits and pottery tours are well available. There are nice hotel golf courses for golf in Ocho Rios, as well as polo and tennis courts. There is also the ruins of an old Spanish colony in Discovery Bay. Ocho Rios also hosts a jazz festival during the second week in June.
Jamaican vacation paradise. Also known as Ochee, Ocho Rios is located on the northern coast of Jamaica, along a half-moon shaped cove just 70 miles away from Montego Bay and Kingston. Formerly a fishing and banana export port, Ocho Rios is today a thriving beach holiday and cruise ship destination and one of the fastest growing towns in the Caribbean. It is the second most popular tourism destination in Jamaica, after Montego Bay.
Sights and activities in Ocho Rios: beaches, waterfalls, diving, fishing, golf & shopping
The first and foremost attraction in Ocho Rios is the wide white sand beach, called UDC Beach. There are also more nice beaches east of Ocho Rios, but they are mainly private hotel beaches. Nearby beautiful Reggae and James Bond Beaches are open for public. The coral reef offshore offers some good scuba diving in Ocho Rios, and a variety of water sports can be practiced along the beaches. Swimming with dolphins has become a popular attraction, and sailing and fishing charters and tours are also available. The town itself has some nice colonial buildings to see, including old churches. Pineapple Place is the center of Ocho Rios, and there is a large variety of places for tax-free shopping in Ocho Rios.Dunn’s River Falls is a popular attraction near Ocho Rios, featuring stunning waterfalls that cascade into the sea. Eden Falls is another beautiful waterfall in Ocho Rios area. More natural attractions near Ocho Rios include Fern Gully, a forested gorge with over 500 species of ferns, Cranbrook Flower Forest and a botanical garden. Horseback riding and many types of tours in Ocho Rios area, from jeep safaris to plantation visits and pottery tours are well available. There are nice hotel golf courses for golf in Ocho Rios, as well as polo and tennis courts. There is also the ruins of an old Spanish colony in Discovery Bay. Ocho Rios also hosts a jazz festival during the second week in June.
Ocho Rios travel information and practical tips
Ocho Rios has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year.
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There is a hot rainy season from May to November, with afternoon showers and occasional hurricanes from September to November. The pleasantly warm dry season from December to April brings plenty of sunshine and some cooler nights.
How to get there. Travel to Ocho Rios is easiest by air. The two international airports in Jamaica are in Kingston and Montego Bay, both quite close to Ocho Rios, receiving many flights to Jamaica from North America, Great Britain and the Caribbean. There is also a local small airport that receives domestic flights to Ocho Rios as well as small charter and private planes. You can also travel to Ocho Rios by bus, minivan or taxi from many parts of Jamaica. The public transport in Ocho Rios consists of shared route taxis, normal taxis, buses and minivans. Many resorts in Ocho Rios also provide bus excursions. Car rental in Ocho Rios is a good way to explore Jamaica.
Visitor services. There is a large number of hotels in Ocho Rios, consisting mainly of beach resorts, including many all-inclusive ones. Restaurants in Ocho Rios can be found both in hotels and in town, where there are many local restaurants offering Caribbean cuisine. Nightlife options such as discos and bars are widely available, especially in Margariteville area.
Safety. Ocho Rios is one of the safest destinations in Jamaica. Unfortunately, petty crime and scamming of tourists do occur also here, so it is good to use common sense and to leave your valuables at the hotel safe.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Montego Bay, Kingston, Negril
