5 Things To Do In Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Ocho Rios is located on Jamaica’s northern shores and is famous for its pristine coastline, lush green mountains and the beautiful waterfalls. Every year tens of thousands of families travel to this popular family-friendly destination for a vacation full of sun-soaked fun and adventure. The proximity of Ocho Rios to the United States makes it a preferred destination for family reunions, couples’ getaways, destination weddings and other special life events.
If you’re planning a trip to this paradise in the Caribbean, here are 5 things to do in Ocho Rios that will make for a memorable family getaway.
Soak the sun on the perfect white-sand beaches
Jamaica is well known for its breathtaking beaches, and Ocho Rios is no exception. The breathtaking white-sand shoreline is a beach-lover’s haven. If you’re not the type who loves continuous action on a vacation and prefers to lie back and unwind, the beach will be your favorite retreat.
The high-end seafront resorts have their own private beaches complete with beach restaurants, chaise lounges, towels and attendants. You can take a lazy stroll, lie in the sun for hours and watch the sun go down with a favorite drink in hand.
Stay in the world’s best family beach resorts
Ocho Rios is the perfect family vacation getaway if you and your children love a beach vacation full of adventure and nonstop entertainment for everyone in the family.
Ocho Rios has gradually earned the reputation of being the ideal spot for American families looking for all-inclusive beach getaways. The town is home to some of the world’s top-rated family-friendly resorts with family suites designed for an affordable luxury experience. For instance, Parents magazine voted Beaches Ocho Rios among the 10 best beach resorts for the wide range of activities it offers to families, with something for every age group. There is a dedicated water park for kids, a gaming lounge, a kids’ camp and more at this world-class resort.
There are plenty of budget hotels and family-run properties for budget travelers as well, and the magnificent natural attractions and beaches are available to every traveler, regardless of their budget.
Visit the beautiful Dunn’s River Falls
Ocho Rios is famous for its many natural attractions and taking your children for a trip to Dunn’s waterfalls and park is something you must build into your itinerary. You’ll definitely want to climb up the natural rock steps. It’s a short trek of about 600 feet, but the rocks can be slippery. Families love to hike up holding hands; it’s not a steep climb and there are always plenty of other travelers and locals around, so you needn’t worry and have a good time instead.
Visit Dolphin Cove
Spread across five acres, Dolphin Cove is a rainforest setting where you can see dolphins and sharks in the lagoons. The entry fee is 49 dollars per person. For an additional fee, get to do a lot more than just watch marine life: you can swim and snorkel with dolphins or take a kayak trip to watch the fish up close. Your children will love the Jungle Trail through the rain forest, which is home to a wide variety of exotic flora and fauna.
For about $650 per person, you can be a dolphin keeper for an entire day!
5 Things To Do In Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Go tubing in the white river
You can spend an adventurous morning floating through the clear waters of the White River, which winds its way through the lush green hills. The current is slow and the water is cool, making the experience even more relaxed.
What adds to this calming experience is the sounds of exotic birds that you hear on the way and the greens on either side of the river bank that seem to open up to welcome you further into the winding waterway. There are many local companies offering this wonderful experience; we recommend that you go with only the best and the most experienced outfitter for this adventure.
To sum up, there is no dearth of family activities in and around this small Caribbean town. Explore local cuisine, visit the local markets for artistic knick-knacks and souvenirs, go horse-riding at the Papillon Beach, visit the Mystic Mountain, or take a day trip to the Coyaba River Garden and Museum—the list is long and worth exploring. Just remember to carry plenty of cash in Jamaican dollars when going to far-flung areas where it might be a problem to pay the local vendors via credit card or US dollars.
