Places / North & Central America / Jamaica
Ocho Rios
Visited in September 2009
At a glance
- Country
- Jamaica
- Region
- Saint Ann Parish
- Population
- 16,671
- Best time to go
- December to April
- Main airport
- Montego Bay Sangster International (MBJ)
- Coordinates
- 18.41°N, 77.10°W
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Overview
Ocho Rios is a small north-coast town that has grown into one of Jamaica's main resort areas and a regular cruise-ship port. Its setting is the draw, with rivers tumbling out of lush hills straight into the Caribbean.
The town itself is busy and practical, so most of the best moments come from getting out to the waterfalls, gardens and the countryside of St Ann, Bob Marley's home parish.
Things to see
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Photo: Breakyunit at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 Dunn's River Falls
Climb the terraced limestone cascades hand in hand with a guide, from the beach up to the top. Go when no cruise ship is in.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: nic from Stevenage, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0 Nine Mile
The hill village where Bob Marley was born and is buried, about an hour inland, with Rastafarian guides.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Banjoman1, Public domain Firefly
Noël Coward's hilltop home near Port Maria, with one of the finest views of the north coast.
Tickets and tours -
Fern Gully
A road through a former riverbed lined with tree ferns, cool and green on the way into the hills.
Things to do
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Photo: Thank You (23 Millions+) views, CC BY 2.0 Blue Hole
Swim and jump into the turquoise pools of the Island Gully Falls in the hills above town.
Find tours -
Photo: Chris Short from Detroit, MI, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 Mystic Mountain
Ride a chairlift through the rainforest canopy, then race down on a bobsled ride.
Find tours -
Photo: Banjoman1, Public domain James Bond Beach
A small beach at Oracabessa, close to Ian Fleming's former home, Goldeneye.
Where to stay
Ocho Rios town
Walkable to restaurants and the beach, though busy when cruise ships are in.
Hotels in Ocho Rios townEast of town
All-inclusive resorts along the coast towards Oracabessa, quieter and more self-contained.
Hotels in East of town
Getting around
Licensed taxis with red PPV plates and route taxis cover the town and coast; hire a driver or join a tour for Nine Mile and the hills.
Montego Bay airport is about an hour and a half away along the north-coast highway, and Kingston is a similar drive over the hills.
When to go
December to April is drier and the most popular time. Summer is hot and humid, and the hurricane season runs from June to November. Check cruise schedules and visit the big sights on quieter days.
Plan your trip to Ocho Rios
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.