Ocho Ríos, which translated from Spanish means “Eight Rivers”, is a beautiful city on the north coast of Jamaica. Over the last twenty years, “Ochi” (as the locals call it) has grown from a sleepy fishing village to a popular tourist destination. In fact, Ocho Rios is the second most visited tourist destination in Jamaica.
Although Ocho Ríos translates to eight rivers, in fact, it is the impressive waterfalls along with the flora and fauna that first catch your eye. Also, Ocho Rios, Jamaica owes much of its fame to Dunn’s River Falls, which is a much-touted attraction. The truth is that Dunn’s River Falls is among the most photographed places in Jamaica.
It’s great fun to swim near or under the cool water of Dunn’s River Falls. But you may well find that it’s the splendid scenery that captivates your attention. And the good news is that you’ll be able to see the spectacular scenery that looms above the falls…whether you decide to climb the falls or not.
Fern Gulley is another famous attraction near Ocho Rios. It is a rocky gorge of tremendous depth. Four miles off the coast of Ocho Rios, Fern Gulley makes its way into the mountainous area of the island. Arriving at this beautiful place, you can find more than 500 species of tropical ferns and foliage normally only found in a rainforest.
What was once a small fishing and banana port has become a major tourist center. Although now a world-renowned tourist destination, the culture still lives on in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. And there have been a number of new beaches, hundreds of acres added, and even more hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas added.
In fact, a recent addition to this city is the deepwater pier and with room for up to three ships, Ocho Rios is now the cruise capital of Jamaica. This extra space has given way to a new wave of tourists. Cruise ship visitors can be seen throughout the city on a regular basis. And this is just another great way to get to the wonderful town of Ocho Rios.
Among the many things to do in Ocho Rios, Jamaica includes Chukka Cove, Safari Tours, and Dolphin Cove. Chukka Cove is a farm and stable offering attractions for all experience levels. The beach walk takes you from a dairy and cattle farm to the beach through the waves. Safari Tours lets you start with a river tubing ride or a nice hiking trip through the hills, ending with Dunn’s River Falls. And finally, Dolphin Cove allows visitors to touch, play and swim with dolphins.
Although Ocho Rios, Jamaica was once a small town, it has now become a major tourist hub. The culture still prevails, but there is much more to do with shopping areas, hotels and additional attractions.