With its humble beginnings as a quaint fishing village, the city of Ocho Rios in Jamaica is now thriving and is always filled with tourists and cruise ship passengers from around the world. Ocho Rios might not be as bustling and lively as the other coastal towns in Jamaica. But the good thing is that, Ocho Rios offers more than just its amazing beaches and clear waters. It is really an interesting place for you to visit. If you are planning to go to this amazing coastal city, here are just some of the best things to do in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
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1. Relax at Reggae Hill
Named after the music genre for which the country is known for, Reggae Hill in Jamaica is one of the best tourist attractions in Ocho Rios. It is a beautiful park that is located adjacent to a riverbank and is covered with lush, green grass. Just sit back, relax, breathe the fresh air, and get in touch with nature again while you are being surrounded by exotic plants, colorful flowers, and trees that are centuries old.
Reggae Hill
Address: Exchange,, Ocho Rios P.O.,, Ocho Rios, St Ann’s Bay, Jamaica
Website: Reggae Hill
Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 9am - 6pm (closed from Thu - Mon)
2. Have fun and try your luck at RENO Bar and Gaming Lounge
Try your luck during your vacation at Ocho Rios by playing some games at the RENO Bar and Gaming Lounge, the largest casino in the city. Strategically located right on Main Street, there’s over 100 machines where you can play and win (if luck is in your favor.) Aside from the machines, there’s also poker, roulette, blackjack, or craps tables. Even challenge yourself by trying out the Caribbean Stud Poker game.
RENO Bar and Gaming Lounge
Address: 18 Main St, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Website: RENO Bar and Gaming Lounge
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun - Thu: 10am - 3am
Editors’ Note: Establishment is CLOSED at the time of update
3. Swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios
Listen to the soft music of the Caribbean waters, get a touch of the aquatic creatures, and visit a replica of the popular pirate haunt called Little Port Royal by joining on this full-day tour to the Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios. Enjoy a whole day of full access to all of the attractions inside the Dolphin Cove. Experience petting and feeding stingrays, swimming and playing with the dolphins, and strolling through the man-made jungle full of exotic animals. Conclude your day in Dolphin Cove by trying some of their tropical fruits, having your hair braided, and just relaxing and unwinding under the sun.
Book Tours : Ocho Rios: Dolphin Cove Tickets
4. Try the best Jamaican dishes at Miss T's Kitchen
Of course, you will surely want to try some of the best and most authentic Jamaican dishes during your trip to Ocho Rios. The best place where you can try them is at Miss T’s Kitchen in the city. They serve the best selection of healthy, home-cooked Jamaican dishes and beverages. You will also enjoy the garden setting while you enjoy a hearty meal. Aside from that, you can also enjoy your meal while listening to some of the best Jamaican tunes, making your experience in Miss T’s Kitchen even better.
Miss T's Kitchen
Address: 65 Main St, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Website: Miss T’s Kitchen
Opening hours: 12pm - 11pm (daily)
5. Unwind at Shaw Park Botanical Gardens
Known to be the biggest botanical garden in Ocho Rios, Shaw Park Botanical Gardens is a must-visit destination for families and groups of friends. It is located 800 feet (243.84 meters) above sea level and is surrounded by lush forests and a hillside. Be amazed by the large waterfall that traverses through the garden, beautiful flower gardens, and lots of open spaces to have a picnic and some fun. If you want to take a break from the busyness of life at downtown Ocho Rios, then the Shaw Park Botanical Gardens would be the best place for you to visit.
Shaw Park Botanical Gardens
Address: James Ave, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Website: Shaw Park Botanical Gardens
6. Have some drinks at John Crow's Tavern
John Crow’s Tavern is regarded as one of the hottest bars in the city that serves the best American cuisine. The bar offers a nice place to talk with friends, have some drinks, and just enjoy the tunes being played by local DJs during the Friday nights. They also serve the best food that will surely go along well with your drinks. When you are having a drink at John Crow’s Tavern, make sure to have yourself seated at the terrace that overlooks Ocho Rios’ Main Street, where all the action takes place and has a very great atmosphere.
John Crow's Tavern
Address: 10 Main St, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Opening hours: 9am - 11pm (daily)
7. Get in touch with nature at Fern Gully
Connecting the city of Ocho Rios to the quaint community of Colgate, Fern Gully is considered one of Jamaica’s best natural attractions. The road was built in 1907 when an earthquake destroyed a river in Ocho Rios. The road was named “Fern Gully” because of the assorted varieties of ferns that grow along the road. These ferns grow so tall that it has already formed a natural tunnel made entirely of ferns. Make sure to have your photos taken at Fern Gully, especially when you are on the way to visit the town of Colgate and other communities near Ocho Rios.
Fern Gully
Address: A3, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
8. Dance all night at Gen-X Sports Bar & Night Club LLC
The Gen-X Sports Bar & Night Club would definitely be the best place for those seeking to party and dance all night long. This bustling sports bar and night club at the heart of Ocho Rios features amazing live music and talented local DJs where you can just groove the night away. There are also karaoke nights, ladies nights, and other special events for you to be entertained until the sun goes up. Have all the drinks you want from their extensive bar and bartender.
Gen-X Sports Bar & Night Club LLC
Address: 36-38 Island Plaza, Main Street, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Jamaica
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 3pm - 12am; Thu: 3pm - 2am; Fri - Sat: 3pm - 5am; Sun: 4pm - 12am
9. Be enchanted at Turtle River Falls & Gardens
The Turtle River Falls & Gardens is a tropical garden right at the heart of Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The garden has a total land area of 15 acres (6.07 hectares) which are laden with exotic yet endangered and indigenous plants all around the country. There’s also a total of 14 waterfalls that cascades through the Turtle River. You will surely be amazed by the different kinds of birds that you can see inside their walk-in aviary. A swimming pool with a tropical theme also comes with a grill and a poolside bar for you to have fun under the sun. You can also just watch some majestic koi swimming through in their beautiful Japanese pond.
Turtle River Falls & Gardens
Address: Eden Bower Rd, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Website: Turtle River Falls & Gardens
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed on Sun)
10. Go souvenir shopping at Ocho Rios Market
Known to be the largest market in the whole of Ocho Rios, Ocho Rios Market has over a hundred vendors and craftsmen that sell a variety of products at a very reasonable price. Some of their the goods that they sell include wooden crafts, food items, authentic Blue Mountain coffee, bags, straw hats, and a whole lot more. However, make sure that you carefully plan out your visit as it can get really busy and crowded, especially when cruise ships dock on the port nearby.
11. Spend quality family time at Turtle River Park
Turtle River Park offers a very relaxing oasis right in the middle of the busy city of Ocho Rios. It offers the best place for friends and families to spend time with each other and bond. You can enjoy a picnic, have a stroll, jog, read, watch the fish and turtles swimming, and let your kids play on the lush and green open spaces around the park. Turtle River Park is Ocho Rios’ version of Emancipation Park in Kingston, Jamaica’s capital city.
Turtle River Park
Address: Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 8pm; Sat - Sun: 8am - 9pm
12. Watch the latest flicks at Cove Theater
Every one of us surely loves to watch movies. The best place to watch quality movies in Ocho Rios is at Cove Theater. They show the best and the latest Hollywood films, as well as locally produced films. There’s also a wide variety of drinks and foodstuff that you can order while you are watching a movie, like sodas, chips, popcorn, hotdogs, and candies.
Cove Theater
Address: Main St, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Website: Cove Theater
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 4:30pm - 9pm; Sat: 2pm - 11pm; Sun: 2pm - 9pm; Mon: 4:30 - 10pm
13. Swim at the clear waters of Blue Hole
Spend the day swimming and exploring the natural water formations at the Blue Hole and Konoko Falls Park. Enjoy swimming and cliff diving into naturally formed pools, shower under the waterfalls, and enter some amazing caves while at the Blue Hole. Also, get to know about the natural river gardens of Konoko Falls Park and the history behind the Taino people. You will be transported by an air-conditioned minivan from the Ocho Rios city center to the two natural water parks.
14. Shop 'til you drop at Island Village
The Island Village is an upscale shopping center that features a Carribean look and feel wherever you go. The shopping center is composed of a central open space with a stage and an amazing water show and is surrounded by multiple two-storey buildings. Each of the shops at Island Village are brightly and attractively painted. This area leads down to a beach. You can find everything you need at the Island village - from boutiques, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, cinemas, and even a museum.
Island Village
Address: Turtle River Road, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Website: Island Village
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 8:30pm; Sat: 9am - 11pm (closed on Sun)
15. Let your kids have fun at Wata Land
Just a 15-minute drive away from the Ocho Rios city center is the Wata Land Eco Park, the newest and the most exciting eco-water park located in the White River Valley area between St. Mary and St. Ann. Adults and teens will surely have fun at their 3-acre (1.21-hectare) beach lake. There’s also a 5,000-square foot (465-square meter) floating and inflatable water park with its own slides. There’s also kayaking and sailing facilities available inside the water park. Little kids can also have fun at the kids’ water play area that has itsown slides as well as a splash pad.
Wata Land
Address: A. Lot 3 White River Ocho Rios Jamaica
Website: Wata Land
Opening hours: Fri - Wed: 10am - 5:30pm; Thu: 10am - 8:30pm
16. Take a day off at Lé Mer Spa
After several days of just exploring and experiencing the best of Ocho Rios, you surely deserve to have a day off. The best thing that you can do to spend your day off is by relaxing and getting pampered at the Lé Mer Spa in Ocho Rios. They offer different kinds of skin treatments and makeup services to maintain your looks while regaining the energy you have lost during your excursion. You don’t have to worry as Lé Mer Spa only uses the best facial and beauty products applied by the best and professional therapists and beauty specialists.
Lé Mer Spa
Address: 85 Main St, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Website: Lé Mer Spa
17. Watch the sunset at Ocho Rios Bay Beach
Ocho Rios Bay Beach on the northern coast of Jamaica is considered to be Ocho Rio’s main beach. Also known as “Turtle Beach”, it is lined up with luxurious hotels and restaurants. It is also crowded with tourists, especially during afternoons, for watching the sun set. The beach is also located on a large bay so everyone will really have their own space to relax and have fun.
Ocho Rios Bay Beach
Address: Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Jamaica
18. Go swimming near Dunn's River Falls
Be mesmerized as you get to see the amazing natural staircase of Dunn’s River Falls, a terraced waterfall. You can climb in the falls itself or use the stairs equipped just beside the falls. Aside from the falls itself, you will surely fall in love with the picturesque rainforest that surrounds it. You can also do a side trip to the Fern Gully and discover the different kinds of ferns. Along the way, you will stop by one of the best restaurants in Ocho Rios for you to try the best dishes in the area.
Book Tours : Dunn's River Falls Day Tour
19. Experience deep sea sport fishing activity
Just sitting back while fishing is really a great activity for you to do. What if we make it more exciting by spending half the day doing some deep sea sport fishing? You will surely have fun fishing for some great fishes and aquatic creatures you have never seen before while aboard on the luxurious, 38-foot (11.58-meter) Betram yacht called Magic Time. You will surely get comfortable while aboard the Magic Time as the yacht comes with a bedroom, bathroom, air-conditioned galley, refrigerator, stove, microwave, and shower. Some of the fishes that you can catch in the waters of Ocho Rios include blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo, barracuda, red snapper, grouper, bonito, and tuna.
Book Tours : Ocho Rios: Half-Day Deep Sea Sport Fishing Charter
20. Enjoy rainforest adventures at Mystic Mountain
Experience having the ride of your life as you enter Mystic Mountain, where a ride inspired by Jamaica’s national Olympic bobsled team is waiting for you. Known to be one of the best attractions in Ocho Rios, you will ride in a custom-made and designed sled and just slide down the 1,000-meter (3,281-foot) long track installed at the edges of the mountain. Gravity alone powers the sled, giving you an even more exhilarating experience. If you want to slow down and be amazed by the surrounding Jamaican forest, there’s a special handbrake that you can use to slow down the sled.
Book Tours : Ocho Rios: Jamaica Bobsled Adventure
21. Go on an adventure of a lifetime at Yaaman Adventure Park
Let yourself and your family experience the adventure of a lifetime at Yaaman Adventure Park. It is formerly a plantation that overlooks the White River Gorge. Get lost in the muddy trails while riding on either a Segway, open-air carriage, mud buggy, and even a camel. After your whole adventure, get to learn how to cook authentic Jamaican dishes by yourself through an interactive cooking class, and compare your creation to the real ones at the restaurant inside the park.
Book Tours : Yaaman Full Hundred
22. Explore the coast on a horseback ride
Get to explore the wide coast of Jamaica by joining this two-and-a-half hour adventure coming from Ocho Rios. Traverse the city’s countryside while riding horseback. Your tour will conclude at the beach for you to just sit back, relax, and swim at the clear wares all you can. A refreshing drink also awaits you at the end of your tour. Whether you are an expert horseback rider or not, you are very much welcome to join this amazing tour.
Book Tours : Heritage Beach Horse Ride
Enjoy sunny Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios is surely blessed with a lot of natural and man-made attractions that everyone in your family will surely enjoy. Have the most unforgettable trip of your life by trying out the best things to do in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Have fun!
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