Best Things To Do in Ocho Rios

An adventure park, right in the middle of a mountainside rainforest. Take the Sky Explorer chairlift for stonkingly good views over the treetops or zoom down the zipline or bobsled track. There’s also a fantastic pool and waterslide. Only about a five-minute drive from the Ocho Rios Cruise Ship Pier, this makes for a cracking half or full day out, without having to travel too far from the resort.

One of Jamaica’s most beautiful things to see, the Dunn’s River falls pour down from 600 feet, flanked by lush vegetation. There are a number of vantage points, and it’s possible to climb the limestone rocks up the falls, then scramble, jump and slide back down. Bring swimwear and grippy shoes, and don’t miss the beach which is a lovely spot to rest up for a while.

Release your inner Tarzan, leaping on the rope swing and into brilliant blue waters (a guide will be able to show you the best spots to launch from). Then walk along the river to the waterfall (it usually takes less than ten minutes). We could easily spend a whole day around here, soaking up the natural surroundings and watching cliff jumpers leap into the water.

Not to be confused with white water rafting (though you can do that in the area too), River Rafting on the White River shows you another side of Jamaica, and it’s incredible. Sit back on a Jamaican bamboo raft while a guide steers you gently down the river – passing greenery and tropical birds along the way.

A beautifully restored Georgian clergy house on the top of a hill, four miles east of Ocho Rios. Indoors, you can view (and buy) the works of over a hundred Jamaican artists and creatives. Downstairs, the Toscanini Italian restaurant’s one of the best places to eat in Ocho Rios – if not Jamaica.

A stunning 25-acre botanical garden up in the hills above Ocho Rios. There are some 600 species of flower here, not to mention ferns, shrubs and palm trees. Set out over a number of levels, the gardens feature an incredible waterfall and the views from the top are incredible.

Explore at your own pace or follow a guide – either way the Konoko falls offer a day to remember. A botanical garden, Taino Indian Museum and mini zoo come together here, but the main attraction is by far the gorgeous climbable waterfalls with their natural pool. Often less busy than the Dunn’s River Falls, these make for a cracking alternative (or second trip, if you’ve got waterfall fever).

This small history museum and botanical garden are part of the Shaw Park Estate. Learn about Jamaica’s past, from the times of the Taino Indians through to the present day. Then amble around the three acres of the garden, where tours tell you all about Jamaica’s flora and fauna. Don’t miss the gorgeous water garden, the Mahoe falls and the Ysassis Lookout Point for views over the bay.

Looking out over the sea, within a kilometre of Saint Ann’s – this piece of land has seen a lot of history. It was a Taino village called Maima before Columbus arrived, then it became Sevilla la Nueva (New Seville) - one of Spain’s first settlements in the New World. The Spanish abandoned it when the English took over the island, and the English went on to build a great house, which still stands today. You can also see the ruins of Spanish buildings and a sugar plantation and reconstructed slave quarters and Taino huts.

Explore the village where Bob Marley was born, learn about his life and musical inspirations and visit his family home and mausoleum. Reggae bands carry on Marley’s legacy, blasting out Jamaican vibes. A handful of tour companies run day trips to Nine Miles, filling you in on local history on the drive out.

Thick vegetation surrounds the Green Grotto Caves, which have been used by settlers for hundreds of years. Archaeologists have found artefacts from the original Taino settlers, and the Spanish hid here when the English were taking over the island. 20th century smugglers used the caves when transporting arms to Cuba and the government stored rum in the caves after WWII. They’re fascinating to explore, with deep chambers, an underground lake and dramatic stalactites and stalagmites.