Cruise Holidays To Jamaica - Ocho Rios

Overview

Ocho Rios, which means 'eight rivers', is east of Montego Bay on Jamaica's beautiful north coast. It has developed into a sophisticated duty free shopping centre, but there are also some good excursions and plenty of beaches for day trips. Dunn's River Falls is the most popular - you start at the bottom of a 600-foot high waterfall and scramble up its many rock steps in human chains - perfect on a hot day. There's horse riding at Prospect Plantation; golf at Breezes; swimming with dolphins at Dolphin Cove; and visits to the restored great house and art gallery, Harmony Hall, ten miles out of town. You can also visit Noel Coward's lovely old house, Firefly.

The cruise terminal is located on the edge of town and has telephones, an information desk and outside, a taxi rank. The shops are about five minutes' walk away. Don't be put off by the many souvenir vendors - they take a bit of getting used to. Remember to haggle in the market. You can try haggling in the shops, too, but it doesn't always work.

Good buys include anything duty free (electronics, perfume, designer jewellery, gemstones), Jamaican fragrances and handmade soaps. Rums and liqueurs, reggae music, Blue Mountain coffee and cigars also make good souvenirs.