Ocho Rios, a beach town in northwestern Jamaica, a popular tourist destination. The town is well known for its clear waters, greenery, and white sand beaches. Ocho Rios has so much to offer than its famous resorts. There are a lot of hidden attractions for people visiting Jamaica. In this article, we will discuss some of Ocho Rios beaches, restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions, that are worth visiting in 2023.
Ocho Rios is easy to reach, as it is only 90 minutes drive from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport. Visitors can choose from a wide range of accomodation options, including luxury resorts, cottages, and budget hotels.
Travel Expenses
The currency widely used in Jamaica is Jamaican dollar (JMD / J$). As of this date, 1 US$ is equals to approx. 152 J$. The average prices in Jamaica for visitor’s basic needs are:
Flights to Jamaica
The flights from US to Jamaica costs somewhere between US$280 to US$600. It depends on where are you flying from.
Transportation in Jamaica
For long distance travel within Jamaica, the preferred mode of transportation is Buses. Average cost of bus ride is USD1 per hour.
For short ride, Taxis cost on average USD1.5 per kilometer.
Rent a Car in Jamaica: Rental car may be a good option for those who love to drive and explore the area on their own. A standard sedan rent for a day is between US$40 to US$55.
Food / Meals
US$2 to US$3 for Beef patties
US$15 to US$30 for grilled or fried fish
US$10 to US$20 for a goat or chicken curry with rice
US$6 to US$13 for jerk chicken, rice, peas, and a side of vegetables.
US$ 7 to US$16 for Breakfast (common breakfast in Jamaica is Ackee and saltfish with dumplings and fried plantains.
Note: All the prices mentioned above are on an average. The actual prices may differ depending on the location and time of your visit.
Beaches in Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios has some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches.
Turtle Beach, located just five minutes from town, is a popular swimming and sun bath.
James Bond Beach, approximately 15km away from Ocho Rios in Oracabessa Bay, is a great place for water sports lovers.
Mahogany Beach is quiet with peaceful environment, If you want privacy while on a vacation, you need to visit this place.
Water Sports in Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios has a variety of water sports activities for tourists.
Snorkeling at Dunn’s River Falls, a natural wonder and one of Jamaica’s most photographed attractions.
Scuba diving is another popular activity in Ocho Rios, with so many scuba diving locations close to the town.
Visitors can also go jet skiing, parasailing, and deep-sea fishing.
Ocho Rios Culture
Like the rest of Jamaica, Ocho Rios has a rich cultural history. Local artists promote their work in markets and galleries throughout the town.
Local Shopping: The Ocho Rios Craft Market is the place where visitors can buy handmade crafts and souvenirs.
Cusine: Jerk chicken, Goat curry, Ackee and Saltfish are the best of Jamaican dishes available to visitors.
Nearby Attractions
Ocho Rios has a lot of nearby attractions to visit.
Mystic Mountain, located just outside of Ocho Rios, is a rainforest adventure park with zip lines, bobsled rides, and a sky explorer chairlift.
Bob Marley Museum in Kingston praises the legendary reggae artist’s life and music.
Restaurants in Ocho Rios
One of the most enjoyable thing of visiting Jamaica is tasting the local cuisine. Many restaurants in Ocho Rios serve authentic Jamaican food.
Ocho Rios Jerk Spot: A popular restaurant in Ocho Rios. This restaurant is well known for its authentic Jamaican jerk dishes, which include chicken, fish, and shrimp marinated in local spices and slow cooked over an open flame. Other Jamaican specialties available to visitors include curry goat, rice and peas, and plantains. Visitors can dine indoors or outdoors in the restaurant’s relaxed environment.
Evita’s Italian Restaurant: Restaurant in Ocho Rios. This beautiful place looks like a colonial-style building and offers some of the finest Italian food in the area. On the menu are Fresh Seafood, Pizza (cooked on Wooden Fire) and Homemade Style Pasta. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining options, and it has a romantic ambience perfect for couples.
Hotels in Ocho Rios Jamaica
Ocho Rios is home to some of Jamaica’s most luxurious resorts, including Sandals Ocho Rios and Riu Ocho Rios.
Sandals Ocho Rios is an all-inclusive resort for couples only. There are several pools, private beach, spa, and lots of outdoor activities at the resort. For food lovers, it offers a variety of dining choices like French, Italian, and Caribbean cuisine.
Riu Ocho Rios is a large resort with over 900 rooms and suites, all of which have breathtaking ocean or garden views. The resort has a variety of facilities, such as multiple swimming pools, water sports, daily entertainment, and a number of restaurants and bars. The resort is perfect for both families and couples.
Beaches Ocho Rios Resort & Golf Club is one of the best places to stay with family. The resort has a water park, a kids club, a golf course, and a number of food options. Water sports are also available on the resort’s beautiful beach.
Tourist Attractions in Ocho Rios
Dunn’s River Falls and Mystic Mountain are two popular tourist attractions in Ocho Rios. However, there are several hidden gems in town that visitors must explore.
The Blue Hole is one of Ocho Rios’ hidden gems. The Blue Hole is a stunning natural swimming hole deep within the Jamaican rainforest. The Blue Hole provides visitors with a refreshing swim in crystal clear water surrounded by amazing scenery. Visitors can either jump off the cliffs into the water or relax in the bottom pools.
The Konoko Falls and Park: It is home to many waterfalls. Tourists can spend there time by climbing the waterfalls, swimming in the pools or just relaxing in the beautiful gardens. You can also experience the history and culture of Jamaica by visiting a nearby museum.
The Firefly Estate is another less known tourist attraction in Ocho Rios. The Firefly Estate is a beautiful hillside property with a view of the Caribbean Sea. Sir Noel Coward (famous British playwright) used to live at this place, which is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. Visitors can tour the property and enjoy the stunning views of the sea.
Conclusion
Ocho Rios may not be as famous as other Jamaican tourist destinations, but it is still worth visiting this year. There’s something for everyone with its beautiful beaches, exciting water sports, rich culture, food and tourist attractions. Ocho Rios can make long living memories for its visitors.