Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios

Dunn River Falls is one of the premier attractions in Ocho Rios. I highly recommend going. The only downside is that it tends to get too crowded because all the tourists want to go. I have heard that the best day to go is Sunday because there are no cruise ships at port and therefore there are fewer visitors.

The vendors are kind of aggressive. Just walk fast and do not make eye contact if you are not interested in buying anything. If you respond to them then they won't leave you alone.

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It is a short ride to the Park which the falls are located in. The cost for admission for Americans is 15 bucks for adults and 12 for children. Our admission was paid through the shore excursion on the ship. When you arrive at the falls,. You can either rent for 5 bucks water shoes or buy a new pair for 15. I suggest if you can pack your own that way you don’t have to rent or buy theirs. Once you get your watershoes you are then taken to the locker area by your guide. The guides are fabulous. The cost to rent a locker is 8 Bucks. You get 3 of it back at the end of your journey. The guides offer to take your camera up the falls for you so you can get some shots. At first we were hesitant as we had just shelled out 200 bucks for a new camera but in the end we were glad we did. He got some great shots.
You are led to the restrooms and warned that the water is cold. I honeslty didn’t think it was that cold. Then you are led to the falls. You join hands and begin the ascent up the 950 ft falls. IT is amazing and fun. Things to watch for are slippery rocks, holes in between rocks, rushing water. The force of the water in some spots is really strong. They take several photos on the way up and give you some info about the falls. It was a blast I am so glad we did this. We saw some scary looking spiders and webs and even a little crab out for a stroll on the rock ledge. We also saw a cool looking bird. At the end of the trip the guides tell you they work for tips. We tipped 30 american cause we were pleased with the pictures they took. You are also offered to buy a dvd of your climb for 40 bucks. You can and should negotiate this price. We got them down to 20 bucks. We didn’t buy it though. Another thing when leaving the park the people selling stuff are obnoxious. Just don’t look at them and keep on waling and they wont bother you. They handed my nieces and nephew a turtle and my sister had to take it away cause they wanted too much money for it. All in all a must see and a must do…

Take the tour and climb the falls that lead from the beach up a hillside to teh top fo the falls. The falls are especially cold and make sure you are into your fellow man since when you climb the falls everyone is in a line and holding hands.

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One of the most popular things to do while in the Ocho Rios area is climb Dunn's River Falls.
You can climb the 6oo feet falls with a group, holding hands as you go. I would have preferred being able to climb on my own, using my hands to balance. The rocks are slippery and you most likely will fall. I backed out of the group and waited on dry land with my pregnant sister-in-law. If I was on my own with no pressure to keep up with a group, I would have done it. But with my back problems and fear of heights/falling I was happy to just watch and take pictures.
A cruise ship was in port and it was also a holiday so many locals were here. I would like to visit the falls when there are less people. They are quite pretty!

You can rent water shoes (another fact I didn't like...uncomfortable, toe-fungus filled shoes) or wear old sneakers. Be sure to bring a water proof camera- you will get wet!

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One of Jamaica's most famous visitor attractions is the stunning Dunn's River Falls. Many visitors climb the waterfalls from the beach right to the top, stopping on the way to enjoy the cool plunge pools formed naturally in the river rocks and the waterfalls.

We booked a tour with Phil Lafayette and had a wonderful time. www.phil-lafayette-tours.com

*Remember to bring watersocks if you're doing the wet climb*

Our trip to the Falls was arranged through the hotel concierge desk and involved a 10-15 minute bus ride down the coast. The area was a combination of jungle and beach with the 50 foot waterfall in the middle. The "tour" consisted of one guide who led our group of 20 from the sandy beach up the falls. The rocks are continally scrubbed to provide traction and water is refreshing (COLD!). Beautiful scenery, be sure to take your water camera.

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Dunn's River Falls was named after a British General who defeated the Spanish there and brought Jamaica under British rule. The falls and lush landscape is a sight to behold. If you are physically fit, it will take you approximately an hour to climb the entire falls and is very easy to navigate as the river is not too deep (no problem mon). However, make sure you wear water shoes because tennis shoes or going barefoot is not permitted. You can rent water shoes at the park for around $ 5. Admission to the park is around $ 15 U.S. dollars.

Dunn's River Falls is not too far from Ochos Rios and many of the large hotel chains offer excursions here. The falls is basically a series of falls on the side of this rock formation that you climb up. Be very careful because it can get quite slippery and its very easy to twist your ankle while climbing the falls. You will definitely get wet as you climb the rock formation and play and slide in the falls. Its quite a nice way to cool off in the Jamaican heat. Also many of the excursions also include lunch at the beach after your climb which is fun when your excursion guides try to start teaching you some Jamaican dances, including the famous "tootsie roll" or as Nelly would put it "get your eagle on girl".

You can't lost it if you are in Ocho Rios. It's a mixture of jungle, beautifull river falls and beaches.
You can take a taxi or a bus to arrive there, but we went on foot. It won't take you more that 40 minutes walking.
Once you are there you'll have to pay between 15-20 us$ to watch them, it's expesive but it's a great experience and probably you never see sth like that again.
You can pay a guide to go with you in the river falls or you can go alone. If you are phisicaly well I would'n contract a guide, it's not so dangerous and you can decide your own route to climb the falls.
After visiting the falls you can go to beach, a nice place full of locals.
* OPENING HOURS:
- Regular 8.30 a.m - 4.00 p.m
- Cruise Ship Days (Wed, Thu, Fri) 7.00 a.m - 4.00 p.m
* RATES:
- Fees Jamaican Residents
Adult J$300.00
Child $150.00 (Ages 2-11 years)

- Non-Resident
Adult US$15.00 (or J$ equiv.)
Child US$12.00 (or J$ equiv.) (Ages 2-11 years)

We went to Dunn's River Falls. It took about 30 minutes via a catamaran. They served beer and frozen drinks on the way there. Once there you climb up holding hands with everyone due to the slippery conditions. They will take your pictures as the water cascades behind you... very cold!! It is alot of fun. After you walk up the waterfall there will be some ladies at the top tossing down beads to the girls. You stay a while on the semi-secluded part of the island. While there you can take some really pretty pictures.