Things to do in  Ocho Rios

Formerly a sleepy fishing village, Ocho Rios is now the cruise ship capital of Jamaica's north coast: plentiful opportunities for shopping, adventure, and relaxation make it easy to see why. Topping the list of nearby natural landmarks is Dunn's River Falls, where cold mountain water cascades 1,000 feet (300 meters), which is best visited alongside the Blue Hole on a day trip or shore excursion. The Class II-IV rapids of the White River lend themselves well to watersports, with experiences ranging from relaxed tubing and kayaking to high-octane rafting and river boarding. A top draw for reggae fans is Nine Mile, birthplace of music legend Bob Marley, where Marley devotees can visit Mt. Zion and the singer’s mausoleum. On the seafront, places such as Bamboo Blu Beach, Runaway Bay, and Turtle Beach are ideal places to relax or canter on horseback, while the Blue Mountains, home to the island’s highest peak, allure outdoor adventurers with dense forests and fauna-rich hikes. No visit to Jamaica is complete without sampling local staples, rum and jerk chicken. Head to the Appleton Estate to adire sprawling sugar plantations and feast on the aforementioned delicacies on a day trip. For visitors with time to explore the whole of Jamaica, opt for a day trip to Montego Bay, Port Antonio, or Kingston, the island’s vibrant capital, to further your exploration of the Caribbean paradise.