Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
Nestled on the northern coast of Jamaica with pleasant temperatures year round, surrounded by white sand beaches, waterfalls, and seven thousand foot high mountains, Ocho Rios is a true tropical paradise. Jamaica is the third largest Caribbean island, and Ocho Rios C or Ochi C is its undisputed tourism capital.
With a population just under ten thousand, Ocho Rios boasts the highest concentration of all-inclusive resorts on Jamaica and is the primary port of call for cruise ships, which deliver up to six thousand passengers per day to the area. Whether you arrive on one of these luxury liners, stay at an all-inclusive resort, or indulge in other tropical accommodations, Ocho Rios offers a wide range of interesting sights and attractions.
Tasty Treats C Fortify Yourself For Exploration
Before heading out to explore Ocho Rios, or perhaps after an invigorating day of discovering this enclave of Jamaica, it is imperative to try some local cuisine. Because of the large tourist industry, there is a wide variety of restaurants serving everything from vegetarian cuisine to gourmet European entrees. For a distinctive Jamaican appetizer, select pepperpot soup, a creamy blend of herbs and spices in a rich roasted broth available at many restaurants.
No food is more uniquely Jamaican than jerk chicken and jerk pork. A pungent array of hearty spices is rubbed onto the meat and allowed to marinate, then slow-roasted over pimento wood until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. Dont forget plenty to drink; the spices deliver quite a kick!
General Activities In Ocho Rios
Like any tropical island, Ocho Rios offers vacationers a variety of indulgent activities for different activity and skill levels.
Beaches: Whether you want to sun on the white sand or cavort in the turquoise Caribbean waters, Ocho Rios has many beaches available for visitors. Mallards Beach is often the most crowded from hotel guests and cruise ship passengers. Turtle Beach is a bit less crowded, and hosts concessionaires for jet skis, windsurfing, and other water sports. James Bond Beach and Dunns River Beach, right beneath the famous falls, offer less crowded but still beautiful venues.
Fishing: The public pier at Fishermans Point offers deep-sea fishing charters, and many boats are available by the hour or for half- or full-day excursions.
Golf: Challenging courses can be found at many of the all-inclusive resorts. There are no fees for guests staying at the resort, and most will allow non-guests to purchase passes.
Tennis: The Beaches Grand Sport At Ciboney is the most tennis-oriented resort, with both clay and hard-surfaced courts, all lit for night play. Lessons can be arranged.
Horseback Riding: Whether youd prefer to ride along lush tropical trails or canter through the waves, rides can always be arranged. Depending on the stable, rides range from one to three hours, and lessons are available.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Many guides can arrange for diving, with the best location being Devils Reef, a two hundred foot underwater precipice for serious divers. Vendors are available to arrange both beginning and advanced excursions.
Note also that most all-inclusive resorts offer exquisite dining and nightly entertainment, as well as private beaches, pools, and other facilities. Non-guests can often purchase day or evening passes to enjoy these benefits.
Shopping C Striking a Deal
Shopping is an interesting experience in Ocho Rios because of the high level of tourism. Vendors are highly aggressive but utterly polite, and the attitude of no problem, mon is prevalent. When approached by a vendor, if you arent interested simply refuse politely and continue shopping without fear of reprisal.
The Jamaican currency is the dollar, which is not nearly as valuable as the US dollar. When asking a price, be sure to specify the correct currency. A vendor who quotes a price in Jamaican dollars wont correct the tourist who offers far more valuable American currency as payment. Be aware, however, that negotiation is a highly developed art form in Jamaica, and prices are nearly always inflated to allow for intensive haggling.
Most major attractions have at least one on-site gift shop or a variety of vendor stalls selling souvenirs, from t-shirts and handicraft items to postcards and other standard merchandise. Finer items, such as Swiss watches, diamond solitaires, 18-karat gold jewelry, linens, crystal, spices, perfumes, and coffee can be purchased at the shopping centers. The New Ocho Rios Plaza hosts sixty different shops near the center of town, and other plazas can be found closer to the cruise docks and resorts. The Ocho Rios Craft Park is one of several handicraft venues, with one hundred fifty vendors selling carvings, traditional woven crafts, and even personalized items.
A Dozen Dont Miss Attractions
In addition to typical island activities, Ocho Rios offers many unique attractions for visitors interested in delving deeper into the history and culture of the area.
1. Brimmer Hall Estate: This working fruit and coffee plantation offers tours, a luxurious pool, and light lunches.
2. Cranbrook Flower Forest: A restored watermill and one hundred thirty acre commercial nursery, this botanical delight houses thousands of orchids. For a fee, visitors can fish in the freshwater ponds, and a chef will clean, gut, and grill any catches for a delicious lunch. Croquet and volleyball are available.
3. Dolphin Cove: Three levels of dolphin interaction are offered here: petting the playful creatures, playing with them in the water, and actually swimming with them. Prices increase with the level of interaction. A tropical aquarium, jungle trail, and occasional shows are also highlights.
4. Dunns River Falls: This spectacular six hundred foot terraced waterfall is the most popular, and therefore most crowded, attraction in Ocho Rios. Visitors can relax on the beach, stroll the stairways for breathtaking views, or join hands with one another and an experienced guide to climb the falls. The climb takes from thirty minutes to one hour, and changing facilities are available.
5. Enchanted Garden: An orchard, aviary, and guided tours are all available at this twenty acre landscaped park boasting fourteen graceful waterfalls.
6. Fern Gully: A short drive inland from Ocho Rios leads to Fern Gully, a three mile stretch of dry riverbed that has been converted into a scenic road. Hundreds of fern species have been planted along the route, and souvenir stands abound.
7. Green Grotto Caves: Naturally carved from coastal limestone, these picturesque caves are populated by a variety of stalactites and stalagmites. The highlight of the caves is Grotto Lake, a subterranean lake that visitors can cross by boat.
8. Harmony Hall: For the more artistic visitor, this art gallery is a must see. It houses an extensive collection of Jamaican artists painting and sculpture.
9. Island Village: Dubbed a theme park for its vivacity, Island Village offers numerous attractions. Located along four acres of beachfront and decorated in vibrant colors, the forty shops, various restaurants, and intermittent reggae shows offer a microcosm of Jamaican personality. Here visitors can enjoy Margaritaville at Ocho Rios, complete with rooftop whirlpool tub, waterslide, and multiple bars. Reggae connoisseurs will want to visit Reggae Explosion, a museum dedicated to the origins and expressions of the distinctively Jamaican music.
10. Prospect Plantation: This working plantation houses a wide variety of trees and plants, including banana, coffee, cocoa, sugarcane, coconut, and pineapple. An eighteen hole miniature golf course and horseback riding tours offer even more variety to visitors.
11. Shaw Park Botanical Gardens: Though often overshadowed by more popular attractions, small crowds and spectacular aerial views of Ocho Rios make this a worthwhile stop.
12. White River Bamboo Rafting: A quiet raft journey down the shaded and tranquil White River is a relaxing alternative to more vigorous attractions. Rafts accommodate two riders plus a guide, and light refreshments are available.
If you cant decide which attractions to visit, many organized tours are available that incorporate several different destinations. Tours can be arranged for groups of different sizes with buses, bikes, and even helicopters.
Annual Events In Ocho Rios
Depending on the time of year you visit Ocho Rios, you may be able to participate in distinctively Jamaican festivals that make your stay even more of a celebration.
Reggae Sunsplash occurs early in February to commemorate the birth date of Bob Marley, the father of reggae music. Many different local reggae bands help to fill the streets with music during this event.
The first week in April is Carnival time in Ocho Rios, with daily parades and nightly concerts.
The second week in June is the time of the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, highlighting many talented local and international jazz musicians.
No matter when you visit Ocho Rios, you will find many different attractions and events suitable for all ages, interests, and activity levels. Whether you want to indulge in the serenity of a white sand beach, climb a cool mountain waterfall, or tour a piece of Jamaican culture, Ocho Rios offers it all. Regardless of your desires in this tropical paradise, its no problem, mon.
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