Falmouth, Jamaica
When your ship docks in Falmouth, Jamaica, there is really nothing for you to see or do at the port. You must plan ahead here for an excursion! Thankfully, the choices are almost endless. But don't procrastinate. Plan something so you get to see the real Jamaica. But do it safely with a ship's tour or an excursion from a reputable tour operator.
Dunn's River Falls
These falls cascade to the beach and are the most visited tourist attraction in Jamaica. Slippping and sliding your way to the top, with the help of others, is part of the fun. Wear aqua shoes and make sure everything is waterproofed. You can mountain-bike to the top of the falls, too. Dunn's River Falls
is located in a dense tropical forest. This Caribbean paradise consists of a number of waterfalls, which
cascade over rock terraces down to the Caribbean Sea below, and beautiful natural pools that have formed in the rockface. The falls are shallow enough to enable visitors to climb the 183m (600ft) limestone tiers to reach a tropical shower, from where they can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. There are beautiful beaches at the bottom of these magnificent falls that are also famous for featuring in the first James Bond film, 'Dr No'.
The Beach
Expect crowds on the Ocho Rios beaches, especially when cruise ships are in town. Turtle Beach is less scenic but equally busy, since it's used by both residents and tourists. James Bond Beach has scenic mountains behind it and you're likely to spot turtles swimming in the water at Reggae Vibes Beach. You will be approached by vendors on the beach. A polite, "No, thank you" should help them move along. Do not leave valuables on the beach unattended.
River Tubing
Active cruisers love to river tube the White River. Sometimes exhilarating and other times serene, the journey downriver takes you through lush Jamaican landscapes. If you can't find this one on tour own, let me know and I'll see what I can arrange.
Family Fun
Swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cove (adjacent to Dunn's River Falls), or float lazily on river rafts on the nearby White River or Black River. For a little more adventure, kids can tube, bungee jump or bounce on
a water trampoline at the small beach near Island Village (at Turtle River Road and Main Street).
Horseback-riding on the Beach
Just like in the movies or the vacation ads, you can horseback ride on the beach here. After a 45-minute trail ride you arrive at the beach and can then swim your horse into the surf.....if he/she wants to go.
Historical Tours
Great houses near the port of Falmouth include Rose Hall Great House and Greenwood Great House. Often countryside/plantation island tours will also stop at Dunn's River Falls.
Dolphin-spotting
Surrounded by tropical rainforest, Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios is the largest dolphin natural lagoon home
to numerous bottle nose dolphins. The chance to interact and swim with these magical creatures is sure to make for an unforgettable experience.
Explore the Rio Grande
Hop aboard a bamboo raft to explore the Rio Grande for a thrilling trip through banana and sugar cane plantations. Set sail from the peaks of the Blue Mountains at Berrydale before winding down to Margaret's Bay along one of Jamaica's largest rivers.
Explore the mountains on a full-day tour
Ride a bicycle downhill through an elfin forest of stunted soapwood and redwood trees, home to hundreds of species of bird and blossoming plants. Speed through the world-famous Blue Mountain coffee plantations or meander at a leisurely pace along hedgerow-flanked lanes.
Limestone caves
Check out a huge labyrinth of limestone caves on Jamaica's north coast, a stunning natural phenomena. Characterized by stalactites, stalagmites, overhead crags, tunnels light holes, and in its depths a subterranean lake, the Green Grotto was once used as shelter by the Arawak Indians (Tainos).
Lover's Leap
Head out to Lover's Leap, a sheer 518m (1,700ft) cliff overhanging the sea east of Treasure Beach. It was here that two slave lovers leaped to their deaths rather than to be separated. Those with vertigo should stand well away from the edge - the view is terrifying.
Milk River Spa
Take a rejuvenating dip in the curative waters of the aged Milk River with a visit to the unique government owned spa located here, and enjoy a naturally radioactive mineral bath. Discovered in 1794, these spring-fed therapeutic waters reach temperatures of 33°C (86°F).
Montego Bay
Chill-out or party hard Jamaican-style in Montego Bay, the island's most buzzing city.
Whether lounging all day on laid-back Doctor's Cave Beach or cruising through the gaudy delights of Gloucester, this is the spot where Jamaica lays its 'big sell' on the world's tourists. Many never make it any further.
Shaw Park Botanical Gardens
For truly vibrant blooms check out the exhibits at Shaw Park Botanical Gardens, a 10-hectare (25-acre) collection of exotic Caribbean flora in Ocho Rios. Situated high on a hilltop overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the gardens has a waterfall as a centrepiece.
Treasure Bay
Comprising three golden sandy bays on the south of the island, where palm fronds sway, azure waters lap, and local fisherman cruise their colourful boats to fish amongst the cays on the horizon. This is the Jamaican paradise you saw in the brochure before you came.
Underwater gardens
Dive in some of the best underwater gardens. Montego Bay Marine Park, located along the west and north coasts where sunken wrecks, black coral and rope sponge host a multitude of multicoloured tropical fish. Montego Bay's waters are protected, and here you're likely spot nurse sharks, eagle rays,
upside down jellyfish, tobacco fish and snapper in shallow spurs and grove reefs amidst an assortment of caverns.
Shopping
Local produce, handicrafts and duty-free bargains are just some of the reasons to hit the shops. Jamaica is renowned for its fine hand-loomed fabrics, embroidery, silk screening, woodcarvings, oil paintings, sandal-making and woven raffia. There is also a popular Quaker-run workshop specializing in wicker
furniture, floor mats and other tropical furnishings at Highgate Village in the mountains. At the In-Craft centre, it is also possible to buy custom-made rugs and reproductions of pewter and china from the 17th-century ruins of the ancient submerged city of Port Royal.
Jamaican specialities include rum and rum-related products, such as Ian Sangsters Rum Cream. The island's most famous produce market is Coronation Market, Kingston. Other markets worth visiting include Linstead Market, St Catherine; Brownstown Market, St Anne; the Savanna-la-mar Market, Westmoreland; and the Albert George Market, Falmouth. Also locally made and sold are Pepper Jellies, jams, Blue Mountain coffee, hot sauces and spices. So-called 'in-bond' shopping allows tourists to purchase international goods free of tax or duty. Goods are sealed (hence the 'bond') until away from
Jamaican waters and must be paid for in Jamaican Dollars.
Food and Drink in Jamaica
Although some Jamaican food is hot and fiery, a surprising number of dishes use subtle spicing and are free of chilli peppers. Local dishes include meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables and range from spicy and pickled to plain and deep fried. Restaurants are generally good quality, especially around
Montego Bay.
Regional Specialities
- Ackee (the cooked fruit of the ackee tree) and salt fish (dried cod).
- Rice and peas. This actually consists of kidney beans mixed with white rice, coconut milk, scallions (spring onions) and coconut oil.
- Pepperpot soup contains chunks of salt pork and salt beef with okra and callaloo (Indian kale).
- Jerk chicken is marinated overnight in rich spices (cayenne pepper, garlic, chilli, limejuice and all spice) for a full flavour before being wood-smoked in strips.
Dunn's River Falls
These falls cascade to the beach and are the most visited tourist attraction in Jamaica. Slippping and sliding your way to the top, with the help of others, is part of the fun. Wear aqua shoes and make sure everything is waterproofed. You can mountain-bike to the top of the falls, too. Dunn's River Falls
is located in a dense tropical forest. This Caribbean paradise consists of a number of waterfalls, which
cascade over rock terraces down to the Caribbean Sea below, and beautiful natural pools that have formed in the rockface. The falls are shallow enough to enable visitors to climb the 183m (600ft) limestone tiers to reach a tropical shower, from where they can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. There are beautiful beaches at the bottom of these magnificent falls that are also famous for featuring in the first James Bond film, 'Dr No'.
The Beach
Expect crowds on the Ocho Rios beaches, especially when cruise ships are in town. Turtle Beach is less scenic but equally busy, since it's used by both residents and tourists. James Bond Beach has scenic mountains behind it and you're likely to spot turtles swimming in the water at Reggae Vibes Beach. You will be approached by vendors on the beach. A polite, "No, thank you" should help them move along. Do not leave valuables on the beach unattended.
River Tubing
Active cruisers love to river tube the White River. Sometimes exhilarating and other times serene, the journey downriver takes you through lush Jamaican landscapes. If you can't find this one on tour own, let me know and I'll see what I can arrange.
Family Fun
Swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cove (adjacent to Dunn's River Falls), or float lazily on river rafts on the nearby White River or Black River. For a little more adventure, kids can tube, bungee jump or bounce on
a water trampoline at the small beach near Island Village (at Turtle River Road and Main Street).
Horseback-riding on the Beach
Just like in the movies or the vacation ads, you can horseback ride on the beach here. After a 45-minute trail ride you arrive at the beach and can then swim your horse into the surf.....if he/she wants to go.
Historical Tours
Great houses near the port of Falmouth include Rose Hall Great House and Greenwood Great House. Often countryside/plantation island tours will also stop at Dunn's River Falls.
Dolphin-spotting
Surrounded by tropical rainforest, Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios is the largest dolphin natural lagoon home
to numerous bottle nose dolphins. The chance to interact and swim with these magical creatures is sure to make for an unforgettable experience.
Explore the Rio Grande
Hop aboard a bamboo raft to explore the Rio Grande for a thrilling trip through banana and sugar cane plantations. Set sail from the peaks of the Blue Mountains at Berrydale before winding down to Margaret's Bay along one of Jamaica's largest rivers.
Explore the mountains on a full-day tour
Ride a bicycle downhill through an elfin forest of stunted soapwood and redwood trees, home to hundreds of species of bird and blossoming plants. Speed through the world-famous Blue Mountain coffee plantations or meander at a leisurely pace along hedgerow-flanked lanes.
Limestone caves
Check out a huge labyrinth of limestone caves on Jamaica's north coast, a stunning natural phenomena. Characterized by stalactites, stalagmites, overhead crags, tunnels light holes, and in its depths a subterranean lake, the Green Grotto was once used as shelter by the Arawak Indians (Tainos).
Lover's Leap
Head out to Lover's Leap, a sheer 518m (1,700ft) cliff overhanging the sea east of Treasure Beach. It was here that two slave lovers leaped to their deaths rather than to be separated. Those with vertigo should stand well away from the edge - the view is terrifying.
Milk River Spa
Take a rejuvenating dip in the curative waters of the aged Milk River with a visit to the unique government owned spa located here, and enjoy a naturally radioactive mineral bath. Discovered in 1794, these spring-fed therapeutic waters reach temperatures of 33°C (86°F).
Montego Bay
Chill-out or party hard Jamaican-style in Montego Bay, the island's most buzzing city.
Whether lounging all day on laid-back Doctor's Cave Beach or cruising through the gaudy delights of Gloucester, this is the spot where Jamaica lays its 'big sell' on the world's tourists. Many never make it any further.
Shaw Park Botanical Gardens
For truly vibrant blooms check out the exhibits at Shaw Park Botanical Gardens, a 10-hectare (25-acre) collection of exotic Caribbean flora in Ocho Rios. Situated high on a hilltop overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the gardens has a waterfall as a centrepiece.
Treasure Bay
Comprising three golden sandy bays on the south of the island, where palm fronds sway, azure waters lap, and local fisherman cruise their colourful boats to fish amongst the cays on the horizon. This is the Jamaican paradise you saw in the brochure before you came.
Underwater gardens
Dive in some of the best underwater gardens. Montego Bay Marine Park, located along the west and north coasts where sunken wrecks, black coral and rope sponge host a multitude of multicoloured tropical fish. Montego Bay's waters are protected, and here you're likely spot nurse sharks, eagle rays,
upside down jellyfish, tobacco fish and snapper in shallow spurs and grove reefs amidst an assortment of caverns.
Shopping
Local produce, handicrafts and duty-free bargains are just some of the reasons to hit the shops. Jamaica is renowned for its fine hand-loomed fabrics, embroidery, silk screening, woodcarvings, oil paintings, sandal-making and woven raffia. There is also a popular Quaker-run workshop specializing in wicker
furniture, floor mats and other tropical furnishings at Highgate Village in the mountains. At the In-Craft centre, it is also possible to buy custom-made rugs and reproductions of pewter and china from the 17th-century ruins of the ancient submerged city of Port Royal.
Jamaican specialities include rum and rum-related products, such as Ian Sangsters Rum Cream. The island's most famous produce market is Coronation Market, Kingston. Other markets worth visiting include Linstead Market, St Catherine; Brownstown Market, St Anne; the Savanna-la-mar Market, Westmoreland; and the Albert George Market, Falmouth. Also locally made and sold are Pepper Jellies, jams, Blue Mountain coffee, hot sauces and spices. So-called 'in-bond' shopping allows tourists to purchase international goods free of tax or duty. Goods are sealed (hence the 'bond') until away from
Jamaican waters and must be paid for in Jamaican Dollars.
Food and Drink in Jamaica
Although some Jamaican food is hot and fiery, a surprising number of dishes use subtle spicing and are free of chilli peppers. Local dishes include meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables and range from spicy and pickled to plain and deep fried. Restaurants are generally good quality, especially around
Montego Bay.
Regional Specialities
- Ackee (the cooked fruit of the ackee tree) and salt fish (dried cod).
- Rice and peas. This actually consists of kidney beans mixed with white rice, coconut milk, scallions (spring onions) and coconut oil.
- Pepperpot soup contains chunks of salt pork and salt beef with okra and callaloo (Indian kale).
- Jerk chicken is marinated overnight in rich spices (cayenne pepper, garlic, chilli, limejuice and all spice) for a full flavour before being wood-smoked in strips.