Ocho Rios 05/26/06 10:54 AM Page 163
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
p163-182_Ocho Rios 05/26/06 10:54 AM Page 163 Destinations CENTRE OF ATTRACTION Ocho Rios, the “see and do” capital of Jamaica, offers more hotel rooms, fine restaurants, soothing beaches, dramatic Ocascades, fun watersports, golf and other activities than any- Destination Jamaica 2006/07 • 163 p163-182_Ocho Rios 05/26/06 10:54 AM Page 164 OCHO RIOS where else in the Caribbean. While Ocho Rios, which wraps around its own protect- heady trek. Take advantage of lockers, Rios does not actually have eight rivers, it ed bay, complete with impressive cruise changing rooms and refreshments. does have countless beautiful gardens and ships from faraway lands. Admission is US$10 for adults and $8 for waterfalls. In fact, Jamaicans call St. Ann the From one end to the other, sidewalks children two to 11 years. Personal video garden parish, a place where every square are lined with boutiques, duty-free shops tapes of the exciting day come from Dunn’s foot of ground is covered in a rich green. and interesting places to eat. Vendors push River Videos, with locations on the beach By any name, it has captured the hearts carts through traffic, selling fresh peanuts. and at the craft market. of visitors since 1494, when Christopher Ladies braid the hair of visitors. Artists pitch Near the falls, swim and play with the Columbus landed here. He described the their paintings, carvings, baskets and hats, smart, athletic, 600-pound marine mam- place as “more beautiful than the Moorish ready to “higgle” on price. Ask people mals that live at Dolphin Cove. First, gardens of Valencia.” Seduced by the warm before taking their pictures, and part with a delightful trainers teach excited humans tropical weather and natural beauty, today’s buck or two when they agree. some basic dolphin safety. Then small visitors would agree. Many make this the THINGS TO SEE & DO groups pet, swim with, even get launched setting for their wedding and honeymoon. World-famous Dunn’s River Falls, fast- into the air by the powerful cetaceans. About midway along the island’s north expanding Dolphin Cove and dozens more Friendly as the family dog, although better coast, lush mountainsides sweep down to attractions wait for fun-seekers within easy trained, the bottlenose dolphins appear to the cobalt blues of the Caribbean Sea. taxi range of central “Ochi,” as the locals say. smile and laugh as they jump and play. Countless little bays and coves define At Dunn’s River Falls, torrents of cool Adults feel like kids again, and kids will the winding coast–edged by coral reefs. water cascade down 600 feet of natural never forget the experience. Attractions center on the town of Ocho steps, flanked on both sides by dense trees. But wait, there’s more. Dolphin Cove Perfect strangers become new friends as they at Treasure Reef just added Pirate Village, Opening page: Dunn’s River Falls is not clasp hands and help each other up through with continuous entertainment, plus only the most popular attraction in the rushing water, tier after picturesque tier. glass-bottom kayak rides over the coral Jamaica, it's the most popular in the Plop down in a pool. Then rejoin the group reef, and pools in which to swim with Caribbean. Watercraft of all shapes and later. Over decades, the falls have offered friendly stingrays and sharks. Bring swim- sizes at Mallards Beach take visitors on fun adventures. Alive with tropical millions of explorers an instant connection suits and sunscreen. Access to beach, birds splendor is Coyaba River Garden. to nature — the more the merrier. and animals is US$15. Dolphin programs Photos by Robert Ulrich. Bring swimsuit and camera for the go for US$46-179. OCHO RIOS ✘ Tajmahal Shopping Centre Rooms Soni’s Plaza Sunset Jamaica Grande Turtle Beach Towers To: Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort SuperClubs Breezes Golf & Beach Resort Sandals Ocho Rios Resort & Country Club SuperClubs Hedonism III Fisherman’s Point Resort Club Ambiance Royal Plantation Golf Resort & Spa Runaway Bay HEART Hotel Island Village ST. ANN’S Shopping Centre Sandals BAY Dunn’s River Couples Sans Souci A 1 Dolphin Cove Dunn’s Couples Jamaica River Falls A 1 • •A Beaches Boscobel 3 White River Resort & Golf Club S • S A • O A D B Y P A Columbus Heights Condos • R 3 Crane Ridge Resort Shaw Park•• To Gardens Coyaba Port River Garden Maria FERN GULLY and James A Bond 3 Beach • • Sandals Golf & White River Valley FOR REFERENCE ONLY. NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION. Country Club COPYRIGHT ©2006 ULRICH COMMUNICATIONS CORP. 164 • Once you go, you know. DJ06_Map 05/22/06 4:30 PM Page 165 Destination Jamaica 2006/07 • 165 OCHO RIOS The inviting sun-drenched Mallards Beach is the perfect vacation pla Warm, tropical waters await swimming and water-borne activity. Photo Ulrich on location at Sunset Jamaica Grande. 166 • Once you go, you know. Destination Jamaica 2006/07 • 167 p163-182_Ocho Rios 05/26/06 10:55 AM Page 168 OCHO RIOS Just east of town, the 1,000-acre work- Near Port Maria is Firefly, the hilltop ing Prospect Plantation, evolved from a TOP10ADVENTURES residence of famed playwright Noel 17th-century fort, hosts affairs in its great Coward. Enjoy a spectacular view of the house and lush gardens. Tour the planta- Columbus Park Exploring Caribbean. The name of the villa, where tion on a tractor-drawn jitney to see how Diving and Snorkeling Coward lived, worked and was laid to rest, sweet cassava, sugarcane, pineapple and cof- Sunset Cruises came from the luminous fireflies seen at fee grow. Visit the petting zoo, aviary and Swimming with Dolphins night. Admission is US$10. butterfly house. Ride the horses and feed Dunn’s River Falls To see the Caribbean from an entirely the ostriches. From the great-house veranda Tropical Exotic Gardens different perspective, try horseback riding. A visitors can even see Cuba on a clear day. Fern Gully uniquely Jamaican activity is riding through Admission is US$12 per person. Horseback Green Grotto Caves the Caribbean Sea. Several guides take riders riding is US$20. Horseback Riding on excursions through the verdant hillsides Ride through Fern Gully, a beautiful Prospect Plantation and down to the warm salty sea. West of green roller coaster of a road, a former river Ocho Rios is Chukka Cove, with a range bed. By some accounts, the great earthquake acres high on a hilltop over Ocho Rios. The of horseback and other soft adventures. The of 1692 not only destroyed Jamaica’s capital, gardens bloom with tropical foliage of every popular three-hour excursion winds through Port Royal, but also changed the course of hue. The roaring waterfall makes a great two old sugar estates, then into the sea. Cost the river. Now Fern Gully occupies the backdrop for photos, weddings and special ranges from US$55-65. Other Chukka ravine — rich, shady and dense with 600 events. Admission is US$8. A crystal-clear Cove activities include Jeep safaris, river tub- varieties of ferns, several vendors of crafts stream also flows through the red and yel- ing, hiking excursions and bicycle tours. and one lonely road up into the mountains. low flowers and rich green carpet of Coyaba For horseback rides around the old Discover a more refined landscape at River Garden, where waterfalls wait to be Seville Estate, visit Hooves, seven miles west of Shaw Park Botanical Gardens, covering 25 climbed and guides claim 550 types of Ocho Rios. With ground school first, nature ferns. A museum displays artifacts of lessons along the way and snacks on the Jamaican history. Admission is US$4. Just beach, the tour covers some of Jamaica’s tur- west of St. Ann’s Bay, Cranbrook Flower bulent history and the importance of Seville, Forest is another beautiful tropical garden, its first Spanish capital. Cost ranges from with a river path, nature walk and fishing US$50-60. The Seville Great House, dating pond, open 8:30 a.m. to sunset. from 1745, now houses a small museum. Murphy Hill, two thousand feet In the 18th century, Green Grotto above sea level, unveils the most spectacu- Caves, at Discovery Bay, made a great hid- lar view of Ocho Rios and the north coast. ing place for runaway slaves. Today the Take the rental car or ride with a taxi driv- labyrinthine system of passageways and er who knows the way. Blue Mountain chambers reveal secret grottos, limestone Bicycle Tours, based in Ocho Rios, leads formations and dripping stalactites, on a Located on Jamaica's north coast beach, ROOMS is just 5 minutes from world- downhill adventures through the Blue walking tour that reaches down to a clear famous Dunn's River Falls and within Mountains, including tropical rainforests subterranean lake. Entrance is US$10 for walking distance to the best shopping and refreshing waterfalls. children 4-12 and US$20 for adults. and nightlife in Ocho Rios. Amenities include continental breakfast, swimming pool, fitness room and golf. A multitude of water sports are available at an additional cost. Singles, couples & families are welcome. www.RoomsResorts.com or call your travel agent or 1-888-257-6667 in the U.S. or 1-888-467-6667 in Jamaica 9244B - 4/06 168 • Once you go, you know. DJ06_Map 05/22/06 4:34 PM Page 169 Destination Jamaica 2006/07 • 169 p163-182_Ocho Rios 05/26/06 10:55 AM Page 170 Tucked among mature shade trees, cool clear springs, and the cruise Cool Gear, Hemp Heaven and Tropic Lines.