Ocho Rios shelters in a harbor on Jamaica's north coast amid a region of tropical gardens and water falls. Hibiscus and poinsettia grow in profusion like nowhere else on the island.
Resorts stretch for several miles/kilometers on either side of Ocho Rios and a wide range of visitor accommodation, entertainment and water-sports are available. A
popular port-of-call, Ocho Rios sees 400,000 passengers annually. Excursions are made into the surrounding countryside as there is little to be seen Ocho Rios itself.
A climb up Dunn's River Falls is an Ocho Rios highlight. This 600ft/180m cascade is one of Jamaica's best-known and most photographed natural attractions. Gardens offer an abundance of indigenous plants, flowers and trees. Lush Fern Gully provides a look at foliage unique to the island. Sugarcane, coffee and bananas have been harvested since the 18th C at various tourable plantations and Great Houses.
River-rafting is an option and evening canoe rides up the torch-lit White River take visitors to a folklore performance and dinner.
Firefly, playwright Noel Coward's hilltop home and final resting place, was a look-out point for the pirate Henry Morgan. Afternoon tea can be enjoyed during a tour of his house. James Bond's creator, Ian Fleming, lived in the village of Oracabessa. His home Goldeneye is now an exclusive villa resort close to James Bond Beach. The area is a mecca for music fans as Reggae legend, Bob Marley, was born and buried in the nearby village of Nine Mile, where there is a family-run attraction.
67mi/108km east of Montego Bay and 54mi/87k north of Kingston Ocho Rios' central location makes days trips to these cities and the interior possible. Ocho Rios has a population of 16,000.
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