March08thWed A Day with the Family in Ocho Rios

A day with the family in Ocho Rios is at the top of a Jamaican ‘must visit’ list. This destination offers something to do for the very young to the simply young at heart. For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, the beach always awaits. Ocho Rios is definitely a town made for family fun while on vacation in Jamaica.

Wake up bright and early at your hotel, enjoy your breakfast while you take in the view and then head east to one of the most iconic destinations in Jamaica, the famed Dunns River Falls. Spend a day full of laughter as you climb the falls hand in hand with friends, old and new, followed by playing in the waters on the beautiful beach below.

If you’ve got a little more time to spend in Ocho Rios, this town on the north coast of Jamaica is filled with activities for the whole family. Take the family to Dolphin Cove and get boosted out of the air on dolphin power, pet a shark and embrace your inner pirate with a giant colourful parrot sitting on your shoulder, all while learning about these fascinating creatures.

Head on up to Mystic Mountain and pretend you’re a part of the famous Jamaican Olympic team as you shoot along the tracks in a bobsled, or fly through the air on a zipline with fantastic views of the town of “Ochie”.

A unique way to tour the area is to take the family to Hooves Jamaica. Trot through the town to all the major sights on this guided tour on horseback then end the day at a private beach swimming in the sea still astride your horse!

Pop on over to pick up a piece of beautiful art at Harmony Hall or simply to take a leisurely browse through the gallery and have a meal at Toscanini Italian restaurant. Walk through the centre of the town, past the old clock tower and shop ‘til you drop at the many stores that line the streets that are filled with great souvenirs to get for those back home.

As a bonus, depending on the time of year, you may be lucky enough to participate in watching a turtle hatching close to Ocho Rios. Reach out to the Jamaica Inn Foundation to see if your vacation lines up with the project hatching and release dates. This unique group activity will be a memorable learning experience for your entire family while on the island.

One thing is for sure, “I’m bored” are two words you probably won’t ever hear no matter how you choose to spend the day in Ochie with those you love.