December 31, 2013/ altair / Caribbean Vacations

Ocho Ríos – the perfect place to enjoy Jamaican vacation

The breathtaking setting of Ocho Rios Jamaica Resort: turquoise sea, the beaches, covered with palm trees and bathed in clear waters, spectacular waterfalls, lush natural parks and rich indigenous culture to the rhythm of reggae… It is the perfect place to enjoy Jamaican vacation.

Ocho Ríos (Spanish for “Eight Rivers”) is a town on the northeastern shore of Jamaica. It is a popular vacation destination and a port of call for cruise ships. It features a bulk of resorts and tourist attractions. The name “Ocho Rios” is a misnomer because there are not eight rivers in the area. It is most likely a British corruption of the original Spanish name “Las Chorreras” (“the waterfalls”), a name given to the village because of the nearby Dunn’s River Falls.

Although he landed in many spots along the Jamaican coast, many believe that Christopher Columbus first set foot on land in Ocho Rios. Just outside the city, travelers and residents can visit Columbus Park, where Columbus supposedly first came on land, and see maritime artifacts and Spanish colonial buildings.

The north coast highway from the international airport at Montego Bay to Ocho Ríos has been improved since 2000 and the journey is now an hour and forty five minutes drive. On 26 August, 2011, the Jamaican government announced a $21 million revitalization plan for the resort area.

Ocho Rios is perhaps most notable for its use in Dr No, the very first James Bond film, which was released in 1962. It was the home of Miss Taro, played by Zena Marshall, who was an adversary of Bond (Sean Connery) and in alliance with the main villain Dr Julius No (Joseph Wiseman). It was the site of a location shoot for the 1988 Tom Cruise film Cocktail.

Jamaica has a gastronomy, which is rich in tastes and colors, that’s why you will find the best menus and variety that Jamaican chefs put on your plates in the number of thematic restaurants.

The Newest Riu Ocho Rios All-Inclusive Hotel

The Club Hotel Riu Ocho Rios (All Inclusive 24h) is located in the banks of the privileged beach Mammee Bay in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and surrounded by thick woods and waterfalls. This exceptional Jamaica resort features five-star accommodations, fabulous amenities, and superb service. Riu Ocho Rios is a Caribbean resort that has been designed with fun and entertainment in mind.

There is the extensive white-sand beach right in front of the hotel. Windsurfing, sailing, kayak, snorkeling, table tennis, diving, volleyball are the possibilities you can chose from, but you can also practice golf in the nearby court.

In addition to the beautiful beach, Riu Ocho Rios features two spectacular swimming pools with fresh water, Jacuzzi, a solarium terrace, a gym, sauna and the wellness center “Renova Spa” with different kinds of treatments and massages, and world class dining in a variety of specialty restaurants. At this superb Jamaican beachfront location, stage productions are abundant. The Pacha Discotheque is a popular attraction in addition to the Sports Bar which is open 24 hours. Children’s activities are supervised at the Kid’s Club, a favorite amongst parents and children. The all-inclusive Riu Ocho Rios resort also boasts the ideal setting for unforgettable destination weddings and honeymoons. The hotel’s meeting facilities can accommodate up to 100 guests.

What to see and do

There are many different adventure-type activities from rafting to zip-lining.

• Dolphin Cove: Visit the beach of Dolphin Cove where you can swim with dolphins and sharks accompanied by guides. Highway A3. Dolphin encounters and swims. US$129 to swim with one, US$195 to swim with three for 30min. US$50 entrance.

• Dunn’s River Falls, Highway A3 (5 km from Ocho Rios). Climbing these waterfalls in a human chain is one of Jamaica’s most famous attractions. The series of waterfalls span about 900 feet and the park includes a private beach as well as a cafe and craft shops. Park admission US$15. There are lockers available, but they aren’t safe.

• Calypso Rafting: A small business set up a little ways up the White River. They have personal inner tubes down the river for US$25 and bamboo rafts for US$55 per 2-person raft. They can also supposedly do jet-ski rentals for US$70 each. No credit cards, cash/travelers check only.

• Rainforest Adventures Mystic Mountain: A small amusement park 2km west of Ochi, which is a popular cruise ship activity so come early or avoid on cruise ship days. The chairlift (sky lift explorer) is US$46.20. The lift with zip-lining is US$114.40. The lift with a Jamaican ‘bobsled’ (roller coaster for US$68.20. All 3 for US$137.50. The zip-lining includes 5 zip-lines and a 100ft abseil drop. There is a waterslide, small pool, restaurant and viewing tower at the top.

Dunn’s River Falls

Dunn’s River Falls is one of Jamaica’s national treasures. They are described by geologists as a “living phenomenon” because they are continuously rebuilt from deposits of calcium carbonate and sodium from the river water. The Fall is one of the very few waterfalls in the world that actually empties directly into the sea.

Dunn’s River Falls is the most famous and visited attraction of Ocho Rios, which cascades like giant stair steps over the rock terraces down a 600-foot-plus (over 180m) cliff to the sea. The steppingstones of Dunn’s River Falls shower and cool off guests and allow easy walking access up and down the cliff for guided tours. People can see the coastline from the top and participate every week in a feast that features music, dancing and swimming.

Climbing up the waterfalls is a popular tourist activity and is often, but not exclusively, performed with the help of tour guides from the park. The falls are bordered by lush, green vegetation that shades the area from the sun. This helps keep the area cool as people try to climb the waterfall. The falls can be hiked with relative ease, often in a hand-holding human chain lead by a guide.

Jamaica’s climate is tropical, supporting diverse ecosystems with a wealth of plants and animals. In the areas of heavy rainfall are stands of bamboo, ferns, ebony, mahogany, and rosewood. Cactus and similar dry-area plants are found along the south and southwest coastal area. Parts of the west and southwest consist of large grasslands, with scattered stands of trees.

Duppy Fly Trap, or Pelican Flower, is the local name of a plant (Aristolochia Grandiaflora) which is an insect-trapping flower. It is a deciduous vine with enormous flowers that emit an odor that humans consider unpleasant but attractive to insects. The plant does not eat the insect but use it as a means of propagation. After being trapped inside the flower and fully covered with pollen grains, they are allowed to escape, so that when attracted into another “Duppy Fly Trap”, the powder is rubbed off and fertilization takes place.

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, James Bond’s favourite coffee, is grown in the Blue Mountains. The best lots of Blue Mountain coffee are noted for their mild flavour and lack of bitterness. Over the last several decades, this coffee has developed a reputation that has made it one of the most expensive and sought-after coffees in the world. Over 80% of all Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is exported to Japan. In addition to its use for brewed coffee, the beans are the flavor base of Tia Maria coffee liqueur.

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is a globally protected certification mark, meaning only coffee certified by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica can be labeled as such. It comes from a recognized growing region in the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica, and its cultivation is monitored by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica.

The Blue Mountains are generally located between Kingston to the south and Port Antonio to the north. Rising to 2,300m (7,500ft), they are some of the highest mountains in the Caribbean. The climate of the region is cool and misty with high rainfall. The soil is rich, with excellent drainage. This combination of climate and soil is considered ideal for coffee.

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