Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Port of call

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Description — Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Ocho Rios is located in the center of the northern part of Jamaica, on the shore of Discovery Bay, 105 km from the Montego Bay airport. The resort area consists of a chain of beaches, bays, headlands, small old towns, and fishing villages. Ocho Rios is known as the second (after Montego Bay) most popular cruise port in Jamaica. Ocho Rios combines many benefits of an exotic getaway. Beautiful nature, clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, a vibrant underwater world, and a distinctive local character are features that accompany a stay on Jamaica’s shores.

Climate

As in the rest of the island of Jamaica, Ocho Rios enjoys a tropical climate with an average annual air temperature of +27 to +30 degrees. The largest share of rainfall falls from May to October, though its total amount is not that high in comparison with the country’s northeast. Strong winds are typical for January and February. The best time to visit the resort is considered to be between March and April and between November and December.

Location on the map

Sights

Reggae Museum

Reggae Museum

Reggae Museum (Reggae Xplosion Museum) - everything you wanted to know about reggae, but were too lazy to open “Wikipedia”. Or simply an impressive collection that tells the story of the Jamaican phenomenon-reggae music. The museum’s exhibits cover the entire history of this musical genre: from ancient African drums to futuristic dancehall rhythms.

Village-on-the-Island

Village-on-the-Island

In this complex, you can enjoy spending a few hours. In its center there is a green lawn with a bronze statue of Bob Marley, who looks like an alien. Nearby there is a covered stage where cultural events and concerts are held from time to time. Around the lawn there is a gallery with shops offering clothing, souvenirs, and jewelry. It is also home to Reggae Explosion - a museum of reggae and other Jamaican music. The bar Margaritavill is equally popular with both locals and foreigners; it has a terrace and access to the beach. The bar is famous for its cocktails and is stylishly designed.

Dunn's River Waterfall

Dunn's River Waterfall

A waterfall 183 meters high that empties directly into the sea is a series of cascades and natural baths carved in limestone-these baths are a pleasure to soak in. The main local entertainment is to climb up from the foot of the waterfall against the current. On the beach where the ascent begins, there are changing rooms and luggage storage for 5 US$. During the tourist season, when entire fleets of cruise ships come to Ocho Rios, it’s best to arrive here before 10:00 a.m.

Craft Market Craft Market

Craft Market Craft Market

Craft Market covers a fairly large area enclosed by a fence. At this largest market in Ocho Rios, there are about 100 stalls where you can find both souvenirs and inexpensive clothing and shoes. The most interesting stalls are owned by local residents, who display their handmade crafts for sale. You can often watch people creating their next masterpiece in the absence of customers. Be prepared for the fact that the sellers here can be extremely pushy and always offer an overpriced price, so knowing how to bargain here will undoubtedly pay off. The market is easy to find-it’s located in the city center, opposite the main post office.

What to see

Spend a day at the beach

Spend a day at the beach

The main beach in Ocho Rios is Turtle Beach, stretching east from the Turtle Towers condominiums to the Renaissance Jamaica Grande Resort. There are changing rooms and palm trees here, creating pleasant shade. Adult admission is 1 dollar, and children pay 50 cents. Island Village Beach, located at the western end of Main St., is a quiet and peaceful small beach that offers towel rentals (5 dollars), umbrellas, and lounge chairs (5 dollars each). Admission is 3 dollars. Mahogany Beach, 1 km east of the center, is another small and charming beach in Ocho Rios.

Try the local cuisine

Try the local cuisine

At the resort’s culinary establishments, you can enjoy a great snack while savoring the flavors of Jamaican cuisine. The most delicious seafood, exotic fruits and vegetables, a variety of drinks and sweets-all of this is an essential part of every menu at local restaurants, cafés, and snack bars.

Take part in water sports

Take part in water sports

For fans of active leisure, Ocho Rios offers wonderful opportunities, including water sports, big tennis, golf, and horseback riding.

Mystic Mountain Theme Park

Mystic Mountain Theme Park

Mystic Mountain Amusement Park is a place where you can experience unusual attractions in a tropical rainforest. From the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Dunns River waterfalls, Ocho Rios, and the Caribbean Sea. The ascent to the mountain is made by a cable car on a gondola lift. In just 15 minutes, you can reach a height of 215 meters above sea level, but the most interesting part starts afterwards. Tourists will have to decide how to get down from the mountain. Three options are available: taking the bobsleigh track in a sled operated with a hand brake, descending by a rope on overhead cables, and-perhaps the most refreshing way-riding down a water slide into a panoramic pool, from where you can enjoy wonderful views of the city. Right by the pool, there is also a bar where you can catch your breath after thrilling adventures.

Recommended excursions

Bob Marley Memory Tour

Bob Marley Memory Tour

The trip begins with a tour of St. Ann's Bay, where you will see a monument to Marcus Garvey, one of the local national heroes. Then you will cross the hills of Nine Miles, covered with exotic vegetation-the birthplace of Bob Marley, the legendary reggae star-and you can visit his grave as well as the reggae museum.

Excursion to Dunn’s River Waterfall

Excursion to Dunn’s River Waterfall

Wonderful catamaran cruise along the Dunn’s River to the enchanting Dunn’s River waterfall, where you can climb all the way to the top. Before returning to Ocho Rios, there will be a stop for snorkeling (equipment provided). After swimming, you can additionally enjoy fruit cocktails with rum and the wonderful local beer Red Stripe.

Cruises calling at this port

MSC Poesia
MSC Cruises
MSC Poesia
Caribbean
17.10.2026 · 15 nights Departs in 5 days Port of departure: Miami, Florida ALL (NO DRINKS)

Miami, Florida, At Sea, George Town, Cayman Islands, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, At Sea, Miami, Florida, At Sea, At Sea, Kralendijk, Bonaire, Oranjestad, Aruba, Willemstad, Curacao, At Sea, Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, At Sea, Miami, Florida

from €2,268
I Interior €2,268
O Ocean View €2,268
B Balcony €2,628

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MSC Poesia
MSC Cruises
MSC Poesia
Caribbean
17.10.2026 · 5 nights Departs in 5 days Port of departure: Miami, Florida ALL (NO DRINKS)

Miami, Florida, At Sea, George Town, Cayman Islands, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, At Sea, Miami, Florida

from €708
I Interior €708
O Ocean View €708
B Balcony €828

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MSC Poesia
MSC Cruises
MSC Poesia
Caribbean
22.10.2026 · 21 nights Departs in 10 days Port of departure: Miami, Florida ALL (NO DRINKS)

Miami, Florida, At Sea, At Sea, Kralendijk, Bonaire, Oranjestad, Aruba, Willemstad, Curacao, At Sea, Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, At Sea, Miami, Florida, At Sea, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, At Sea, Cartagena, Colombia, Colon, Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, At Sea, Roatan, Honduras, Belize City, Belize, At Sea, Miami, Florida

from €3,568
I Interior €3,568
O Ocean View €3,808
B Balcony €4,248

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MSC Poesia
MSC Cruises
MSC Poesia
Caribbean
22.10.2026 · 10 nights Departs in 10 days Port of departure: Miami, Florida ALL (NO DRINKS)

Miami, Florida, At Sea, At Sea, Kralendijk, Bonaire, Oranjestad, Aruba, Willemstad, Curacao, At Sea, Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, At Sea, Miami, Florida

from €1,558
I Interior €1,558
O Ocean View €1,558
B Balcony €1,798

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MSC Poesia
MSC Cruises
MSC Poesia
Caribbean
01.11.2026 · 11 nights Departs in 20 days Port of departure: Miami, Florida ALL (NO DRINKS)

Miami, Florida, At Sea, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, At Sea, Cartagena, Colombia, Colon, Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, At Sea, Roatan, Honduras, Belize City, Belize, At Sea, Miami, Florida

from €2,008
I Interior €2,008
O Ocean View €2,248
B Balcony €2,448

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MSC Poesia
MSC Cruises
MSC Poesia
Caribbean
01.11.2026 · 21 nights Departs in 20 days Port of departure: Miami, Florida ALL (NO DRINKS)

Miami, Florida, At Sea, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, At Sea, Cartagena, Colombia, Colon, Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, At Sea, Roatan, Honduras, Belize City, Belize, At Sea, Miami, Florida, At Sea, At Sea, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Basseterre, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, St John S, Antigua and Barbuda, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, At Sea, Miami, Florida

from €3,508
I Interior €3,508
O Ocean View €3,748
B Balcony €4,108

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MSC Poesia
MSC Cruises
MSC Poesia
Caribbean
12.11.2026 · 21 nights Port of departure: Miami, Florida ALL (NO DRINKS)

Miami, Florida, At Sea, At Sea, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Basseterre, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, St John S, Antigua and Barbuda, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, At Sea, Miami, Florida, At Sea, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, At Sea, Cartagena, Colombia, Colon, Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, At Sea, Roatan, Honduras, Belize City, Belize, At Sea, Miami, Florida

from €4,188
I Interior €4,188
O Ocean View €4,348
B Balcony €4,688

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Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Epic
Caribbean
15.11.2026 · 7 nights Port of departure: Port Canaveral, Florida, USA ALL

Port Canaveral, Florida, USA, Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, At Sea, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, At Sea, Cozumel, Mexico, At Sea, Port Canaveral, Florida, USA

from €996
I Interior €996
B Balcony €1,296
S Suite €1,666

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