Michelle's Guidebook
Sightseeing
For decades, Dunn’s River Falls has been one of the most popular attractions in the country of Jamaica. So let's keep the the tradition going.
800 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dunn's River Falls and Park
Main StreetFor decades, Dunn’s River Falls has been one of the most popular attractions in the country of Jamaica. So let's keep the the tradition going.
You can overlook from ziplines and a hanging bridge, flows from 180 feet high to meet the salty waters of a pristine beach below.
Chukka Island Village Outpost
You can overlook from ziplines and a hanging bridge, flows from 180 feet high to meet the salty waters of a pristine beach below.
Konoko Falls
Pimento Walk Main StreetHistory:
The land is on the site of a former donkey racetrack. Ian Fleming purchased a patch of land of 15 acres (61,000 m2) adjacent to the renowned Golden Clouds estate in 1946 and built his home on the edge of a cliff overlooking a private beach. The home was built on a sketch by the author, the three-bedroom structure was fitted with wooden jalousie windows and a swimming pool. In spite of its obvious proximity to Golden Clouds, Fleming claimed a number of origins for the name GoldenEye, including Carson McCullers's 1941 novel, Reflections in a Golden Eye and Operation Goldeneye, a Second World War era contingency plan Fleming had developed in case of a Nazi invasion of Gibraltar through Spain.
Fleming joined The Sunday Times in 1946, for which he oversaw the paper's worldwide network of correspondents. He negotiated a contract whereby he could spend three months of each year at GoldenEye. On 17 February 1952 James Bond appeared in the first Bond novel, Casino Royale. For the next twelve years, Fleming wrote all his Bond stories there. A number of the Bond movies, including Dr. No and Live and Let Die, were filmed near the estate. In 1956 British Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden and his wife Clarissa spent a month at GoldenEye after Eden's health collapsed in the wake of the Suez Crisis. The attendant publicity helped to boost Fleming's writing career.
In 1976, twelve years after Ian Fleming's death, the property was sold to reggae musician Bob Marley. A year later he sold the estate to Island Records founder Chris Blackwell.
In 1995 GoldenEye became the title of the seventeenth James Bond film, the first to star Pierce Brosnan. Blackwell gradually added 25 acres (100,000 m2) in small parcels to the original estate to reach a current total of 40 acres (160,000 m2). As it grew, he also added various cottages and huts around an inner lagoon sandwiched between James Bond Beach and Low Cay Beach. In the late 1980s, he formed the Island Outpost Company and opened the property as a small hotel. The property now operates as GoldenEye Hotel and Resort, an upmarket retreat consisting of Fleming's main house and several cottages.
Famous For:
Being the beloved house of the creator of the iconic 13-part James Bond novels – Ian Fleming!
Don't Miss:
The activities! They are endless, from swimming and snorkeling to paddleboarding and kayaking, there’s no shortage of trips and activities to take during your stay at GoldenEye. You also don’t want to miss Firefly, the former home of Noel Coward.
Say Hello To:
All the trees in the garden! Every single tree planted there were by past guests. This tradition, which was started by Sir Anthony Eden when he and his wife, Clarissa, planted a Santa Maria tree before departing from Goldeneye, is still ongoing. Today, there are hundreds of mango, lime, orange and ackee trees in the garden. For each tree, a $1000 donation is required which goes to the Oracabessa Foundation.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
GoldenEye
History:
The land is on the site of a former donkey racetrack. Ian Fleming purchased a patch of land of 15 acres (61,000 m2) adjacent to the renowned Golden Clouds estate in 1946 and built his home on the edge of a cliff overlooking a private beach. The home was built on a sketch by the author, the three-bedroom structure was fitted with wooden jalousie windows and a swimming pool. In spite of its obvious proximity to Golden Clouds, Fleming claimed a number of origins for the name GoldenEye, including Carson McCullers's 1941 novel, Reflections in a Golden Eye and Operation Goldeneye, a Second World War era contingency plan Fleming had developed in case of a Nazi invasion of Gibraltar through Spain.
Fleming joined The Sunday Times in 1946, for which he oversaw the paper's worldwide network of correspondents. He negotiated a contract whereby he could spend three months of each year at GoldenEye. On 17 February 1952 James Bond appeared in the first Bond novel, Casino Royale. For the next twelve years, Fleming wrote all his Bond stories there. A number of the Bond movies, including Dr. No and Live and Let Die, were filmed near the estate. In 1956 British Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden and his wife Clarissa spent a month at GoldenEye after Eden's health collapsed in the wake of the Suez Crisis. The attendant publicity helped to boost Fleming's writing career.
In 1976, twelve years after Ian Fleming's death, the property was sold to reggae musician Bob Marley. A year later he sold the estate to Island Records founder Chris Blackwell.
In 1995 GoldenEye became the title of the seventeenth James Bond film, the first to star Pierce Brosnan. Blackwell gradually added 25 acres (100,000 m2) in small parcels to the original estate to reach a current total of 40 acres (160,000 m2). As it grew, he also added various cottages and huts around an inner lagoon sandwiched between James Bond Beach and Low Cay Beach. In the late 1980s, he formed the Island Outpost Company and opened the property as a small hotel. The property now operates as GoldenEye Hotel and Resort, an upmarket retreat consisting of Fleming's main house and several cottages.
Famous For:
Being the beloved house of the creator of the iconic 13-part James Bond novels – Ian Fleming!
Don't Miss:
The activities! They are endless, from swimming and snorkeling to paddleboarding and kayaking, there’s no shortage of trips and activities to take during your stay at GoldenEye. You also don’t want to miss Firefly, the former home of Noel Coward.
Say Hello To:
All the trees in the garden! Every single tree planted there were by past guests. This tradition, which was started by Sir Anthony Eden when he and his wife, Clarissa, planted a Santa Maria tree before departing from Goldeneye, is still ongoing. Today, there are hundreds of mango, lime, orange and ackee trees in the garden. For each tree, a $1000 donation is required which goes to the Oracabessa Foundation.
The Rio Nuevo, a small river that trickles down from the hills of the parish of St Mary, lends its name to the small village on the coastline where the river enters the sea. Few people realise how important this small, quiet suburb of the large resort town of Ocho Rios is to Jamaica’s history. In the 17th century, while European nations fought over the control of various areas in the New World, the English wrestled the island of Jamaica from the Spanish, then the dominant Colonial power in the region. At Rio Nuevo in 1658, the most definitive battle between the English and the Spanish over the control of Jamaica took place and, as a result, after a mere 150 years of Spanish rule, the British were able to capture the island.
Local Flavour:
Rio Nuevo lies along the north coast highway, marked by a few small signs erected by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust identifying the site of the Battle of Rio Nuevo. On the actual battlefield site there is a monument to all the Jamaicans, both of African and Spanish descent, who fought the invading British valiantly albeit unsuccessfully. Today it is hard to imagine the carnage and bloodshed that brought the small community to the public forefront, since the site is now a grassy park dotted with shady trees and benches where visitors may sit and gaze at the horizon.
Famous For:
One of the best scuba-diving sites off Jamaica’s coast appears just offshore from Jamaica Beach, to the west of Rio Nuevo. The reef, called the Rio Nuevo Wall, is a 25-foot dive and supports barracudas, turtles, parrotfish and other tropical marine life in its mountainous coral formations.
Don't Miss:
Ten minutes south of the village of Rio Nuevo, on a road canopied by lush vines and sturdy, old trees, the Rio Nuevo trickles down through the district of Retreat. The community of Retreat is largely agricultural and reserved, a small village where everyone has known everyone else’s family for generations, and where neighbours are quick to the rescue of each other in hard times. The village square – in fact the whole district – is made of the stuff that turns into stunning postcards, a calming and picturesque corner of the true heart of Jamaica. Retreat is home to an interesting church, the Holy Trinity chapel, built in the shape of a cross, on a small hill above the river. The river, which runs through the district, is an essential part of community life. On just about any day, there is a dash of activity by the riverbanks; children splash and play in the cold spring water, while adults wash clothes and cars. By the river, the smooth, rounded stones are large and comfortable enough to accommodate a picnic, or allow you to contemplate life, or make new friends.
Rio Nuevo
The Rio Nuevo, a small river that trickles down from the hills of the parish of St Mary, lends its name to the small village on the coastline where the river enters the sea. Few people realise how important this small, quiet suburb of the large resort town of Ocho Rios is to Jamaica’s history. In the 17th century, while European nations fought over the control of various areas in the New World, the English wrestled the island of Jamaica from the Spanish, then the dominant Colonial power in the region. At Rio Nuevo in 1658, the most definitive battle between the English and the Spanish over the control of Jamaica took place and, as a result, after a mere 150 years of Spanish rule, the British were able to capture the island.
Local Flavour:
Rio Nuevo lies along the north coast highway, marked by a few small signs erected by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust identifying the site of the Battle of Rio Nuevo. On the actual battlefield site there is a monument to all the Jamaicans, both of African and Spanish descent, who fought the invading British valiantly albeit unsuccessfully. Today it is hard to imagine the carnage and bloodshed that brought the small community to the public forefront, since the site is now a grassy park dotted with shady trees and benches where visitors may sit and gaze at the horizon.
Famous For:
One of the best scuba-diving sites off Jamaica’s coast appears just offshore from Jamaica Beach, to the west of Rio Nuevo. The reef, called the Rio Nuevo Wall, is a 25-foot dive and supports barracudas, turtles, parrotfish and other tropical marine life in its mountainous coral formations.
Don't Miss:
Ten minutes south of the village of Rio Nuevo, on a road canopied by lush vines and sturdy, old trees, the Rio Nuevo trickles down through the district of Retreat. The community of Retreat is largely agricultural and reserved, a small village where everyone has known everyone else’s family for generations, and where neighbours are quick to the rescue of each other in hard times. The village square – in fact the whole district – is made of the stuff that turns into stunning postcards, a calming and picturesque corner of the true heart of Jamaica. Retreat is home to an interesting church, the Holy Trinity chapel, built in the shape of a cross, on a small hill above the river. The river, which runs through the district, is an essential part of community life. On just about any day, there is a dash of activity by the riverbanks; children splash and play in the cold spring water, while adults wash clothes and cars. By the river, the smooth, rounded stones are large and comfortable enough to accommodate a picnic, or allow you to contemplate life, or make new friends.
Activities
Calypso Rafting on the White River is a delight! Float down this famous river in a tube, bobbing and weaving when you hit the rapids or on a specially designed bamboo raft with your skilled captain. Soak up the beautiful natural sights on the way, pausing for a swim or refreshments at the rest stop
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Calypso Rafting & Tubing
Exchange RoadCalypso Rafting on the White River is a delight! Float down this famous river in a tube, bobbing and weaving when you hit the rapids or on a specially designed bamboo raft with your skilled captain. Soak up the beautiful natural sights on the way, pausing for a swim or refreshments at the rest stop
Waterfalls, River Park and Swimming
Clifton Ocho Rios, JA
876 462-1233
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Island Gully Falls
Thatch Hill RoadWaterfalls, River Park and Swimming
Clifton Ocho Rios, JA
876 462-1233
Want to see Ocho Rios from a different vantage point? Taking a tropical forest adventure tour up to the 700-foot mystic mountain peak will do just that. This environmentally friendly attraction, located in the heart of Ocho Rios, only 5 minutes away from the cruise ship pier or Dunn's River Falls, offers a unique array of adventure tours for all ages. Explore the forest's rich ecosystem, sparkling river streams or simply enjoy the spectacular views. Mystic Mountain offers three unique and exhilarating excursions: Sky Explorer: Positioned prominently at the park’s entrance, the Rainforest SkyExplorer is a state-of-the-art chairlift that sends guests soaring above the treetops up 700 feet to the top of Mystic Mountain. The descent carries them through the heart of the canopy, giving them firsthand glimpses of the wonders of the tropical seaside rainforest. Bobsled Jamaica: The park’s signature attraction, Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica, features a 1000m long gravity-drive through the rainforest on custom designed, high-tech sleds. Accessible via the SkyExplorer, the Bobsled is a thrilling ride through dense tropical landscapes and coastal features on sleds that evoke Jamaica’s Olympic team. Zip-line: Our secure Zip Line attraction whisks travelers through the verdant rainforest canopy, gliding from one platform to another. Visitors can top it off with a short ride down the Rainforest SkyExplorer. TRANOPY PACKAGE - This three in one package offers: the Rainforest SkyExplorer, Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica, and the popular Zip Line. The SkyExplorer carries guests above the trees to the peak, then both the Bobsled and Zip line sends them speeding through the heart of the forest. For fun, safe adventure, this comprehensive package is the best way to experience all of Mystic Mountain Jamaica’s Rainforest wonders. RECOMMENDED CLOTHING AND GEAR Lightweight clothing Sunscreen Binoculars Camera Sunglasses Comfortable footwear
map
450 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mystic Mountain, Aventuras en la selva tropical
Want to see Ocho Rios from a different vantage point? Taking a tropical forest adventure tour up to the 700-foot mystic mountain peak will do just that. This environmentally friendly attraction, located in the heart of Ocho Rios, only 5 minutes away from the cruise ship pier or Dunn's River Falls, offers a unique array of adventure tours for all ages. Explore the forest's rich ecosystem, sparkling river streams or simply enjoy the spectacular views. Mystic Mountain offers three unique and exhilarating excursions: Sky Explorer: Positioned prominently at the park’s entrance, the Rainforest SkyExplorer is a state-of-the-art chairlift that sends guests soaring above the treetops up 700 feet to the top of Mystic Mountain. The descent carries them through the heart of the canopy, giving them firsthand glimpses of the wonders of the tropical seaside rainforest. Bobsled Jamaica: The park’s signature attraction, Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica, features a 1000m long gravity-drive through the rainforest on custom designed, high-tech sleds. Accessible via the SkyExplorer, the Bobsled is a thrilling ride through dense tropical landscapes and coastal features on sleds that evoke Jamaica’s Olympic team. Zip-line: Our secure Zip Line attraction whisks travelers through the verdant rainforest canopy, gliding from one platform to another. Visitors can top it off with a short ride down the Rainforest SkyExplorer. TRANOPY PACKAGE - This three in one package offers: the Rainforest SkyExplorer, Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica, and the popular Zip Line. The SkyExplorer carries guests above the trees to the peak, then both the Bobsled and Zip line sends them speeding through the heart of the forest. For fun, safe adventure, this comprehensive package is the best way to experience all of Mystic Mountain Jamaica’s Rainforest wonders. RECOMMENDED CLOTHING AND GEAR Lightweight clothing Sunscreen Binoculars Camera Sunglasses Comfortable footwear
map
Food scene
Ocho Rios Fishing Village
Main StreetOcho Rios Jerk Center
14 DaCosta DrMargaritaville Ocho Rios
Turtle Beach Roadorganic farm-to-table experience in the mountains
37 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stush in the Bush
111 Bamboo Wayorganic farm-to-table experience in the mountains
Miss T's Kitchen
65 Main StStarbucks Island Village
Consejos para la ciudad
Costumbres y cultura
Great Place to Vacation
What you need to know about this resort town is that its north-central location is connected to highway roads that make the journey a breeze, no matter whether you’ve landed in Kingston or Montego Bay. If you only have a few hours to spare after arriving at Ocho Rios cruise port, no problem, numerous attractions within nearby reach make a fun-filled day easy to come by.
Ocho Rios offers possibly the fairest share of our treasures. It meets laid-back and adventurous desires from the city to the forests with plenty of things to do that cater to both business and leisure travelers.