When you plan a holiday to Jamaica, you’ll undoubtedly be looking forward to relaxing on the beach or at the hotel pool, rum cocktail in hand, with reggae tunes providing a pleasing backing track to your time in Caribbean paradise.
But outside of the hotel resorts, you’ll find so many things to do in Ocho Rios and the surrounding areas, so please make sure you peel yourself off that sun lounger and explore!
I’ve compiled a list of the best cultural experiences and fun things to do in Jamaica, all tried and tested by myself on my two week holiday in Jamaica, where I stayed at the Riu (you can read my Riu Ocho Rios hotel review if you’re interested).
I got out of my hotel and explored some of Jamaica’s top tourist attractions in and around Ocho Rios, which is known for its lush rainforest landscape and magical waterfalls.
We also visited Kingston and lots of the best places in Jamaica made famous by Bob Marley.
The 13 Best Attractions In Ocho Rios & Surrounding Areas
These are some of the best things to do in Jamaica for tourists, but I’d love to hear about anything I didn’t get to experience in the comment section!
1. Climb Dunn’s River Falls
This isn’t just the number one attraction in Ocho Rios, but one of the top places to visit in Jamaica, and for good reason. The world-famous Dunn’s River Falls is a stunning waterfall that tumbles down onto a pristine beach.
The experienced guides at the falls show tourists how to safely climb the natural wonder. Look out for the only female guide!
You can book a private Dunn’s River Falls Day Tour which includes an informative walk through Fern Gully after your visit to the waterfall, or book an excursion from Ocho Rios which includes transport to and from your hotel.
The following excursions include visits to Dunn’s Falls:
- Jamaica’s Dunn’s River Falls & City of Ocho Rios Day Tour
- Dunn’s River Falls Park and Shopping: 6-Hour Tour
- Dunn’s River Falls, 9 Mile and Optional Lagoon Tour
2. Zip line and bobsledding at Mystic Mountain
Another of the top things to do in Ocho Rios Jamaica is a visit to Mystic Mountain. This place is super overpriced but so much fun!
We spent an afternoon at Mystic Mountain during a bout of bad weather in Jamaica and found it was the ideal activity in the rain in Ocho Rios. We rode the Sky Explorer into the jungle, zip lined through the trees and rode the crazy fast bobsleds back down.
The restaurant at Mystic Mountain serves surprisingly good food, and there’s a gorgeous infinity pool. If only we’d had sunshine…
Book your tickets online before you go to save money. Our half day cost us over £100 each on arrival, and that didn’t include transport. Don’t make the same mistake!
3. Explore Kingston
The famously laid-back Jamaican attitude to life is intoxicating, and nowhere is it best exemplified than in the island’s capital. A day trip to Kingston is a must do while you’re in Jamaica.
We hired a driver to take us to Kingston from Ocho Rios and he showed us all the main things to see in Kingston such as Devon House and Emancipation Park, complete with witty commentary.
We also had a walk in Downtown Kingston, which was an experience in itself. Apparently the reps in hotels advise tourists not to do this, but I felt perfectly safe.
4. Visit the Bob Marley Museum
You can plan a full day out in Kingston, including the Bob Marley Museum, with a hired private driver or on an organised tour.
The museum, which was once the reggae legend’s studio, is filled with pictures, awards and records that will interest any Bob Marley fan.
My favourite part of the short tour was when they took us to the back of the building and showed us the bullet holes from when Bob was ambushed, and performed just days later with a bullet in his arm.
Did you know that they told him he’d probably never be able to play guitar again if they removed it, so he died with that bullet in his arm?
5. See Bob Marley’s childhood home at Nine Mile
Bob Marley’s birth village was Nine Mile, in the parish of St Ann. Here, you can see his old house, the ‘rock pillow’ he lay on to write songs, his mother’s burial place and his mausoleum – where he ‘lies six feet high rather than six feet under’.
There are plenty of people hanging around outside selling the local herb, if smoking at Bob Marley’s place of rest is on your Jamaica bucket list! The drive there offers a great insight into rural life in Jamaica, too.
Book the Bob Marley Nine Mile tour here.
6. Wander around Ocho Rios town
We stayed at the Riu in Ocho Rios and spent an afternoon strolling around, taking in the top places to visit in Ocho Rios town. It may be a cruise port, but this little town has retained its grit and it’s a good place to observe local life.
There are no real tourist attractions in Ocho Rios port to speak of, but it’s worth going for a look – just ignore the people who try to speak to you.
My fave scam was the guys who said they’d seen us at the Riu because they work there (we met a Riu DJ and a lifeguard, apparently). They’d just clocked our wristbands!
7. Have a drink at Margaritaville
One of the most fun things to do in Ocho Rios is of course a visit to Margaritaville. This famous party place has bars all over the Caribbean, with four in Jamaica.
The one in Ocho Rios has a swim-up bar with a waterslide and cocktails that come in cups ranging from ‘boring’ size to huge, refillable bowls. It’s one of the must-sees in Jamaica!
8. Browse at the craft market
The craft market in Ocho Rios is the place to pick up handcrafted souvenirs from your Jamaica holiday.
Among all of the activities to do in Jamaica, this is the one where you’ll have the best conversations with locals! Be prepared to haggle.
9. Eat Jamaica’s favourite jerk chicken
For authentic jerk chicken just like the locals eat, Scotchies is the go-to place. They cook their meat on pimento wood covered with huge sheets of corrugated steel over an open fire and serve it in foil with Jamaican staples like bammies, festivals, rice and peas and yams.
The restaurants are authentic too, with thatched ceilings and wooden seating.
10. See the Culture Yard in Trench Town
It’s mentioned in loads of Bob Marley songs, so superfans will obviously want to visit Trench Town while they’re sightseeing in Jamaica.
This urban community where Bob Marley spent his childhood isn’t exactly safe to walk around today. I realised this as we drove around and later read that the area is rife with gang feuds, as one of the poorest areas in Jamaica.
You can, however, visit the Culture Yard, where the Wailers were formed. Take a tour of the museum’s collection and have a drink in the Casbah bar.
11. Go River Tubing
I got to have a go at river tubing in Jamaica while I was on a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony Of The Seas. It’s THE most fun activity to do in Ocho Rios!
The river had very gentle rapids so it was one of the more relaxing experiences in Jamaica, but there are more high impact options.
You can book river tubing here.
12. Visit Blue Hole
A 25 minute uphill drive will take you to Blue Hall, one of the top attractions in Ocho Rios. Set in a lush rainforest, it’s an oasis where you can swim in clear water and immerse yourself in Jamaica’s stunning natural beauty.
Climbing Blue Hole is an absolute must-do activity in Ocho Rios for energetic travellers. It’s better for swimming than Dunn’s River and your guide will make sure you get plenty of fun pictures to remember your visit.
13. Spend a day at Konoko Falls & Park
Konoko Falls & Park is a magnificent botanical garden near Ocho Rios. You can spend the day there at your leisure or do a guided tour to learn more about the area’s original inhabitants, the Taino Indians.
You’ll see exotic birds and can cool off beneath the waterfalls. It’s one of the lesser visited tourist attractions in Jamaica, but worth seeing!
Get tickets and find out more about Konoko Falls here.
More Jamaica travel tips
How to get to Jamaica
There are three airports that operate international flights in Jamaica: Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay (I flew into this one), Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, and the Ian Fleming International Airport in Ocho Rios.
You can search for cheap flights to Jamaica using Skyscanner or look out for cheap Jamaica holiday deals on TravelSupermarket, lastminute.com or On the beach.
Use my Travel Resources page to find cheaper deals on your holiday.
Is Jamaica’s airport VIP lounge worth it?
If you’re flying into Montego Bay, I highly recommend paying for Club Mobay VIP at the airport departure lounge for your journey home from Jamaica via Montego Bay.
It’s amazing value and you get unlimited food and drink (including alcohol!), plus you get to skip the queues, which were horrendous when we went.
Get ticket for the VIP lounge here.
Getting to your hotel from the airport in Jamaica
Transfers to your hotel can be long and the winding roads aren’t ideal for anyone like me who suffers with travel sickness.
Book a private transfer here to reduce your journey time.
Where to stay in Jamaica
We loved the all-inclusive resort we stayed at and it has since been renovated so it should be even better! Read my review of the RIU Ocho Rios for more information.
Other Jamaica all-inclusive hotels include Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, Breathless Montego Bay and Azul Beach Resort Negril.
Find your ideal place to stay in Ocho Rios, Jamaica using the map below.
Booking.comJamaica travel safety
There has been trouble in Montego Bay recently. Always check government advice before you travel anywhere.
I felt very safe in Jamaica. I was travelling with my partner and his family. We had kids in our party and people were great with them.
I recommended hiring a guide when you leave your resort. We found a local driver who would take us anywhere we wanted for a fixed price for the full day. He made our day and walked with us in Kingston to ensure we were okay.
One tip for what to pack for Jamaica: take water shoes! You’ll need them for visiting Jamaica’s top tourist attractions like Blue Hole and Dunn’s River Falls. Most of the places to visit in Ocho Rios have shoes for sale if you forget to pack them.
Travel insurance is essential for visiting Jamaica. Use the box below to get a quote.
More Caribbean travel guides
Top things to do in Saint Lucia
Review of the Royalton Hotel in Saint Lucia
Visiting Boca de Sama, a traditional village in Cuba
Driving around Cuba in vintage cars
What to pack for a Caribbean cruise
Formal evening outfit ideas for a Caribbean cruise
What it’s like to cruise with Royal Caribbean
Best cruise shore excursions in Cozumel
What to do in Cozumel when it rains
Visiting Labadee, Haiti on a Royal Caribbean cruise
This is everything I got up to in Jamaica on my two week holiday, but there’s definitely more to be discovered on the laid-back island. I hope to go back one day for a sundowner in Riks Cafe, which is supposed to be iconic.
Hope this helps anyone planning a holiday in Jamaica who wants to see some local culture or just get out of their resort! Make sure you’re following me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see all of my travel updates and find out about new articles on While I’m Young. I also have a travel Youtube which you should subscribe to!
Sam | North East Family Fun Blog says
Wow there’s so much to do! I’ve always fancied Jamaica but Steve’s not so keen. I bet this post would help change his mind x
Amy says
I would love to go to Jamaica, looks incredible! X