Dunn’s River Falls is a beautiful sloped waterfall just outside of Ocho Rios Jamaica that you can climb up escorted as you hold hands with others in your group.
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Dunn’s River Falls is a popular shore excursion with cruise passengers stopping in Ocho Rios or Montego Bay Jamaica. Jamaica is often a stop on Western Caribbean cruise itineraries.
If your cruise ship stops in Montego Bay and you want to visit Dunns River Falls, I’d highly recommend booking the shore excurstion directly through the cruise line as the Falls are quite a distance from Montego Bay. This way should the bus break dow or there be traffic issues, the cruise line knows exactly where you are.
I have been to Jamaica several times on different cruises and have climbed the falls 4 times, each time with different friends and family. The last time (in Dec.2017) we took our kids who were 12 and 14 at the time, knowing they would love it.
Prior to that trip, it had been 18 or more years since my husband and I had been to Dunn’s River Falls. At that time the actual climbing of the falls was refreshing and fun but walking back from the falls to the parking lot was dreadful!
You had to walk through a little vendor area and the vendors were over the top pushy. I usually enjoy local vendor stands selling souvenirs or handmade crafts but this was not enjoyable, it was almost intimidating. For this trip we prepped the kids, saying “stay between us”, “don’t stop”, etc.
But this time is was NOTHING like it had been in the past! In fact we got back to the bus and asked ourselves if that was the same area. So if you have heard these types of negatives about the Falls before, ignore them. It’s so much better now!
Does your cruise ship also stop in Grand Cayman? Check out this must do Cayman Island shore excursion.
The climb:
For the climb you need water shoes or sandals that have good grip and will stay on your feet. The rocks can be slippery. We purchased water shoes there for the kids, I wore my Merrell sandals. I have had mine for years, but these are very similar.
A guide will lead your group of the falls hand in hand. A photographer also climbs with your group taking pictures and video along the way. You will have the option to buy the disc at the end.
When cruising consider booking your shore excursions directly with the cruise line. Here are 5 reasons to book cruise line shore excursions.
If you ship docks in Jamaica, check out the shore excursions to Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios.
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