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Ocho
Rios, Jamaica
Also see Visitor Information
for general Jamaica visitor topics.
Ocho Rios is located on the North Coast of Jamaica
in the Garden Parish of St. Ann. Ocho Rios is midway between
Montego Bay in the west (67 miles) and Port Antonio in
the east (67 miles). It is sixty miles from Kingston,
which lies to the south, over 6000 foot mountains. It
is easy to reach Ocho Rios from almost any part of Jamaica.
Ocho Rios is one and a half to two hours from every major
town in Jamaica and is the only resort town that borders
five of the islands most interesting parishes. This lively
town boasts Jamaica's premier attraction, Dunn's River
Falls and is the Caribbean's most beautiful cruise port.
It also contains a some of the most beautiful villas in
the country.
Currency
Currency is the Jamaican dollar with U.S. dollars and
major credit cards accepted by most establishments. Some
businesses may only accept cash or give you change with
Jamaican dollars.
Time Zone
Ocho Rios is on Eastern Standard Time (EST). English is
the official language, but many locals speak Patois.
Car Rentals
Drive on the left. Avis, Budget and Hertz are among those
who have offices here; advance reservations are highly
recommended. Car rentals range from $65 -$150 per day.
Shopping
Downtown, head for the Tajmahal Shopping Center and the
Ocean Village. Both offer shops featuring unique jewelry,
clothing and gifts. In the duty free arena, you can good
buys on jewelry, cameras, china and crystal. Good souvenir
choices include the island's well known coffees (Blue
Mountain and High Mountain), Tia Maria, the made-in-Jamaica
coffee liqueur, and Jamaican rum.
Haggle in classic Jamaican style at the craft market;
there you can get good prices on straw items, woodcarvings
and souvenirs.
Laundry
If your hotel doesn't have facilities, use The Laundry
Market (tel. 876/974-5519), east of the center at the
turnoff for Shaw Park. Hours are Monday to Saturday 9am
to 6pm. An alternative is Carib Laundromat, on Main Street
(tel. 876/974-7631), open Monday to Saturday 7am to 7pm.
Telephones/Internet
You can make phone calls at stations near the cruise port.
Get a local phone card for the best rates. For reliable
internet access, use Internet Jungle at Island Village.
Mail Service
Mail--The main Ocho Rios Post Office is on Main Street
(tel. 876/974-2526), and it's open Monday to Saturday
8am to 5pm. You can send faxes or telegrams from here,
too. The post office is crowded and not as efficient as
it should be; many visitors send important mail via UPS.
The local office is at Airpak Express, Shop 9, Ocean Village
Shopping Centre (tel. 876/974-0910). Hours are Monday
to Friday 8am to 5pm.
Emergencies
Call police or report a fire by dialing tel. 119. The
police station (tel. 876/974-2533 for routine calls) is
off DaCosta Drive, east of the clock tower.
Medical Services
There is no hospital in Ocho Rios; the nearest is St.
Ann's Hospital (tel. 876/972-0150), 7 miles (11km) west.
The Central Medical Laboratory (tel. 876/974-2614), in
the center of town, offers basic services Monday to Friday
8:30am to 4pm, Saturday 9am to noon. So does Medi-Rays
at the Carib Arcade on Main Street (tel. 876/974-6251),
open Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm, Friday 8am to 4:30pm,
and Saturday 8am to 12:30pm.
Pharmacies
The most central pharmacy is Ocho Rios Pharmacy, Shop
27 in Ocean Village Plaza (tel. 876/974-2398), open Monday
to Saturday 9am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm. Another
good one nearby is Pinegrove Pharmacy, in Pinegrove Plaza
(tel. 876/974-2023), open Monday to Saturday 9am to 8pm,
Sunday 10am to 3pm.
Festivals
Ocho Rios Jazz Festival -- In June in Ocho Rios, the festival
includes international performers from Europe, the U.S.,
Japan and Jamaica, with concerts in Ocho Rios, Montego
Bay and Kingston. Includes daily jazz lunches, teas, feasts
on the river, barbeques and youth jazz days. Contact:
Jazz Hotline, 876-927-3544 or from the U.S. call (888)
637-8111 or (323) 857-5358
Golf
Non-guests are welcome to play golf at Breezes' golf club
in Runaway Bay and Sandals Golf & Country Club. Both
are PGA-quality championship courses are some of the most
interesting in the Caribbean, with fairways and greens
laid out amidst the rolling hills and picturesque backdrop.
Attractions
Dunns River Falls is one of those "must see"
destinations where millions of gallons of water cascade
from heights of 600 feet via a series of waterfalls. It's
also a good "must do" attraction for hiking
aficionados.
Prospect Plantation has something for everyone -- gorgeous
views over the White River, open-air jitney tour, lush
grounds, miniature golf, a bar and horseback riding.
The newly opened Dolphin Cove lets you watch and even
swim with the dolphins. Another appeal is the surrounding
landscape, which includes four acres of rainforest and
a natural cove.
Take yourself on a self-guided garden tour; among the
possibilities include Shaw Park Gardens, Cranbrook Flower
Forest and Coyaba River Garden & Museum.
Harmony Hall, located about 10 miles outside Ocho Rios,
is a restored great house art gallery where arts, crafts
and collectibles are sold. You may also stumble onto a
gallery showing of a local artist. Wassi Art Pottery Works
is another option for craft-lovers; it's only a few minutes
from town and offers a first-hand look at the making of
pottery from the clay stage to artisans who decorate it.
There's a showroom where Wassi one-of-a-kind works are
for sale.
Other activities in and around Ocho Rios include:
- Jeep Safaris
- Jungle River Tubing
- Hiking and Gliding
- Horseback Riding
- Cruises
- Fishing Charters
- Boating
- Tubing
- Scuba Diving
- Snorkeling
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