Most people have seen Dunn’s River Falls and they didn’t even know it. It’s it’s been a the heart of classic James Bond movie “Doctor No”. When you see the waterfall on the island and then walking up through the mangroves, that is all done through rivers falls. It has been modified somewhat over the years. So it doesn’t look exactly like it did in the movie, but it is a one of the main tourist attractions that you can’t miss when you’re in Jamaica.
For those of you who are James Bond fans, Ian Fleming didn’t pick the location at random. His house Goldeneye is right down the street. It’s currently a small hotel that you can stay at in Ocho Rios.
Getting to Dunn’s River Falls
It’s a bit of a drive if you’re in Montego Bay or Negril but if you’re staying in Ocho Rios, it’s right down the street. You can’t miss it. Most waterfalls you look at from either the top or the bottom. But Dunn’s River Falls. You start at the bottom and you walk to the top. Now you park at the top so you have to walk all the way down to the bottom first. You’re required to use a guide and they do make you go up in kind of a human chain. But it’s a lot of fun.
It’s best to use water shoes and I believe they will let you buy them there. You probably can do it barefoot, but it’s not encouraged. The rocks generally have enough friction that they aren’t slippery, but they want people to be as safe as possible.
At the end of the line there is the obligatory photo stop and there is a craft market between you and the parking lot. The market in Ocho Rios usually has better selection and pricing, but you never know what you might find in each place.
Staying in Ocho Rios
There are plenty of resorts within about 10 minutes of Dunn’s River Falls. Couples and Sandals and RIU all have resorts in the area. If you prefer the view to the beach, there are a couple excellent resorts in the mountains overlooking the city and the Caribbean.
