I have been to Negril 4x and am now giving Ocho Rios a whirl and need advice badly.

[David Bailey]

Been to Negril 4 times and Mo Bay once. Our last reach we decided to try Ochie and were plesantly surprised. Stayed at Turtle Towers just across the street from the Islands Outpost mall so we were right in town. Yes Ochie is a cruise ship port and things can be crazy when ships are in but if you plan your excursions on a non ship day you will have the town almost to yourself. The one thing I really liked about Ochie compared to Negril is that there was virtually no hassle at all on Turtle Beach. Don't get me wrong Negril's beach is much nicer and bigger and I do know how to handle myself with vendors but there really was "no Problem, mon" on Turtle beach. Sorry to disagree with you Irie John but Negril is not always where it is at IMHO:.

[sunray]

Skip Ochi, go to Port Antonio! See the real Jamaica. Portland has waterfalls, many beaches, lush, lush, tropical setting. If you've been to JA a few times you are ready.

[sunray]

One more thing... Boston Beach is home of Jerk Pork in Jamaica, (of course Jerk chicken also going on). Costs in Portland are generally much lower than Negril and Ochi. However it does cost money to reach there, whether by taxi, island hopper etc.

[steadyska]

ocho rios is a tourist place but it is a little town that has a human dimension where you can do everything walking...the 3 waterfalls that can be visited are especially beautiful,the place is full of rivers and waterfalls!
there is a very pretty beach in a natural setting called reggae beach that looks like a pirate beach, this is after white river on the road to oracabessa, a place absolutely beutiful!
to be smart do not go to attractions on a cruiseship day!
i am recomanding the turtle river falls and gardens, as pretty as the dunn s river falls but nobody is advertising this place!!

[steadyska]

the place called COYABA is a place above the town where there is another waterfall and nice gardens, and a very interesting little museum about jamaican history with certain things from arawak and slavery times, plus the entrance fee is not so expensive, 10 dollars us.. there is a spot with a panoramic view where nice pictures can be taken from..further down you can go too to the shaw park gardens, splendid gardens with a waterfall too..
plus ocho rios is a central place,one day excursions are possible to a lot of places, like nine miles, kingston, portland..

[Michele Beisser]

Second the the vote for Scotchies !!!!! The best jerk EVER !!! Soo good we ate there everday and never ate at another place in Ochi

We went to Ochi in 2009 but we stayed out of town in St. Ann's Bay which is only a few minutes away from Ochi and really close to Dunn's.
The place we stayed at High Hope Estate was at the top of a hill overlooking Ochi & St. Ann's. I highly recommend HHE if you don't want the hustle and bustle of Ochi, although it is secluded and private.

Ochi area is good if you want to do tours and attractions nearby like Dunns Falls, Dophin Cove, 9 mile, chukka, etc.
But I prefer Negril too!!!!!!

[cinnni]

I love Ochi...I also love Negril...they are different and it depends on what you are looking for in a vacation. Ochi's beach is not comparable to 7 mile but as stated before...certainly was not any hustling there. I enjoy the clubs in Ochi and the Margaritaville there is MUCH better than Negrils. I also like to walk around and people watch and just sit and chill. there are not the same kinds of food vendorss or restaurants in Ochi however so keep that in mind. Also Negril doesn't have the little bars all up and down like Negril does. I still love it there.

[Cali]

Ultimate Jerk Center IMO has the best jerk pork - it is on the main highway to Ochi and you will usually see a line of people there ordering food. Good rates too. Dunns River is a tourist attraction but a nice experience still. There are lots of beaches to explore between Ochi and Port Maria (St. Mary parish) as well.

[Ohio_Buckeye_1]

I did similar to what you are planning - love Negril but want to check out what the rest of the island offers.
To answer your question directly - I think if you are in Ochi, Dunn's River Falls is a must do. Granted it's not as "natural" as Mayfield Falls - but it is spectacular. Kind of like Rick's in Negril - you have to experience it once.

Try to go on a day when there is not a cruise ship docked - as others have said.
Bring your own water shoes, and one of those disposable, waterproof, cameras - otherwise you will be paying for their shoe rental and a guide to take pictures from the bank with your camera.
Also, because Dunn's takes a good bit of time to do at a fun pace, I'd suggest you just take a regular taxi there.
Save the "hired driver for the day" for another day. Why pay him for the whole day, then have him sit in the car for several hours while you're doing the Falls?
A good trip to combine with the Falls, I thought, was Mystic Mountain. We did Dunn's in the morning, and MM in the afternoon. If you are staying at a hotel in downtown Ochi, MM is on your way back from Dunn's.

[alycat]

My experience in OCHO is that the food is spicy, completely different from Negril , patties & jerk are completely different ( but Great ) ... the funny thing is the locals from Negril have never been to OCHO ... so close but so far away . definately worth the trip , but its a long day - mostly travel