Ocho Rios Guidebook
Food Scene
Quick Bites and Grocery
Ocho Rios Jerk Center
14 DaCosta DrGood food and good vibes. Always a good time.
Best American-style grocery store within easy access off the main highway, next to KFC.
68 locals recommend
Progressive Foods
Best American-style grocery store within easy access off the main highway, next to KFC.
Restaurants
My Personal Recommendations
This historic great house was recently renovated and now offers a charming restaurant, Island Magnolia, as well as an art center and museum. The Devon's House of the north coast.
13 locals recommend
Harmony Hall
This historic great house was recently renovated and now offers a charming restaurant, Island Magnolia, as well as an art center and museum. The Devon's House of the north coast.
My top pick for outstanding hand-made with love rasta Jamaican Food. A locals favorite that most visitors don't know about!
15 locals recommend
Jangalee Seafood Joint
Exchange RoadMy top pick for outstanding hand-made with love rasta Jamaican Food. A locals favorite that most visitors don't know about!
Wine bar and nice open restaurant just off a side street in the center of town. Walking distance from the clock.
152 locals recommend
Miss T's Kitchen
65 Main StWine bar and nice open restaurant just off a side street in the center of town. Walking distance from the clock.
Famous jerk chicken or pork, so succulent. With a ganga shop next door it makes for a nice stop off the main road
187 locals recommend
Scotchies Drax Hall
Famous jerk chicken or pork, so succulent. With a ganga shop next door it makes for a nice stop off the main road
Beaches
The Beautiful Beaches in and around Ocho Rios. (Many private beaches in Jamaica charge a small entrance fee)
Beautiful calm beach with a bar and restaurant. A place where you could spend all day at the sea. Call ahead to reserve a cabana for $4,000 JMD, it's worth it!
62 locals recommend
Bamboo Blu
Mammee Bay RoadBeautiful calm beach with a bar and restaurant. A place where you could spend all day at the sea. Call ahead to reserve a cabana for $4,000 JMD, it's worth it!
Large crescent beach that is the focal point of Ocho Rios. This beach is open to all.
68 locals recommend
Ocho Rios Bay Beach
Large crescent beach that is the focal point of Ocho Rios. This beach is open to all.
Newly fixed up local spot with shops, fresh cooked Jamaican food and a river running through it to the sea. It now has a maintained beach and a restaurant with great views.
17 locals recommend
Fisherman Beach
Newly fixed up local spot with shops, fresh cooked Jamaican food and a river running through it to the sea. It now has a maintained beach and a restaurant with great views.
Located in Oracabessa near Goldeneye Resort, James Bond Beach is famous for the beautiful color of the water. Fresh water combines with the salty coves to create the most incredible swirl of blue and green water that you have ever seen, and it's nice for a swim too!
63 locals recommend
James Bond Beach
Located in Oracabessa near Goldeneye Resort, James Bond Beach is famous for the beautiful color of the water. Fresh water combines with the salty coves to create the most incredible swirl of blue and green water that you have ever seen, and it's nice for a swim too!
Highly recommended beach with a fabulous seafront restaurant, located in Rio Nuevo, St. Mary.
28 locals recommend
Sugar Pot Ruins Beach and Restuarant
Rio Nuevo CloseHighly recommended beach with a fabulous seafront restaurant, located in Rio Nuevo, St. Mary.
Sightseeing
Tops sights to see!
Located in the heart of Ocho Rios town, the Craft Market is a staple of Caribbean life where local artisans put their hand-made works of art on display. Great place to buy Jamaica-themed gifts, souvenirs and street art.
98 locals recommend
Ocho Rios Craft Market
Main StreetLocated in the heart of Ocho Rios town, the Craft Market is a staple of Caribbean life where local artisans put their hand-made works of art on display. Great place to buy Jamaica-themed gifts, souvenirs and street art.
An incredible natural wonder to explore near Discovery Bay. There is an awesome food stop across the highway where you can watch a live cricket match.
201 locals recommend
Green Grotto Caves
Main StreetAn incredible natural wonder to explore near Discovery Bay. There is an awesome food stop across the highway where you can watch a live cricket match.
The most picturesque and pristine river you have ever laid eyes on. Couples would love a romantic bamboo raft tour, or for the adventurous try tubing down the river with Chukka Tours!
74 locals recommend
White River
The most picturesque and pristine river you have ever laid eyes on. Couples would love a romantic bamboo raft tour, or for the adventurous try tubing down the river with Chukka Tours!
Tours and Excursions
Dunn's River Falls and Park
Main StreetThe #1 rated activity for visitors to Jamaica.
Adventure park with incredible views. Ride the Jamaican bobsled through the rainforest!
450 locals recommend
Mystic Mountain, Rainforest Adventures
Adventure park with incredible views. Ride the Jamaican bobsled through the rainforest!
Mahogany Beach is in Pineapple neighborhood, right in the heart of Ocho Rios (locals refer to it as Carib). Many boat excursions leave from this beach and it has a party atmosphere. There is a restaurant and bar, beach facilities and a river where many locals take a swim.
45 locals recommend
Mahogany Beach
Mahogany Beach is in Pineapple neighborhood, right in the heart of Ocho Rios (locals refer to it as Carib). Many boat excursions leave from this beach and it has a party atmosphere. There is a restaurant and bar, beach facilities and a river where many locals take a swim.
Ocho Rios Nightlife
With different theme nights every day of the week, this is a great spot where locals and tourists mix. And things can get pretty wild at night!
309 locals recommend
Margaritaville Ocho Rios
Turtle Beach RoadWith different theme nights every day of the week, this is a great spot where locals and tourists mix. And things can get pretty wild at night!
This is the most frequented night club in Ocho Rios. It has an indoor bar/club and an open-air patio. This is not a pretentious nightclub, it has a chill and friendly vibe and many tourists can be spotted here.
7 locals recommend
Eight Rivers Lounge
This is the most frequented night club in Ocho Rios. It has an indoor bar/club and an open-air patio. This is not a pretentious nightclub, it has a chill and friendly vibe and many tourists can be spotted here.
Great street-front bar/restaurant on Main St. in Ocho Rios. They have live music, performers and salsa night. Open for lunch and dinner and a short walk to the beach.
74 locals recommend
John Crow's Tavern
10 Main StGreat street-front bar/restaurant on Main St. in Ocho Rios. They have live music, performers and salsa night. Open for lunch and dinner and a short walk to the beach.
Traveler advice
Getting around
I can recommend my preferred taxi driver
I've been using Morgan, my trusted Ocho Rios taxi driver, for more than 5 years. He can take you on excursions, arrange a private airport transfer, or just take you around town. Let me know and I'll put you in touch with Morgan!
Customs and culture
Tipping is much appreciated in Jamaica.
I suggest getting some local currency for "pocket money". There are many things to buy in Jamaica, like a fresh coconut jelly water on the road-side or some fresh fruit in the market-place. You will have an easier time with Jamaican money and it's always nice to tip the local vendors.