Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios sits on Jamaica's north coast, a former fishing village that's now a busy cruise port. Ships dock at two piers close to the town centre. The Turtle Bay Pier puts you near shops and restaurants, while the James Bond Pier is a 15-minute walk further west. Island Village, a waterfront shopping complex, is right at the port. Dunn's River Falls is the main excursion: a 180-metre cascading waterfall you climb with a guide in a human chain. Wear water shoes and expect to get soaked. Mystic Mountain has a bobsled ride through the rainforest and a sky explorer chairlift. Blue Hole, a series of natural swimming pools and smaller waterfalls, is less crowded than Dunn's River. Jerk chicken and jerk pork from roadside stalls are excellent. Red Stripe beer is the local brew. The Jamaican Dollar is the currency, though US dollars are accepted at most tourist spots.