Jamaica's north coast attraction is Dunn's River Falls
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from February 1984.
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It is Dunn's River Falls. The falls undoubtedly are the highlight of a visit to Ocho Rios, but certainly they are not the only attraction in the resort village. There is the beautiful curving sand beach lined with palm trees and hotels. There are beautiful gardens overlooking the bay. There are plantations to tour and caves to explore. And there are native handicrafts to bargain for in the crafts market. The crisp cool waters of Dunn's River Falls start their journey in the mountains surrounding the bay. They rush through the jungles and plantations around Ocho Rios until they cascade onto the beach and into the Caribbean just west of town.
There are paths leading along the river, and observation decks overlooking the falls. But the best way to experience the falls is to climb them.
The trek begins at the base of the falls near a pool where the cool mountain river empties into the warm Caribbean. Guides are on hand for first-time climbers, or the adventuresome can head out on their own. The foaming white waters splash and spray over the rocks and into deep pools. The steady hand of the guide is reassuring as the climber makes his way up the slippery rocks and through the swirling waters.
At one point, a natural chute provides a thrilling slide down into a foamy pool, and at another, bathers can roll off the brink of a cascade into its pool below. The swirling waters make a perfect whirlpool bath, and the waters rain down making a natural shower.
Duck into a tiny cave behind the falls, or just lay back in a cascade and let the pounding waters tingle and massage tired muscles.
