On the northern shore of Jamaica to the east of Montego Bay you’ll find the popular cruise port and resort area of Ocho Rios. In spite of the many cruise passengers that are combing the shops most days in season, Ocho Rios doesn’t have much of a tourist center aside from the little shopping malls.
English is the main language in Jamaica, though with a heavy accent, and this helps make Ocho Rios popular with Americans, Canadians, Brits, and northern Caribbeans. Most people just come to sit on the beach or by the pool in the warm weather, but those looking for activities will find everything from diving to zip-lining nearby. If you are only going to do one activity on a Jamaica trip, make it a visit to the nearby Dunn’s River Falls, which is as impressive as it is unique.
Ocho Rios is one of the cheaper destinations in all of the Caribbean for all-inclusive resorts. Cheap flights into Montego Bay from all over the eastern United States and Canada keep the resorts here busy with budget travelers, though there are many mid-range and a few upper-range options as well. If you want to stay in an all-inclusive resort there there are many great options along the shore near Ocho Rios, but the town itself is disappointing and there isn’t much to see. If you want to really visit a pleasant resort area in Jamaica, head to Negril instead.
| Population | 10,000 |
| Area | 160,000 |
| Timezone | UTC-5 |
| Currency | Jamaican dollar |
| Airports | Sangster International Airport (MBJ) |
Most people who stay in Ocho Rios stay in an all-inclusive resort, only venturing off of the resort to walk the shoreline, take a tour, or shop at one of the local stores.
Scuba diving and snorkeling are common daytime activities here with a few different dive operators to choose from.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 20.00 - 55.00 |
| 62.00 - 100.00 |
| 70.00 - 152.00 |
| 153.00 - 477.00 |
| - |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 12.00 - 15.00 |
| Local Breakfast | Coffee, juice, coconut water and fruit filled pastries are sold at most cafes at great prices. | $3.50 - $7.00 |
| Local Lunch | If you love meat then be sure to try to a chicken or beef patty. | $5.00 - $9.00 |
| Local Dinner | Jerk chicken is the most popular choice of visitors who wish to sample some local cuisine. | $7.00 - $15.00 |
| Beer (.33l bottle) | There are a few well known bars in the area that serve both domestic and imported beers. If you're going to try a local beer, make sure it's a Red Stripe. | $3.50 - $5.00 |
Hands down, the Dunn’s River Falls is the top choice for a nearby tour. With that said, there are other great tours close by as well, such as scuba diving tours and zip lining adventures, but you’ll won’t find any that are more popular than a trip to the falls.
| Month | High F | Low F | PRECIP (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 87 | 73 | 0.5 |
| February | 87 | 73 | 0.3 |
| March | 87 | 74 | 0.3 |
| April | 89 | 75 | 0.4 |
| May | 89 | 77 | 2.5 |
| June | 90 | 79 | 1.3 |
| July | 91 | 79 | 1.2 |
| August | 91 | 78 | 1.1 |
| September | 91 | 78 | 2.7 |
| October | 90 | 77 | 2.5 |
| November | 89 | 76 | 1.6 |
| December | 88 | 74 | 0.9 |
Weather is a friend of Jamaica most of the year with Ocho Rios being no exception. Each month visitors will find cool to warm waters and light to medium winds that combat the heat and humidity.
During the late months of summer and early months of fall however, visitors will find themselves in the middle of hurricane season. Due to this, it’s best to keep an eye on the weather and be prepared for a storm, whether big or small.
Winter on the other hand, is ideal for those who wish to seek shelter from the cold bitter winters of the north.
| 21 Mar | 6:11am | 6:18pm |
| 21 Jun | 5:33am | 6:45pm |
| 21 Sep | 5:56am | 6:04pm |
| 21 Dec | 6:34am | 5:37pm |
There are nearly 100 hotels and resorts to choose from in the Ocho Rios area, with most being larger hotels along the beach, many operating on an all-inclusive basis. Prices here tend to be lower than in Montego Bay, but not quite as low as in Negril, at least for the real budget traveler. Ocho Rios is actually the cheapest choice for all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, so it offers excellent value for that crowd. If you don’t want to stay in an all-inclusive then Negril is a nicer and better choice, with lower prices as well.
>>>Best Ocho Rios all-inclusive hotels for couples, families, nightlife, spa lovers, and more
Wintertime, major holidays and spring break are when visitors will see a price increase, sometimes up to 25 percent. If you are looking for more of a budget minded trip, it may be better to consider vacationing during the wet season.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| 20.00 - 55.00 |
| 62.00 - 100.00 |
| 70.00 - 152.00 |
| 153.00 - 477.00 |
| - |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 12.00 - 15.00 |
You’ll be flying into the Sangster International Airport, which is a bit under 2 hours away from Ocho Rios. Many hotels have their own shuttles to pick you up, but there are also taxis and hired shuttles if you need them.
Nonstop flights from:
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Newark, Boston, Chicago-O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Calgary, Edmonton, Moncton, Montréal-Trudeau, Ottawa, Québec City, Toronto-Pearson, Winnipeg, Vancouver, London-Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow, Lisbon, Madrid, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Amsterdam, Milan-Malpensa, Rome-Fiumicino
The most common way to get around Ocho Rios is by taxi, though you could rent a car if you really want to, but it’s not necessary. Taxis are everywhere and easy to get, but you won’t find a bus service here.
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Bus to Montego Bay | 15.00 - 25.00 |