| One of the ports of call for our Royal Caribbean | | | | to hold hands forming a human chain up the falls. This |
| cruiseship was Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Probably the most | | | | was suppose to make things safer but as we |
| famous site in the region is Dunn's River Falls and we | | | | witnessed, this method of going up the falls is not a |
| chose to tour it on our own rather than through one of | | | | guarantee against falling. We saw a woman let go and |
| the cruiseship tours. Once we disembarked from the | | | | she fell down the rocks during one of the steeper |
| cruiseship, there were cabs and shuttlebuses available | | | | sections. She wasn't badly hurt but we imagined that |
| at the pier. Cabs to Dunn's River Falls were $22 US | | | | she sustained some nice bruises. There are various |
| for a return trip. Cabs allowed 1-3 people per vehicle. | | | | points along the falls where you could get off the falls |
| We were also told at the pier that small shuttlebuses | | | | and back on the stairs to walk up the rest of the way. |
| also go to the Falls at $5.50 US per person. These | | | | Not everyone there attempted to climb the falls as |
| were also based on return trips. The only problem with | | | | many were happy to just walk dry along the side on |
| shuttlebuses was that we had to wait until they filled | | | | the stairs. We chose not to go with any of the groups |
| up the shuttle before leaving for the Falls so since we | | | | which tend to go up the left side of the falls. We made |
| were the first on the bus, we had to wait about 15 | | | | our way up on our own mostly on the right side. With |
| minutes for it to fill up. The driver then asks you when | | | | some breaks for photos, we made it all the way up |
| you want to be picked up at the Falls for the return | | | | the falls in about 30 minutes. Going with a group would |
| trip. Our driver suggested 2 hours to see the Falls so | | | | have taken longer for sure. The water is a bit cool and |
| we agreed on this time duration. | | | | if you have a wetsuit, it is highly suggested that you |
| Once at the Falls, a woman then came onboard the | | | | wear it for the climb. Cameras used there up the falls |
| shuttle to sell tickets for admission to the site at $10 | | | | are also recommended to be water resistant since |
| US per adult person which was the same rate at the | | | | they likely will get wet. We left our digital camera on |
| park's ticket booth. Once inside the Dunn's facility, there | | | | the ship and took one of those $25 underwater |
| were rentals for special rubber shoes as well as | | | | cameras. |
| lockers. We carried a small backpack so we didn't | | | | After climbing the falls, we headed back down to the |
| require paying for a locker. We also brought along our | | | | relatively small but uncrowded beach where the ocean |
| scuba diving booties so we didn't have to rent those | | | | water was warmer until it was time to depart. The exit |
| rubber shoes on site either. The cruiseship shop was | | | | back at the top of the falls was strategically located at |
| also selling these rubber shoes in advance. Shoes of | | | | the end of a market so we did have to go through |
| some type are highly recommended as the rocks on | | | | some locals who tried to sell us their souveniers. |
| the Falls can be slippery and some of the bottoms of | | | | These locals who worked inside the Dunn's site were |
| the water pools are a bit rocky. If you have old | | | | hustling but not as aggressively as those in the town |
| sneakers you don't mind getting wet, they will be | | | | of Ocho Rios. The shuttlebus arrived at the site |
| suitable for the climb up the falls as well. Our scuba | | | | parking lot on time as agreed. The total amount we |
| diving booties turned out to be sufficient. The entrance | | | | spent including the park admission and the shuttle was |
| to the site is at the top of the falls so we took some | | | | $31 US for the two of us. Taking an organized tour |
| stairs that were adjacent to the falls to the bottom | | | | through the cruiseship would have cost more than |
| where the beach and entrance to the climb were. | | | | double this amount. So it is quite possible to tour Dunn's |
| There are official guides dressed in blue polo shirts and | | | | River Falls on your own rather than take the more |
| shorts who will take groups up the falls. Normally, they | | | | expensive tours. We were glad that we did see |
| will ask to carry all cameras for you so they can take | | | | Dunn's River Falls but we thought that it was not |
| photos of you as you climb. Of course, they expect to | | | | nearly as impressive as depicted on photos in travel |
| be well tipped for their services. Also, groups were told | | | | brochures. |