Ocho Rios is located on the north central coast of Jamaica. Known for its natural wonders such as Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios is a popular destination stop for cruise ships visiting the Caribbean. The 200 feet of climbable rock that composes Dunn's River Falls is a magnificent way to experience Jamaica's Northern Coast. Visitors may climb the carved steps 30 to 40 minutes to the top of the falls for a small fee, payable in both U.S. or Jamaican dollars. At the bottom of the falls a beach awaits along with local craft huts, souvenir shops and snack bars. Runaway Bay and Chukka Cove, both located in Ocho Rios, are other example of the natural scenery that is available in this part of the country. At these locations, clear blue water and expansive coral reefs create a perfect environment for scuba diving and snorkeling. Equipment may be rented from locations on each beach.
With a population of almost a million, Kingston is known to be a hot-spot of dining, shopping and big city life, very different from the traditional resort towns found in other parts of the country. The capital city of Kingston is home to many interesting museums, botanical gardens and galleries, creating a wonderful destination for sightseeing. At nightfall, the island's best clubs, theatres and great restaurants come alive with local reggae beats and authentic island cuisine. Kingston's most popular attractions are found divided between the Downtown district, stretching North from the waterfront to the bustling junction of Cross Roads, and the Uptown area which spans into the wealthy suburbs ending at the foot of the mountains. Most entertainment will be found Uptown.
Negril is famous for its breathtakingly beautiful sandy coast. The Northern area of Negril is home to large, all-inclusive resorts. To the South, visitors will find smaller, family-run hotels and inns. Having such options gives visitors a wide range of rooms, different services and competitive pricing. South of downtown Negril lies the cliff area of West End Road, which is lined with resorts that offer increased seclusion and privacy. This area offers easy access to waters for cliff diving with jumping points extending more than 40 feet above the water. Rick's Cafe (rickscafenegril.com) is located along these cliffs and is a perfect place to watch the cliff jumpers in action.
Jamaica's second-largest city, Montego Bay, is known for its scenery and shopping. The many duty free shops of Montego Bay offer visitors the chance to purchase many authentic local favorites such as spices, rum, flowers, clothing, art and crafts at very reasonable prices. The Shoppes at Rose Hall (rosehall.com) feature 12 duty free outlets containing more than 31 shops filled with luxury and boutique type items. In addition to shopping, this area also features a gourmet restaurant, java house, and an international bistro. Another duty free favorite, the City Centre Shopping Mall (no website; City Centre Bldg., Montego Bay, Jamaica), is composed of 20 shops selling perfumes, figurines, watches, jewelry, leather goods, liquors, souvenirs and more. For necessity shoppers, the Fairview Shopping Centre is full of supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, hardware shops, house wares boutiques, furniture and electronic stores.
