Attractions

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Dunn's River Falls is a famous waterfall near Ocho Rios, Jamaica and a major Caribbean tourist attraction. The falls empty into the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the very few waterfalls in the world that actually fall directly into the sea.

The waterfalls are staggered and span some 180 metres (600 feet). Several small lagoons exist there, interspersed between the vertical sections of the falls. Climbing up the waterfalls is a popular tourist activity and is often, but not exclusively performed with the help of tour guides from the park. The side of the falls is covered with lush, green vegitation that help shade the area from the sun. This helps keep the water cool as people try and climb the waterfall. The falls can be walked up with relative ease, often a human chain is used snaking up the falls behind the tour guide. Dunn's River Falls was also the site of a location shoot for the 1988 Tom Cruise film Cocktail.

.Martha Brae's Rafters Village (Montego Bay; tel. 876/952-0889): Martha Brae's Rafters Village offers the best river-rafting experience in and around this popular resort. You sit on a raised dais on bamboo logs and watch the river scenery unfold.

The Black River (South Coast): You can explore what feels like real Tarzan country, with mangrove trees and crocodiles in the wild, on an outing with South Coast Safaris (tel. 876/965-2513). Lots of wild things grow in these swamps, and birders delight in the bird life.

Green Grotto Caves (Discovery Bay; tel. 876/973-2841). These limestone caves were once used to hide runaway slaves. They're a world of stalagmites and stalactites, with seemingly endless chambers and eerie Grotto Lake, which you can visit in a boat.

Somerset Falls (Port Antonio): Waters from the Daniels River race down a deep gorge through a rainforest. Flowering vines, waterfalls, and foaming cascades form a lush backdrop. You can swim in the deep rock pools.

Rafting on the Rio Grande (Port Antonio; tel. 876/993-5778): Shades of Errol Flynn, this is the grandest rafting experience in Jamaica. The rafts are propelled by bamboo poles.

Exploring the Blue Mountains (outside Kingston; tel. 876/960-6685): This is one of the biggest, wildest, and greenest parks in the Caribbean, ideal for exploring. You must hike 5 to 6 hours through thick vegetation (hearing amazing birdsong on the way) to reach the summit.

For more in-depth information, see the Frommer’s Guide to Jamaica at Frommers.com