The RCM Blog

Jamaica Travel Stories and Tips

Local know-how on Ocho Rios and the rest of the island: waterfalls, rivers, food, music, history and practical travel advice.

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A good place to start if it’s your first time on Jamaica’s north coast.

RCM guide taking a selfie with two smiling guests among palm trees

15 Best Things to Do in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Waterfalls, river rides, local favorites, and a few surprises—here’s how to make the most of Ocho Rios.

9 min read

Guests in matching yellow shirts beside the blue RCM van

Getting From Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios

Landing in Montego Bay and heading to Ocho Rios? Here’s how to make the ride easy from the very start.

6 min read

RCM guide with a group of friends in a tropical garden

Dunn’s River Falls vs. Blue Hole: Which Should You Visit?

Climb a famous waterfall or swim in turquoise natural pools? Let’s find the adventure that fits your crew.

6 min read

Latest Articles

New travel tips and planning ideas for your time in Jamaica.

Guests wading together up a waterfall river

The Best Time of Year to Visit Jamaica, Month by Month

Jamaica is warm all year, but every season has its own feel. Here’s a month-by-month look at the weather, the crowds and the celebrations, so you can pick the trip that suits you.

November 10, 2026 · 5 min read

Painted mural of reggae artists in Trench Town, Kingston

Maroon House Press: Jamaican Stories to Read Before Your Trip

Maroon House Press publishes fiction and cultural writing rooted in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Here’s the history behind its name and a few Jamaican stories worth packing for your trip.

November 9, 2026 · 4 min read

Guests in a milky-blue river pool below tall trees

Ackee and Saltfish: Jamaica’s National Dish Explained

Golden ackee, flaky salted cod and a little pepper heat: here’s the story of Jamaica’s national dish, how it’s made and how to enjoy it like a local.

November 9, 2026 · 6 min read

RCM guide with a guest on a wooden deck at sunset

Jerk: The Story Behind Jamaica’s Most Famous Flavor

Jerk is more than a spicy seasoning. It’s a centuries-old way of cooking with roots in Jamaica’s first people and the Maroons, and it still tastes best by the side of the road.

November 8, 2026 · 5 min read

RCM guide sharing drinks with guests at a thatched bar

A Beginner’s Guide to Jamaican Food: What to Order and Why You’ll Love It

Jamaican food is bold, warm and full of history. Here’s what to try first, what the names on the menu mean and how to handle the heat.

November 7, 2026 · 5 min read

RCM guide with two guests in front of a painted jungle mural

Jamaican Patois for Visitors: Friendly Phrases You’ll Hear on the Island

English is Jamaica’s official language, but the island’s heart speaks Patois. Here are the friendly everyday phrases you’ll hear, what they mean and where they come from.

November 7, 2026 · 5 min read

More From the Blog

Waterfalls, rivers, mountains, coastlines and culture from across Jamaica.

Friends raising their hands toward green Jamaican hills

The Blue Mountains: Coffee, Cool Air and Jamaica’s High Country

Jamaica has more than beaches, and the Blue Mountains are a wonderful reminder of that.

3 min read

RCM guide and a guest smiling together

Kingston and Bob Marley: Music in Jamaica’s Capital

Kingston has a different energy from Jamaica’s north-coast resort towns, and a music-focused trip into the capital can add a new layer to your visit.

3 min read

Guests posing on a muddy ATV in the Jamaican countryside

Exploring Jamaica’s Countryside by ATV

If your favorite vacation memories come with a little dirt on your shoes, an ATV outing could be your kind of Jamaica adventure.

3 min read

RCM guide with a family in a hotel lobby

One Day in Ocho Rios: The Town’s Best-Loved Sights

Only have one big sightseeing day in Ocho Rios?

3 min read

RCM driver and guide with a guest beside a blue van

Blue Hole and Secret Falls: Ocho Rios’ Swimming Holes in the Hills

Looking for the Jamaica waterfall day with a little more of an adventurous spirit?

3 min read

The small house at Nine Mile painted in red, gold and green

Nine Mile: The Hillside Village Where Bob Marley Began

For many travelers, Bob Marley’s music is part of the soundtrack of Jamaica.

3 min read

Goats crossing a country road in Jamaica

Country Life in Jamaica: Villages, Markets and Traditions

There is a side of Jamaica that becomes easier to appreciate when you leave the busiest visitor corridors behind.

3 min read

RCM driver and a guest smiling in a hotel lobby

Deep-Sea Fishing in Jamaican Waters

A fishing trip changes the rhythm of a Jamaica vacation.

3 min read

RCM guide sharing drinks with guests at a thatched bar

Dolphin Cove: Meeting Dolphins on Jamaica’s North Coast

Dolphin Cove can sound like a single attraction, but there are several different ways to visit, from simply watching to swimming alongside the dolphins.

3 min read

RCM guide with a group of friends in a tropical garden

Dunn’s River Falls and Blue Hole: Two Very Different Waterfalls

Two of the best-known water adventures around Ocho Rios offer different experiences.

3 min read

RCM driver with a guest outside a hotel in the evening

Ocho Rios After Dark: Music, Lounges and Street Parties

A fun night out should leave you with good memories, not a transportation headache.

3 min read

RCM guide and a guest smiling together

Green Grotto Caves: Jamaica Beneath the Surface

Not every unforgettable Jamaica outing happens under the sun.

3 min read

RCM guide taking a selfie with two smiling guests among palm trees

Hampden Estate: A Taste of Jamaican Rum History

For adults interested in Jamaican rum, a distillery outing can offer more than a tasting.

3 min read

Guests in matching yellow shirts beside the blue RCM van

Horseback Riding on Jamaica’s Beaches

A coastal horseback ride can be an appealing way to see Jamaica from a different perspective.

3 min read

Friends raising their hands toward green Jamaican hills

Konoko Falls: Gardens and Waterfalls Above Ocho Rios

If you want to spend time in a scenic setting without committing to a full-day itinerary, Konoko Falls may be a worthwhile choice.

3 min read

RCM guide pointing to the Chillongolo Tours sign

The Lethe River: Bamboo Rafts and Limestone Foot Massages

When you want a Jamaica experience that feels more relaxed than adrenaline-packed, a river rafting outing with a foot-massage element might be just the thing.

3 min read

RCM guide with a family in a hotel lobby

The Luminous Lagoon: Why Jamaica’s Water Glows at Night

One of the pleasures of traveling in Jamaica is saving room for something unexpected after sunset.

3 min read

RCM driver and guide with a guest beside a blue van

Margaritaville Jamaica: Beach Days and Lively Nights

Sometimes what you want from a Jamaica outing is simple: somewhere social to spend time, whether that means a relaxed daytime stop or an evening with a little more energy.

3 min read

RCM driver and a guest smiling in a hotel lobby

Martha Brae: Bamboo Rafting on a Gentle River

A gentle river outing is a lovely counterpoint to busy excursions and long days on the road.

3 min read

RCM guide sharing drinks with guests at a thatched bar

Rafting by Day, Glowing Water by Night in Trelawny

Why choose between a peaceful river experience and something different after dark?

3 min read

RCM guide with a group of friends in a tropical garden

Mystic Mountain: Rainforest Views and a Jamaican Bobsled

Jamaica and bobsleds belong in the same conversation for a reason.

3 min read

RCM guide and a guest smiling together

Negril: Seven Mile Beach and Sunsets at Rick’s Cafe

Negril is well known for beach time and its west-coast sunset atmosphere.

3 min read

RCM guide taking a selfie with two smiling guests among palm trees

Getting to Know Ocho Rios

If you are visiting Ocho Rios for the first time, it can be difficult to decide what deserves your limited time.

3 min read

RCM guide sharing drinks with guests at a thatched bar

Jamaica’s South Coast: Black River, Pelican Bar and Appleton Estate

Some Jamaica days are about seeing just how varied the island can be.

3 min read

Guests in matching yellow shirts beside the blue RCM van

Port Antonio: Jamaica’s Lush, Quiet Northeast

Want to see a different side of the island?

3 min read

RCM guide pointing to the Chillongolo Tours sign

Shopping for Jamaican Souvenirs Near Ocho Rios

A well-chosen shopping stop can be more satisfying than rushing through one more attraction.

3 min read

Friends raising their hands toward green Jamaican hills

Rio Bueno: Floating Down a Jamaican River

If you enjoy being outdoors and want more movement than a leisurely raft ride, a tubing outing on the Rio Bueno may be worth considering.

3 min read

RCM guide pointing to the Chillongolo Tours sign

River Tubing in Ocho Rios: A First-Timer’s Guide

A tubing outing can be an easy way to add some river adventure to your Jamaica plans.

3 min read

RCM guide with a family in a hotel lobby

Rockland Bird Sanctuary and Jamaica’s Hummingbirds

Jamaica is full of experiences that have nothing to do with a beach chair.

3 min read

Guest pointing to a Bob Marley portrait at Nine Mile

Bob Marley’s Roots and Dunn’s River Falls

Can’t decide between cultural heritage and one of Jamaica’s most recognizable natural attractions?

3 min read

RCM driver and guide with a guest beside a blue van

Shopping in Ocho Rios: Crafts, Gifts and Local Finds

Not every excursion needs a thrill ride.

3 min read

RCM driver and a guest smiling in a hotel lobby

Snorkeling in Jamaica’s Clear Caribbean Water

A snorkeling day is about seeing a different side of Jamaica: the world just below the waterline.

3 min read

RCM guide sharing drinks with guests at a thatched bar

A Waterfall, a Blue Hole and a River in One Day

If one water-based stop is not enough, this excursion combines different sides of Ocho Rios: a celebrated waterfall, a natural-pool setting and a river-tubing experience.

3 min read

RCM guide with a group of friends in a tropical garden

Dunn’s River Falls: What First-Time Visitors Should Know

Dunn’s River Falls is one of those Jamaica experiences people often put at the top of their wish list.

3 min read

Guest in a life vest beside bamboo rafts on a Jamaican river

White River Bamboo Rafting: A Slower Side of Ocho Rios

Some Jamaica days call for music, movement and excitement.

3 min read

RCM guide and a guest smiling together

Worthy Park Estate: Rum in the Heart of Jamaica

Jamaican rum is connected to the island’s agricultural and production story.

3 min read

RCM guide taking a selfie with two smiling guests among palm trees

Ziplining Over Dunn’s River: Ocho Rios From Above

Want an overhead perspective of the Ocho Rios landscape?

3 min read