Ocho Rios, Jamaica City Guide
For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Ocho Rios, Jamaica Travel Guide has been your connection to Ocho Rios's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Ocho Rios Jamaica Bed and Breakfast Destination & Ocho Rios Bed and Breakfasts
 Ocho Rios means "eight rivers" in Spanish, but the name is more likely a corruption of "las chorreras," Spanish for “the spouts,” because of the many waterfalls in the area. Also known by the nickname Ochie, Ocho Rios is located in St. Ann's parish about 60 miles from Discovery Bay, on a half-moon shaped cove in the middle of Jamaica's northern coastline. A popular tourist destination and favorite bed and breakfast getaway, Ocho Rios is well known for scuba diving, white sand beaches and stunning waterfalls, near Bob Marley’s birthplace and the retreats of writers Noel Coward and Ian Fleming (author of the James Bond series).
Formerly a fishing port known for its banana exports, today Ocho Rios is one of the fastest growing towns in the Caribbean with a population of about 9,000. A pretty bed and breakfast town with interesting colonial era buildings, like the Geddes Memorial Church and the Anglican Church, Jamaica’s “second city” of tourism (after Kingston) is also a famous destination for celebrity beachcombers like Donna Summer and Keith Richards. No wonder so many innkeepers have established their bed and breakfasts in this island paradise. Many guests visit Jamaica and are pulled in by the island way of life, good food, fantastic beaches, friendly people, often times becoming permanent residences themselves. Maybe you’ll open your own bed and breakfast in Ocho Rios.
Ocho Ríos has gained in popularity among vacationers in recent years as the north coast highway has been improved between the international airport at Montego Bay to Ocho Rios, now only an hour and forty five minute drive. Ocho Rios' central location, 67mi/108km east of Montego Bay and 54mi/87k north of Kingston, makes for easy day trips to these cities and excursions into the interior. In the last 20 years, Ocho Rios has more than doubled its number of bed and breakfast establishments, offering travelers a familiar, private home away from home where you can truly enjoy island living and get to know Ocho Rios like a native.
Nothing beats island hospitality like that you’re sure to find at an Ocho Rios bed and breakfast. Bed and breakfast innkeepers in this tropical paradise are warm, welcoming and very laid back. You’ll be pampered while you enjoy reggae music, overflowing breakfasts, afternoon cordials and more in someone else’s home. Your innkeeper’s will be your best source for information. No one knows the ins and outs of Ocho Rios like a local, so find out what are the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants only frequented by residents or the best bargain shops that are overlooked by the large tourist groups. Not only will innkeepers guide you to Ocho Rios best kept secrets, they are Ocho Rios best kept secrets!
|
