What to do in Jamaica from your cruise ship

At a glance:

• Jamaica is arguably best known for its silky white stretches of sand, but this Caribbean island has so much more up its sleeve
• Whether you’re drawn to chasing waterfalls, sampling succulent local specialities such as ackee with saltfish and jerk chicken, or want to rock out to reggae, there’s always a next thing to do
• The island has five cruise ports, but the primary two (and the ones we will focus on in this article) are Montego Bay and Ocho Rios
• While English is the official language, many Jamaicans speak Patois – a colourful Creole dialect
• The currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican dollar, which uses the symbol $ or J$.
• There's no bad time per se to visit Jamaica – you can expect temperatures in the high 20s or low 30s all year – but peak rainy season is between August and October
• Jamaica is safer than the media makes out, but nonetheless, you should exercise common sense and avoid walking alone late at night

Jamaica may be best known for its soft, sugar-white beaches ringed by tropical palm trees and azure waters, but this lively Caribbean island offers so much more than merely a day on the beach.

It’s also a country of rushing waterfalls, rugged mountains, vibrant cities, rum, reggae and spicy plates of jerk chicken.

All of which helps explain why the country captivated the A-list likes of James Bond creator Ian Fleming and playwright Noël Coward – both of whom called Jamaica home. Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe and Errol Flynn, who famously hailed Jamaica as "more beautiful than any woman I have ever known”, were also fans.

In 2009, it was my turn to discover Jamaica when I ‘popped’ over from neighbouring Cayman – where I had been living and working at the time – and found an island full of verve and vibe. I’ve been returning at regular intervals ever since.

Ready to soak up some irie island spirit yourself? Here’s our expert travel guide to Jamaica.

Jamaica cruise port and town

In Montego Bay – affectionately dubbed Mo Bay – ships dock in the Freeport area, which is approximately three kilometres from downtown, so you’ll need to take a taxi.

A two-hour drive east from Montego Bay lies Ocho Rios, where there are two berths for cruise ships right on the edge of the town. It’s only a 10-minute walk to Ochi proper for beaches and bars.

Where else do ships dock in Jamaica

Ships also stop at Port Antonio, which has a single berth within walking distance of the town; in Falmouth, where two berths can accommodate large ships, and passengers are to walk straight from their ships into the small town; and in the country’s capital, Kingston, although this isn’t as popular as the ports on the north coast.

Jamaica port essentials

Need some aspirin? Some Reggae music memorabilia or a bag or two of Blue Mountain coffee (outside of Jamaica, it’s super expensive, so stock up while you can) to take back home as a souvenir? This section is here to help.

What shops and services are at the port

Montego Bay cruise port offers basic souvenir shops selling the usual tourist tat (think ‘I heart Jamaica’ t-shirts and fridge magnets) as well as local products like Jamaican coffee and rum. You’ll also find a few food outlets, third-party excursion stalls and ATMs.

In Ocho Rios, you’ll walk out into a smattering of shopping malls such as Island Village. Spanning two hectares, it’s home to upscale craft stalls, an amphitheatre for live performances and a branch of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.

But don’t get stuck in or around either terminal – not when the real Jamaica lies just beyond, ready and waiting to be explored.

What shops and services are in town

Save for the excellent Gallery of West Indian Art – head here for original Caribbean arts and crafts – Montego Bay’s shopping scene is something of a let-down. If you’re really stuck for a souvenir, seek out the Harbour Street Craft Market or check out Fort Montego Craft Market (off Gloucester Avenue).

In Ocho Rios, there’s the aforementioned Island Village mall and small markets such as Old Craft Market on Main Street. A better bet is to head out of town to Harmony Hall – a gorgeous gingerbread house where you can pick up a unique piece of contemporary or traditional Jamaican art.

How to pay for things in Jamaica

The currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican dollar, which uses the symbol $ or J$. However, prices in tourist areas are often quoted in US dollars, which are accepted.

You can use both cash, which can be withdrawn from 24-hour ATMs in most towns, and cards in Jamaica. The former is essential for small vendors, local markets and street food stalls, while the latter are accepted at tourist attractions and shops.

While tipping isn’t as common in Jamaica as it is in America, visitors should be prepared to tip around 10 per cent for good service (think outstanding tour guides) and in restaurants. Tourist taxi drivers often ask for tips too, but JUTA (Jamaica Union of Travellers Association) route taxis don’t expect them.

How safe is Jamaica

Many travellers fear the worst when visiting Jamaica, but the country is safer than the headlines often suggest. The biggest problem is petty crime, and to combat this, the best advice that World of Cruising can give is common sense: only carry the cash you need and don’t flash smartphones and expensive watches, etc.

Other issues include drugs – ganja (marijuana) is everywhere, and even if you’re only on the island for a day, you’re almost certain to be approached by hustlers peddling it – and harassment.

Make no mistake: hustlers (who are mainly male) harass visitors in and around tourist centres such as Mo Bay and Ochi. However, as a solo female traveller, I’ve always found that a polite but very firm ‘no’ usually does the trick. Failing that, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and raise your voice if necessary – locals will invariably come to your rescue.

What to do in Jamaica

Typically, cruise ships stay in Jamaica for around eight to nine hours, although some stay overnight – allowing you to sway along to some reggae while sipping a potent rum punch after dark.

Take it from me, though, that one day won’t be enough. I was first drawn to Jamaica by sheer curiosity when living and working on neighbouring Grand Cayman. I fell in love with the island – here, finally, was the Caribbean of my imagination – and have returned several times since.

Our ideal day in Jamaica

Disembarking for a day in Jamaica? Here are the best things to do.

• Hit the beach at Doctor’s Cave
• Step into the past at Rose Hall
• Raft the Martha Brae River
• Climb Dunn’s River Falls
• Glow in the sparkling Luminous Lagoon
• Pay your respects to Bob Marley at his Hope Road house

Want to build your perfect day in Jamaica? You’ll find more information about the aforementioned attractions below:

For everyone

These crowd-pleasers are perfect for everybody – try to tick off as many as you can.

Doctor’s Cave

• What is it? Stake your spot at Doctor’s Cave, Mo Bay’s most famous beach. This strip of white sand owes its name to British osteopath Sir Herbert Barker, who declared in 1906 that the waters had healing properties. Facilities include beach chairs, towels and snorkelling gear as well as a restaurant and bar.
• Distance to port: Doctor’s Cave is a mere 10-20 minutes by taxi from Mo Bay cruise terminal, but it's over an hour away from the Ocho Rios port.
• How to get there: If your ship docks in Mo Bay, take either a private taxi or JUTA cab for the short ride to the beach.
• Price: $8 for adults; $4 for kids.
• DIY or with a tour: Save your money and go solo.
• Worth doing? It depends on where your ship docks. It’s worth it if you arrive in Montego Bay, but if coming into Ocho Rios, consider closer alternatives such as Puerto Seco beach.

Rose Hall

• What is it? The most famous great house in Jamaica, Rose Hall, was built by affluent British planter John Palmer – who named the plantation after his wife, Rose.
• However, it’s not Rose but Palmer’s second wife, Annie, who put the manor on the map. Jamaica’s favourite duppy (ghost) story has it that Annie murdered three husbands here, and her ghost is said to still haunt the house. Theatrical 45-minute tours run both day and night, but note that the latter aren’t suitable for under 12s.
• Distance to port: Approximately 20 minutes by car from Mo Bay port or 90 minutes from Ocho Rios.
• How to get there: Flag down a taxi.
• Price: $30 for day tours; $35 for night tours.
• DIY or with a tour: It’s easy to visit under your own steam.
• Worth doing? Yes, provided – if you book the night tour – you don’t scare easily. You’ll get a glimpse into what life was like for landowners and the enslaved people who toiled under their rule.

The Martha Brae River

• What is it? Hollywood hell raiser Errol Flynn first saw the fun in gliding along the river on a 30-foot bamboo raft. The Martha Brae River is within easy day-tripping distance of both Montego Bay and Ocho Rios cruise ports. If you’re coming into Kingston, try the Rio Grande River in the east.
• Distance to port: Approximately 30-40 minutes by car from Montego Bay cruise port or 75-90 minutes from Ocho Rios.
• How to get there: Take a taxi or travel via an organised excursion.
• Price: Around $125
• DIY or with a tour: If you only have a day in Jamaica, book a tour. Organised excursions typically include transportation from your ship to the river, as well as the ride itself. A DIY approach is cheaper but more time-consuming.
• Worth doing? Yes: bamboo rafts are Jamaica’s answer to Venice’s gondolas, and sailing past lush banana groves and trees groaning with juicy mangoes is a delightful way to while away a morning or an afternoon.

Dunn’s River Falls

• What is it?A dramatic series of cascades and rock pools that empty into the sea. It’s possible to climb the rocky slopes (pack a pair of sensible shoes) to the top of the falls, one of the few in the world that empties directly into the sea, by yourself. Alternatively, if you think you might need some help, join a tour.
• Distance to port: 90 minutes from Montego Bay cruise port or a mere eight minutes from Ocho Rios terminal – both by car.
• How to get there: A taxi is the most convenient way to reach Dunn’s River Falls.
• Price: $25 for adults; $17 for children aged four to 12.
• DIY or with a tour: Your call. Dunn’s River Falls can be enjoyed independently, but hiring a guide can enhance the experience.
• Worth doing? Yes. Dunn’s River Falls is Jamaica’s number one tourist attraction, and for good reason.

Luminous Lagoon

• What is it? One of a handful of places in the world where you can see the so-called ‘glistening waters’. When disturbed, the water glows an eerie green due to the presence of microorganisms that produce photochemical reactions.
• Distance to port: Roughly a 45-minute drive from Montego Bay cruise port or just over an hour from Ocho Rios cruise port.
• How to get there: Ask a taxi to take you to Glistening Waters Marina.
• Price: $25 for adults; $12.50 for children aged 10 and under.
• DIY or with a tour: It’s not possible to visit the Luminous Lagoon on your own; you must take a boat trip. You can stay on the boat and watch the glowing water as it is disturbed by the movement of the vessel. Alternatively, jump in and swim among the glowing microorganisms for a more immersive experience.
• Worth doing? Very much so – unless you have experienced the phenomenon in the Bahamas, Indonesia, or Puerto Rico.

For reggae lovers

The Bob Marley Museum

• What is it? A large colonial-era wooden home on Hope Road, where the reggae legend lived and recorded until his untimely death in 1981. A 60-minute tour provides an insight into Bob’s life: expect to see his favourite denim stage shirt and star-shaped guitar among other personal treasures.
• Distance to port: Three hours from Montego Bay port by car or an hour and 20 minutes from Ocho Rios cruise port.
• How to get there: Take a comfortable Knutsford bus from Montego Bay or Ocho Rios to Kingston and then a taxi to the Bob Marley Museum. Or sign up for a ship-organised excursion.
• Price: At the time of writing, tickets cost $25 for adults and $12 for children.
• DIY or with a tour: Book tickets online here.
• Worth doing? If you’re a fan of Bob Marley’s music and message, the museum is a must-see.

For families

Mystic Mountain

• What is it?An amusement park set in the hills above Ocho Rios. Don’t miss the signature attraction – a bobsleigh ride inspired by the legendary Jamaican bobsled team that competed at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Other family-friendly activities on offer include the canopy zipline and web rope challenge.
• Distance to port: A seven-minute car ride from Ocho Rios cruise port or around two hours from Mo Bay port.
• How to get there: Take a taxi or, if disembarking in Ochi, a bus.
• Price: From $70 per person.
• DIY or with a tour: Go solo.
• Worth doing? If you’ve got the whole family in tow, Mystic Mountain will keep both big and little kids alike busy and smiling.

FAQ

Where is the nearest medical facility in Jamaica?

In Montego Bay, the top choice for tourists is Hospiten Medical Center – a private hospital that provides first-class health care. Alternatively, you can access public hospitals such as Cornwall Regional Hospital 24/7, but be prepared for longer wait times.

Over in Ocho Rios, there are no private hospitals, but there are two public hospitals: St Ann's Bay Hospital (15-20 minutes away) and Port Maria Hospital in St Mary (30 minutes away).

Note that medical costs are high and most hospitals and doctors in Jamaica expect payment on the spot – regardless of whether you have travel insurance – so ensure you have sufficient funds.

What happens if I miss the ship?

Miss the ship and you'll find yourself not only stranded but forced to cover the cost of catching up with your fellow passengers at the next stop or heading home early.

Is a day enough to see Jamaica?

In a nutshell, no. Jamaica is one of the Caribbean’s largest islands, meaning there is plenty to explore from the two ports of call on the north shore. While even the smallest amount of time in the country is better than no time at all, to get a true flavour of the island, you’ll need at least five days, so if your sailing starts or ends in Jamaica, consider extending your trip with a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay.