Jamaica: Dunn’s River Falls

When’s the last time you both climbed up a 600-foot waterfall?  

For us, it was just a couple of weeks ago, at touristy (and gorgeous) Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Getting to the top is more than a lot of fun — it’s also a sense of accomplishment.  The kind, that is, that should be rewarded with a rum cocktail and a chaise lounge.

Dunn’s is famous for being one of the world’s few waterfalls that empties straight into a sea.  In Dunn’s case, it’s the Caribbean, bordered by a stunning stretch of beach that’s yours to explore.  The falls themselves rush down through a lush forest of tropical trees and flowers.  It’s the perfect place to cool off on a hot Jamaican summer day.  (Or as we like to call it, a Jamaican summer day.)

An excursion to Dunn’s was included in our stay at the nearby couples-only, all-inclusive Couples Tower Isle; it was as simple as stepping out the front door of the resort and hopping on an air-conditioned bus.  

Most days, Dunn’s opens at 8am.  However, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, you might want to get there as early as 7am; on these days, mid-morning tourist traffic increases as cruise ships pull into port at Ocho Rios. 

At the falls, you’ll be getting wet from head to toe, and will be thus encouraged to leave most of your belongings behind.  In the Tower Isle tour scenario, our driver was guarding the bus at all times, so there was no need to worry about theft.

Here’s what you’ll need:
A bathing suit
Aqua socks or sports sandals
A waterproof money-holder
$10 US to tip your bus driver
$15 US apiece, if you’re not part of an all-inclusive tour
Additional cash to buy food or trinkets in the village-style market 

Here’s what you should leave behind:
Sunglasses
Non-waterproof watches
Loose jewelry
Hair clips
Non-waterproof wallets/packs/purses
A towel to sit on for the bus ride home

Also okay to bring:
A swimsuit cover-up
Small digital cameras (your guide will happily carry it and take pictures of you as you ascend the falls)

DON’T:
Rent the single-color, all-rubber aqua socks you’ll find both in and out of the park.  They’re dotted with little holes that allow rocks and silt to filter in, and you’ll need to stop every few feet and wash them out.

While climbing the falls, you’ll be asked to form a hand-holding human chain; this can seem gawky at times, but it does encourage you to be mindful of yourself and others.  The guides are always careful to clearly tell you how and when to move in order to avoid unsure footing and injury, and all along you’re cooled by the jungle shade. 

There’s a certain amount of all-for-one peer pressure involved in the Dunn’s experience, but trust us, it’s great fun to hold your nose and either fall backwards or slide down a slippery plane into a natural pool. 

When we finally reached the top (it takes about 20 minutes), we weren’t exactly ready for a Wheaties commercial, but we did feel pretty darn good about ourselves.  Climbing Dunn’s River Falls requires flexibility, some aerobic stamina…and a lot of laughter.