It was our one-year anniversary and my husband wanted to take a dive trip to Jamaica. We had decided to stay in Ocho Rios so that we could visit the Dunn’s River Falls, one of Jamaica’s most visited attractions. We found an all-inclusive resort that was close to the falls, offered fabulous amenities and provided an airline discount.
We flew into Montego Bay and took a bus to the hotel. The drive seemed to take forever but after an hour and a half, we finally arrived to a welcoming staff at this luxurious, gorgeous estate. The hotel was absolutely stunning and we could not wait to explore the exquisite grounds. Renting a villa away from the main house, we were offered plenty of privacy and our own private pool.
Ciboney Ocho Rios was considered one of Jamaica’s most luxurious hotels with a AAA Four Diamond Rating. Located on the northern coast, east of Montego Bay, it sat on 45 acres offering a long list of unbelievable amenities to include watersports, concierge, on-site basketball, golf, and volleyball, a salon and spa, gift shop, boutique, and several fabulous restaurants.
We made reservations for the Italian restaurant and decided to stay on the resort for the remainder of the day to enjoy all of the complimentary offerings. We were excited to check out the resort’s entertainment and found ourselves dancing until 3 o’clock in the morning. Each night was based on a theme, and we just happened to arrive on disco night.
We awoke for breakfast and had several hours before meeting our tour group for an afternoon snorkeling excursion. The restaurants served fantastic food with so many options. We loaded up on fresh fruits and made to order omelets that kept us full until lunch.
Heading back to the room after breakfast, we took a short nap and then sat around the pool until it was time to meet our tour in the lobby.
Our afternoon snorkeling trip was a bit uneventful but we were able to see horseshoe crabs and handle sea urchins. I was hoping that our dive in a few days would provide more excitement with colorful fish or sea rays and sharks. It would be Mike’s first underwater dive and I was hoping he would be hooked to finish his underwater certification.
We had a free day before returning home and scheduled a trip to Dunn’s River Falls. We were excited for the opportunity to climb up the 600 foot waterfall surrounded by lush, tropical forests. From the bottom of the falls, we posed for photos and then carefully made the trek behind a large group of tourists as a local guide directed us through the climbing process. The water was refreshing and it took us about an hour and a half to reach the top.
We boarded the transport back to our hotel and enjoyed an afternoon at the small beach across from the resort until it was time for dinner.
Placing an early reservation, we changed out of our swim gear and showered before enjoying a lovely Italian dinner. The food was excellent and we took advantage of our last night at the resort enjoying the entertainment with drinks and dancing.
We absolutely loved our vacation at Ciboney in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and would highly recommend the resort. We later learned that the Ciboney had been purchased by Sandals Resorts and had been renovated and renamed the Sandals Ochi.
Have you been to the new Sandals Ochi or perhaps you had actually been to the Ciboney resort? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my celebratory visit to Ocho Rios and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Dunn’s River Falls & Park
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Telephone: 876 974 2857
- Admission Fee: Adults: $25; Child: $17 (ages 4 – 12).
- Hours: 8:30AM to 4PM daily (regular hours); When cruise ships are in port, the facility opens at 7AM
- Guided Tours: Included in the admission price
- Amenities: Guide during the falls climb, tubing, beach bar, dolphin swim, zipline, catamaran cruise and city tours are included in the Dunn’s River Falls Tour Packages
- Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
- Tips for Your Visit: If you are staying at a local resort on the island, schedule your visit when the cruise ships are not in port. Wear comfortable old tennis shoes or water shoes for climbing the falls. Bring your camera and the guide will take photos for you. Tipping is not included in the fee for visiting the falls and the guides expect more than what you would expect to pay in the US, so be aware.
Where to Stay:
Sandals Ochi
130131 Main Street
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Phone: 888 726 3257
Where to Eat:
ValenTino’s Cucina Romana
Sandals Ochi
130131 Main Street
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Phone: 888 726 3257
What to Eat:
- Bammy was one of my favorite treats in Jamaica. Made from cassava or yucca, this sweet dish is then soaked in coconut milk and deep fried.
- Coco Bread is made with coconut milk, giving it a lovely sweetness.
- Jerk Chicken is the national dish for the island of Jamaica. Made with a blend of spices, the Jamaicans also provide jerk pork, jerk fish, etc.
- Jamaican Curry Goat is another meal that is popular with Jamaicans, but is difficult to find at touristy restaurants. Half Moon is highly recommended for trying this Jamaican delicacy.
- Jamaican Meat Pies are similar to empanadas, a pastry filled with meat.
- Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper is a staple in making the island’s hot sauce.
- Rice and Peas are really a dish of rice and red beans and is a popular side dish that goes well with Jerk dishes.
What to Read:
- Jamaica Me Dead, by Bob Morris
- Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys
- Rasta Heart, by Robert Roskind
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