Jamaica is a beautiful country, both culturally and naturally. One place that is not to be missed is the Blue Hole in Ocho Rios (best know man as the "irie blue hole"). The Blue Hole is actually found about 25 minutes into the mountains from the center of Ocho Rios. Having explored Jamaica for a few years, nothing tops the Blue Hole. With its perfect combination of nature and the culture of Jamaica it is a trio worth taking.
The Blue Hole is in no way "developed" like many other more commercialized tourist attractions in Jamaica such as the Dunns River Falls or Rick's Cafe. This was refreshing for us, but some may be wary of the drive up to the falls, but don't be!
A few tables with food and souvenirs are set up where you park, after a long drive in on a dirt road, driving past power stations and small houses still under construction as most Jamaican homes are. One might be deterred, but be not afraid, what lies just beyond the abandoned tractor trailer which now serves as the "ticket booth", is absolute beauty at its finest. you pay your entry of $10 per person, which is worth every penny, and you receive a guide to take you up through the various falls, to assist however needed. Our guide not only showed us the ropes (literally for various swings into the falls) but also carried/ swam our phone through the waters so we could snap pictures in some of the hardest reached parts of the falls.
the trip was one we will never forget, truly nature at its finest. The Secret Falls of the Blue Hole are a truly serine place to do whatever you please, you can hole the falls, at each destination, you always find a few Jamaicans hanging around, some selling Red Stripe or Ganja, others just hanging out to chat. While the people of Jamaica definitely see tourists as dollar signs, they always respect your response if not interested, and often still want to talk. Their culture is one to be appreciated and admired. Don't miss the Blue Hole, it's one of natures untapped resources that won't stay so secret for long
The Blue Hole is in no way "developed" like many other more commercialized tourist attractions in Jamaica such as the Dunns River Falls or Rick's Cafe. This was refreshing for us, but some may be wary of the drive up to the falls, but don't be!
A few tables with food and souvenirs are set up where you park, after a long drive in on a dirt road, driving past power stations and small houses still under construction as most Jamaican homes are. One might be deterred, but be not afraid, what lies just beyond the abandoned tractor trailer which now serves as the "ticket booth", is absolute beauty at its finest. you pay your entry of $10 per person, which is worth every penny, and you receive a guide to take you up through the various falls, to assist however needed. Our guide not only showed us the ropes (literally for various swings into the falls) but also carried/ swam our phone through the waters so we could snap pictures in some of the hardest reached parts of the falls.
the trip was one we will never forget, truly nature at its finest. The Secret Falls of the Blue Hole are a truly serine place to do whatever you please, you can hole the falls, at each destination, you always find a few Jamaicans hanging around, some selling Red Stripe or Ganja, others just hanging out to chat. While the people of Jamaica definitely see tourists as dollar signs, they always respect your response if not interested, and often still want to talk. Their culture is one to be appreciated and admired. Don't miss the Blue Hole, it's one of natures untapped resources that won't stay so secret for long