Best and worst excusions in Jamacia

This thread is to help people let others now about good and bad experiences in Jamacia. Please list the excursion name,, if you were with a cruise line and what dock you came from. Then tell us about your experience.

This is deffinately not a resort. The ride is over an hour from Falmouth. This is a small, crowded beach with a bad bathroom and a bar. The entertainment was not what I expected although the 3 regee dancers were great, but you could only see them from a small area. The water was much colder than Cozomel or Grand Cayman and not as clear. If you wanted to take the trek to the bath room or just look around the beach you had to be extremely careful of the Roots protruding from the ground. I tripped and broke my wrist. The Jamacian nurse wanted to massage it into place but Royal Carribbean took excellant care of me.

I do not reccommend the Bamboo Beach Resort for anyone at any age. Not what we expected from a resort, it's a bad beach with a sign. :(

We took a tour of Blue Hole via Peat Taylor tours from Ocho Rios. It was one the best excursions we have ever done as a family and we loved Peat!! We were so happy we chose Blue Hole over Dunns River. It felt like we had the place to ourselves. Our kids loved jumping into the "Hole" and we were made to always feel very safe.

Thanks that is really good to know.

We were just in Ocho Rios. We did Dunn's River Falls with Peat Taylor and had a great time. After that, he took us to Mahogany Beach which is next to a large hotel and the entrance fee was included in out excursions. The beach had umbrellas and lounges ($5 each to rent), changing rooms, a bathroom and a restaurant. The beach was rather small but adequate.

We just got back from a stop on Falmouth and booked a tour through Bamboo Beach Club that included river tubiing on the Rio Bueno, Dunn's River Falls and a stop at the Bamboo Beach Club. A guide from Bamboo Beach Club met us at the pier and took us to the van. There was only one other couple with us for the day. The guide and driver stayed with us all day and made sure we got back to the port in plenty of time. The river tubing was great and lasted about an hour. At Dunn's River Falls, our guide escorted us past the lines and was able to match us with a local who had a group getting ready to climb the falls. The guide met us at the top and escorted us through the market on the way out and we were not hastled by the vendors. We then went to the Bamboo Beach Club where we were served some great jerk chicken and other local foods. The food and drinks (lemonade, rum punch, beer) were included in the price. The beach wasn't a luxury resort, but was exactly what we were looking for. The only down side was that we didn't have as much time as we would have liked at the beach since we docked in Falmouth and the trip back was at least an hour.

If you are looking for 5 Star luxury, this is not for you. If you just want a good time and to enjoy some time at the beach with great food and all-you-want drinks, then I highly recommend Bamboo Beach Club.

Had an excellent experience booking Sunset Grande AI with Jamaica for a Day last year. Excellent food and a very nice resort located in Ocho Rios.

Here is a complete review with pictures and a link at the bottom for additional pictures: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=33228671&postcount=25

We did Mayfield Falls and Dr's Cave Beach with AtoZ Jamaica Planners dot com. Mayfield falls was quite a drive, picturesque, not as tall as Dunns river, but not as crowded. Afterwards, lunch at the Pork Pit, and relaxing at Dr's Cave beach.

Chukka 4x4 was also fun, not too bouncy, stops at old church, orange orchard, ending with a lunch.

Our last excursion was through Carnival, and was a dolphin experience, not the pull you though the water (did that at Cozumel). It was good, but not spectacular.

Hope this helps!

We took a tour of Blue Hole via Peat Taylor tours from Ocho Rios. It was one the best excursions we have ever done as a family and we loved Peat!! We were so happy we chose Blue Hole over Dunns River. It felt like we had the place to ourselves. Our kids loved jumping into the "Hole" and we were made to always feel very safe.

I am interested to hear more about the Blue Hole in Ocho Rios as we are considering this stop when we vacation here in the summer. How much time did you spend here? Where you able to actually walk up any part of the falls? Did you go into the cave under the falls? Did Peat Taylor come time down to the hole with you or did you have another guide? Any information or photos you can provide to help explain the Blue Hole and your experience with Peat would be so much appreciated.

I am interested to hear more about the Blue Hole in Ocho Rios as we are considering this stop when we vacation here in the summer. How much time did you spend here? Where you able to actually walk up any part of the falls? Did you go into the cave under the falls? Did Peat Taylor come time down to the hole with you or did you have another guide? Any information or photos you can provide to help explain the Blue Hole and your experience with Peat would be so much appreciated.

We spent about an hour at the Blue Hole and it took about an hour to do the underwater cave part. Several tour guide "helpers" were at Blue Hole helping us, but Peat Taylor simply brought us to Blue Hole, waited for us and took us back to the ship. I'm pretty sure Peat arranged for the tour helpers to be there to assist us. Peat made sure we were safe at all times. We like him a lot, we also met his son. We have wanted to use him since, but now that the ships dock at Falmouth is difficult. The Ocho Rios excursion are a lot from Falmouth and you also have to deal with the hour ride to Ocho and the hour ride back. We would rather spend the 2 hours doing something.

There were 6 of us and we had probably at least 4 helpers. We tipped them all at the end. The Blue Hole is not exactly like Dunns River where you could walk up, but our family was able to jump into the "Hole", it was a big jump down. The guides helped us in getting up to jump and out of the water.

The tour guide helpers also guided us up and down through the mountain to get to the underwater caves. This was NOT an easy task for me. I had knee surgery shortly before this excursion. I was the only one that was not able to actually go into the water to go under the underwater cave. You must be in pretty good shape to do the underwater cave part.

In the picture, the top part was like a swimming pool that my youngest was able to swim in. The hole behind that was what was considered the Blue Hole which you can jump into with a rope. You jump into the water from where the water is going down like the falls. You can see the rope above it. Sorry, but I don't have a picture of the underwater cave.

We spent about an hour at the Blue Hole and it took about an hour to do the underwater cave part. Several tour guide "helpers" were at Blue Hole helping us, but Peat Taylor simply brought us to Blue Hole, waited for us and took us back to the ship. I'm pretty sure Peat arranged for the tour helpers to be there to assist us. Peat made sure we were safe at all times. We like him a lot, we also met his son. We have wanted to use him since, but now that the ships dock at Falmouth is difficult. The Ocho Rios excursion are a lot from Falmouth and you also have to deal with the hour ride to Ocho and the hour ride back. We would rather spend the 2 hours doing something.

 

There were 6 of us and we had probably at least 4 helpers. We tipped them all at the end. The Blue Hole is not exactly like Dunns River where you could walk up, but our family was able to jump into the "Hole", it was a big jump down. The guides helped us in getting up to jump and out of the water.

 

The tour guide helpers also guided us up and down through the mountain to get to the underwater caves. This was NOT an easy task for me. I had knee surgery shortly before this excursion. I was the only one that was not able to actually go into the water to go under the underwater cave. You must be in pretty good shape to do the underwater cave part.

 

In the picture, the top part was like a swimming pool that my youngest was able to swim in. The hole behind that was what was considered the Blue Hole which you can jump into with a rope. You jump into the water from where the water is going down like the falls. You can see the rope above it. Sorry, but I don't have a picture of the underwater cave.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Was going into the underwater cave a scary experience for your family? Are you required to hold your breath underwater and swim into the cave?

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Was going into the underwater cave a scary experience for your family? Are you required to hold your breath underwater and swim into the cave?

The only person who was scared was me because I don't know how to swim and was in great pain (my knee) by the time we got to where the underwater cave was.

Yes, you would be required to hold your breath, but I don't think it was that difficult. My older kids at the time were about 14, 13 and 12 and were not scared in the slightest bit. Each of them had a guide to help them and were never left alone. They did not have to hold there breath for long.

As I said in a previous post, this was one of our memorable excursions. I personally loved it for the views, the rest of my family loved it for the excitement. I would definitely choose this over Dunns River, but our family usually leans towards excursions that are less touristy if there is a choice.

How many people are going with you??

The only person who was scared was me because I don't know how to swim and was in great pain (my knee) by the time we got to where the underwater cave was.

 

Yes, you would be required to hold your breath, but I don't think it was that difficult. My older kids at the time were about 14, 13 and 12 and were not scared in the slightest bit. Each of them had a guide to help them and were never left alone. They did not have to hold there breath for long.

 

As I said in a previous post, this was one of our memorable excursions. I personally loved it for the views, the rest of my family loved it for the excitement. I would definitely choose this over Dunns River, but our family usually leans towards excursions that are less touristy if there is a choice.

 

How many people are going with you??

Thanks again for your quick response. The Blue Hole definitely sounds like the type of excitement my family would enjoy! I would be traveling with my DH and 3 DS's--the youngest is 14.

Thanks again for your quick response. The Blue Hole definitely sounds like the type of excitement my family would enjoy! I would be traveling with my DH and 3 DS's--the youngest is 14.

You will be good since you have boys. Three out of my 4 kids are girls and they all did fine. Part of the excitement with this excursion was getting to the Blue Hole...lots of bumps LOL which our kids LOVED. :D

I have a question for the ones of you that have done the water activities..how did you keep your cash money dry? I know that I have read that you can leave things in the vans or the catamaran's or in a locker but if you are suppose to tip the people helping you up the falls or tip the people that help you at the tubing you would need cash money to give them at that time.

I am just trying to make sure that I have the things we need before we cruise.

We had Courtney Taylor take us to Dunn River Falls, White River tubing, and the Blue Hole. If I had to skip one it would be Dunn River because of the crowding. The kids (21, 17, 11, 8) had the best time at the Blue Hole, and the guides were VERY good with them. Courtney did a fabulous job getting us around as well.

I have a question for the ones of you that have done the water activities..how did you keep your cash money dry? I know that I have read that you can leave things in the vans or the catamaran's or in a locker but if you are suppose to tip the people helping you up the falls or tip the people that help you at the tubing you would need cash money to give them at that time.

 

I am just trying to make sure that I have the things we need before we cruise.

We have used a waterproof pouch. My DH would attach it to his bathing suit pocket and this worked well to keep cash money dry.

For us Dunns River was the best excursion we have done in Jamaica.

Keith

We had Courtney Taylor take us to Dunn River Falls, White River tubing, and the Blue Hole. If I had to skip one it would be Dunn River because of the crowding. The kids (21, 17, 11, 8) had the best time at the Blue Hole, and the guides were VERY good with them. Courtney did a fabulous job getting us around as well.

This is exactly what we are looking to do.:) I didn't see this on Courtney Taylor's website (only Peat Taylor's) - if you don't mind me asking, do you remember how much this was? Did you feel rushed at all? I'm confident they will get us back to the ship on time and all, just wondering how soon we'd need to get off the ship, how close to departure time we get back, flow of the day kinda stuff. Thanks so much!

Jenn

We went to Dunns River Falls, River Rafting on the White River and the Blue Hole with Peat Taylor Tours. We had an awesome day and the Blue Hole ended being the highlight of our Jamaican vacation.

If you're interested, you can check out our excursions on YouTube.

Dunns River Falls

River Rafting on the White River

Blue Hole

I did not enjoy the Martha Brae river raft excursion. I thought it was a waste of time & money. It was hot, boring, and the driver pulled off to the side once to but drugs from a couple guys waiting along the bank.......right in front of us.

This thread is to help people let others now about good and bad experiences in Jamacia. Please list the excursion name,, if you were with a cruise line and what dock you came from. Then tell us about your experience.

We were on the Celebrity Silhouette over two weeks and we did The Best of Jamaica excursion. Our ship docked in Falmouth.

It was a great excurison and we went to Dunn's River Falls, on a brief shopping trip, had an authentic Jamaican lunch of jerk chicken and pork, spent time at Shaw beach before going on a cruise near Ocho Rios. Overall, it was an excellent way to spend a day in Jamaica!

I have a question for the ones of you that have done the water activities..how did you keep your cash money dry? I know that I have read that you can leave things in the vans or the catamaran's or in a locker but if you are suppose to tip the people helping you up the falls or tip the people that help you at the tubing you would need cash money to give them at that time.

 

I am just trying to make sure that I have the things we need before we cruise.

We have used ziplock bags before and DH kept it in his swim trunks they have a Velcro picket

I am looking to book the River Rapids in Rio Buoeno river and will report how it was if we ever do it

Twice now my family has gone white water rafting in Jamaica

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I see the comment above about the Martha Brae and I was sure it would suck. Perhaps if I was old or sedentary I might enjoy it, but I am not, so I require more adventure.

Just wanted to say thank you to all for the feedback here. First cruise to Jamaica in two weeks so really appreciate the tips :-)