Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios ports

Our next cruise is going to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios; are there beaches and/or shopping/restaurants we can walk to from the port/tender area once there? We'd like to save money on excursions and maybe only do one (plus the one we want isn't shown but has been coupled with another activity we can't do.) We just want a lazy beach day at one. From what I've read the walk to the nearest public beach area in Grand Cayman is 2 miles and that Ocho Rios isn't the place to walk around in...how true is this? Thanks in advance for your advice.

In Grand Cayman, I think you can access the beach through the Royal Palms Beach Club for just a couple bucks. It is not quite a 2-mile walk (closer than the closest public beach). Could walk. But if you getting a cab, overall cheaper to just go to the public beach.

My son and myself are cruising in August. Our plan is to just walk down that main drag until we can find our way onto the beach...might have to go all the way to the Royal Palms. But 2 miles, even in the heat, is very doable for both of us. We were there last year...I would feel totally safe walking.

Cannot help with Jamaica.

I was not impressed with Ocho Rios. When you got off the ship you entered an area with barbed wire fences and little shops set up everywhere. You walked down this long alley and then you reached a gate outside of that gate was a beach that you could pay I think three dollars to use. I got annoyed with all the people yelling and trying to sell you stuff that I decided to just get back on the boat. My friends paid and used it and said that the beach area was ok and fairly clean. We could have taken a cab to another part of the port but at $20 a piece we werent going to pay.

Personally I would have no problem just bumming around in Grand Cayman, but not Ocho Rios...I have a thick skin and I am not a timid person and I grew up in San Diego and visited Tijuana quite often (known to be a bit hard and pushy there) but Ocho Rios made me really uncomfortable and I would not just bum around there, if I ever returned (I avoid the port) I would only be comfortable doing a ship sponsored excursion IMO.

I like GC...in fact, it's my favourite port. It's a nice enough place to walk around and/or explore on your own. I have always felt very safe there.

I absolutely hate any Jamaican port. We will no longer get off the ship there. I would absolutely not wander on my own there.

Never been to GC but in Ocho we have always hired a private tour company and done our own excursion. The last time we were in port there we did some shopping, ate at Scotchies and spent most of the day at Doctor's Cave beach (cost a few dollars to get in but was clean and had clean restrooms and a bar with food). We paid $40 each for the private tour guide for the whole day.

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Post #2 of this thread contains most of the Grand Cayman beach info you need.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2486022

If you are looking for an excursion there, the top attraction is Stingray City, where you go out to a sandbar in the ocean and feed 'wild' stingrays. A once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed.

I agree with everyone else's responses. We stopped at both places two weeks ago on the Sensation.

At Ocho Rios, we hired a private tour guide, Marvyn's Paradise tours, and went to the places we wanted to go. I highly suggest getting off the boat, and going with someone you trust- either excursion or private guide- at least to Dunn's River Falls and lunch at Scotchies- both were very awesome. I personally wouldn't go out from the port on my own, the locals are very pushy.

At Grand Cayman, you can absolutely go about on your own. It is 'only' two miles from the port, and I'm ok with walking, but others in my group were not. So we haggled with a taxi for a ride to the Cayman Turtle Center, and back. We pit stopped at Hell and a beach, and a local restaurant on the beach.

It depends on what you want to see and do, but a lazy day at the beach would prbably be best at Grand Cayman. Personally, I just had to snorkel with the turtles!

Cayman:

- perhaps the safest island of all for on your own exploring.

- excellent shopping very near the tender landing ... but all high end stuff. You might find a great deal on a Rolex.

- 7 mile beach is not THAT far (see for yourself on Google Earth <check out both places with Google Earth and you can learn the 'lay of the land>) ... you can take the city bus for around $2.50 per person. http://thebusschedule.com/EN/ky/#.VOZUW_0tHcs

- you will NOT see 'vendors' selling on the beach or street

- average price for a beer is $8CI which is $10US ....... nothing is inexpensive here

- if you have your own gear there is great snorkeling walking distance from the tender landings so this will cost ZIP. Rental gear is available for $10US ..... compare THAT to a ship's tour which may end up at the SAME place! {I recommend walking south to Sunset House and snorkel there .... I doubt you'll see anyone else from the ship. And then libate at My Bar ... the best bar on the island IMO and where the locals hang out when the cruise folks take over down town! See my many posts on this one}

OCHO

- JA is intimidating to may folks .... this is NOT a rich country like Cayman AND their culture embraces a somewhat 'in your face' style of bartering that many find quite intimidating.

- it is common to be approached to buy weed (and stronger) in JA .... it is illegal to posses ... WORSE to get caught with it on the ship ... again, intimidating

- Dr's Cove is at Montego Bay, not Ocho .... about 60 miles away.

- VERY common to encounter folks walking the beach selling things ....

- there is a shopping area just outside the terminal with a Marig'ville with its own pool and small beach area. Safe. I'f not a fan of M'ville but it is better than staying on the boat.

- 'official' taxis - JUTA - will have a red with PP or PPV on it. They have regulated rates. Almost any taxi is also a potential tour van. http://caribya.com/jamaica/taxis/

- I like to get in a taxi and negotiate .... "I'll buy lunch, take me where YOU want to go for Jerk ////" Never been disappointed ... first visit to Ocho was around 1986 and have been back MANY times for cruise and 'work' / official visits

- because of the 'limited' options around Ocho, Dunns River Falls is the BIG thing to do. Search in this forum for details. I DIY to Ocho and have detailed posts ..... you can have much more fun for less $ then what a ship excursions costs ... DRF is minutes from the Ocho pier.

- Ocho is also home to the 'bob sled' ride at Mystic Mountain - this is next to DRF .... very near the pier (but do NOT try to walk) ... narrow roads and island drivers! MM is quite $$ IMO tho ....

Cayman:

 

- perhaps the safest island of all for on your own exploring.

- excellent shopping very near the tender landing ... but all high end stuff. You might find a great deal on a Rolex.

- 7 mile beach is not THAT far (see for yourself on Google Earth <check out both places with Google Earth and you can learn the 'lay of the land>) ... you can take the city bus for around $2.50 per person. http://thebusschedule.com/EN/ky/#.VOZUW_0tHcs

- you will NOT see 'vendors' selling on the beach or street

- average price for a beer is $8CI which is $10US ....... nothing is inexpensive here

- if you have your own gear there is great snorkeling walking distance from the tender landings so this will cost ZIP. Rental gear is available for $10US ..... compare THAT to a ship's tour which may end up at the SAME place! {I recommend walking south to Sunset House and snorkel there .... I doubt you'll see anyone else from the ship. And then libate at My Bar ... the best bar on the island IMO and where the locals hang out when the cruise folks take over down town! See my many posts on this one}

 

OCHO

 

- JA is intimidating to may folks .... this is NOT a rich country like Cayman AND their culture embraces a somewhat 'in your face' style of bartering that many find quite intimidating.

- it is common to be approached to buy weed (and stronger) in JA .... it is illegal to posses ... WORSE to get caught with it on the ship ... again, intimidating

- Dr's Cove is at Montego Bay, not Ocho .... about 60 miles away.

- VERY common to encounter folks walking the beach selling things ....

- there is a shopping area just outside the terminal with a Marig'ville with its own pool and small beach area. Safe. I'f not a fan of M'ville but it is better than staying on the boat.

- 'official' taxis - JUTA - will have a red with PP or PPV on it. They have regulated rates. Almost any taxi is also a potential tour van. http://caribya.com/jamaica/taxis/

- I like to get in a taxi and negotiate .... "I'll buy lunch, take me where YOU want to go for Jerk ////" Never been disappointed ... first visit to Ocho was around 1986 and have been back MANY times for cruise and 'work' / official visits

- because of the 'limited' options around Ocho, Dunns River Falls is the BIG thing to do. Search in this forum for details. I DIY to Ocho and have detailed posts ..... you can have much more fun for less $ then what a ship excursions costs ... DRF is minutes from the Ocho pier.

- Ocho is also home to the 'bob sled' ride at Mystic Mountain - this is next to DRF .... very near the pier (but do NOT try to walk) ... narrow roads and island drivers! MM is quite $$ IMO tho ....

Doctor's Cave Beach is in Montego Bay but as I said in my post, we hired a private tour guide and vehicle for the day and that is where he took us after Scotchies and shopping. We had plenty of time since we were in port all day long. It is just a option and there may be beaches nearby that are more convenient.

We have been to both many times over many years and actually prefer Ocho Rios. GC is a wealthy area for the most part and is cleaner and somewhat safer. It is a little too "sanitized" for us an also tends to be expensive. We usually get off the ship and walk around town, eat, buy a t-shirt, the usual tourist stuff. For a beach day you can get a taxi to seven mile beach which is a beautiful place on the same side of the island as the ships. It is a very long (hence the name) beach and there are public access places that your cab driver will know about. We have split the cab costs with others on occasion. There are a large number of tours available including snorkeling, scuba, etc. and the landmark attraction is Stingray City.

We agree with all the previous posters that it is best to do some sort of planned excursion in Ocho Rios. We have walked around unescorted before and never really felt unsafe although the locals can be very persistent and aggressive which can be annoying. That is different that dangerous although it can feel the same sometimes. We find that showing a little politeness and respect helps a lot. These folks are poor and they need to make money while the ships are in. We find the vast majority of Jamaicans to be friendly, welcoming people who are very proud of their country. We have done the Dunns River Falls climb a couple of times and also several other of the normal tours. For a relaxing day we like the river tubing on the White River. There are no real rapids and it is very safe. You basically float along down through the rain forest. There are plenty of options for booking tours online and we would recommend doing so in advance since the port area is a nuthouse of confusion around the gates. In GC you are fine to wait until you get there as it is much more laid back and calm.

We wanted to do the Stingray city or the river tubing but it says if you have asthma/respiratory issues you can't do it (my mom has asthma and COPD--never smoked.) I also have lupus so Dunns River Falls is out. I think we're going to do the dolphin and beach excursion in GC and Margaritaville and souvenirs in Ocho Rios.

No need for an excursion in Grand Cayman. You can walk to 7 mile beach and there are tons of shops and restaurants right when you get off the ship.

Ochoa Rios is another story. Don't try to explore alone! If you want to save

Money take a private tour! We used Marvyn's Paradise Tours and went to the Blue Hole. Highly recommend! Such and adventure and our 7 year old loved it! Only place I'd take the time to go to!!!

No need for an excursion in Grand Cayman. You can walk to 7 mile beach

Bus or taxi. But if you want to experience more you will find recommendations for several excellent independent operators on this forum.

Yes! Ochos Rios!!!! Margaritaville is almost directly at the port. Maybe a 3-4 minute walk. Free beach!!!!!!!! It wasn't crowded at all. Beautiful waters and great drinks!

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In grand cayman we took a $5 bus ride per person to seven mile beach each way. There was no cost once we got to the beach.

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JAMAICA –Dunn’s Falls – Easy to jump on a small tourist bus from the port and arrange a pick-up time for your return journey, all prices discussed before you go on.They get you the ticket for entry which is a standard 20 dollars for tourists,cheaper for Jamaicans. In hindsight, we should have got off the ship slightly earlier as 3 hours from drop off to collection was pushing it for us to do our own thing. We didn’t realise you can actually walk the falls yourself, without a guide. We wasted half an hour in the queue waiting on a guide which meant we didn’t get to view more of the park itself and they look for a tip. This is as usual significantly cheaper than the same excursion organised by the ship, theywere behind us in the queue! Worth doing and bus then on collection took us with them to collect others from the beach giving us small tour on the way. Stopped at restaurant of Bolt for photo opportunity and gift shops etc if you want. Very informative and helpful.

CAYMANISLANDS – Seven Mile Beach- Local tourist buses at the port offering you really good rates for all excursions that ship offers. We opted for the public bus to take us to the beach for $2.50 for a single ticket, as you can then stay as long as you want and easy topick up a return bus at your leisure. No need for bus stops, they peep the horn and if you want the ride you stick your hand out and they stop! (We started to walk as people had said not far, I love walking but even this for me was too far in the heat and when time isn't on your side, take the bus). Beach was beautiful and lots on offer. We opted to snorkel with our own equipment and bought a drink at Calico Jacks, it can be as cheap or as expensive as you want to make it. Not great for snorkelling as too sandy and busy but great to chill out on and watch the world go by.