Ocho Rios flights and travel guide

The popular tourist destination of Ocho Rios lies on the northern coast of Jamaica, in the scenic garden parish of Saint Ann. Its Spanish name translates to Eight Rivers, something that will be immediately obvious to travellers arriving on cheap flights to Ocho Rios. The countryside is green and lush, the beaches magnificent and the waterways sparkling and, in the case of Dunn's River Falls, cascading about 200 metres to the sea below. The weather barely needs a mention. Tourists can take it for granted that it will be sunny and warm, almost year-round.

One of the town's most popular attractions is the falls. Just a couple of kilometres away, the sparkling cascade is fed by springs in the high hills and features the 200-metre drop. Climbing the falls, led by experienced guides, is a must on any visitor's itinerary.

When basking on the beach becomes just a little too dull, there is the opportunity to scuba dive, horseback ride through sugar-cane plantations, go on camel safari, take an open-air Jitney ride through Prospect Plantation or go inner tubing along the White River.

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Ocho Rios climate

Like the rest of Jamaica, Ocho Rios's climate is just about perfect. It has a tropical climate with warm year-round temperatures between 26 degrees Celsius in January to 29 degrees in August. There are two seasons. The wet season runs May or early June to November/December and the dry season December/January to April.The only drawback is that Jamaica lies in the Hurricane Belt with that season running from June to November.

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When to fly to Ocho Rios

Peak Season:

Dry season is high season, when most travellers arrive on their cheap flights to Ocho Rios.

Off Season:

The wet season is, in general, low season, but, if you don't mind getting caught in the odd rain shower this can be a good time to snap up flights and accommodation bargains. Many of the summer crowds have melted away by this time while the temperatures remain balmy.

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Getting around Ocho Rios

Most travellers rent cars, but taxis might be a more relaxing option. The bus service is cheap, but won't get you around very quickly.

However, the fastest – and most expensive – way to get around Jamaica is by air. Flights to Montego Bay are available from Boscobel Aerodrome, located east of town.

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Ocho Rios insider information

• If you have saved money by finding cheap flights to Ocho Rios, staying at Blue Harbour Villas Inn offers the chance to splurge. The historic estate, located east of Ocho Rios, was built by Noel Coward, the popular British playwright, actor, songwriter and raconteur.  A cheaper option is to visit Firefly, Coward's one-time vacation home, which is maintained by the Jamaican Heritage Trust.
• Swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Cove or enjoy an interactive session with stingrays. There's also glass-bottom kayaking, snorkelling and mini-boat rides. Dolphin Cove is adjacent to Dunn's River Falls.
• Between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay are the Green Grotto Caves. These ancient caves - 1,525 metres long and 12 metres deep - were once home to the Arawak Indians and were also used between the two world wars by gun runners (en route to Cuba) and, by the Government of Jamaica, as a storehouse for rum. For $20 (U.S. - for adults, $10 for children), tourists, led by a guide, file through several chambers, enjoy the light holes and marvel at the subterranean lake - the Grotto Lake.

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Ocho Rios airports

Many travellers arriving on cheap flights to Ocho Rios land in Montego Bay, about a two-hour drive away.

Sir Donald Sangster International Airport (MBJ) (website:www.mbjairport.com) is 5km east of Montego Bay.

Boscobel Airport (OCJ) is 16km east of Ocho Rios, approximately halfway between Montego Bay and Kingston, but it is small, with few facilities and airlines.

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