The Best Tour in Ocho Rios Cruise Port (and it isn't Dunn's Falls)
- Maria DiCicco
- Mar 3
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 13
Everyone on my cruise ship was talking about Jamaica's Ocho Rios Cruise Port the day before we arrived. In the elevator, I overheard a woman with a walker talking about how she was going to arrive in port, get a taxi to Dunn's Falls, and 'see how far she could make it up'.
I wanted to tap her on the shoulder and explain what I had learned, but I didn't.
Dunn's Falls is probably the most popular tour from a cruise ship in Jamaica, and for good reason - it's supposed to be a stunning waterfall that you can climb up! Unfortunately, I also read that it is extremely challenging for children, elderly people, and folks needing assistance.
It seemed to me like everyone thought that Dunn's Falls was the only worthwhile excursion in Ocho Rios. I didn't want to be like everyone else. And I didn't want to be where everyone else from my cruise ship was going to be.
Enter the amazing (and maybe I'm biased, but better) shore excursion in Ocho Rios - Konoko Falls.
Note: Always Pack Tissues represents many tried and tested travel sites as what is called an 'affiliate' partner. That means if you click on my ads I may get a commission from a resulting sale. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For information on how this may impact your privacy rights, please consult my privacy policy.
What to Expect on a Konoko Falls Tour
As part of your tour of Konoko Falls, expect to start at the falls themselves. There are two options - climb the steps or climb the falls.
For those that climb the steps, take pictures and end up at the rendezvous point at the top of the falls for further photos.
Climbing the Falls
For those climbing the falls, expect a slow-paced walk up a stone hill. Your feet will get wet, so wear water shoes.
Your guide will help you by forming human chains (great for making new friends!) and will lend a hand up as needed. It's a fun effort where everyone helps everyone, and no one gets left behind.
The climb is difficult in places, but only because you need an arm up every now and then. There is nothing steep or terribly challenging. I suffer from occasional vertigo, which was not an issue (no crazy heights to deal with) and my parents have old people issues, you know like knees and backs and arthritis and all those fun aging problems. None of us struggled.
My daughter was the real trooper - at five years old she was putting us all to shame! At one point she was holding hands with a man in his late '70s and I joked to them, "who is helping who?!"
That said - never fear, the climb is easy and very rewarding when complete.
You will climb, stop for photos frequently, and occasionally get wet (as desired) in a pool or under a fall of water.
After the Falls
After the Falls, everyone will be escorted to a photo opportunity looking out over the town and cruise port, and then be led into the gardens.
You will be in your bathing suit this whole time, so wear whatever you need to feel comfortable for the duration of your visit. My dad and husband had no shirts on for the climb and felt really awkward remaining shirtless for the gardens tour and the lunch that followed.
For this, I recommend having a dry bag on you with all your stuff. Unfortunately, I packed one but left it on the bus!
The Gardens at Konoko Falls
The gardens were lovely, and charming to walk through. We wore bug bands anticipating mosquitoes, but didn't catch a bite that day. I guess they worked!
You'll see all manner of flora and fauna that as a Floridian was quite familiar to me, but beautiful nonetheless.
Discover the rest of the garden grounds before being ushered to the zoo portion.
The Zoo at Konoko Falls
I call it a zoo, but it's really a small habitat for some birds, iguanas, snakes, and a few other surprises.
Take turns snapping photos with the animals before your final stop walking around a lovely little colonial courtyard with information about St. Ann Parish (the area you'll be in), the plant life, and Bob Marley.
The Bar and Restaurant at Konoko Falls
Because I was part of a pre-packaged ship tour, we had a boxed lunch and drinks waiting for us.
It included goat curry, jerk chicken pasta, rice and beans, and salad. Yum!
You can, however, buy drinks and snacks there. They had a bar! Perfect for a celebratory drink.
How to Visit Konoko Falls
There are three suggested ways you can visit Konoko Falls:
On a shore excursion booked through your cruise ship
On a foodie-style tour that includes a visit to a town market
On a there-and-back tour with a small group
I booked the cruise ship tour to Konoko Falls and found it to be a great value. The tour bus picked us up in a secure gated area at the port, along with about 30 other people, and we were bussed directly to the falls.
It's only about 10-15 minutes to get there from the port and the bus ride is comfortable and fun.
I do not recommend taking a taxi, only because the experience will be less predictable and potentially less safe. Booking a tour guarantees that you are working with a licensed guide, and frankly, it will be more fun!
Tour guides always have stories to tell, and you may get to learn a little Jamaican Patwa lingo. Ya Mon!
Booking with a Tour
Should you decide to go out on your own, I highly recommend pre-booking your tour.
For a foodie excursion, visit the falls, have lunch and tour a local market. Book this tour here.
For a there and back adventure including transportation and entrance fees, book this tour.
FAQs about the Konoko Falls Tour
Is Konoko Falls Accessible?
I do not recommend Konoko Falls if you struggle with any sort of knee activity. There is a way around the falls and the stairs, but then you'd miss the best part. If you want to visit for the gardens and zoo, you are 100% able to do that from the parking lot.
Just understand that it may be an underwhelming day for you.
Do I Have to Get Wet at Konoko Falls?
No! You can climb the stairs to avoid water all together, but I do not recommend that. Those people looked bored and envious of the waterfall hikers.
Climb the falls! But, you choose how wet you get.
Dress in your swim suit, but you do not have to get soaked. If you wish, you can just get your feet and lower legs wet. Or, you can dunk under a waterfall shower, or even swim. It's all up to you.
Is It Safe To Visit Konoko Falls?
We safely left all of our belongings on the bus the entire trip, where the parking lot was watched the whole time.
If you have drop-off service you can carry your items up the falls without issue. In fact, I brought a dry bag backpack for just the occasion, but ended up being able to leave it on the bus.
Is There Shopping On the Tour?
Our tour included a surprise quick stop at a souvenir depot - but beware, they were ready for us. Meaning, they tried to charge us $50 for a pound of "the best" Jamaican coffee. Yikes.
We did walk away with some Jamaican spices ($8-13 each) and some Jamaican cream rum ($30), which made for good souvenirs.
Meanwhile, the port also offers about a dozen or so vendors with souvenirs on offer.
Is Ocho Rios Safe for Tourists?
Our tour did not stop in town, however from what I saw from my bus window I would hesitate to go walking around on my own. Not for my personal safety, but moreso for the hassling I'd have to endure.
Everyone is trying to sell something, always. As a cruise ship tourist, you have a target on your back for this.
One vendor by the port handed my daughter a little wooden turtle with a Jamaican flag painted on its back. The man told her it was free, so she galloped off down the shopping road, leaving me and my husband to deal with the situation.
"Nothing is free", I told the man. And yelled for my daughter to return so we could give it back.
Lots of hassle later, the man got $5 out of us for her to keep the turtle, which she was already long gone with, shopping down the lane with her grandma.
Point of the story? Everyone is playing an angle at these shops! Just be ready to haggle and don't get hassled.
You can also choose to venture out the port vendor area towards Margaritaville and there is a small beach and restaurant to hang out at.
My brother and his family did this and they enjoyed their day. My parents went to visit them and got hassled for tours about 10 times in the five minutes it took them to walk there.
All I'm saying is, they know you're a tourist and they all want to make a buck off you. So just have some resolve and be vigilant. And ya'll, don't buy any drugs. Really. Be smart.
Is the Konoko Falls Tour Worth It?
Absolutely! It was one of the best days of my cruise. I was hesitant about getting wet and climbing a waterfall, but it was so easy and so rewarding. I loved every bit of it. It was 100% the best tour in Ocho Rios, if you ask me.
Bring water gear and wear your bathing suit, and enjoy this low-key but super fun tour in port. You'll be glad you did!
Comments