Ocho Rios - Peat Taylor? Dunn's River Falls??

[snorkelman]

I will be on a cruise (RCCL Voyager) in June and we will be in Ocho Rios from 8:00 – 5:00.

I keep hearing about people suggesting to go to Dunn’s River Falls and going with Peat Taylor instead of the ship’s excursion. I have no problem not going with the ship’s excursion, but what is there that is so impressive at the falls? It is hard for me to see, because from the cruise reviews that I have read it appears that people walk to the bottom of some kind of waterfalls and then make their way (holding hands in a group) walking over rocks and stuff back up the falls somehow. Is that right? I see that you can opt to walk up some stairs that run alongside the falls.

Exactly what is neat about that? I must be missing something. Is it really a waterfalls, or do you walk up a stream?

I also read about the salespeople at the end of the hike uphill being very aggressive and that the guides are also aggressive for their tip. Everything that I have read really turned me off.

Please, let me know exactly what this is and whether it is worth visiting. If it is worth visiting, please explain how I can avoid the aggressive salespeople at the end (there is some kind of secret path to the parking lot I hear.)

Also, what is the next best thing to do when in this port if you don’t do the Dunn’s River Falls?

What is a good back-up plan in case it rains?

Is it worth snorkeling in Ocho Rios or is this port not a good place to snorkel?


Keep in mind that I would prefer to do any excursions on my own as opposed to using a ship-based excursion, so if you can give me estimated taxi prices and other helpful info like that, it would be great!

 

[paljoeysmom]

Never used Peat Taylor, but heard lots of IMPRESSIVE REVIEWS about his tours. I would not recommend doing anything on your own in Jamaica. The place is a slum, with lots of beggars, and hustlers that just about attack you as soon as you get off of the boat . Dunns River Falls is nice, but to me not worth the hassle, plus very slippery. Jamaica tends to be rainy so I would count on it. For more reviews on Peat Taylor (he is probably cheaper than the cruise's tours, but I don't know for sure) go to the top of this page and click on REVIEWS, then click on READ REVIEWS, then clickon option 4 and input Peat Taylor.

Hope this helps.

 

[Chippsetter]

We did the River Tubing Safari (ship excursion) and had a wonderful time with NO hard selling. We were on the Explorer in Oct.

 

[Callander Girl]

Peat was awesome! I highly recommend him! I enjoyed the Dunn's River falls. You described it correctly, but for some reason it was more fun that the way you described it. Oh well. It is not a raging waterfall, but a gradual falls. We loved it. Yes, the vendors were aggressive, but not rude. I just didn't make eye contact and kept walking. Peat knows everyone and I had the impression that if we were with Peat, no one would mess with us. Could have been a false impression, but I felt safe, none-the-less. He was very professional, much cheaper than the ship and knew his island well. He took us up to see fern valley and drove us through a true (none touristy) Jamaican village. That was quite interesting. I don't think you have to go to Dunn's River Falls if you use him. You e-mail him and tell him what you want to do, he's flexible and may even offer some suggestions. I think you will be truly pleased with the service you get from him.