Dunns River Falls
Dunns River Falls is located near the town of Ocho Rios, Jamaica, within the nature park of the same name. They are one of the most visited attractions on the island and some of the most scenic waterfalls in the world. The total length of the cascades is 180 meters, and the total height is 55 meters, and the streams form several small lagoons. Geologists call waterfalls of such type as Duns River a “living phenomenon”: water from underground springs is rich in calcium and it washes terraces in the channel by itself. In addition, Duns River is one of the few limestone waterfalls in the world that plunge directly into the sea. After passing the waterfalls, the river flows into the Caribbean Sea at the western end of the beautiful white sand beach. The best time to visit the waterfalls is in the morning, but you should not expect a peaceful reunion with nature here: thousands of tourists come to the Duns River Falls every year.
Video: Duns River Falls
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Today, Duns River Falls is more like a theme park than a natural attraction. The streams here flow down cascades formed in limestone, and they are quite easy to climb up – which is what everyone does. The water in the river is always cool and the rainforest provides dense shade, which is nice if you get away from the rather annoying guides and photographers.
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You can buy a ticket to visit the waterfalls at a booth by the roadside and then walk down the stairs to the beach. There are guides waiting at the bottom, but their help is not particularly necessary. It is easier to climb up the left side of the waterfalls, and the climb is easy enough for those with at least basic fitness. Nevertheless, accidents on slippery rocks are not uncommon, so non-slip shoes are highly recommended for visiting the waterfalls (rubber slippers can be bought locally). It takes half an hour to get to the top, and then you can put on your swimsuit and take a break: there are changing cabins at the waterfalls, and you can rent a locker. There’s also a music court for live performances, a children’s playground, a marketplace for traditional gizmos, a gazebo for weddings, and a restaurant with a bar.
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Interesting Facts
Duns River Falls was the filming location for the 1962 Bond episode “Dr. No” with Sean Connery and Ursula Andress, as well as the 1988 film “Cocktail” with Tom Cruise.
.A plaque from the Historical Society of Jamaica is placed below the waterfalls, which tells of the Battle of Las Chorreras in 1657, which took place nearby: in which the British fought off Spanish expeditionary forces coming from Cuba.
.Tourists
If you’re traveling to Duns River Falls on your own, it’s best to be here before 10:00 am, when the tour buses arrive, or after 4:00 pm, when they disperse. It also makes sense to time your visit so that there are no cruise ships in the harbor (usually Saturday through Tuesday).
.The waterfalls are just three kilometers west of the town of Ocho Rios, and are easily accessible via the A3 highway. A shuttle bus stops just west of the falls and goes to Main Street (the cost of the ride is about 80 JMD).
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