Planning a trip to Ocho Rios
Visitor Information
The local office of the Jamaica Tourist Board is at Office #3 in the Ocean Villa Plaza on Main Street (tel. 876/974-2582). It is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.
The Town Layout
Ocho Rios is hardly a place you can explore on foot, except for its inner core. Most of its uncontrolled development lies to the east of the center. The actual town stretches some 6km (3 3/4 miles) between Dunn's River Falls to the west and White River to the east. Connecting these far corners is the A3, often called Main Street. Mercifully, this traffic-clogged road bypasses the congested heart of town; curved like a snake, Main Street borders Turtle Bay with its beach. In the very center of town stands a handy-as-a-landmark clock tower. Main Street and Da Costa Drive meet at this point.
If you'd like to explore this northern part of Jamaica in more depth, especially by car, purchase the big fold-out map called Ocho Rios and Beyond, sold at all news kiosks in the center of town.
Special Events
The Caribbean's most important jazz festival is the weeklong Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, held at various venues during the second week in June. Although Jamaica is primarily associated with reggae music, it has also contributed great jazz artists to the world, including Bertie King on saxophone and Jiver Hutchinson on trumpet. For more details and information, contact the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival (tel. 866/649-2137 or 323/857-5358; www.ochoriosjazz.com).
Fast Facts
Banks -- The most convenient bank is Scotiabank, Main Street (tel. 876/974-2311), open Monday, Thursday, and Friday 8:15am to 4pm, and Tuesday and Wednesday 8:15am to 3pm. It has foreign exchange facilities and an ATM.
Bookstores -- The best is Everybody's Bookshop, Shop 44 in Ocean Village Plaza (tel. 876/974-2932), open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5:30pm.
Emergencies -- Call police or report a fire by dialing tel. 119. The police station (tel. 876/974-2533 for routine calls) is off Da Costa Drive, east of the clock tower.
Laundry -- If your hotel doesn't have facilities, use the Laundry Market (tel. 876/974-5519), on Main Street, east of the center at the turnoff for Shaw Park. Hours are Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm.
Library -- The Ocho Rios Public Library is at Milford Road (tel. 876/974-2588), open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.
Mail -- The main Ocho Rios Post Office is on Main Street (tel. 876/974-2526), and it's open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. You can send faxes or telegrams from here, too. The post office is crowded and not as efficient as it should be; many visitors send important mail via UPS. The local office is at Airpak Express, Shop 9, Ocean Village Shopping Centre (tel. 876/974-0910). Hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. Include "Jamaica, W.I." in all island addresses.
Medical Services -- There is no hospital in Ocho Rios; the nearest is St. Ann's Bay Hospital (tel. 876/972-0150), 11km (6 3/4 miles) west. The Central Medical Laboratory (tel. 876/974-2614), at Shop #14 in the Carib Arcade on Main Street, in the center of town, offers basic services Monday to Friday 8am to 4:30pm, Saturday 9am to noon. So does Medi-Rays, at Shops #9-10, in the Carib Arcade on Main Street (tel. 876/974-6251), open Monday and Friday 8am to 6pm, Tuesday to Thursday 8am to 5pm, and Saturday 8:30am to 12:30pm.
Pharmacies -- The most central pharmacy is Ocho Rios Pharmacy, Shop 27 in Ocean Village Plaza (tel. 876/974-2398), open Monday to Saturday 9am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm. Another good one nearby is Pine Grove Pharmacy, in Simmons Plaza (tel. 876/974-2023), open Monday to Saturday 9am to 8pm, Sunday 10am to 3pm.
Getting Around
It is not really necessary to rent a car in Ocho Rios. Taxis will make pickups when called to hotels. Taxis are governed by JUTA (Jamaica Union of Travellers Association; tel. 876/974-2292). In the center of town, they are plentiful in the parking lot adjacent to Ocean Village Plaza. You can also hire a taxi from Maxi Tours (tel. 876/974-2971), which operates from premises directly across the highway from Sandals Ocho Rios.
There is no bus service within Ocho Rios.
