Ocho Rios (call it “Ochi” if you want to show that you’re in the know, and PLEASE don’t call it “Ochos Rios”) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Jamaica, including being a very popular spot for destination weddings. It’s located on the north coast of the island and is pretty easy to get to from both the Kingston and Montego Bay airports. (We prefer to take the shorter route from Kingston). Like Mo Bay, Ochi has lots of all-inclusive options, but we’ll focus here on some other experiences, some of which are not directly in Ocho Rios, but are close by.
Recommended Stays
Our family keeps coming back again and again to Old Fort Bay. Within this high-end gated community beloved by locals, you can stay at a wide variety of accommodations, many Jamaican-owned, such as apartments at Old Fort Village or Chillin, townhouses at Watermill Villas or Chillin, and villas like Sea Salt or Reverie, to name just a few. It’s literally minutes off the highway so incredibly easy to get to from Kingston, so on holidays and long weekends, the beach is often full of Kingstonians who have made the short journey. Grocery shops and restaurants are also very close by. The beach is large, beautiful and very clean and well-maintained, but the sea does tend to be rougher here than other locales at times.
Recommended Activities
One of the many great things about Jamaica is the party scene. And we say that firmly remembering that this site is geared towards families, just like ours. But that’s the beauty of it, there are tons of great high-end parties and social events for professional people who are WELL out of their twenties (as well as lots for the younger folk too). Every third Monday in October in Jamaica is National Heroes Day, dedicated to the national heroes who fought against slavery, for the rights of Black people, and for independence, and the preceding weekend is known as Heroes Weekend. Every Heroes Weekend, there’s a party held by Frenchmen (a group of party promoters who have been doing this for years) in Ocho Rios that’s definitely worth checking out.
Our Ocho Rios Bucket List
Stush in the Bush is supposed to be a one-of-a-kind culinary experience that we would love to try. Twice a week, this spot, owned by Jamaican couple Christopher and Lisa Binns, provides farm-to-table plant-based dining experiences. As the name suggests, they are located in the bush (in the beautiful hills of St. Ann to be exact) but the journey seems more than worth it. If you want more proof, they were ranked one of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2025, one of only two Caribbean spots on the list.
If we were ever doing a large group trip e.g. multiple families or a family reunion, we would definitely stay at Kai Ki Villa, which is easily accessible from the North-South Highway. There are a total of eight bedrooms, a large pool, a cinema room, a massive kitchen, and a gorgeous private beach. We’ve never stayed here but we’ve visited this Jamaican-owned property, and can also attest that the staff are attentive, professional and kind.
Jamaica travels 
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