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OCHO RIOS |
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The first town in Jamaica to be developed specifically as a resort,
OCHO RIOS (usually just called "Ochi") abounds with neon-fronted duty-free
stores, fast-food chains, bars, clubs and visitor-oriented restaurants.
Local culture takes a back seat to the tourist trappings here, so it's
not a good place to get an authentic flavour of Jamaica. It's not the
best choice amongst the island's "big three" resorts for the classic
Caribbean beach holiday, either - the strip of hotel-lined sand just
can't compete with the beaches of Negril and Montego Bay, and the club
and bar scenes are less vibrant. Nonetheless, the nightlife is improving,
and Ochi compensates for its scenic deficiencies with a certain
infectious energy.
The Town
Home to most of the town's hotels, bars, banks, shopping plazas and
restaurants, as well as the bustling craft market, Ochi's permanently
busy Main Street holds little interest for sightseeing. You're likely to
spend your days lazing on the beach - variously known as UDC, Mallards,
Turtle and Ocho Rios Bay (daily 9am-5pm; J$50). Tucked under the tower
blocks and accessible from the western end of Main Street near the Pier
View and Sandcastles hotels, the white-sand beach is wide, fairly
attractive and well maintained, with showers, changing rooms, bars and
plenty of activity. Patches of sea grass and occasional pollution mean
that this isn't one of the north coast's most appealing places to swim,
however, particularly when it's overshadowed by docked cruise ships
across the bay.
The only other stretch of sand in Ochi that's not the private domain of
an all-inclusive hotel is Mahogany Beach , set at the eastern stretch of
Main Street as it climbs uphill (turn off just past the Hibiscus Lodge
hotel). This compact wedge of beach with calm, clean waters and good
snorkelling also boasts a beach bar and grill, swimming pool, volleyball
and basketball courts, all set in beautiful landscaped gardens. However,
complaints from residents of the adjacent villa complex mean that
proprietors come and go, and the nightly beach parties that once carried
the swing here are held only intermittently; you may also have to pay an
entrance fee during the day.
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