A 2-hour drive east from Montego Bay, Ocho Rios was once a small banana and fishing port, but tourism long ago became its leading industry. Now Jamaica's cruise ship capital, the bay is dominated by an ore terminal and hotels with sandy beaches fringed by palm trees. The place is fine for a lazy beach vacation, but it's definitely not for anyone seeking a remote hideaway.

Ocho Rios is far lusher than Montego Bay, and many of its resort hotels boast private sandy beaches. On the other hand, golfing and nightlife are better in Montego Bay; if you want hedonism, head for Negril. Ocho Rios? It's more tranquil (some say blander) than either of them.

Arriving in Jamaica in 1944, the gay English playwright, songwriter, raconteur, and actor Noël Coward discovered his dream island.

He returned in 1948 and rented Goldeneye from his friend Ian Fleming, the real-life spy who later created the James Bond character at this estate. During this stopover, Coward found a "magical spot" 16km (10 miles) down the coast at St. Mary's. The land was once owned by Sir Henry Morgan, the notorious buccaneer who had built a small fortress on the property so he could spy on any stray galleon entering local waters. It was here that Coward began construction on what he called his "folly"-Blue Harbour, which can be rented today .

Once settled in, Coward sent out invitations to his "bloody loved ones." They included Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Alfred Lunt, Lynn Fontane, Errol Flynn, Katharine Hepburn, Mary Martin, Claudette Colbert, and John Gielgud, among others. Some stayed an entire month.

Blue Harbour became so popular on the North Coast cocktail circuit that in 1956 Coward fled it and built Firefly on a panoramic nearby hilltop. It still stands today much as he left it. Coward lived at Firefly with his longtime companion, Graham Payn.

Bamboo Beach Club

In the heart of Ocho Rios is the ultra chic & immensely popular Bamboo Beach Club. Luxuriate on "haute couture" bamboo furniture or recline on padded sun beds. Enjoy the local rhythm of reggae beats while eating gourmet food & sipping on unlimited beer, rum punch or lemonade. Sit back and watch live entertainment - singers, dancer, and drummers - a real cultural experience! Dancing in the morning and drinking cocktails at noon is Bamboo Beach Club's philosophy.

Dunn's River Falls & Park

We just got back from our cruise on RC Mariner of the Seas...we decided to go to Dunns River Falls on our own rather than booking a tour through the ship. We took a shuttle bus (there are plenty parked outside of where the ship docks) and what is great is they even have prices listed on a wall with specific locations so you know exactly what you are supposed to pay. The cost was $10/person, there were 4 of us, so it cost us $40. On the bus they sell the tickets to the park for Dunns River Falls. For adults it was $15 and children under 11 it was $12. It cost us $54. All of this has to be paid in cash. I already knew the price of the park because I looked it up online so I knew we were not getting "taken". The guide on the shuttle bus will hook your group up w/a guide for the falls. The guide will take you up through the falls. I read several reviews suggesting to skip the guide and go on your own rather than do the whole "hand-holding" up the falls. I strongly suggest going with the guide. I was completely shocked at the falls and what a climb it would be. The guides are experienced and they know where to climb, which rocks to stay away from becuase many of the rocks are so slippery due to moss. I was scared. I had my 2 children, my daughter is 12 and my son is 6 and I thought, this is crazy! But everyone held hands up the falls and what a help, its like instant responsibility because all of a sudden you are concerned for a stranger that is behind you or in front of you and everyone looks out for one another, not to mention on any difficult part, at one point my son lost his footing on the steepest part of the falls, I had his hand strongly and the next thing I knew, the guide was right there lifting him up behind me to the next level, it was unreal, and I was so completely grateful, obviously! The guides make it fun too, they will hold your camera, take pictures for you and let you take your time at different points in the falls. All in all it took us almost an hour to make the climb! It was such an amazing experience, and so completely rewarding! It was also done in the most safest way possible. The guides are free, they just request a tip at the end, and trust me the tip is worth it!! They keep you safe! The experience cost us $110, on the ship it would have cost us $289 through their tour, so it was worth it. Only one thing you have to look out for, the straw market on your way out back to the bus, "City Walk" through that place straight to the bus!!!