What to do with kids in Ocho Rios?

[3GR8Sons]

We will be sailing Christmastime and stopping in Ocho Rios. We will have 5 adults ages 39-62 and 5 kids. 4 Boys ages 14, 12, 9, 8 and 1 girl age 7. The kids range from adventurous to timid. The older kids do like history and culture.

 

We are interested in what others have done that has been popular with the kids. We can split up if necessary so all suggestions from adventurous to relaxing are welcome.

 

We have all done Dunn's River Falls already so we need other suggestions.

[OviedoCruiser]

We will be sailing Christmastime and stopping in Ocho Rios. We will have 5 adults ages 39-62 and 5 kids. 4 Boys ages 14, 12, 9, 8 and 1 girl age 7. The kids range from adventurous to timid. The older kids do like history and culture.

 

We are interested in what others have done that has been popular with the kids. We can split up if necessary so all suggestions from adventurous to relaxing are welcome.

 

We have all done Dunn's River Falls already so we need other suggestions.

 

Dunn's Falls are pretty much the must-see if this is your first trip to Ochos Rios. There are all kinds of packages out there to pair them up with just about everything from a catamaran or sea kayak or jet ski trip to the falls, to things to see and do afterwards. Your kids should able to climb them and will have a great time (my kids said it was the best part of their trip). You hold hands to form a big chain up the falls; one of my sons was next to a 74 year old man, who had a blast, so don't be intimidated by the thought of going...they are not steep.

 

We did not use the ship excursions for once, and after reading reviews here, went with Mark Morris from Mark's Tours...and he was the bomb! Native, safe, well-educated, friendly and has a great knowledge of history and passion for his culture and the island. You meet up with him at the docks where all the ship excursions meet, he has a clean and air-conditioned bus and he offers several tour packages (you can book them on-line at www.markstours.com; pay when you get there). We did the falls and lazy river float....again, best part of our vacation by far, and Mark's friendliness and rapport with the kids was a huge part of that. They want to go back to Jamaica again at some point so see him and do a different tour. Hope this helps!