10 Awesome Things To Do in Ocho Rios with Kids
There’s no doubt Jamaica is well known for its all-inclusive resorts — it’s a popular honeymoon destination, and some resorts now even have over-water bungalows. But there is so much to see in Jamaica beyond the resort gates. We recently returned from our second visit to the island. You can read here about Will’s and my first Jamaican trip, where we explored Negril and the southwest side. This time, we were visiting Ocho Rios with kids — and I wanted to see what the north side of the island had to offer. Turns out, there’s a lot.
In October, we spent two weeks in the Tower Isle and Ocho Rios area, staying in an incredible Airbnb, exploring off-the-beaten-path sandy beaches and a plethora of majestic waterfalls. We flew on Southwest using our Companion Pass — which meant two of our four flights were completely free (just $5.60 in taxes each). If you haven’t heard of the Companion Pass yet, go read that post — it’s the #1 way our family saves money on travel every year.
New to points & miles? Grab my free Beginner’s Guide HERE before you plan your next vacation.
Where to Stay in Ocho Rios: Points Hotel Options
Before we get into the activities, let me share how to offset the cost of your stay with points. We stayed in an Airbnb (option C below), and Ocho Rios is a destination where traditional chain hotel options are limited — it’s largely dominated by all-inclusive resorts. But here are your best strategies:
Option A: Moon Palace Jamaica (Best All-Inclusive on Points)
Moon Palace Jamaica is an all-inclusive beachfront resort right in Ocho Rios, sitting about 1.8 miles from Dunn’s River Falls. It has multiple pools, water slides, a dolphinarium, ocean-view rooms, and a wide variety of dining options — and it’s one of the most family-friendly all-inclusives in the area. While Moon Palace doesn’t book directly through a traditional loyalty program, you can use Capital One Venture or Venture X miles to erase the stay from your statement at 1 cent per mile. A 75,000-mile Venture X sign-up bonus offsets $750 toward your stay — meaningful for a pricey all-inclusive. Book directly at moonpalace.com, pay with your Capital One card, then use the Purchase Eraser.
Option B: Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall (World of Hyatt Points — Family Option)
Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall in Montego Bay (about 90 minutes from Ocho Rios) is bookable with World of Hyatt points and is one of the best family all-inclusive redemptions in the Caribbean. It’s the family-friendly counterpart to the adults-only Hyatt Zilara next door. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to Hyatt at 1:1, making this very accessible if you have Chase points. Note: the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall (adults-only) is currently closed for hurricane repairs and won’t reopen until late 2026, but the Ziva (families welcome) is open.
Option C: Use Capital One Miles as a Travel Eraser
For any hotel or Airbnb in the Ocho Rios area, the Capital One Venture X is your best friend. Virtually any travel purchase — hotels, vacation rentals, all-inclusives — can be erased from your statement with miles at 1 cent per mile. This gives you the flexibility to stay wherever you want (including the local Airbnbs and guesthouses that make Ocho Rios so special) without being locked into a specific hotel chain.
Below are 10 awesome things to do in Ocho Rios with kids — updated for 2025.
1. Climb Dunn’s River Falls
Dunn’s River Falls is by far the most visited attraction in Ocho Rios — and for very good reason. This iconic 600-foot terraced waterfall pours straight into the Caribbean Sea, and climbing it hand-in-hand with a guide is one of the most memorable experiences Jamaica has to offer. If you only do one thing in Ocho Rios with kids, make it this.
The falls can get crowded — especially when cruise ships are in port. Check cruise ship arrival schedules before you go and aim for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds. We visited 3 times during our stay since it was just 10 minutes from our Airbnb. It never got old.
At the top of the falls there’s a splash pad for little ones — Jimmie and Emily absolutely loved the slide up there.
Tips: Wear a swimsuit and sturdy water shoes (not flip flops). There are lockers on-site for your dry clothes and valuables. Don’t skip the local souvenir shops and snack stalls on the way out — the jerk chicken is delicious.
2. Mystic Mountain — Bobsled, Zipline & Sky Explorer
This one wasn’t in my original post and it absolutely should have been. Mystic Mountain is an eco-adventure park perched in the rainforest hills above Ocho Rios, just 5 minutes from the cruise pier and minutes from Dunn’s River Falls. It’s one of the best family activity options on the north coast.
The signature attractions include the Jamaica Bobsled — a gravity-powered, 3,280-foot ride through hairpin twists and jungle chutes inspired by Jamaica’s legendary Olympic bobsled team. There’s also the Sky Explorer chairlift (no age or height restrictions — great for all ages) that glides you up to 700 feet above sea level with panoramic views of Ocho Rios and the Caribbean Sea. Older kids and adults will love the canopy zipline and the Ragamuffin coaster ride. There’s also an infinity pool, a rock climbing wall, a ropes course, and a hummingbird garden.
Package options range from a 2-hour Adventure Pass to the full Mystic Platinum experience (5 hours, includes Dunn’s River Falls and lunch). Book in advance at mysticmountain.com — it’s a popular stop for cruise ship guests and can sell out.
Tip: Bobsled riders must be at least 46 inches tall. Zipline participants must be at least 6 years old. The Sky Explorer has no restrictions at all and is perfect for toddlers and grandparents alike.
3. Margaritaville and the Beach
Yes, it’s touristy — but the vibe is genuinely perfect for families. Margaritaville Ocho Rios sits in Island Village, right across from Ocho Rios Bay Beach, with calm and shallow water that’s ideal for little non-swimmers. The beachfront bar and grill has a wide menu including Caribbean favorites and American classics (cheeseburger in paradise, anyone?).
For a worthwhile upcharge, the VIP beach section includes butler service to your chairs, access to the water trampoline in the ocean, and the 60-foot water slide into the pool. Totally worth it for a fun family day.
4. Konoko Falls and Mini Zoo
Konoko Falls and Park is about 5 minutes from the Ocho Rios town center, nestled in the tranquil hills above town. We took the kids mainly for the mini zoo, but climbing the falls was a highlight too. Think of it as a smaller, quieter version of Dunn’s River — a great option if you want the waterfall experience without the cruise ship crowds.
Your tour begins with a trek through lush botanical gardens, then a steep descent to the base of the falls. An approximately 200-step staircase runs alongside the waterfall with entry points so you can join the climb at different levels — great if little legs need a shorter route.
After the climb, the bird aviary and mini zoo give kids an interactive close encounter with turtles, tortoises, crocodiles, iguanas, snakes, and a wide variety of exotic birds. It’s genuinely one of the best Ocho Rios with kids experiences on the island.
Tip: Bring cash for tipping your tour guide — they work hard and genuinely make the experience.
5. Pleasant Cove Beach (Hidden Gem)
This is not your overcrowded tourist beach. A local tipped us off to this one and it became one of our favorite spots of the entire trip. Search “Pleasant Cove Beach Bar and Grill” in Google Maps. You’ll go through a gate — let the attendant know you’re there for the beach bar. Drive down a dirt road with some potholes, past an old abandoned house, and suddenly you arrive at this beautiful little cove.
Most of the time we had the whole beach to ourselves. The snorkeling was great, the tiny shack restaurant had delicious food, and having a bar right on the beach serving Red Stripes and rum punch made it feel like we’d discovered a secret. This is exactly the kind of place you stay in a private Airbnb to find.e you arrive.
6. James Bond Beach
The local town of Oracabessa was once home to Ian Fleming, who reportedly wrote several of his Bond novels while staying here. James Bond Beach was also the location of the famous scene in Dr. No where Ursula Andress emerges from the water in her white bikini. Entrance is $5 per person — one of the most affordable and historically interesting stops on the north coast.
There’s decent snorkeling near the rocks on the eastern side. Bring towels, toys for the kids, and a good book. The beach is rustic and beautiful, and the history gives it a cool factor that kids and adults both appreciate.
Updated tip: The road leading to the beach has had improvements in recent years, but it’s still worth asking locals or your accommodation for current road conditions before the drive.
7. Blue Hole ( Island Gully Falls)
The Blue Hole is one of those places that looks almost too beautiful to be real in photos — and in person it delivers. Located in the mountains behind Ocho Rios (about 15–20 minutes by car), it’s a natural series of waterfalls and swimming holes. Look for the “Island Gully Falls” sign at the entrance — the road isn’t well marked but the Google pin is accurate.
Entrance is $10 USD per person, plus a tip for your guide (and the guides earn it — ours held our belongings the whole time, took photos with our phones, helped with the kids, and made the whole experience). This is very much an outdoor adventure: be prepared to get wet and walk through the jungle.
Tip: Go after several dry days if possible — after heavy rainfall the water runs brown rather than the electric turquoise blue you see in photos. Still beautiful either way, but the color is what makes it truly magical.
8. Dolphin Cove
Dolphin Cove is a great excursion if you’re visiting Ocho Rios with kids. Interactions with dolphins take place in a natural cove rather than an artificial pool, which makes it feel less like a theme park and more like a real wildlife encounter. We didn’t do the dolphin swim ourselves, but the kids loved watching the dolphin shows and we all enjoyed the 100-foot water slide.
A variety of dolphin interaction experiences are available, from brief encounters to full swims, plus a shark encounter option. Entrance for non-participants includes beach access, pool access, a Jungle Trail walk with a mini zoo, and snorkeling with stingrays. Lunch is available on-site for an extra charge.
Book in advance — Dolphin Cove fills up quickly, especially on cruise ship days.
9. Ocho Rios Bay Beach
This is a public beach just minutes from the cruise port — walk east as you exit and you’ll find it about 15 minutes away. The $3 per person entrance fee gets you access to a calm, clean, and shallow beach that’s excellent for families with little non-swimmers.
A fun bonus: the cruise ship pier sits to the west, so you can get great photos of your family on the beach with a cruise ship majestically framed in the background.
10. Green Grotto Caves
These famous Jamaican limestone caves take their name from the green algae covering their walls. The Arawak Indians were the first known inhabitants, and the caves later served as refuge for escaped slaves (known then as the Runaway Caves). You may also recognize them from the James Bond film Live and Let Die, where they served as evil Doctor Kananga’s lair. Your expert guide will lead you along an underground river, pointing out stalactites and stalagmites and sharing the caves’ layered history.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes — there’s a bit of walking on uneven surfaces. This pairs beautifully with a stop at nearby Discovery Park, where Christopher Columbus first landed when he discovered Jamaica
Bonus: White River Tubing
Located near the Blue Hole, White River Tubing is a perfect complement to a Blue Hole visit since they’re close to each other. Float down the White River in tubes through a combination of tranquil stretches and small exhilarating rapids that adults and kids both love. Life jackets are provided and the river is shallow where the tubing runs. Guides walk alongside keeping the tubes centered and making sure everyone stays safe.
Final Thoughts: Ocho Rios with Kids
A beach vacation with kids is always one of the more relaxed types of family travel — and Ocho Rios hit the perfect balance of adventure and downtime. Between the waterfalls, the wildlife encounters, the hidden beaches, and the local culture, there was never a shortage of things to do. And the fact that we made it happen using our Southwest Companion Pass to fly nearly for free made it even sweeter. I highly recommend visiting Ocho Rios with your family!
Want to travel like this for a fraction of the cost? Grab my free Beginner’s Guide to Points & Miles here — I’ll show you exactly how we do it. 🌴
Advertiser Disclosure: Lazy Lauren World Tour, LLC has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Lazy Lauren World Tour and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
You might also like:
About the Author
Lauren is a CPA and former Controller with nearly 20 years of experience in the points & miles world. She discovered early on that travel rewards is really just a math problem in disguise — and she’s been quietly turning everyday spending into nearly-free bucket list vacations for her family of 4 ever since. No gimmicks, no debt, just a simple and sustainable system. Start here to learn how she does it, or browse her free guides & resources to get started today.
