DUNN'S RIVER FALLS

Dunn's River Falls is one of Jamaica's star attractions. You'll hear about them long before you enter the Ocho Rios region, and you'll see them on every tourist brochure and postcard. Whatever you do, you won't be able to escape them - it would be a crime of lèse-Jamaïque - so you might as well face it, you've got to visit Dunn's River Falls, even if it is much more touristy than other equally beautiful waterfalls. This is a real theme park, so don't expect wild falls. As for the natural charm of the landscape, it's best to forget it, but it's still magnificent and pleasant to bask in.

From the moment you arrive, even before entering the property, the tone is set: signposting, huge bus parking areas, welcome banners in every language, multiple ticket booths, queues, turnstiles, swarms of tourists crowded around the guides' banners, rental stands for rubber sandals that come in handy when climbing the falls, concrete paths and staircases..

Visit. The concrete path winds along the tumultuous falls, which drop some 180 m to the sea where the river ends its course. The impressive falls are set against a backdrop of lush greenery, alternating turbulent cascades and natural pools. Some passages, however, seem to have been tamed and consolidated by the hand of man. The principle of the attraction is to become part of a quasi-permanent human chain and laboriously ascend the falls, hand in hand amid the tumultuous waters, with organized photo stops. The climb takes around 30 minutes, but the effort involved is not insignificant. The help of a guide is recommended, as some passages are quite perilous and the current is very strong in places. Photographers can take pictures of soaking wet tourists on the way out. The less adventurous can opt for the dry, unemotional option, i.e. to go down and back up the waterfalls via the stairs. At the bottom of the falls, the beach is pleasant and well worth a swim. The only way out of the site is through the huge, and obviously very expensive, handicraft market, where vendors spend all day sitting in front of their stalls, beckoning tourists.

On site. A bar-restaurant with a few shaded tables serves simple dishes directly on the sand. The park now includes a picnic area, a children's playground and a pizza kiosk.

Tips and advice. Given the crowds, it's best to go on a weekday morning rather than on a Sunday afternoon. Avoid cruise days, and arrive early in the morning for a more intimate moment with Mother Nature. Don't forget to bring: bathing suits and towels, sunscreen, tennis shoes or water shoes, a waterproof phone pouch and a change of clothes.

Tip: Little Dunn's River will be your free stop for wonder! The falls of Dunn's River end their course in the sea, and it's well worth the detour. Hot and cold currents and natural massages under the waterfalls will round off your refreshing break. A small beach much appreciated by the locals, who have free access to it.