Ocho Rios

Location of Ocho Rios in Jamaica
View of Ocho Rios, taken from Shaw Park Gardens - 2010
Ocho Rios Chapel, Jamaica (1850)[1]

Ocho Rios (Spanish for "Eight Rivers") is a town in the parish of Saint Ann on the north coast of Jamaica. Just outside the city, travelers and residents can visit Columbus Park, where Columbus supposedly first came on land, and see maritime artifacts and Spanish colonial buildings.

It was once a fishing village but now caters to tourists.[2] It is a port of call for cruise ships[3] as well as for cargo ships loading sugar, limestone, and in the past, bauxite. Scuba diving and other water sports are offered in the town's vicinity.

The name "Ocho Rios" is a misnomer because there are not eight rivers in the area. It is most likely a British corruption of the original Spanish name "Las Chorreras" ("the waterfalls"),[4] a name given to the village because of the nearby Dunn's River Falls.[5][6]

The north coast highway from the international airport at Montego Bay to Ocho Rios has been improved since 2000 and the journey is now an hour and forty five minutes drive. On 26 August 2011, the Jamaican government announced a $21 million revitalization plan for the resort area.[7]

The town has restaurants, nightclubs in Margaritaville and Dolphin Cove, where tourists swim and interact with dolphins. Another major point of interest is Fern Gully. Fern Gully is the result of a 1907 earthquake that destroyed one of the river beds in the area. Fern Gully stretches about 3 miles of great rocky gorge where travellers can see over 540 variety of ferns. In 1907, the British government paved over the destroyed river bed to create what is currently known as The Fern Gully Highway. [1]

It is perhaps most notable for its use in Dr. No, the very first James Bond film, which was released in 1962. It was the home of Miss Taro, played by Zena Marshall, who was an adversary of Bond (Sean Connery) and in alliance with the main villain Dr. Julius No (Joseph Wiseman).[8] It also appears as the primary location for the horror sequel Piranha II: The Spawning, many of the scenes being photographed at the Mallards Beach-Hyatt, now the Sunset Jamaica Grande. In 2016, the Rio Chico resort just outside of Ocho Rios was featured on the 20th season of ABC's reality TV show The Bachelor.[9]

Ocho Rios is the name of the sixth track on the album Sounding out the City by El Michels Affair and was also featured in the 10cc song "From Rochdale to Ocho Rios".

Resorts

References

  1. ↑ "Ocho Rios Chapel, Jamaica". Wesleyan Juvenile Offering. London: Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society. VII: 80. July 1850. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  2. ↑ Visit Jamaica. Visit Jamaica (2010-11-20). Retrieved on 2011-09-15.
  3. ↑ Caribbean Port Reviews, Ocho Rios. Caribbeanportreviews.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-15.
  4. ↑ The Town of Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Mobay.com (2007-05-07). Retrieved on 2011-09-15.
  5. ↑ Wayfaring Travel Guide. Wayfaring.info. Retrieved on 2011-09-15.
  6. ↑ Dunn's River Falls Jamaica Web Page. Dunnsriverja.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-15.
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ Dr No factfile. 007.info (1962-10-05). Retrieved on 2011-09-15.
  9. ↑ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sandals-resorts-in-jamaica-to-be-featured-in-abcs-hit-romance-reality-series-the-bachelor-300224694.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ↑ "Ocho Rios All Inclusive Family Resort in Jamaica – Beaches Ocho Rios Resort & Golf Club". All Inclusive Resorts and Caribbean Vacations for the Whole Family - Beaches Caribbean Family Resorts. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  11. ↑ "Rooms on the Beach - The Best Hotel Deal in Jamaica". Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  12. ↑ "ClubHotel Riu Ocho Rios - Jamaica All Inclusive Vacations - RIU Hotels & Resorts". Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "Jamaica All-Inclusive Resort - The Jewel Dunn's River - Ocho Rios Jamaica". jewelresorts.com. Retrieved 10 August 2015.

Coordinates: 18°25′N 77°07′W / 18.417°N 77.117°W / 18.417; -77.117

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