If in Ocho Rios, you must go to Dunn's River Falls. The experience is amazing and the views are breathtaking. It was a stop on our cruise. I was with my parents for a college graduation trip. My mom had bad knees so she walked the paths while my dad and I climbed the falls. He wasn't able to make it the whole way. It is great because throughout the climb there are areas to get out if it's getting too much. If you decide to climb the falls you will not regret it. But beware: you may leave with cuts and bruises....but they are totally worth it!

My husband and I climbed Dunn's River Falls on May 11. This was by far the best of the trips we went on while in Jamaica. You do not have to be that physically fit to do this but there are a few tricky places you come across. The guides were very helpful in helping you climb and will also take pictures for you while climbing. I recommend taking a waterproof camera. Some people took their digital cameras and the guide carried them the whole way but I don't know if they got wet or not. There is also a man who will film the entire climb for you and you can purchase a copy if you want and he will bring it by your hotel and drop it off for you that night. We paid 40.00 for a DVD and were not impressed. We were toward the back of the line so we tended to get cut out of a lot of the footage. We didn't do the shopping there because we only did the half day trip. There are people there trying to sell you stuff and they are very persistant. You do not have to buy special shoes for the climb because you will spend 15.00 on a ugly pair of shoes that you will never wear again. You can rent a pair at the falls for 5.00. Also, everyone from the driver to the tour guides expects a tip so be prepared. Overall it was a great trip and I would recommend it to anyone who goes to Jamaica.

We tried climbing the falls on a Phil Lafayette tour. Unfortunately we arrived with a lot of other tour groups and the place was packed. Instead of sending groups up one at a time, every guide was bringing their group up simultaneously. We didn't climb the falls so much as inch our way up behind mobs of other people. We lost sight of our guide (who was directing about 35 people) almost immediately. I am told the entire climb normally takes 30-35 minutes. It took up 45 minutes (mostly standing in line) to get halfway up, where we quit and headed back to the bus. I am giving the Falls two stars, since I think it would be a fantastic attraction if you are able to do it when there aren't so many people.

As a side note, the Phil Lafayette tour itself was great. After the Falls, we went river tubing, which was not crowded at all, and a far, far more enjoyable experience.

A great trip to Dunn's River Falls is what you'll have. If you are part of a group with a tour company don't fall for the line of "oh your shoes are worn out". While there are slippery rocks on the way up, you should be fine with what you're wearing as long as it's meant to be worn/used in the water.

The guides were helpful in assisting us on the way up and I was more than happy to tip on the way out. However, don't be feel obligated to tip a second guide even though they guides look out for each other and try to get you to tip the other guy.

You can expect the water to be very cold at the bottom but once you dip in you will enjoy it and will soon enjoy working your way up. Now even if you are of an older age you can still manage to get up the waterfall, as there were older couples in our group that managed to get up there just fine. Just go slow and hold hands. As crazy as it looks it does help you maintain your balance as you work your way up the falls.

You can also get out at certain points on the way up of you don't wish to continue climbing and then work your way up on the dry side of things. Overall you won't regret making your way up the falls and visiting this great attraction.

However, to help business the exiting of the park involves going through what is a maze of shops and merchants who want you to stop and look at buy something from them. I was a bit exhausted at that point since we had already shopped and bartered earlier at another location so I just wanted out.