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The Battle of Ocho Rios also known as Battle of Las Chorreras was a military action which took place on the island  on October 30,1657 where a Spanish force under Cristobal Arnaldo Isasi hoping to take back the island was defeated by the English occupying force under the Governor Edward D'Oyley.  The English had occupied Jamaica in 1655 but had been reduced significantly by disease in the aftermath. They ran through governors at a rapid rate: General Robert Sedgwick arrived and died in 1655, General William Brayne replaced him and died in 1656, and then General Edward D'Oyley who had already been on the island took over as Governor being acclimatised to the islands harsh tropical conditions.

 

Two years after the English invasion, Cristóbal Arnaldo Isasi the former Spanish governor had been hiding in the hills with the run away slaves (later known as maroons). He requested a force to be sent from Cuba to retake the island back for Spain. He now had reinforcements from Cuba and had them land at Las Chorreros (present day Ocho Rios). By now he had assembled a total of nearly 300 soldiers and around 100 militia or guerrillas. D'Oyley, aware of Spanish ships being seen off the Northern coast, decided to set out and attack. He sailed North to meet them and landed his force of around 900 militia near Ocho Rios, where, close to Dunn's River Falls he defeated Isasi and his force in a short battle. Isasi fled back into the hills whilst the rest of the Spanish were captured and were later repatriated back to Cuba under terms.

 

Isasi tried again in 1668 at Rio Nuevo located  in the parish  of  St Mary,  but this time with reinforcements from New Spain and the presence of a fort. In a repeat of what happened at Ocho Rios D'Oyley repeated the same feat by sailing North and defeated him again.

Ocho  Rios  is  the  jewel of Jamaica  and  is  classified  as Jamaica's  number  one  tourist  resort  town. Ocho Rios  boast  a modern  cruise  ship  harbour that welcomes  cruise  ships  from  all around  the  world.  Ocho Rios  have  some  of the  world's  most  beautiful  resorts  and  beaches not  to  mention shopping  and  local  restaurant.  Ocho  Rios  is  also  where  world's  famous Dunn's River, Dolphin Cove,  Mystic Mountain, Shaw Park  Gardens  and  The Coyaba Botanical Gardens.  The  parish  of Saint Ann is where  world famous  reggae  super star  Bob Marley  was  from. Our  Highlight tour  will take  us through  furn gully, Walker's Wood, Shaw Park Hills for  great  photos  like  the  one  above  then  through  the  town itself  all  the  way  to  Rio Nuevo Battle  Sight in Tower Isle then shopping  in Ocho Rios.

We  do  not  display  prices for our  tours  because  they  are  included  in  your  package when  you  book

Dunn’s River Falls is undoubtedly one of Jamaica's national treasures. The Spaniards called the area “Las Chorreras”, which means “the waterfalls or the springs”. The meaning of “Las Chorreras" has been reduced over a period of time to "Ocho Rios" which means eight rivers. Keep in mind however that there are not really eight rivers but only four rivers in the vicinity. These four rivers are known as, Cave River, Roaring River, Turtle River and of course Dunn’s River. These "Chorreras" as they were called are characterized as an endless flow and quick descent of water, with very swift cascades and waterfalls which flow straight into the Caribbean Sea.

Dunn’s River Falls is an astounding flowing falls that extends across more than 183 metres or 600 feet. The falls is frequently featured in tourist advertisements that endorse Jamaica. These ads make Dunn’s River Falls one of the most well liked travel destinations on the island. Another remarkable point is that the Dunn’s River is one of the few rivers in the world that flows directly into the Caribbean Sea. The most popular activity is climbing up the falls and then hanging out in one of the several lagoons or pools along the way.

CLIMBING DUNN'S RIVER FALLS
Having  fun on the  Dunn's  River  Falls
DUNN'S RIVER FALLS JAMAICA

Dunn’s River Falls was also featured in the James Bond Movie “Dr. No”. Ian Fleming, who is the author of the James Bond movies, fell in love with Jamaica while visiting the island for a naval meeting and spent several winters there at his property. The movie included the well-known scene of Ursula Andress walking out on Jamaica’s famous Dunn’s River beach. The waterfalls are located near to the town of Ocho Rios.
The climbing of Dunn’s River Falls has been done by the locals as well as so many tourists for so long that it is quite easy to believe that the waterfall was made for climbing. However, in truth and in fact, Dunn’s River Falls is totally natural and all of the structures, crevices, and natural pools of water were made by the actual flow of the water's current.

Over the years going to Dunn’s River Falls has become an important Jamaican tourist activity. Of course no stay in the region of Ocho Rios, Jamaica is fulfilled without a stop over by Dunn’s River Falls. Even though it may sound like just another of the numerous rivers and waterfalls that line up the small island of Jamaica, Dunn’s River Falls is unlike anywhere you will ever experience.
The world famous Dunn’s River Falls is one of the many attractions that are found nearby Ocho Rios. It is however without any doubt the best known of all the attractions available in Jamaica. Over the decades Dunn’s River Falls has offered millions of tourists and locals an immediate bond to nature and has intrigued and mesmerized families for many generations.

WHAT  TO  BRING:   Swim wear,  water  shoes, camera and your  towel.
CLIMB TIME: Depending  on  the  size  of  your group,  but the average  climb  time  is  1 1/2  hour from the  bottom  to  the top

Nine Miles is a tiny town in the beatiful hills  in the  parish of  St. Ann where Bob Marley was born, and fittingly, the last place he was laid to rest.  

Although Bob Marley moved to Kingston to advance his music career, he would often return to Nine Miles to get away from the fast pace life of Kingston.

Home is where the heart is and Bob Marley wrote several of his hit songs when he was in St. Ann.

Nine Miles Jamaica was always his home and to have the full experience of Bob Marley; you will have to visit this town.

 

A tour of this settlement will leave you with a greater understanding of the legend Bob became; in fact, the community today is pretty much how it was in Bob Marley's early days.

A Rastafarian tour guide will be on hand to guide you around the property and answer all your questions. 

You will have the opportunity to view the room where Bob Marley  slept in, and the pillow on which he often would relax on and find inspiration to write his songs. Quite a few guests have said that they have felt the presence of Bob Marley.

 

Don't be surprised if you see Rastafarians smoking marijuana on Bob Marley's residence. The tour guide will be quick to tell you that marijuana is illegal, so if you smoke, it is at your own risk.

The Nine Mile Jamaica Tour also includes his birth place, what he liked to do, and Mount Zion, the spot where he drew his inspiration from to write his songs.

TOUR DURATION: Drive  time  from Ocho Rios 1 hour and 45 minutes.  The  tour  itself is  45 minutes.
LIVE  MUSIC AT  NINE MILES

The Green Grotto Caves are show caves and a prominent tourist attraction  on the north coast of Jamaica. Named for the green algae that cover its walls, the structure of the cave is strikingly different from inland systems; the cave is a Flank Margin Cave (old mixing chambers at the edge of the fresh water lens with the sea water) with two well-defined levels apparently indicating two periods with differing sea-levels. The innermost cavern contains a crystal-clear underground lake.

In addition to the publicly accessible sections of the cave there is also a section of "wild caves" with relatively undisturbed ecology. Hydrologically, the cave system is connected with the adjacent coastal waters.

 

At various times they have been known as the Runaway Bay Caves, Hopewell Caves, Cave Hall Caves, Discovery Bay Caves, Dry Harbour Caves, Rum Caves and Dairy Caves.

The first know inhabitants of the caves were Arawak Indians who left pottery fragments and adzes When Jamaica was a British Colony the caves were used as a hideaway by the Spanish who were being driven out by the British settlers. The caves were also known to have been used by escaped slaves, hence the name Runaway Caves. Between the two world wars they were used by smugglers running arms to Cuba, while in the later years of the Second World War the Government of Jamaica used the entrance of

The caves are home to nine of Jamaica's 21 species of bat including the Big-Eared Bat, the Mustache Bat, and the Jamaican Fruit-Eating Bat Numbers are quite high with most of the available roosting space used. Guano is present in large amounts but few of the usual guano dwelling inverts have been recorded; the invasive American Roach is found

The brackish water in the lower levels is full of marine life including small barnacles and various unidentified small swimming creatures.  

You tour take approximately  1 1/2  hour you  will get the opportunity to go for a  short boat  ride.

GREEN GROTTO CAVE

KAYAKING ON THE RIO BUENO RIVER

Rio Nuevo Battle Site

 

THE BATTLE  SITE  IS  LOCATED  IN TOWER  ISLE IN THE  PARISH  OF  ST MARY

Just  a short 15 minute  drive  from  the  town of  Ocho Rios

Rio Nuevo St. Mary is the site of the final pitched battle between British and Spanish forces to determine possession of Jamaica. The Spanish defeat following five years of guerrilla warfare led by Spanish Governor Arnaldo de Isassi placed Jamaica definitively in English hands. Spain formally conceded Jamaica to England by the Treaty of Madrid in 1670.

 

The Beckford family who owned a significant portion of the property on which the battle took place, donated approximately one acre of this land to the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT). The JNHT has currently given a Licence to the Rio Nuevo Heritage Foundation for its occupation, use and maintenance of this property.

The inscription on the Rio Nuevo battle site marker reads:

THE RIO NUEVO MEMORIAL
"The stockade that once stood here was captured on the 17th June 1658 by Colonel Edward D'oyley and the English forces under his command after a gallant defence by Don Cristobal de Ysassi the last spanish govenor of Jamaica."

ENJOY THE BEST OF  OCHO RIOS ON THIS COMBO ADVENTURE.

 

Zip amongst the treesof the Jamaican rainforest on three exciting ziplines.

Jump into a tube and be refreshed by the cool clear waters as you float down the beautiful White River, experiencing the river’s alternating moods.

Indulge in a sumptuous lunch at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.

Board our Catamaran for a CHUKKA Rum-Punch party as we cruise along the stunning coast of Ocho Rios.

Bring:  Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, cash/credit card for gift items, photos, souvenirs and snacks. 

Wear:  Long shorts/pants, sneakers/aqua shoes.

  • Min. Age - 6 yrs

  • Weight Limit - 250 lbs

  • Not wheelchair accessible, not suitable for pregnant women.

  • Total Duration – Approx. 6hrs

  • Souvenirs & photos are available for sale

Dunns River Falls
Bob Marley Nine Miles
Anchor 2
Anchor 3
GREEN GRATTO CAVE

WELCOME TO OCHO RIOS

DUNN'S RIVER  FALLS  JAMAICA'S #1 ATTRACTION

BOB MARLEY  NINE  MILES
GREEN GRATTO  CAVE
Kayaking on the Rio Bueno
Ocho Rios

BRIEF HOSTORY  ON THE  OCHO RIOS

Dunn's  River Falls

Visit the nearby Ethiopian church where his body was laid to rest with his guitar. Please remove your shoes before you enter as a sign of respect. Feel free to look around. After the tour of Bob Marley's museum, walk around the community and experience the feeling of the community that influenced the reggae superstar. Mingle with the people of the village, especially the children.

RIO NUEVO BATTLE SITE

ZIP LINE * RIVER TUBING * CATAMARAN CRUISE  TO DUNN'S RIVER FALLS

HORSE BACK RIDING
RIO NUEVO BATTLE SITE
ZIPLINE TUBING DUNN'S RIVER
HORSE BACK RIDING
RIVER TUBING
RIVER TUBING

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