Hidden gems in St. Ann

The classic north-coast parish: Ocho Rios waterfalls and blue holes, show caves, and garden attractions, with quieter river spots inland. We have mapped 14 places in St. Ann, Jamaica: 5 waterfalls, 1 cave, 4 rivers and springs, 1 beach, 3 food spots. Each one is tagged by how easy it is to reach, from easy access to hidden gems that need a guide.

See St. Ann on the map

Waterfalls

• Konoko Falls Easy access
  Climbable falls with botanical gardens and a Taino museum in the hills above Ocho Rios, at 1 Mahoe Falls Road. Quieter than Dunn's River…
• Blue Heaven Hidden gem
  A waterfall and river about 20 to 30 minutes outside Ocho Rios toward St. Ann's Bay, reached by a dirt trail through dense vegetation with…
• Dunn’s River Falls Easy access
  Jamaica’s most famous waterfall, near Ocho Rios, where guided groups climb tiers of rock beside the sea. A state-run park with facilities…
• Little Dunn’s River Falls Off the beaten path
  A smaller, quieter set of cascades just west of famous Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios. The stream runs straight onto a small beach, so…
• Blue Hole (Ocho Rios) Easy access
  Turquoise river pools and small falls in the hills above Ocho Rios, on the White River. Google lists it as Island Gully Falls (about 4.7…

Caves

• Green Grotto Caves Easy access
  A guided show cave between Discovery Bay and Runaway Bay, with stalactites, an underground lake and a bat colony. Well known, so not a…

Rivers & springs

• Dornoch River Head Hidden gem
  A river pool at the head of the Rio Bueno near Stewart Town. There is no sign, lifeguard or facilities.
• Thatch Hill River Park Off the beaten path
  A river park in the hills above Ocho Rios, with picnic grounds, jump boards and rope swings. It is a separate place from Island Gully Falls…
• Old Spanish Bridge Hidden gem
  A historic stone bridge over the White River, with shallow swimming and optional bridge jumping on guided trips.
• Fire Mineral Bath Hidden gem
  A small mineral spring in the Windsor area just outside St. Ann's Bay, also known as Windsor Mineral Spring or Fire Water. Sulphur gas on…

Beaches

• Bengal Beach and Rio Bueno Off the beaten path
  A beach at the mouth of the Rio Bueno, reached by river tubing down to Bengal Beach. Close to the Trelawny and St. Ann border.

Food

• Lyming at Walkerswood Easy access
  A local restaurant in Walkerswood serving jerk pork and chicken, curried goat, rice and peas, and sweet potato pudding in a relaxed setting.
• Sharkies Seafood Easy access
  A seafood restaurant at Salem near Runaway Bay, serving seafood platters. A handy meal stop on the north coast.
• Scotchies Easy access
  A well-known jerk spot at Drax Hall near Ocho Rios, serving jerk pork and chicken. Not a secret, but a solid food stop on the north coast.