During the 1800s Falmouth was a thriving town and was one of
the busiest shipping ports in Jamaica. Setting
the stage for what was to be the quintessential town; the streets were laid in grid,
with wide straight streets going from north to south and east to west. Falmouth
was ahead of its time; you see Falmouth was the first town in the western
hemisphere to have piped running water, even before “New York City”. After emancipation, in early 1900s, Falmouth,
like many other thriving colonial cities and towns became stagnant, from
inactivity, as people started moving to more populated towns. But today, with
its natural deep harbors, Falmouth is regaining its pride and is home to one of
the island’s busiest cruise ship port, with an average of eight mega cruise
ship calling into port each week.
The Port of Falmouth
is situated perfectly for visitors who are on a quest to experience many of the
Island’s main excursion activities. Although most of the popular shore
excursions are not within the town of Falmouth, most are accessible to explore
and enjoy during the short stay on the island.
Martha Brae Rafting Excursions:
Martha Brae
rafting excursions is one of the most relaxing and romantic shore excursions in
Jamaica. Situated just 15 minutes from
the cruise port of Falmouth, the Martha Brae River offers visitors an amazing
experience rafting down this gentle flowing river on a hand-made bamboo raft.
Visitors can only experience this in Jamaica. This shore excursion cost $60 per raft with a
maximum of two people on board.
Horse-back ride and swim Falmouth
cruise excursion:
Best place
for horseback riding excursion if you are on a cruise to Falmouth Jamaica is at
Hooves. This family run property is about 40 minutes
from the port of Falmouth, in St. Ann’s Bay; Hooves offers the ideal experience
and place for horseback riding in Jamaica. Here our visitors are like our family;
and we make sure they have a great experience.
The
horse-back ride and swim excursion starts out on a country trail; visitors may
get the feel of what is must have felt like for plantation owners riding their
horses on the estates. The second part
of the excursion is on the beach where visitors will get a chance of taking the
horse for a swim in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Also, visitors doing this excursion can combine the excursion with Dunn’s River
Falls and be back on board with plenty of time to spare; to then enjoy sunset
on deck of your ship or shopping at the port shops.
River Rapids (at Rio Bueno)
Excursions:
River Rapids located in Braco, St. Ann is a great place for river excursions,
and only 35 minutes from the Falmouth port. The Rio Bueno River got its name
from the Spanish, which means ‘Good River’ in English. Unlike the other similar excursions River
Rapids offers the best rates, with awesome staff! Visitors can enjoy river tubing, kayaking and
rafting excursions which end on the Bengal Beach. Visitors can enjoy all the
amenities on the beach; sunbathing, cold refreshments etc. before heading on to
another excursion or back to the Falmouth Port.
Doctors Cave Beach and Montego Bay
Highlight tour:
One of the
best beaches in the world is only 30 minutes from Falmouth Port; the world
famous Doctors Cave Beach, in Montego Bay. The journey from the Falmouth pier takes
visitors along the scenic north coast highway, which hugs the shore line making
the drive picturesque adventure. Visitors
will enjoy the contrast of Jamaica’s landscape, from the hills to the tropical Caribbean
Sea. Montego Bay is the tourist capital
of Jamaica and is great for souvenir shopping, restaurants, bars, watersports
etc. It is great for sight-seeing, and
for Arts lovers, visitors can also visit the second largest art gallery on the
Island.
It was Doctor’s
Cave Beach that launched Montego Bay’s as a tourist capital of the western
hemisphere in the 1880. The water at doctors cave beach was thought to have
healing properties, and took on world prominence because of that medicinal
curative. The beach was once own by a private medical practitioner who donated
to the community in 1906 for all to enjoy.
To this day,
DCB is still known and revered as one of the best in the world. If you are visiting
Jamaica on a cruise to Falmouth or Montego Bay, you may want to consider basking
at the therapeutic Doctor’s Cave Beach.
Catamaran cruises make great
excursions:
The catamaran excursion offers something different to those visitors who enjoy
water sports. Visitors can go snorkeling
in the warm Caribbean waters; you will be amazed by the beauty of the
underwater sea life, exploring the tropical fish and sea-garden is every
snorkelers dream. The excursion runs
from 10:00 AM to 1PM and it comes with open bar and snorkeling equipment. After
this short and exciting adventure along the coastline of Jamaica, take some
time to enjoy Jamaican cuisine and whatever your interests are it can be found
in Montego Bay before heading back to Falmouth to board your cruise ship.
The Bob Marley Excursions from
Falmouth Jamaica:
Bob Marley
is one of Jamaica’s best known international superstars; and only 90 minutes’
drive from the port of Falmouth is a small community named Nine Mile. In May of
1981, Nine mile became known to the rest of the world, when its favorite son, Reggae
King Bob Marley came home was buried in his place of birth. Folks with an interest in reggae music that
disembark at Falmouth port will have enough time to visit the birth and final
resting place of the Reggae Legend. This excursion takes you through the some
very rustic communities through, offering visitors a first-hand view of rural
living in Jamaica.
The Rocklands Bird Sanctuary
Excursion:
For nature lovers this is a great excursions; visitors will enjoy botanical
garden to explore of nature and its tranquility. Rockland sanctuary is the only
place on earth which we know of that one can hand feed hummingbirds that live
in the wild. This excursion will take you about 30 miles south west of Falmouth;
through Montego Bay City. Visitors can
combine this unique excursion with the Montego Bay Highlight Tour; Tour of the
Rose Hall Great House among others.
Where to
eat:
Chill Out Restaurant:
Chill Out
Restaurant located just 10 minutes west of Falmouth in the community of Greenwood;
it is a great spot to have lunch on the waterfront. The ambiance is great with
an island beach setting. They serve a variety of foods which includes authentic
Jamaican dishes; including a variety of seafood dishes and salad.
Scotchies Jerk Center:
Jamaica is known for its “Jerk” and Scotchies is a great place to enjoy the
authentic taste of jerk chicken. They also serve a variety of side dishes such
as festivals, roasted yams and sweet potato…also a local favorite, steamed
bammy which is made from cassava. Scotchies
is located in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Kingston…a perfect fit to a day of fun
and excursions.
Ocho Rios Jerk Center:
If you are visiting to Ocho Rios, be sure to stop in at the Ocho Rios Jerk Center, for authentic
Jamaican food. They serve a variety of Jamaican dishes including; jerked
chicken and pork dishes. It is known
Jamaican jerk can be spicy treat for adults, but at the Ocho Rios Jerk center,
they provide children friendly menu… so your child can enjoy Jamaican jerk on a
milder side.
Jamaican Beef Patties:
While you
are out and about on your shore excursions don’t hesitate to try a Beef Patty; Jamaica’s
favorite pastry. The best patties are
sold directly from the local bakeries fresh out of the oven. Two of the main
bakeries here on the island are ‘Juicy Beef and Tastee Patties’ and can be
found across the island. Jamaican beef patties are similar to pop pastries. Minced beef is used as a filling for making
Jamaican patties, seasoned with tropical herbs and spices and then baked to
perfection in a flaky shell.
Appleton Rum Tour:
Jamaica is the first
country in the world to start the production of rum commercially and so for the
folks that love rum sampling... Appleton
Estate is a treat… according to the Guinness Book of World Records, “Jamaica
has the most churches per square mile” I’m sure we may have the most Bars as
well and stepping into a local Jamaican bar for a drink with the locals is a
sure way of immersing into the local culture. However for the more adventurous,
an excursion through the hilly interior of Jamaica takes you to the Appleton
Estate; home of the best aged Rum on the island. Appleton Estate started producing rum since
1749 to-date. This shore excursion is
approximately 2 hours each way driving and could worth your time. If your ship
is stopping over for less than 8 hours then this excursions is not recommended.
Should I exchange my USD, CAN or
Sterling to the local Jamaican Dollar JMD?
While is it’s
great to spend local currency which is certainly part of the local experience,
it is not necessary to exchange your currency. US / CA $ and pound sterling are
widely accepted on the island and business is transacted using them daily; the
rates are set daily by the Bank of Jamaica, which is a “guide” for FX dealers, such as Cambios, who will add their margins.
Having US$
sure makes business transactions easier, so you will notice that almost all
excursions, tours, goods and services is quoted in USD$.
The current
exchange rate is 1USD: 115.00JMD.
The best waterfall waterfalls for
cruise passengers (shore excursions).
You cannot
visit Jamaica and not visit the Dunn’s River Falls and the Blue Hole. Easily
accessible from the port of Falmouth, you will be whisked away as soon as you
have disembarked...so be ready to be amazed!
Dunn’s River
Falls is Jamaica’s best known tourist attraction. It is a majestic body of
water which cascade down the wonderfully formed limestone rocks. This is a unique waterfall, which begins in
the warm Caribbean Sea, climbing up 600 feet of falls…now that’s adventure!!! .
if you are not up to this adventure, you can enjoy the beach and while you
watch the more adventurous climb the falls.
Blue Hole (Secret Falls)
Blue-Hole
excursion is a beautiful naturally formed river pool. It offers a great
experience for the young and young at heart; the ultimate shore excursions with
rope-swinging and diving from the falls, is surely an excursion to enjoy. Also, the facilitators will go the extra mile
to ensure you fully enjoy the facility with no limitations on your good time!!...Blue
Hole is about 25 minutes from Dunn’s River Falls, and is worth the 25
additional minutes’ drive.
Also, other
falls visitors may be interested in are Reach Falls and YS falls; located on
the other side of the island, these great excursions would be too far for
cruise visitors.