When most people think of travel in the Caribbean, the first images that pop into mind are rolling waves of turquoise water washing on to white sandy beaches, where palm trees sway in a gentle breeze — generally high above reddened humans consuming mass quantities of alcoholic beverages.
Or maybe it’s a cruise ship quietly sailing past a nearby island where small boats zip into and out of a small harbor surrounded by a colorful and quaint town.
Yes, the Caribbean vision perfected by Jimmy Buffet and expanded on by many others features Boats, Beaches, Bars and Ballads, and maybe even locating that lost shaker of salt. Regardless of your preference in island activities, there are plenty of salt water or just plain salty options available.
But sometimes, you just want to rinse off the sand and that salt crust and feel the rejuvenating power of cold fresh water. That’s a perfect time to leave the beaches and head inland, where the crowds are smaller, the water fresh, and we enjoyed three of our favorite fresh water adventures in the islands, including the grand-daddy of them all, Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios.
Waterfalls of Damajagua, Dominican Republic
Located on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic near the city of Puerto Plata and the new-ish cruise port at Amber Cove, the Damajagua River wind its way out of the mountains. Hidden among the trees are 27 waterfalls, splashing into limestone pools perfect for jumping and swimming. Known locally as 27 Charcos, the area opened for tourists in the late 1990s and still retains lots tropical mountain charm.
We booked an excursion from Amber Cover that included round-trip transportation, guided access to 7 of the waterfalls and an additional zip line adventure following. Arriving early, we were among the first guests of the day to start the 30-minute, 1-mile uphill hike. Beware that this is no easy walk in the woods, so be mindful of your limitations. And if you need a break, inform your guide.
Two other tips: bring bug spray and wear athletic shoes. The stones on the trail are loose, lumpy and sharp, and water shoes or flip flops may not provide adequate protection or comfort.
After reaching the top, you literally jump or slide your way back down following the river as it carves deep pools below the series of small falls. After brief instructions, we crept to the edge of a large rock. Our 15-year-old decided he wasn’t going first, so I was the first to plunge approximately 16 feet into a narrow canyon where the river emerges from a cavern. Some falls offer the option of either jumping or sliding down rock chutes into the pools below. For the timid, some of the larger falls also feature stairs for descending rather than the watery options.
If you have more time and an adventurous spirit, opt for a 12-falls adventure or all 27 falls. The upper falls are far less-visited and less-crowded, and the tour guides tend to travel at a more relaxed pace. You can learn more about those options at the 27 Carco website.
White River Tubing, Jamaica
Growing up in Louisiana and now living in Georgia, we’re no strangers to river tubing. And honestly, on our Jamaica trip, we weren’t looking for a tubing adventure, but one found us anyway.
That’s how we ended up on the banks of the gently-moving White River, a winding and bouncing journey of a few miles away from Ocho Rios. Reflecting the character of the area, this is a no-frills but good-chill way to spend a few hours away from the tourist crowds.
Upon arrival, we said goodbye to our driver, who promised with a huge smile to meet us downstream. Then, we grabbed a tube and life preserver and headed to the river with another independent group that had arrived from a Carnival cruise. As it turns out, they were fellow Georgians, and also no strangers to river tubing.
There really are only two things that require your attention on a smooth-water tubing trip: pushing away if you get too close to the bank and holding on to any beverage that may be in your possession. Otherwise, fellow Parrotheads, channel your inner fruitcake: put on some Bob Marley, and practice what you preach. Get Ja lost in the reggae mon, and forget about the beach.
Around the midway point on this trip, the willing can choose a stop, where rum drinks are available and you can jump off a 20-foot cliff into the water below. We chose to float on by, as climbing to that jumping perch sounded like work.
Dunn’s River Falls, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
If you’ve ever seen a Caribbean travel brochure with pictures beyond the beach, chances are it features at least one shot from Dunn’s River Falls. You know the one — lines of happy people, holding hands, climbing through falling waters all in a perfectly-beautiful setting. You might also recognize it from the Sean Connery-era James Bond movie, “Dr. No,” or from “Cocktail” featuring Tom Cruise.
While crowds peak between 11 am and 2 pm — especially when cruise ships are in port — everyone seems to be in a jolly, cooperative and fun mood as they line up with guide groups to start the walk down to the waterfall base.
Reaching the beach area where the crystal-clear cool water from the falls meets the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean, guides provide instructions for climbing, holding hands in a human chain and having fun on the way up the 180-foot vertical journey. While much of Dunn’s River Falls maintains its natural shape, a few man-made alterations like concrete steps and hand rails make sections of the climb more manageable.
A local camera person accompanies each group, staging photos and videos for those who purchased the (pricey!) package at the start. Despite the cost, this is a better option for recording your climb than carrying your own camera. If you do take your camera, it’s best to use a commercially-available waterproof carrier with a strap, one that permits picture-taking without removing the camera from the bag. And then, it’s best to use this as a second camera to supplement pictures from the local package.
Know, too, that your admission to Dunn’s River Falls allows for an all-day stay. While visitors book excursions and visit for about two hours, there’s a quaint, clean, and uncrowded sandy beach available for your enjoyment, too. Plus the remainder of the grounds is a tropical garden paradise.
Our least-favorite part of Dunn’s River Falls was the forced-march exit path through local vendors. Generally, we enjoy browsing Caribbean markets, but we found vendors here to be aggressive — with several refusing to accept a polite “no thank you” and continuing to push into personal space.
Know Before You Go
- Sun screen is a necessity for any of these adventures.
- Bring some bug spray. You’ll be glad you did.
- Wear hard sole shoes that grip surfaces, not flip flops. Dunn’s River Falls has shoes for rent, but they are the soft-soled water shoes .
- Excursions offer convenient options, but all these attractions can be visited independently. Going on your own will allow you more time, and may permit you to go at less-crowded periods.
You Might Also Enjoy
Keeping with our water theme of this post, you might also like:
- Louisiana Swamp and Gator Tour. Authentic Cajun Captain Craig Matherne takes us on an air boat adventure in search of alligators near New Orleans, LA.
- Lobsterin’ on the Lulu. While visiting Bar Harbor, ME, we enjoyed this three-hour site seeing and educational tour on working lobster boat.
- Short Hikes to Tall Waterfalls. The North Georgia mountains near Atlanta feature spectacular waterfalls, and these require only a short walk for viewing.
- Salmon Fishing Lessons from Alaska. On a cruise stop in Ketchikan, we booked a half-day guided fishing trip in search of salmon. Captain Dan didn’t disappoint.
- See All Our Blogs. Just follow the link and scroll through a few years of adventures. Or, select by topic from the top navigation bar.
