Honeymoon at Sandals Ocho Rios Resort

Some of the best things we did included a trip to Dunn's River Falls, a Tubing Trip up in the Blue Mountains, and shopping in the duty free shops in downtown Ocho Rios. Since this is an all-inclusive resort, we also enjoyed the restaurants at both the Sandals Ocho Rios and the Sandals Dunn's River Falls.

Quick Tips:

Don't leave the compound to walk around. While Jamaica was beautiful, the one time my wife and I decided to just wander outside of the all-inclusive resort, we were surrounded by panhandlers.
I highly recommend the MJB drinks at the pool bars. It's kind of like a banana daiquiri with an extra kicker. Make sure that the bartender puts a floater on the top for you.

Best Way To Get Around:

Take the Booze Cruise to Dunn's River Falls. You get Rum Punch all the way to the falls. The Sandals photographer also goes with you, so you'll be sure to get some good photos.

Sandals offers 257 rooms in five different ranges. We booked our accomodations at the Deluxe level but by our Travel Agent''s request were provided with an upgrade to a Honeymoon Grande Luxe Villa room.

From what I saw, every room on the property was very nice. Our villa overlooked a garden and a babbling brook. It was a very short walk to the Waterfront and pools. We were also nearby some very secluded hot tubs which we made extensive use of.

Valentino's is a White Glove gourmet italian restaurant. It is part of the Sandal's All-Inclusive package. The All-Inclusive package includes some very good Jamaican wines, but if you want a particular wine, you may order it at an additional charge.

Valentino's is a must place to eat among the many restaurants at the Sandal's Ocho Rios resort.

The food was excellent. The waitstaff impeccable.

One of the must dos in Ocho Rios is to walk up Dunn's River falls. We enjoyed it so much, we did it twice on our honey moon.

The best way to do this if you are staying at Sandals Ocho Rios is to take the Booze Cruise. You board a Catamaran and are served Rum Punch for the 20-30 minute ride. Once you arrive, you are at the bottom of the falls.

A guide will greet your party along with a camera guide. The camera guide will hold your camera while you go so you are able to get some once in a lifetime pictures. They also send a videographer and provide you with an opportunity to purchase a video of your climb as well (highly recommended).

One memorable moment is that there is one deep spot in the falls where you literally get to fall backward and take a plunge (all on video tape).

Sandals Ocho Rios is an all inclusive resort. My wife and I spent 10 fun filled days while we were there, enjoying the pools, the all-you-can-eat and drink restaurants and bars.

We used a Travel Agent to book the trip for us through Apple Vacations. One quick tip before you go: ask your travel agent to request an upgrade on your behalf. We were upgraded from a non-water view to a Suite room overlooking a beautiful garden!

Our trip started out by boarding the Air Jamacan jet. It was a champagne flight and boy was it a hoot! As we boarded the plane, I looked down the cabin and could tell that the plane was filled with honeymooners. All of the men on the plane were figiting with their ring fingers on their left hand (obviously not used to the ring) and all of the women had french nails!

Upon arriving at the Montego Bay airport, we had to clear through customs and then boarded a bus that would take us to Ocho Rios. (another tip: make sure you have $1 per bag American to tip the guys loading your luggage on the bus. One of the gentleman taking the ride only had twenties and was quite embarassed when the Jamaican's were asking for something for the effort.)

The bus ride was a very harrowing experience at times. The two-lane road was very narrow and I was sitting in the front. Any time a car in the opposite lane approached, I thought we were about to collide head on. It was about a 2 hour drive with a stop at an Oasis for refreshments.

When we finally arrived, we were given moist towels and champagne while we registered.