Jamaica - Duns River Falls

Mike Finley

Anybody been there, done that? I'm trying to find out if you need a "guide" in order to do it or not. We would prefer to do it un-guided if possible, but I can't find out any information online if there is some sort of rule that would makes us have to use a guide or if there is really any sort of reason to use one.

Tscarborough

We did not use the guide, just enjoyed it for ourselves.

Speedy Petey

We used the guided hike. It was through our hotel.

Then again this was 17(!) years ago.

__________________

Peladu

No, you do not need a guide. And don't pay for the tour thing from the hotel/resort. This is why, the hotel will charge something like $35 per person to do this. But, you can get a taxi, most likely under $10 (from Montego Bay) and there is a sign in front of the falls that say $4 for residence and $5 for non residence. So, you and the Mr.s could give the resort $70 or pay $30 with a taxi round trip and not in a crowded bus.
The water in the falls is cold, factor in a high amount of shrinkage!

Mike Finley

Thanks, it sounds like what I suspected. Accept for the shrinkage.

joasis

I caught good avice before ever going to the islands...and that was always ask the locals outside the hotel gates what to see and how much to pay. On St.Kitts, we saw the entire island, all the local markets, stuff tourists do not see...the inside of a sugar cane mill, and on and on...for $50 for a full day! We could have taken other tours cheaper, or rented a car....but I asked the assembled cabs outside the gate what the offer was, and an old man in a beat up bus said he would show us the island, all of it for $50...and threw in lunch in a local shop (we passed)...so if I ever go again, unless there would be a risk, I would try a local.

__________________

snapper21

I haven't been, but my brother/sister in law did. They agreed with what I've seen posted. You can get dragged through the tourist traps and spend lots of money with an established "tour guide". Or you can really see the island with a local cab driver and help their economy from the roots. Extra cash in his pocket gets you a tour to remember and it still beats the price of the est. guides.

Tscarborough

A word to the wise: Don't do that in Jamacia.

PipeGuy

Never been there but I think sage advice none-the-less. Family friends were there 2 years ago and the wifey awoke from her nap (in her hotel room ) with a knife at her throat. Her scream brought husband and buddy from the adjacent room and the perp fled out the third floor balcony. Suffice it to say they've opted to go elsewhere in the islands each year since.

__________________
Fortunately I keep my feathers numbered for...for just such an emergency. -Foghorn Leghorn

RYANINMICHIGAN

I love Saint Maarten, totaly safe wondering alone.

Tscarborough

Most of the other islands are totally safe; Jamacia is not.

hilltop

I was there in March and stayed at an all inclusive resort. You don't need a guided tour to climb the falls but you will have to fight your way between guided groups.

Don't go wandering Jamaica by yourself. The taxi drivers are notorious for taking you out into the middle of nowhere and extorting more money out of you to get you back to your hotel. There is a lot of corruption in that country so use your head.

You'll get a kick out of cars passing on a curve or hill and forcing oncoming traffic to the shoulder. Take a lot of one dollar bills as they will bend over backward for a couple bucks. I had a great time and I would go back again.

joasis

I haven't kept up with travel for a long time, but when I was doing a lot of it in the early 90's the word was to avoid Jamaica...this is what i was referring to when I said if there would be a risk. The dominican Republic is another one I would avoid...on the positive, St Maartens, St John, St. Thomas, Nevis/St. Kitts, Aruba...all places I would be comfortable with...but to each their own.

__________________

Teetorbilt

We were there last Sept., stick to the rocks that have kind of a cross-hatched look to them. They scratch the slime with some kind of a tool to give you a better footing.

What everbody says about not getting caught alone is true. Stick to the buses and stay with large groups. When we were there, Castro was visiting and the natives were reallyrestless.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Mike Finley

Anybody know for sure how long it takes to get to Duns River Falls from Montego Bay? I have only seen one bit of info that said 2 hours. If that's the case I don't think I'm in. I'm not looking forward to a 4 hour round trip trapped in a car.

Tscarborough

At least 2 hours.

DaveH

My wife and I were there 2 years ago( at the falls) Everything was fine until multiple guys kept coming up and trying to stuff weed in my pockets. One finally did it then said you owe me $20. I tried to hand it back and he said you know you can go to prison here for that!... I told him I didn't have any money on me but I would go ask the cop at the bottom of the falls for a loan....It was pretty wild looking stuff I must admit. He ran like the theif in the night he was....Oh yea and try to look as poor and slovenly as possible. I have a friend who goes there every year. he goes about a week without shaving before he arrives, and wears essentially rags, and has never had a problem. When they think you are rich then the buzzards swarm...

__________________
A buck a foot is not an estimate! It's a crap shoot!

Mike Finley

If that is the case then fu#k it. We're going to have to find something closer to Montego Bay.

hilltop

It's a cool place to see but not worth a two and a half hour drive from Montego Bay.

A+Carpenter

I was born in Jamacia no lie

__________________