Ocho Rios Jamaica offers amazing Resort Day Pass options. Treat yourself to an all inclusive experience during your day at port.
We’ve cruised to Jamaica many times and have done the “standard” tours. They’re great. Ocho Rios has amazing beaches, blue waters, weather, and people.
We’ve also realized that the most convenient way to take advantage of Jamaica's assets is with a Resort Day Pass.
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Why choose a Resort Day Pass in Ocho Rios?
Top reasons for an all inclusive cruise day pass vs normal excursion.
Jamaica is not the safest cruise port in the Caribbean. We wouldn't necessarily say that it's "dangerous." But, safety should always be a priority when selecting your Ocho Rios cruise excursion. Only use a reputable tour provider if not choosing a resort. And please be very careful when engaging in commerce with locals.
A resort is your best option if safety is a concern. You'll have no worries within the protected walls of any option below. Security and privacy are valuable amenities at these resorts. We’ve never heard of an incident within one of Jamaica’s resorts. In the rare chance of a health or security issue, you'd want to be at any of these resorts vs an alternative excursion option!
From our map below, you can see that all resorts are near your Ocho Rios Cruise Port. Each option below includes transportation to and from the Terminal. They range in distance from 5 to 45 minutes from port. Please note these estimates if your transfer time is important to you. Once on site, you’ll be in complete relaxation for hours.
You'll have every amenity at your fingertips. No need to worry about haggling over price, finding food, renting beach chairs, etc. And you won’t need to check your watch constantly to make sure your excursion provider will get you back on time. Your only inconvenience will be deciding which drink to order next. This is an easy “problem” to solve since drinks are all-inclusive.
Most organized shore excursions are run by “mom and pop” shops. Many do a great job. But, they’re not held to the same standards as the resort properties. When you’re done with your snorkeling gear at the Hilton, they’ll clean and sanitize the equipment. After a tour with “ Lou’s Snorkeling Fun Time,” the gear might get a quick splash of Red Stripe before the next cruise passenger straps it on. This is a bit of an exaggeration, but hopefully you get where we’re going. The resorts will likely have newer beach chairs, fresher towels, and cleaner restrooms.
You’ll see the cost of an all-inclusive day pass averages roughly $100 per person. This is similar to the cost of a resort for a day pass in Ocho Rios. However, you’ll find much more included in one of the options listed below.
A "standard" beach excursion includes many hidden costs. You might pay for beach access. Chair rentals will cost $20 per. Drink costs will likely be double that. Then you'll likely want to tack on events like kayaking or snorkeling.
You can easily spend $100 per person going "a la carte." And you'll likely leave a bit hungrier and “thirstier” than if the situation were all-inclusive. There's also an intangible value to the buffet style. The freedom to order whatever you want all day long is a huge bonus.
If you’ve gotten this far, we’ll assume you’re “all-in” for a resort day pass in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Good decision. You'll be happy with your decision!
Now we'll need to find the perfect day pass option. It will depend on your crew. Are you traveling with kids or are you on a romantic getaway? Are you hoping to get active or more interested in relaxing? Is price an important factor?
Below you’ll find two amazing all inclusive options at Jamaica’s best resorts. We’ve broken down each to show what’s included so you know exactly what to expect. Regardless of your priorities, we're confident that there's a great option for you below.
In the Jamaica Map above, you’ll see all of your available Resort Options. Your Ocho Rios Cruise Terminal is indicated by the maroon ship icon. The resorts are shown by the black, numbered icons. You can see that both are nearby. We also note the taxi distance and any related costs for your convenience.
We've analyzed every resort day pass option in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Below are the two best options with all of the detail you'll need to make your choice.
Jewel Paradise Cove Resort Day Pass
Luxury Resort with a health & fitness theme!
Are you looking for a beach or poolside shore tour while in Ocho Rios? Either way, the Jewel Paradise Cove is ideal. In addition to the vast beach and tranquil cove, the resort offers three pools and multiple whirlpools. You'll enjoy unlimited food and drinks from the swim up bar or multiple other dining venues. Your Jamaica day pass even includes premium beverage options! Paradise Cove is one of the most popular options for couples!
Jewel Paradise Cove is an adults-only and all inclusive option while in Ocho Rios. The 18+ age requirement assures less noise and more peace than the Lido Deck of your cruise ship. The horseshoe-shaped beach and lagoon offer calmer waters for swimming and relaxing during your beach excursion. Also feel free to get active at the Enhanced Water Sports Center or with provided tennis court amenities. The Jewel Paradise Cove is an ideal excursion for couples visiting Jamaica!
- Port Transfers
- All Meals
- Drinks (Booze too)
- Private Beach
- 3 Pools
- Swim Up Bar
- 3 Whirlpools
- Lounge Chairs
- Towels
- Activities
- Entertainment
- Tennis Courts
- Water Sports
- Fitness Center
- Free Wifi
- Volleyball
NOTE: The Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort is adults only! Also, it has limited resort passes allocated to cruise passengers. Make sure to book well in advance to assure that there's availability.
Jewel Paradise Cove PLUS SPA
Adults only, unlimited food & drink AND 30 minute massage!
At the Jewel Paradise Cove, you don't have to choose between "beach" or "pool." In addition to the vast stretch of sand and tranquil cove, the resort offers three pools and multiple whirlpools. You'll enjoy unlimited food and drinks from the swim up bar or multiple other dining venues. Your Jamaica day pass even includes premium beverage options! Paradise Cove is one of the most popular options for couples!
Jewel Paradise Cove is another adults-only and all inclusive option while in Ocho Rios. The 18+ age requirement assures less noise and more peace than the Lido Deck of your cruise ship. The horseshoe-shaped beach and lagoon offer calmer waters for swimming and relaxing during your beach excursion. Also feel free to get active at the Enhanced Water Sports Center or with provided tennis court amenities. The Jewel Paradise Cove is an ideal excursion for couples visiting Jamaica! This tour option includes a 30 minute massage!
- Port Transfers
- All Meals
- Drinks (Booze too)
- Private Beach
- 3 Pools
- Swim Up Bar
- 3 Whirlpools
- Lounge Chairs
- Towels
- Activities
- Entertainment
- Tennis Courts
- Water Sports
- Fitness Center
- Free Wifi
- 30 Minute Massage
NOTE: The Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort is adults only! Also, it has limited resort passes allocated to cruise passengers. Make sure to book well in advance to assure that there's availability.
RIU Ocho Rios Cruise Day Pass
All Inclusive with Waterpark & Transfer!
This family-friendly resort does it right. The kids will be 100% entertained by the waterpark and many other activities. Meanwhile, the adults can enjoy an open bar and ultra-relaxing vibe.
This all-inclusive, Ocho Rios spot offers tasty cuisines from the buffet and poolside meals at the grill. To wash it down, you have your pick of three bars on site! And yes, of course one of those is a swim-up bar.
Getting here is a breeze with deluxe motor coach transportation included from your Ocho Rios Cruise Port. It's a quick 20-minute scenic ride from the port. The shuttle leaves 45 minutes after your cruise ship arrives and picks you up 2 hours before departure.
See below for a list of the many attractions provided with your RIU Cruise Day Pass.
- Transfers (deluxe coach)
- Private Beach
- Fresh Water Pools
- Water Park (Splash Water World)
- Children's Pool with Slide
- Lounge Chairs
- Towels
- Two Restaurants
- Unlimited Booze
- 3 Bars (Including a Swim Up Bar)
- Paddle Surf
- Catamaran
- Snorkeling
- Beach Volleyball
- Fitness Center
- Free Wifi
NOTE: Children need to be at least 3.9 feet tall to enter the waterpark. The minimum recommended age is 12 years old! The waterpark is closed on Tuesdays. Also, it has limited resort passes allocated to cruise passengers. Make sure to book well in advance to assure that there's availability.
We hope this post helps you to make the most of your time in Ocho Rios.
It's tough to choose a cruise excursion. You can't go wrong with a resort for a day pass. These properties are optimized for your relaxation and enjoyment. Standard tours are great too. They're just "hit or miss." Remove all risk with one of the options above.
Check out additional options for the other ports on your cruise itinerary. The post below lists every day pass option for ports in the Caribbean!
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