Dunn's River Falls: Jamaica's Living Waterfall

Dunn's River Falls is a national treasure of Jamaica, located near Ocho Rios. The falls are not only a major tourist attraction but also a site of historical significance. It is believed to be the location of the battle of “Las Chorreras” in 1657 between the English and Spanish forces. The English won the battle for the island. The Spanish once called the area “Las Chorreras” meaning the waterfalls or springs. Over time “Las Chorreras” was changed to “Ocho Rios”. Today, Dunn's River Falls welcomes visitors to climb its 960-foot (180m) cascading waterfalls. The falls are terraced like giant natural stairs, with several small lagoons interspersed among the vertical sections. The falls are fed by spring water, rich with calcium carbonate, which deposits travertine rock. Geologists describe this as a living phenomenon because the falls are continuously rebuilt by the sediments in the spring water. Visitors can enjoy the gentle flow of the river, relax in Tranquility Garden, or spend time by the splash pad and waterslide in Central Garden. For the adventurous, there is a trek up the falls or a zip line over the falls. The water flows into the Caribbean Sea at the western end of a white-sand beach. Climbing the falls is a popular activity, often done with a tour guide. The climb takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, with breaks for photos and videos. The Dunn's River Falls park also has many souvenirs and crafts, changing facilities, and lockers.