Dunns River Falls & River Rapids Day Trip with Lunch Pickup

Summary

Climb waterfalls, float Rio Bueno, and eat jerk chicken by the sea

You’ll climb Dunns River Falls with help from your local guide, then relax over jerk chicken lunch on a Trelawny beach before floating down Rio Bueno by tube or kayak. Expect laughter, sandy toes, cold drinks — plus pickup at your cruise port so you don’t have to stress about timing.

What’s the experience like?

We piled into the minibus just outside Falmouth port — I could still smell sunscreen and saltwater from the ship. Our driver, Andre, had this way of narrating the road that made every curve feel like a story. The ride along Jamaica’s north coast was all flashes of turquoise sea and those little roadside stands selling coconuts. When we got to Dunns River Falls, I’ll admit I hesitated. The rocks looked slippery and everyone else seemed more sure-footed than me. But our guide (I think her name was Marsha?) just grinned and said, “You’ll be fine — trust your feet.” She was right. Cold water rushed over my ankles as we climbed, grabbing each other’s hands for balance. There’s this moment halfway up where you look back and realize how far you’ve come — I didn’t expect to feel so proud about something as simple as climbing a waterfall.

Afterwards, we were all soaked and starving. Lunch was set up right on the sand in Trelawny — jerk chicken with rice and peas, smoky-sweet and messy to eat with your hands. I tried Ting for the first time (it’s this grapefruit soda), which Andre insisted was “the real Jamaican drink.” He wasn’t wrong. There was reggae playing somewhere behind us and a breeze that kept blowing napkins off the table. It felt easy just sitting there, toes in the sand, not worrying about anything except maybe whether I’d get sunburned.

The afternoon at River Rapids Adventures surprised me most. You pick your thing: tubing, rafting, kayaking… I went for tubing because honestly it looked like less work. Floating down the Rio Bueno is half laughter (I spun in circles at least twice) and half just listening — birds overhead, water slapping against rocks, Marsha calling out which way to paddle if you didn’t want to end up in a bush (which happened to one guy; he took it well). At the end there’s this little boat that takes you out to a private beach — not fancy but quiet enough that you can hear yourself think for a second. Swam in warm ocean water until my fingers wrinkled. Still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dunns River Falls and River Rapids Adventure

• Drive along North Coast to Dunns River Falls
• Climb waterfalls and swim in pools
• Enjoy Jamaican lunch on the beach
• Choose tubing, rafting, or kayaking at River Rapids
• Boat to private beach for swim and drinks
• Change clothes and relax at beach bar
• Return to cruise port

Top questions

How long does the Dunns River Falls & River Rapids tour take?

The full day trip lasts several hours including transfers from Falmouth port; plan for most of your day.

Is lunch included on this Jamaica day trip?

Yes, a Jamaican lunch on the beach with a non-alcoholic drink is included.

Can I choose between tubing or rafting at Rio Bueno?

Yes, you can choose between tubing, rafting, kayaking or river surfing at River Rapids Adventures.

Is pickup from Falmouth cruise port included?

Yes, round-trip shared transfer with port pickup and drop-off is part of the tour package.

Are guides provided during Dunns River Falls climb?

Yes, a local guide leads you during the waterfall climb for safety and support.

What should I bring for Dunns River Falls?

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring water shoes if possible; helmets are provided.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children must be accompanied by an adult; some physical fitness is required due to climbing and river activities.

Are alcoholic drinks included at lunch?

No alcoholic beverages are included; lunch comes with a complimentary non-alcoholic drink like soda or juice.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip port pickup and drop-off from Falmouth, guided entry to both Dunns River Falls and River Rapids Adventures with all activity equipment provided (like helmets), plus a Jamaican beachside lunch with soft drink before returning comfortably to your ship in time.