The Island is beautiful. The port not so. My wife says she never feels "comfortable" in Ocho Rios and neither do I. Get a ships tour or one of the recommended private tours. I don't recommend walking or taking a cab. The tour companies make a point of staying with their customers from beginning to end, back at the cruise terminal.
Modern, up to date, safe feeling. Good beaches along 7 mile beach and Rum Point. Good shopping, but not a lot of "deals" except in higher end jewelry and watches. Plenty of watersports, snorkeling and diving and best for this.
Really nice beaches, good shopping and good deals for lower end jewelry and t-shirts. Good and plenty of beach bars. Good restaurants in town. Safe feeling but plenty of hawkers, especially in the plaza. Beware the fakes.
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