Jamaica: Horseback Riding and Hiking Dunn River Falls
Jamaica gave me everything I want out of a Caribbean trip — turquoise water, warm people, and adventure around every corner.
The streets of Jamaica
Some of my favorite moments from this trip didn’t happen on an excursion at all — they happened just driving and walking through Jamaica’s streets, soaking up the color, the music, and the everyday rhythm of life there.
Horseback riding
We spent an afternoon horseback riding along the coast, cameras (including a GoPro strapped in for the ride) capturing the horses splashing through the surf. It’s one of those experiences that sounds cliche until you’re actually doing it, and then you understand exactly why everyone recommends it.
Hiking up Dunn River Falls
No trip to Jamaica is complete without Dunn River Falls in Ocho Rios, and we hiked it the classic way — hand in hand up the terraced rock, letting the water rush past us the whole climb. The falls are 180 feet high and 600 feet long, cascading like giant natural stairs from a white sand beach on the Caribbean Sea up into the forest. I shot the climb on a GoPro to keep both hands free for the rocks, and it captured the whole chaotic, joyful scramble perfectly.
Between the horses, the falls, and the streets in between, Jamaica turned out to be one of the most purely fun trips I’ve photographed. If an adventure-filled island getaway sounds like your kind of travel story, I’d love to help you document yours.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Dunn River Falls in Jamaica?
Dunn River Falls in Ocho Rios is about 180 feet high and 600 feet long, cascading in natural terraced steps from a white sand beach up into the forest.
Can you go horseback riding on the beach in Jamaica?
Yes — beach horseback riding is a popular excursion in Jamaica, and it’s an incredible experience to photograph with the horses splashing through the surf.
Is hiking Dunn River Falls difficult?
It’s a moderate climb up wet, terraced rock, usually done hand-in-hand as a group with a guide — manageable for most fitness levels, but you will get wet.
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