My local take
Older Jamaicans still call this place Coyaba, after Coyaba Gardens and Museum, which used to be here. It reopened as Konoko Falls in 2015 under the Guardsman Group, and the Gleaner reported that “Konoko” is the Taino (Arawak) word for rainforest. The park is small: river gardens with fish ponds, a museum on Jamaican history, aviaries and a mini zoo, and a waterfall you can climb from bottom to top with a swim in the pools on the way.
Compared with Dunn’s River Falls, the climb is shorter and the crowds are thinner, which makes it the easier choice with young children or anyone nervous on wet rock. Compared with the Blue Hole at Island Gully Falls, it’s less about jumping and deep water. My take: if you have done Dunn’s River before, or you want a calmer half-day close to town with something for the non-climbers too, Konoko is the better fit. If it’s your first time and you want the famous climb, go to Dunn’s River.
For the big climb, see Dunn’s River Falls, and for swimming and rope swings, the Blue Hole at Island Gully Falls. For hotels and the rest of the area, see our Ocho Rios guide.
How to get there
The park says it is about five minutes from the center of Ocho Rios, up the hill behind town. A taxi from the town center or the cruise pier is a short ride. From resorts east of town, such as Jamaica Inn, or west at Mammee Bay, such as Hotel Riu Ocho Rios, allow extra time for traffic through town.
From Montego Bay, allow roughly two hours by road along the north coast highway. From Negril, it’s a long day of three hours or more each way. Transport isn’t included in the entry fee, but the park says it can arrange it at extra cost if you contact them ahead.
Without a car: It's a short licensed taxi ride from Ocho Rios town. Agree the fare with the driver before you get in.
What to expect
You can walk the park at your own pace or take the guided tour, which leads you through the river gardens, covers the history of the Taino, introduces the birds and animals, and takes you up the waterfall. The climb starts at the bottom deck, passes a swimming pool and a cascade you can stand under, and ends in a pool at the top, with stairs back down. The park asks you to follow your guide’s instructions, and says climbing may be suspended in bad weather.
The museum covers Jamaica from the Taino to the present day with artifacts, maps and pictures. The mini zoo and aviaries include Jamaican species such as the Jamaican crocodile, the Jamaican boa and the Jamaican barn owl, plus budgies.
Lockers rent for US$5. There is a café, a jerk pit and two bars. Photographers on site sell photos of your climb, which are extra, and water shoes are for sale. The park lists payment in US, Canadian, British or Jamaican cash, or major credit cards.
Local tips
Bring a towel, sunscreen and water shoes. You need proper footwear to climb, and buying shoes there adds to the cost.
Reserve ahead if you aren’t coming with a tour. The park recommends that independent visitors book with its online reservation form.
Jamaican residents should call the park and ask about local rates. The website lists only visitor prices and says to call for discounts.
If some of your group don’t want to climb, the gardens, museum and mini zoo will keep them busy while the rest go up the falls.
Before you go
- The website looks like it hasn’t been updated in years, and we couldn’t find a recent official update. Call or email to confirm hours and prices before you go.
- The falls are wet rock with moving water, and the paths include steps and bridges. It isn’t suitable for anyone with limited mobility.
- It’s a small park. If you’re expecting something on the scale of Dunn’s River, you may find it over quickly.
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Questions people ask
How much does Konoko Falls cost?
The park’s website lists entry at US$20 for adults and US$10 for children aged 3 to 12, with children under 3 free. Lockers are US$5. Call the park for any discounted rates.
What are Konoko Falls' opening hours?
The park lists its hours as 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Sunday, and says it opens on every public holiday. Climbing may be suspended in bad weather.
Is Konoko Falls better than Dunn's River Falls?
They suit different people. Dunn’s River is bigger, busier and the classic climb. Konoko is smaller and quieter, close to town, and adds gardens, a museum and a mini zoo, so it works well with young children.
What was Konoko Falls called before?
It was Coyaba Gardens and Museum. It reopened as Konoko Falls in 2015 after refurbishment, under the Guardsman Group.
Sources & updates
- Konoko Falls and Park (official site): About Us and entrance fees · checked
- Konoko Falls and Park: Contact (opening hours) · checked
- Konoko Falls and Park: Tour info (lockers, food, payment, transport) · checked
- Konoko Falls and Park: Waterfall · checked
- Konoko Falls and Park: Museum, Botanical Garden, Mini-Zoo · checked
- Jamaica Gleaner: Konoko Falls and Gardens, Ocho Rios' newest attraction (Apr 2015) · checked
- Jamaica Gleaner: Konoko Falls feature, St Ann (Mar 2015; name and management) · checked
- OpenStreetMap: Konoko Falls (map location) · checked
Update log
- — Rewritten as a researched guide; facts re-checked.
- — Link refresh: Swapped Moon Palace Jamaica link for Jamaica Inn, about 10 minutes from the park.
- — Moved source citations out of the text
- — Removed repeated advice
- — Trimmed hurricane references to where they change the advice
Spotted something out of date? Tell me and I’ll check it.