Dunn’s River Falls and Park in Ocho Rios, St Ann, is being lined up for a major redevelopment that could significantly expand the experience beyond its famous waterfall climb.
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is pursuing plans to transform the world-renowned attraction into a destination where visitors could spend an entire day enjoying a wider range of activities, dining and entertainment.
UDC Chairman Norman Brown outlined some of the possibilities during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, including a zip line, lazy river, fine dining and a small amphitheatre for events. The plans could also eventually include cabins located further into the hills of the property.
More Than the Waterfall
According to Brown, the extensive Dunn’s River property has considerably more space than many visitors realise, with large sections extending into the hills beyond the area most tourists experience.
The redevelopment is intended to make greater use of that space while expanding the attraction’s tourism and economic contribution to Jamaica.
Rather than visitors coming primarily to climb the falls before leaving, the proposed development would give them more reasons to stay on the property longer.
Brown said the project is also expected to create more opportunities for businesses connected to the attraction, including restaurants, craft vendors and ground transportation operators.
Plans Still Moving Through Approvals
The proposed redevelopment is not yet a completed project. Brown said the plans are being guided by a master plan prepared by internationally renowned architects, while the UDC has already issued a Request for Proposals for the construction phase.
The corporation is still moving through the necessary approval processes before construction can begin.
The UDC has previously said that craft vendors will remain an important consideration as the redevelopment moves forward. In March 2025, the corporation said it was engaging with craftspeople about measures including training, business development support and improvements to their working spaces.
A Broader Tourism Experience
Dunn’s River Falls is already one of Jamaica’s best-known natural attractions and is managed by the UDC. The waterfall is notable for its cascading terraces and its direct flow into the Caribbean Sea.
The proposed expansion would add another dimension to the attraction, with the UDC looking to use more of the property while creating additional commercial opportunities in the surrounding area.
If the plans proceed as outlined, visitors could eventually have access to a combination of adventure activities, dining, entertainment and overnight accommodation alongside the traditional Dunn’s River experience.
For now, however, the attractions discussed by the UDC remain part of the redevelopment vision, with further approvals and the construction process still ahead.