Green Grotto Caves Excursion from Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Trip Type: Half-day Tours
Duration: 4 hours
The Green Grotto Caves, known at various times as the Runaway Bay Caves, are among Jamaica's most prominent natural attractions. Having seen visitors since the 18th century, the Green Grotto Caves have earned international acclaim.
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The Green Grotto Caves, known at various times as the Runaway Bay Caves, are among Jamaica's most prominent natural attractions. Having seen visitors since the 18th century, the Green Grotto Caves have earned international acclaim.
The tour begins at pick up from the lobby your Ocho Rios hotel or at the Ocho Rios cruise port. From there you will journey along the coastal highway to Discovery Bay where the Green Grotto Caves are situated on 64 acres (25.9 hectares) of beautiful Jamaican land. The Caves are located between the resort centers of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay with Discovery Bay to the west and Runaway Bay to the east.
The central feature of this natural attraction is the large labyrinthine limestone cave with its numerous rock formations, its stalactites, stalagmites and abundance of overhead ceiling pockets. Your guide will explain the rich history of the caves, telling the story of the people who have used the caves for various purposes over the years. The discovery of cave paintings, tools and fragments of pottery indicate that the original inhabitants of the caves were the Taino Indians who would have used the caves for shelter.
The next known inhabitants were the Spanish who, at the time of the British invasion of Jamaica (1655), hid in the caves to avoid capture. There is an underground tunnel which links the caves to the sand at Runaway bay. It is believed that the Spanish used the tunnel in their attempt escape the Island and flee to Cuba. Runaway slaves have also used the caves to hide from their former masters. During World War II, rum barrels were stored here for safe keeping by the Jamaican Government.
Next we head into town to have lunch at a local Jamaican jerk restaurant for a bite of Jamaica's famous jerk chicken or pork and a sip of ice-cold Red Stripe beer. Other types of foods and drinks are available to meet all tastes including meals for children. (cost of meal not included).
The excursion will finish up with shopping at one of the local craft markets where you can buy a gifts and souvenirs. After shopping you will be returned to your Ocho Rios hotel or cruise port.
The central feature of this natural attraction is the large labyrinthine limestone cave with its numerous rock formations, its stalactites, stalagmites and abundance of overhead ceiling pockets. Your guide will explain the rich history of the caves, telling the story of the people who have used the caves for various purposes over the years. The discovery of cave paintings, tools and fragments of pottery indicate that the original inhabitants of the caves were the Taino Indians who would have used the caves for shelter.
The next known inhabitants were the Spanish who, at the time of the British invasion of Jamaica (1655), hid in the caves to avoid capture. There is an underground tunnel which links the caves to the sand at Runaway bay. It is believed that the Spanish used the tunnel in their attempt escape the Island and flee to Cuba. Runaway slaves have also used the caves to hide from their former masters. During World War II, rum barrels were stored here for safe keeping by the Jamaican Government.
Next we head into town to have lunch at a local Jamaican jerk restaurant for a bite of Jamaica's famous jerk chicken or pork and a sip of ice-cold Red Stripe beer. Other types of foods and drinks are available to meet all tastes including meals for children. (cost of meal not included).
The excursion will finish up with shopping at one of the local craft markets where you can buy a gifts and souvenirs. After shopping you will be returned to your Ocho Rios hotel or cruise port.
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