Rio Nuevo Raft With Ocho Rios Pickup

Ocho Rios: Bamboo River Rafting in Ocho Rios Jamaica

★ 4.1 25 reviews

from $99.75 per person

Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 2 hours
Meeting point: Confirmed after booking
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: CoopaTours

Overview

This two-hour excursion pairs a downstream float on a 30-foot handcrafted bamboo raft with round-trip transport from the Ocho Rios area. Pickup is confirmed at the time of booking, and the ride out to the Rio Nuevo River runs in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide who points out places of interest and talks through Jamaican history and culture along the way.

At the river, the raft sets off on a peaceful downstream cruise while local stories about Jamaica's history and way of life are told along the way. Travellers who want a turn at the tiller can get a brief lesson in steering. One raft holds two people, so an odd-numbered booking means three people share a single raft. The raft entry ticket is part of the package; lunch or dinner is not.

The tour runs at a relaxed pace, with the cruise described in the listing as peaceful rather than demanding. Several travellers praised the drivers and raft captains by name for being informative and unhurried.

What's Included

Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Driver/guide
Bamboo raft entry ticket
Round-trip transportation

Not Included

Lunch/dinner
Limestone Foot Massage US$40.00 per person

Itinerary

Hotel pickupPickup is from one of the listed locations around Ocho Rios, with the exact point confirmed at booking.
Drive to the riverTravel by air-conditioned bus or coach with a driver-guide who talks about the scenery and local history on the way.
Rio Nuevo River raftingBoard a 30-foot handcrafted bamboo raft with a captain for a peaceful downstream cruise, with an optional short lesson in steering.
Return transferThe bus or coach takes you back to one of the drop-off locations.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this trip, based on the listing and what past travellers have said.

Bring cash. One reviewer regretted not having local currency for tipping the driver and raft captain, and another wished they had left a bigger tip. Bring some cash if you plan to tip. The optional limestone foot massage is priced at US$40.00 per person.
Bring a camera. The listing suggests a camera as the one thing to bring. It is the only item the operator recommends, so pack one for the raft and the drive.
Relaxed pace. The listing describes a relaxing and peaceful cruise rather than a workout. The captain handles the raft, and guests can try steering briefly if they wish.
Raft pairing. Each raft takes two people. If your group has an odd number, three of you will share one raft, which the listing flags in its know-before-you-go notes.
Wet weather. One reviewer reported a rainy day that still turned out well thanks to an entertaining captain. The listing does not state a rain policy, so check conditions and pack accordingly if the forecast looks wet.
Guides praised. Reviewers again and again describe the drivers and raft captains as friendly, informative and unhurried. Several name their crew specifically. The consistent pattern across reviews is a personable, knowledgeable crew.

Common issues. A couple of reviewers felt the raft ride was too short for the price. One traveller said their raft had no flower decorations while others did. Another single review reported being taken to a different location than booked, an isolated complaint but worth knowing. The limestone foot massage carries its own price of US$40.00 per person, and one reviewer was caught without cash for tipping.

Common Questions

Is Pickup Included?

Yes, round-trip transportation from listed pickup locations is included, with a wide choice of points around Ocho Rios. The exact pickup point is confirmed when you book. An air-conditioned vehicle and driver-guide are part of the package.

What Is Included In The Price?

Round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a driver-guide, and the bamboo raft entry ticket are included, while lunch or dinner is not. A limestone foot massage is listed at US$40.00 per person. Several reviewers mention tipping the crew, so plan for that with cash.

How Long Does The Tour Last?

The total duration is two hours. That covers the transfers and the raft cruise on the Rio Nuevo River. Some reviewers felt the raft ride itself was on the short side.

Can I Try Steering The Raft?

Yes. The listing says the captain will teach you how to steer the raft for a minute or two if you feel adventurous. One reviewer confirmed the captain let them have a go. The captain handles the raft the rest of the time.

What If Our Group Has An Odd Number Of People?

One raft accommodates two people, so with an odd-numbered booking three people will share a single raft. The listing states this directly. There is no extra charge mentioned for the third person on a raft.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Inside that window the listing does not state a refund. Bring a camera, and cash if you plan to tip or add the foot massage.