Ocho Rios Raft, Hotel Or Cruise Port Pickup

Bamboo River Rafting in Ocho Rios

★ 5.0 94 reviews

from $60 per person

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

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
Meeting point: Confirmed after booking
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: Coopa Tours

Overview

A hand-poled bamboo raft, a guide with a long pole, and a slow drift down the river toward a beach near Ocho Rios. That is the core of this outing run by Coopa Tours, which includes roundtrip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle and your entrance ticket for the Rio Nuevo Bamboo Rafting site. The rafting itself lasts about 45 minutes, and reviewers describe it as calm, quiet and easy, more float than adventure.

The flow of the day is simple. Pickup, a drive of about 20 minutes from the cruise port area as one traveller described it, then the raft launch. Guides walk you out onto the raft across the bamboo boards and pole you toward the river mouth. Along the way there is usually music and chatter, and a foot and leg massage has been offered at the halfway point in past accounts. The listing also builds in a shopping and lunch stop at travellers' own expense, and travellers mention shopping with locals during the day.

It suits travellers who want a relaxed outing with transport handled. Groups can run up to 30 travellers, though reviews describe smaller loads of around 10. Expect personable drivers and raft guides, and a low-activity pace that most travellers can manage. Infants sit on laps, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

What's Included

Included

Driver/guide
Air Conditioned Vehicle
Roundtrip transportation
Shopping and lunch stop (at travellers expense)
Ticket/entrance fee (Rio Nuevo Bamboo Rafting)

Not Included

Lunch/dinner
Gratuity (recommended)

Itinerary

PickupRoundtrip transportation is included; a driver collects you in an air-conditioned vehicle. See the listing for pickup details.
Drive to the riverA transfer of roughly 20 minutes from the cruise port area, according to one traveller.
Bamboo river raftingRafting at the JM 876 Rafting Club on the river, 45 minutes, admission ticket included. Guides pole the raft toward the beach, with music and commentary.
Beach stopA short walk on the beach at the river mouth to admire the water. Some vendors pass by, described as not pushy.
Optional extrasSeveral travellers mention a foot and leg massage offered along the way. A shopping stop and lunch stop are also part of the day, at travellers' expense.
Return transferThe driver returns you, with a viewpoint and shopping stop mentioned by one traveller.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in traveller accounts of this trip.

Bring cash. Gratuities are not included and are recommended, and lunch and dinner are at your own expense, so cash is useful on the day.
Slow, easy pace. Multiple travellers call the ride relaxing and calm, with the river portion at 45 minutes. No real fitness is needed; guides assist you onto the raft by sidestepping along bamboo boards.
Guides set the tone. Reviewers repeatedly praise both the drivers and the raft guides for commentary, jokes and music. Names rotate, but the pattern of friendly, informative guides comes up in many accounts.
Short and compact. The full experience runs 1.5 hours to 2 hours, with 45 minutes on the river. That makes it easy to fit around other plans for the day.
Food is separate. A shopping and lunch stop is built into the day but paid for by travellers. Lunch and dinner are listed as not included, so budget for them separately.
Good for photos. Travellers mention beautiful views along the river and at the beach. Keep a phone or camera ready for the river mouth and the coast.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and infants must sit on laps. One reviewer described the beach portion as brief, with little else to do beyond admiring the water and vendors passing by. Changes and cancellations inside 24 hours of the start time receive no refund or acceptance.

Common Questions

Is Pickup Included?

Yes, this tour includes roundtrip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver and guide. See the listing for pickup details, including where your driver will meet you.

How Long Does The Tour Last?

The full experience runs 1.5 hours to 2 hours from start to finish. The rafting portion itself is about 45 minutes on the river.

Is Food Included?

No. Lunch and dinner are not included, though a shopping and lunch stop is part of the day at travellers' own expense. Gratuity is also not included and is recommended, so bring cash.

Is The Entrance Fee Included?

Yes, the ticket and entrance fee for Rio Nuevo Bamboo Rafting is included in what you pay. Optional extras, such as the riverside foot and leg massage mentioned by several travellers, cost more.

Can Children Or People With Limited Mobility Join?

Most travellers can participate, but the tour is not wheelchair accessible and infants must sit on laps. Boarding the raft involves sidestepping along bamboo boards with a guide's help. The group is capped at 30 travellers.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the experience's start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. Cut-off times follow the experience's local time.