What is it about Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica why people gasp at it? What makes it so special?
There are many waterfalls around the world but some cannot be accessed at all. Others can only be viewed from a far off because of their locations and for safety reasons. Some have all the right things to make them awesome. The Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica is one such place that has all the right things.
One of the unique characteristic of the Dunn’s River Falls, is that, the mouth of the river ideally opens to one end of a beautiful beach. You can walk along the beach and right unto the falls. You feel the big difference in the temperature of the fresh water when you reach the mouth of the river from the beach.
Another characteristic is that you can wade in the cool waters of the river while taking the challenge of climbing its falls. The Dunn’s River Falls is shaped more like an irregularly curved dilapidated giant staircase, covered with an endless flow of fresh water. Because of this you can climb the falls all the way to the top.
I have always gone to Dunn’s River Falls for the climb. Most of the times I would see guides with a trail of climbers with locked arms going up the falls in groups. For me it is solo and on occasions challenging someone to get to the top first.
At the start of the challenge we would be in a rush, but soon forget the purpose of our companionship. Why? Because there were several spots on the falls that we couldn’t just pass, we had to stop and indulge. These spots were like natural Jacuzzi-like swirling tubs, short water slides hewed out by the river, dive pools and other natural occurrences which add flavour to the experience. People would congregate at these spots waiting their turn to jump in or to slide or just bask in the cool fresh water.
The meeting of new friends on the climb is a part of the whole experience. I have always meet people who want assistance getting pass a section, or want a climbing companion or even to show them one of the exits off the falls. Once I had an encounter with a man who didn’t speak English, after a moment of reading his “sign language” I figured out what he was trying to say.
About an hour and a half after starting, we finally reached the top of the falls. As we made our way back down to the beach through the corridors, the original challenge to be the first to the top had gone into our distant memories. It made way for vibrant discussions on the nostalgic moments on the falls.
I cannot explain the feelings you experience during a visit to Dunn’s River Falls. The interactions, the challenges, the scenic view of the falls and the fun; the whole experience is awesome.
The Dunn’s River Falls is a remarkable limestone rock formation. The history of the place is no less outstanding.
The famous Dunn’s River Falls is located in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, just several minutes from where Christopher Columbus first arrived in Jamaica in 1494. Dunn’s River Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Jamaica. To many, it is Jamaica’s priceless treasure. The whole area incorporating Dunn’s River was know as “Las Chorreras” which means “waterfalls.” In 1657 the English and the Spaniards, based in Cuba, fought for the ownership of Jamaica there. The encounter was known as “the battle of Las Chorreras.” The English won, thus today Jamaica is an English speaking Caribbean nation. Under British rule Charles Pryce became the first owner of Las Chorreras. A sign is presently erected at the spot where it was believed the battle took place. It reads; “Dunn’s River: Near this spot was fought the battle of Las Chorreras in 1657 When the English defeated the Spanish expeditionary force from Cuba.”
The Dunn’s River Falls and Park is an astounding flowing falls that extends across more than 183 meters or 600 feet. The site of the Dunn’s River later became part of the 276 acre Belmont property, which was acquired by Government in 1972, to provide for future development of recreational and park facilities. The Belmont property was entrusted to the (UDC) for the people of Jamaica. Dunn’s River Falls are fed by spring water, which is rich with calcium carbonate and is depositing travertine.Such waterfalls are described as “a living phenomenon” because they are continuously regenerates itself from deposits of travertine rock, (the sediments in spring water.) This is as a result of precipitation of calcium carbonate from the springs flowing over the falls.
The small dome-shaped cataracts are usually a characteristic of thermal spring activity found in limestone caves. This, combined with its location near to the sea, gives Dunn’s River Falls the distinction of being the only one of its kind in the Caribbean and probably the world. This wonderful Jamaican treasure attracted the eyes of the very first James Bond film producers, who filmed scenes for the movie “Dr. No,” starring Sean Connery in 1962.
