I am thinking about booking the Dunn's River Falls excursion because it looks beautiful but I was wondering if you HAVE to climb them or if you can just hang out and take in the beauty. I read something about taking stairs if you don't want to climb. Any info would be appreciated!

I believe thereare excursions that would take you just to that beach, When I went, my cousin was unable to climb. She took the stairs and then got on almost at the top for some pictures. I have been there three times and it truly is something you have to see at least once. I always seem to be going again when I travel with someone that has not been, but it is still very nice. Have a great time.

We had  some people that didn't want to climb the falls that went on our excursion and they enjoyed the falls almost as much as the ones that did climb.

TexasBlubonnet:

I was wondering if you HAVE to climb them or if you can just hang out and take in the beauty.

Hello there TexasBlubonnet, me and my family went to DunnRiver Falls and not all of us climbed the rocks. My mother and aunt and eventually my uncle took in the sites because they didnt want to climb. You still have to pay to enter the park. You have a choice to relax and take pictures of the natural scenery, there is a beach there to sun bathe, a food concession stand, and plenty of shopping at the market located inside. I must say I never imagined I would have climbed a rock that tall with rushing waters, but getting to the top was very liberating and breathtaking :) Hope you enjoy your trip.

Kimmy

Thank you all for the info!  I am glad you can still enjoy it without having to climb. I am not very surefooted and I have a bad ankle so I would be afraid to try and climb the falls. But I think I can handle some stairs! Haha!  Thanks again!

 Texas Blubonnet

Hey,

I took in Dunns a few years ago just shortly after bone marrow surgery on my left ankle was dealing with the still swelling and actually have problems with it letting go on me so i thought no way could I climb it however there is a section off the stairs that you can get in the water and meet your party coming up (the first 1/4 is the hardest I joined my group there and climbed the rest of the way up the water is cool enough that it kept my ankle from swelling even the litllest bit (mind you cool not cold) and the swirling water actually felt a little like a whirlpool they use for PT as for sure footed yes it can be slippery I climbed in river walkers (teva sandles) but my friends all rented water booties from the ship or you can bring your own from home and we were all fine its a wonderfull experience you won't want to miss....take a waterproof camera even if you don't climb there is spray back on the stairs give one to someone who does climb there are several flat spots to take photos of them in the water the guides are usually willing to do so.

It is a shame that you don't feel that you want to climb the falls. We climbed them last year and it was one of the top experiences in my life. We are not the most in shape people and I was concerned about my abilities but had a great time. I would think climbing the stairs would be harder on the lungs than the falls. The falls are cool and refreshing and there are many pools along the way that you stop at. You really dont climb more than 5 or 6 steps before it levels out for a little bit and then there are more steps. They make your group form a human chain by holding hands and that is great because the person in front of you helps pull you up if you need help on the bigger steps. The jamaicans working the falls are fantastic and always are in there with a helping hand and directing everyone. They are very careful about safety and make sure the group travels up the easiest/safest route.

Either way you do it, have fun! It is beautiful.

We went to the falls when staying at a resort in Jamaica and it is kind of like a park.  You can go in and walk through stuff and there are spots for taking pictures.  You can also climb out on just a couple of rocks to feel the rushing water or to get pics without climbing all the way up the falls.

One thing worth mentioning is that there are "vendors" selling stuff and they really hound you on the way in and the way out of the long entrance to the falls.

I was glad that we got to do this experience, but I am not sure if I would do it again.  If you get the chance go to Tajma Hall they sell just about anything that you could want for pretty cheap ya just have to haggle a bit.