Reportedly the place where Christopher Columbus first set foot on Jamaican soil, Rio Bueno is a small village east of Montego Bay. People come to the area to take part in water sports on the river.
Tubing, rafting, kayaking, and more: the Rio Bueno is one of Jamaica’s water sports hotspots. No matter which sport you choose you’re sure to get your heart pumping with a day out on the river.
If you prefer to take things easy, take a stroll around the picturesque village with its churches and river warehouses and stop by Rio Bueno harbor—the deepest harbor on the island, and the place where Columbus disembarked. The town Runaway Bay with its coral reef and beaches is just a short distance away.
- The watersports activities at Rio Bueno are not suitable for young children.
- Make sure you wear a swimsuit or clothes you don’t mind getting wet.
- Some water-based activities may be difficult for people with limited mobility.
Rio Bueno is located on Jamaica’s north-central coast, 35 miles from Montego Bay. The easiest ways to get around the island are by car, taxi or shared minibuses. Some water sports tours offer round-trip transport to and from your hotel.
The best time of year to visit Jamaica is from December to March; this is high season when you’ll find the widest variety of activities on offer. Hurricane season runs from June to November, although Jamaica normally avoids the worst of the storms thanks to its southerly location.
For more fun in Jamaica’s rivers head to Dunn’s River Falls in nearby Ochos Rios. Join a guided excursion and climb up the tiered waterfalls, swimming in picturesque lagoons as you go along. If the view looks familiar, that is because the river falls were featured in the classic James Bond movie Dr. No, starring Sean Connery and Ursula Andress.
