Updated in November 2026, this Reach Falls guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see.
Reach Falls is a waterfall and river park near Manchioneal in Portland parish, on the east coast of Jamaica, managed by the Urban Development Corporation. Updated in November 2026: Reach Falls is open Wednesday to Sunday only and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and non-resident adults pay US$10.
Quick facts about Reach Falls
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Wednesday to Sunday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Also open on public holidays except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Closed Monday and Tuesday. |
| Ticket prices | Non-resident adults US$10 and children US$5. Resident adults J$500 and children J$250. |
| Address | Reach Falls, Manchioneal, Portland, Jamaica (about 45 minutes east of Port Antonio) |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Free car park at the entrance. Route taxis from Port Antonio to Reach Falls Junction, then a second taxi to the gate. |
| Typical time needed | About 1.5 to 2 hours |
Reach Falls opening hours
Reach Falls is open Wednesday to Sunday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, and it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
| Days | Opening hours (all year) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday to Sunday | 8:30am to 4:30pm |
| Monday and Tuesday | Closed |
| Public holidays | Open, except Good Friday and Christmas Day |
The year-round hours are the same in every season, with no separate summer and winter times. Check the day of the week before the drive from Port Antonio, because many visitors arrive on a closed day.
Reach Falls ticket prices
Entry to Reach Falls costs US$10 for a non-resident adult and US$5 for a non-resident child.
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Non-resident adult | US$10 |
| Non-resident child (aged 4 to 12) | US$5 |
| Jamaican resident adult (valid ID required) | J$500 |
| Jamaican resident child | J$250 |
| Child aged 3 and under | Free |
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in November 2026.
The entrance fee includes access to the changing rooms and restrooms, and a guide takes visitors upstream. Bring cash for a tip for the guide. Reach Falls is not part of any city pass scheme.
How to get to Reach Falls
Reach Falls is at Manchioneal, about 45 minutes to an hour by road from Port Antonio, and it is a long journey from most of Jamaica’s resort areas.
- From Port Antonio: Follow the coast road east to Manchioneal. The turn-off to Reach Falls is signposted just over a mile north of the village. The drive is about 40 km.
- From Kingston: Allow about two to three hours by road.
- From Ocho Rios: Allow about two to three hours by road.
- From Montego Bay or Negril: The drive is four hours or more each way, so an overnight stay in Portland is easier.
- By route taxi: From Port Antonio, take a route taxi to Reach Falls Junction (about J$230) and a second taxi to the entrance (about J$100).
Use the signed government entrance. Informal guides on the road cannot take visitors to the main waterfall and the Rabbit Hole.
Parking at Reach Falls
Parking at Reach Falls is free, in the car park at the entrance, and the picnic area is also free.
Park at the entrance, pay your fee and meet your guide at the gate. There is no need to pay roadside attendants for parking.
How long to spend at Reach Falls
Most visitors need about 1.5 to 2 hours at Reach Falls for the main pools, the guided upstream walk and the Rabbit Hole.
| Activity | Length |
|---|---|
| Swim in the pools at the foot of the falls | About 30 to 45 minutes |
| Guided walk upstream along Driver’s River | About 45 to 60 minutes |
| Rabbit Hole swim | A short stop on the guided route |
Allow extra time for the journey, as the park is far from the main resort areas. Arrive at opening time for a day trip from Kingston or Ocho Rios.
Accessibility at Reach Falls
Reach Falls is a river site, and most of the route involves wading and swimming over slippery rock.
The pool at the foot of the main falls is the easiest part to reach. The upstream route and the Rabbit Hole are for visitors who are comfortable in water and can follow a guide. Call the park on 876-276-8663 or 876-993-6512 to ask about access before you travel.
What to see at Reach Falls
The main waterfall is a wide cascade of Driver’s River that drops into a clear pool, and visitors can swim at its base.
The guided upstream route follows the river through forest and over a series of pools. The Rabbit Hole is reached on this route, and a guide leads the walk.
The Rabbit Hole is an underwater tunnel and cave. Guides show visitors how to enter it by jumping or swimming, and it is not visited without a guide.
The heart-shaped pool is a natural jacuzzi where water rushes through a narrow channel.
The grounds cover 4.6 hectares and are an ecological sanctuary, with more than 20 species of ferns and a range of birds, including parrots.
The history of the site is linked to people who escaped plantations in the neighbouring parish of St Thomas and sought refuge in the hills of the John Crow Mountains.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Advice |
|---|---|
| Timing | The park is open Wednesday to Sunday only, and it closes at 4:30pm, so arrive in the morning for the guided walk. |
| Crowds | There is no timed entry or reservation system, so arrive at opening time for the quietest pools. |
| Layout | The car park, ticket gate, changing rooms and picnic area are at the entrance, and the main falls are a short walk away. |
| Entry process | Pay at the gate and meet your guide there. The entrance fee covers the guide, and a tip is customary. |
| On-site logistics | Wear water shoes with a good grip, bring swimwear, a towel and a dry bag, and carry snacks because the food hut does not keep the park’s hours. |
Frequently asked questions about Reach Falls
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Reach Falls suitable for children? | Yes. Children aged 4 to 12 pay US$5 and children aged 3 and under are free, but the upstream route involves slippery rock and deep water. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Reach Falls? | No. Tickets are bought at the gate, although many tours include the entrance fee. |
| Is Reach Falls open on Sundays? | Yes. The park is open Wednesday to Sunday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, and it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. |
| Do you need a guide at Reach Falls? | Yes. A guide leads the upstream walk and the Rabbit Hole swim. |
| Can you swim at Reach Falls? | Yes. Visitors swim in the pool at the base of the falls and in the pools upstream. |
Things to do near Reach Falls
- Boston Bay Beach: A rock-cradled bay about 9 miles from Reach Falls, known for surfing and the original jerk stands.
- Winnifred Beach: A public beach between Blue Lagoon and Boston Bay, with a reef offshore for snorkelling.
- Blue Lagoon: A teardrop-shaped bay near Port Antonio that is popular for swimming.
- Frenchman’s Cove: A small sheltered beach where a river meets the sea, near Port Antonio.
- Somerset Falls: A waterfall west of Port Antonio with boat rides to a hidden fall, which can run low in the dry season.
Alternative attractions to Reach Falls
Other swimming and waterfall sites in Jamaica are mostly on the north coast near Ocho Rios, and the Bob Marley Museum is in Kingston.
- Konoko Falls, Ocho Rios: A waterfall park near Ocho Rios with a guided climb.
- Original Blue Hole, Ocho Rios: A swimming spot of blue pools and waterfalls near Ocho Rios.
- Dunn’s River Falls, Ocho Rios: A waterfall climb on the north coast, open daily from 8:30am to 4pm, with non-resident entry of US$25 for adults.
- Bob Marley Museum, Kingston: The museum in the former home of the reggae singer in Kingston.
- YS Falls, St Elizabeth: A waterfall park on Jamaica’s south coast, a much longer drive from Reach Falls.
More Jamaica travel
Other Jamaica travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Rum-tasting at the Appleton Estate in Jamaica.
- How to visit YS Falls in Jamaica.
- Rose Hall Great House visitor guide: What to expect at the old plantation house near Montego Bay.
- Cinnamon Hill Great House visitor guide: Explore the former home of Johnny Cash near Montego Bay.
- Doctor’s Cave Beach, Montego Bay: Entry fees, opening hours and how to get there.
