Quick Facts

Located a mere 16 km west of Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay is much less crowded than Ocho Rios as it is not a hub for cruise ships. The North Coast of the county is the first part of the island to be seen by Columbus in 1494 and it is also the point of departure of the Spaniards after being defeated by the British.

Getting There & Other Transportation

Visitors to Runaway Bay will have a flight either to Montego Bay or to Kingston.  From either location, shuttle buses are available to take you to Runaway Bay. Additionally, most major car rental agencies are located at the airport. Check with your resort to see if you have a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Runaway Bay offers some curious places to stay, as well as all-inclusive resorts at great deals. An example of the more unusual places to stay is Hedonism III where couples can be wed in the nude.

Some other all-inclusives include:
FDR (Franklyn D. Resort
Grand Lido Braco Resort & Spa
Breezes Runaway Bay Resort & Golf Club
Runaway Bay H.E.A.R.T. Hotel

Dining & Nightlife

You can get a wide variety of local cuisine when dining in Runaway Bay. Try Jerky’s, Nana Kofi Vegetarian Restaurant, and Flavours Beach Bar and Restaurant for a fun, family friendly atmosphere.

Attractions & Things to Do

Columbus Park Museum
This museum is a large open area between the main coast road and the sea at Discovery Bay.  Here, you can browse the collection of artifacts such as century cannons, cottonwood canoes from over 5 centuries ago, pimento trees which produce allspice, and many other exhibits.

Seville Great House
This heritage park which was built in 1745 by the British contains a collection of artifacts once used by African slaves. It is a collection of Jamaican historical facts and exhibits.

Bob Marley Centre & Mausoleum
As a tribute to Bob Marley, reggae fans from all over the world can visit this site to pay their respects in his home town of Nine Mile. You can visit his two-room shanty, see family memorabilia, and see the mausoleum where Marley was buried.

Currency, Culture and Language

The official language is English; however, many Jamaicans speak Patois (a mixture of French, Spanish, English and African dialects).

US dollars are accepted in Jamaica, but the Jamaican Dollar is the country’s currency.

The ratio of JMD to USD is roughly 65:1.