My report of driving from Kingston to Dunn's River Falls, taking the A3 Road.
I drove this sunday from Kingston, starting at 11:00 AM, passing through Port María, Ocho Ríos up till Dunn's River Falls, arriving about 1:00 PM, where I spent about two hours, and drove back to Kingston, arriving at 5:30 PM.
I rented a car from Island Rental, no problems whatsoever (I think, havent' checked my credit card account), and they picked me up at the Knutsford Court Hotel. I took the Toyota Yaris (the cheaper one) at about $ 40, with $ 25 insurance.
They sold me a map for $ 5.00 but it wasn't that helpful. I spent the previous night in Google Earth trying to memorize the main roads leading to the north, and some landmarks along the way, but when I was really driving, had to account for streets in Kingston that are two way, but then cease to be two ways, and you have to turn left and do a round about around the block, etc. Without the Google Earth views, it would have been more difficult.
I asked which way was better for getting to Ocho Rios on my way to Dunn's River Falls, and the hotel people told me, correctly, the A1 road that goes through Spanish Town and then a Gorge alongside a river north.
But I said, what the heck, I'll take the A3 road through Constant Spring to Port Maria, etc. to Ocho Rios.
Man, that was a nerve wracking drive! Narrow, narrow streets with blind curves and rock walls or rock guard rails waiting to scrape my car rental, and the occasional person, bicycle or goat making you leave your milimetric path to the side into the incoming lane.
But it is another view of Jamaica. It is a lovely, verdant, "vertical" (steep hills), place.
I came back through the other road A1, and it was nerve wracking as well, but less than half so than from A3.
And you drive through the "Gorge" along a river, which is interesting, and you have a vista to the valley when going down the mountains.
But once you are in the north side of the island, the coastal road between Port Maria, Ocho Rios, up to Dunn's River Falls is excellent! (there are some road work going on on some parts).
Worlds apart from the A1 and, especially, the A3 leading to Kingston.
Ah, and in my hotel, Knutsford Court, they are hosting some Jamaican rally drivers. Now I know where these drivers come from... surely from driving the A3 from Kingston to Port Maria
