Dunn’s River Expansion

Kingston, Jamaica, 17 July 2026

Dunn’s River Falls and Park, one of Jamaica’s best known tourism attractions, is set for its biggest transformation in decades as the Urban Development Corporation advances plans to expand the site beyond its famous waterfall into a broader leisure and tourism destination.

The redevelopment aims to encourage visitors to spend an entire day at the attraction rather than only climbing the falls, with proposed features including adventure activities, new dining experiences, event facilities and overnight accommodation.

Master plan signals broader tourism ambitions

The Urban Development Corporation has outlined an ambitious vision that would introduce attractions such as zip lines, a lazy river, fine dining restaurants, a small amphitheatre for events and cabins in the surrounding hills.

According to the Corporation, the wider Dunn’s River property extends far beyond the waterfall itself, creating opportunities to diversify visitor experiences while making better use of the estate’s natural landscape.

A master plan prepared by internationally recognised architects will guide the redevelopment, with the project now progressing through procurement and regulatory approval stages following the release of a Request for Proposals for construction.

Economic opportunities beyond the falls

Expanding Dunn’s River into a multi attraction destination could generate wider economic benefits across Ocho Rios and neighbouring communities.

Longer visitor stays typically increase demand for restaurants, transportation services, craft markets, accommodation and tourism businesses. The project also has the potential to create new employment opportunities during both construction and long term operations.

For businesses operating around the attraction, increased visitor numbers could strengthen customer spending throughout the local economy rather than concentrating activity around the waterfall alone.

Implications for property and development

The proposal also reflects a broader trend in Jamaica’s tourism strategy, where established attractions are being repositioned as larger integrated destinations.

Major tourism investment often influences surrounding real estate markets by increasing demand for commercial premises, hospitality developments, employee housing and supporting infrastructure. If the redevelopment proceeds as planned, surrounding areas of Ocho Rios could see renewed interest from investors seeking opportunities linked to tourism growth.

The inclusion of accommodation, entertainment venues and expanded recreational facilities also suggests a shift towards creating higher value tourism experiences rather than relying solely on traditional sightseeing.

Building resilience

Alongside expanding visitor offerings, the redevelopment is intended to improve the attraction’s resilience to severe weather events, an increasingly important consideration for Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure.

Strengthening climate resilience while diversifying revenue streams could help protect one of the country’s most valuable tourism assets against future environmental and economic challenges.

Looking ahead

Although construction has not yet begun, the redevelopment represents one of the most significant proposed investments at Dunn’s River Falls in recent years. If approvals proceed as planned, the project could reshape one of Jamaica’s most recognisable attractions into a more diversified tourism destination while supporting wider economic activity across St. Ann.

The plans also reflect a growing emphasis on using existing national assets more intensively to strengthen tourism, create new business opportunities and support regional development.

Follow Jamaica Homes on Youtube @jamaicahomes and Instagram @jamaica_homes and on Facebook @jamaicahomes Send us a message or email us at onlinefeedback@jamaica-homes.com or editor@jamaica-homes.com