What You Need to Know About the Falmouth, Jamaica Cruise Port

Falmouth, Jamaica, is one of the country’s newest cruise ports, located on the northern coast. It is officially named the Historic Falmouth Cruise Port, or HFCP, and is one of five cruise terminals in the country. It’s located between two better-known Jamaican cruise ports, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. The terminal is new and modern, and since it only accommodates a max of two cruise ships, it rarely feels overcrowded.

Note that, like many other Caribbean nations, Jamaica prohibits civilians from wearing camouflage, so leave it at home or back on the ship. Once you do exit your cruise ship, you’ll navigate a short pier, traverse through a duty-free shop, and enter the terminal area, where you’ll find lots of typical cruise port shops (Effy, etc.), as well as some local buskers, and artisans selling their wares.

Is Jamaica Safe for Cruisers?

I know many cruisers don’t love Jamaica as a destination, and on my recent first visit, I felt a little nervous because I’d heard so many bad things, mostly about safety concerns and overly aggressive vendors.

I had a wonderful visit to Falmouth, though, and found the cruise port safe, clean, modern, and welcoming—nothing like what I’d heard fellow cruisers describe. After further reflection and discussion, I think these problems mostly apply to Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. I’ve never personally visited those two ports, so I can’t speak to them, but I can assure you that Falmouth is an outstanding cruise destination.

That being said, Falmouth is not a “venture outside of the cruise terminal and explore the surrounding town on foot” kinda port. First, there’s not much to do outside of the cruise terminal area, and second, this area is a bit run-down, and some cruisers may not feel entirely safe. My advice if visiting here? Do a beach day or excursion.

Falmouth Cruise Port to the City Center

The Falmouth cruise port is located close to the town center, although, as noted above, I do not recommend just walking around the city center. Instead, I recommend booking an excursion, either through the cruise line or an independent tour provider, or taking a taxi to a nearby beach or resort.

Cost of Taxis in Falmouth, Jamaica

Taxi and shuttle services are readily available at the port to get to a beach or other site on your own. Just hang a right as you exit the terminal, and you’ll see them lined up, with clear signage listing the cost to get to the area’s most popular destinations.

Taxis are regulated and have set fares. On my recent visit to Falmouth, the taxi fare to Montego Bay was $60 one way for up to four people. The cost here is pretty steep compared to other popular Caribbean cruise port taxi prices like Cozumel. A more affordable option is a shared shuttle, with fares to Montego Bay (about 20 miles away) running $15 one way per person or $25 for a round-trip ride.

Uber is not available in Falmouth, so if you want to get around on your own without an excursion, you’ll need to pay for a taxi or shuttle. If you take a private excursion, you’ll exit the cruise terminal to the right, passing the taxi stand, to a marked parking lot immediately outside of the terminal.

Best Beaches Near the Falmouth Cruise Port

Renowned for its stunning beaches, Jamaica includes Falmouth, although you can’t directly access a beach from the cruise terminal, and no beaches are within walking distance. So, although it will require transportation to get there, below are some of the best beaches near the Falmouth cruise port.

Like many of the beaches in Mexico’s popular cruise ports, Jamaican beaches, particularly during the summer months and after storms, can experience seaweed accumulation due to the natural movement of sargassum carried by ocean currents and tides.

Resort for a Day

While an “on your own” beach day is great, I encourage cruisers visiting Falmouth to consider buying a day pass through Resort for a Day, which includes more exclusive access to the resort’s beaches, round-trip transportation, and the amenities of an all-inclusive. While the upfront cost is much higher, if you compare the admission cost to the other beaches, rental of a lounger/umbrella and costly transportation, this becomes a much better value when you add up all the costs and account for the inclusion of food and beverages.

During my recent visit to Falmouth with my young daughter, I chose this option, and we visited Iberostar Rose Hall. I felt safe because transportation was included, and I didn’t have to take a random taxi or shuttle. I found the experience to be wonderful and relaxing. We visited Iberostar, which is situated on Rose Hall Beach in Montego Bay.

Burwood Beach

Burwood Beach is the closest beach to the Falmouth cruise port, located about 5 miles away, and it is around a 10-minute taxi ride away. Cruisers like this beach for its clean, clear waters, friendly locals, and serene atmosphere, although (as noted above) it can become seaweed-y depending on the season. There is a nominal entry fee of around $5 USD, but it’s a great option for an affordable beach day and one that’s close to the port and has one of the lowest entry fees of the local beach options.

Red Stripe Beach

Red Stripe Beach is well-loved for its white sand, clear waters, and relaxed atmosphere. It offers enjoyable beach activities and convenient facilities like bars and restrooms. Cruisers enjoy the beach’s beauty and amenities, but it’s important to note that it is on the smaller side and can become crowded when multiple cruise ships are docked. It’s also a bit far from the Falmouth cruise terminal, about 45 minutes. It also fronts a resort, so there’s a $10 USD entry fee.

Blue Waters Beach

Another beach option that’s part of a resort is Blue Waters Beach Club, a spot that cruisers enjoy because of its beautiful white sand and clear waters and convenient amenities, including bars and chairs. Because it’s fronted by a resort, like Red Stripe Beach, this one also has an entry fee of $10 USD per person, but that includes the use of a lounger and Wi-Fi. It’s also not far from the Falmouth cruise port, under 3 miles, and shared shuttle service per person one way is $15 USD, or $20 round trip.

Montego Bay Beaches

The Falmouth, Jamaica cruise port is located just 22 miles from the better-known Montego Bay area, which is about 40 minutes each way. Some cruisers opt to take the longer journey to visit a Montego Bay beach, like Doctor’s Cave Beach, Cornwall Beach, Dead End Beach, or AquaSol Theme Park and Beach. As noted above, taxis and shuttles are readily available at the cruise terminal to take visitors to Montego Bay.

Top Things to Do in Falmouth

Beach Day

Jamaica is known for its beaches, so this is a popular option. As noted above, some cruisers buy a beach day excursion through the cruise line or an independent tour operator, purchase a Resort for a Day pass, or take a taxi or shuttle to get to a nearby beach on their own.

Dunn’s River Falls

Perhaps the most popular non-beach excursion in Jamaica is Dunn’s River Falls, a famous cascading waterfall and natural wonder. Visitors can climb the terraced falls and enjoy the lush tropical surroundings. It’s sort of a natural waterslide, with the “slides” carved naturally by the water into the rocks.

Located approximately 67 kilometers (42 miles) from the Falmouth cruise port, Dunn’s River Falls is about an hour’s drive each way. If you want to visit, I recommend joining a formal excursion that includes transportation. If you do it on your own, you’ll pay the admission fee and the quite expensive taxi fare of $100 each way (for up to four people).

River Rafting

A quintessentially unique Jamaica experience is bamboo river rafting. River rafting in Falmouth, Jamaica, primarily takes place on the Martha Brae River, where visitors can enjoy a serene and scenic ride on a bamboo raft guided by a knowledgeable local. This relaxing experience allows participants to take in the lush tropical surroundings and learn about the local flora and fauna, making it a popular and memorable activity for tourists. It’s a peaceful and scenic way to experience Jamaica’s natural beauty.

Adventure Activities

If a beach day or bamboo rafting experience is too sedate for you, consider some of the area’s more adventurous activities. In addition to Dunn’s River Falls, there are many options for cruisers who seek more excitement. This includes river tubing, waterfalls rafting, Blue Hole Falls, and even a bobsled adventure.

Language and Currency

Jamaica’s primary language is English, making it easy for visitors to communicate with locals. You’ll also hear Jamaican Patois, a Creole language temposlot that combines elements of English, African languages, and other influences.

The Jamaican dollar (JMD) serves as the official currency in Jamaica, but tourist areas, including the cruise port area, widely accept US dollars (USD). Many businesses display prices in both JMD and USD, and ATMs often dispense both currencies. This makes it convenient for visitors to use US dollars during their stay. During my visit, all vendors readily accepted US currency.

Falmouth Cruise Port Ship Schedule

The Falmouth, Jamaica cruise ship schedule can be found at Cruisemapper.

Climate and What to Wear

Falmouth enjoys a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, averaging around 85°F. The climate is generally humid, with a rainy season from May to November. I recommend wearing lightweight, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, and using sun protection such as hats and sunscreen.

Time Zone

Falmouth operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST) and does not observe daylight saving time. Keeping track of the time is crucial, especially to ensure you stay coordinated with ship time. Most cruise lines operate on “ship time,” set to the time of their departing port, so it’s generally good practice to keep your phone or watch set to ship time.