azuregirl62

Does anyone know if you can climb up a bit and then come down to wait for your group at the bottom or do you need to go all the way up to stay with your excursion group?

cd

azuregirl, you can't climb back down but if I remember correctly, there are wooden steps on the side that you can get off on, but you have to go all the way to the top. It is fun, honest, you want to go all the way to the top!

DMBTraveler

Technically, they require you to have a guide on Dunn's River Fall so to do your own thing may be discouraged. Stairs are available to the side at some points along the climb. In a group, an attempt is usually made to video tape your climb and sold at the end for about $20. Be prepared for a lot of ... "How you feelin?" ..... Hot, hot, hot! Hope whatever you do, you enjoy your exeperience there.

triathlete

Dunn's can get very, very crowded. Would suggest you contact Carolyn Barrett at Barret Adventures (for some strange reason her web site is: http://www.thelarkcruises.com/)

We did a great tour of Mayfield Falls some years ago. Was pristine and uncrowded.


Good luck!

Eschew

To call it a climb is a bit of a stretch. It is a slow walk up some natural cuts (steps) in the waterfall. Some steps are higher than others and can be a bit slippery. They technically requries a guide (as they know where those natural cuts are) but many have done it without one. Those pathways are easy to spot. If you are in average (or even a bit below average) physical shape, you can do it on your own with no issues.

If you are on a group, make sure you are not in front or behind someone who is in poor phyiscal shape, old age or both. They want you to hold hands together and actually it can be dangerously and makes it harder. They also video tape you and want to sell you the tape for $20. Don't buy it. After awhile, they will offer discounts. First it is $15 and then $10. You can buy it at that time if you still want one that badly.

There is no side "escapes" and I don't recommend going back down. Once you are at the top, there is a platform to go out from the side. Have someone to meet you there with a towel and take pictures.

Make sure you have proper footware, non slip, and not easily comes off, something that will dry fast or all plastic would be good. Some people climb with barefoot. They claim the rocks could be sharp or slippery or both. I didn't see any cuts or bleeding from those who went barefoot. ***Don't take my word for it and take all necessary precautions.***

When you go, bring nothing valuable with you. Wear swim suit only if you can. Carry a small zip-lock bag to keep your cruise card, ID and cash dry. Keep the bag inside your swim suit or in your underwear. They have expensive locker rentals ($10) and I don't trust them anyway. They also charge an arm and a leg for "shoe rental" as well. Beware of peddlers harrassing you along the way offering you free gifts. Trust me, it is not free. Pretend you don't speak English if you can get away with it. I saw some oriental ladies did it and the peddlers walked away. Those ladies spoke perfect English.

It was raining when we were there and I have heard that the shop keepers want to charge people money to stand in front of their "huts" to stay dry. They also have little kids collecting tips in front of the washroom.

It wasn't a good experince for me. If the people would have been more reasonable with their pricing and service and everything else, it may have been different. They see tourists and they see money, and wanted to maximize what they can get from you while you are there.