Ocho Rios town centre is small enough to walk — the cruise pier, main shopping street, Island Village, and the beach are all within ten minutes of each other on foot. Most of the major attractions are outside the walkable centre, however, and you'll need transport for Dunn's River Falls (a few kilometres west of town), Mystic Mountain, Dolphin Cove, and any of the outlying beaches or caves.
Taxis are the most practical option for short trips. JUTA (Jamaica Union of Travellers Association) taxis are licensed and metered, identifiable by their red licence plates with a JTB sticker. Agree on the fare before getting in. Shared route taxis (also called "route taxis" or "robot taxis") run along fixed routes and are considerably cheaper but can be crowded. Minibuses cover the routes to nearby towns.
Car hire is available in town and from agencies near the pier, giving you freedom to reach the Blue Hole, Firefly, and James Bond Beach independently. Roads on the north coast are generally good; the mountain roads heading inland are narrower and slower. Driving is on the left.
For cruise passengers: tour operators meet ships at the pier with organised excursions to all the main attractions. These are more expensive than arranging transport independently but save the effort of negotiating taxis and navigating.