When I was there the past week I believe they charged me five dollars USA

Firstly, if you are coming to Jam by Cruise, this might not be the best destination for you unless you like quiet and low usage places. Nor is it a tourist poster picture beach. We like it because we avoid the Cruise ship crowds and as we have our own car on the island, we can bring everything that we might want like food etc. To answer your question, yes taxis are liberally available. You can hail them at the port gates. or a short walk into the centre of Ocho will increase availability. Bear in mind that the habit in Jam is for taxi sharing. The driver will seek to fill the car completely, picking up and setting down people all along a set route. This means that you will not be dropped at the beach entrance itself [it is down a half mile rough track from the main road] and if your party is large, it could make your return less easy [hailing a taxi with enough free seats]. They will also not be geared up for US$ and any change [if any] given for dollars will be in local currency. US$ are readily [if not eagerly] accepted, and you can also hire a taxi for a day. It costs more though. An alternative especially suitable for larger parties is to hire a JUTA [Jamaica Urban Transport Association] mini-bus. Their owner-drivers have to maintain high customer service and vehicular standards [there are none for taxis!!!] and are not limited to set routes. Cruise information desk should be able to give you a contact number and or google search. JUTA buses lurk outside the port gates looking for custom at Montego Bay, but we have not seen them at Ocho Rios [lack of space to lurk]. What beaches would we recommend? I would avoid Bamboo Beach [ar Mammee Bay] because it is very crowded with cruise passengers, but provides all facilities that you might want [including large inflatable play floats] and might be a available as a tour option from you cruise operator. For a large beach more closely matching the travel poster ideal with good supporting facilities, choose Bamboo Village [same business?]. Both will charge for entrance. For a quieter, FREE beach try Pleasure Beach at White River. It shares a nice small bay with an All-Inclusive and has good bar restaurant abutting the beach [we - and locals - go there purely to eat sometimes]. Unlikely to be deserted but very unlikely to be crowded. Not far from main road along a good road / track [comfortably walkable from main road, so taxi is a fair option. Not far from Ocho centre. Hope this helps

No, the beach closes at night.

We were also on a cruise, and we took a taxi which was O.K. until we were going to pay because then the taxidriver said that the price was per person and not for the couple we were.

They have chairs not sure about umbrellas but they are tearing down the hotel and rebuilding there so I would check if it's even open during this time.

The grounds are plenty big to hold a church outing. Not sure about bringing a large amount of food in but calling them would be the best way to find out. 1-876-975-3665

Sorry cannot help here. Seven of us were staying at Montego Bay and hired a driver for the day to visit James Bond Beach and other attractions in the area.

I would agree with the other person it's about 20 minutes and a taxi will take you. I like it better then the other beaches mentioned because it's less crowded. Service was excellent and the kids enjoyed it as well. There is a lot to see and some of my favourite pictures were taken here. Some great views and it's historical literary value is a bonus.