Montego Bay, Jamaica - Montego Bay travel guide

If you're flying into Jamaica you will most likely land at Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Lying on the north west coast, Montego Bay is a bubbling center of activity. "Mobay", as it is referred to in Jamaica, receives the brunt of visitor arrivals. Not only do most airborne visitors disembark here, but many cruise ships make this their port of call.

Montego Bay is located in the north of Jamaica and is the second largest city on the island. Although not the capital or largest city in Jamaica, Montego Bay has long been considered the tourist gateway to Jamaica. With its amazing beaches such as Doctor’s cave beach, exclusive hotels and resorts and luxury restaurants Montego Bay is a paradise travel destination. Visitors to the Bay area are also able to enjoy a wealth of shopping from the exclusive to the interesting small markets.

Montego Bay is Jamaica's second largest city and has become a major destination for tourist. You will find some of the Islands most scenic areas, exotic beaches and elegant dining in Montego Bay. The blend of beaches and resorts brings out the beauty of this city. While on Montego Bay, a trip to Doctor's Cave Beach is a must as travellers have visited this beach to sample the waters, "which were said to cure almost any ailment.

Montego Bay Things To See

The area of Montego Bay offers a good mix of natural and artificial attractions. The city itself has the typical atmosphere of a true Jamaican town where the architecture is a combination of colonial elegance and nouveau mall. Walk down St. James Street, which is lined with shops and posters advertising the latest events to keep up-to-date on the best shows. St. James Parish Church is one of the best examples of Jamaican architecture dating back to the 18th century. On Miranda Hill you can still admire the remains of Fort Montego with three of the original seventeen canons still pointed at the port. Both the arts and crafts market on Howard Cooke Boulevard and Fustic Market on Fustic Street and Barnet Street are worth a visit to catch a glimpse of true Jamaican life.

Montego Bay is not just a location for beach lovers and golf courses, the area is also home to a rich history of 18th century sugar plantations and historical colonial estates such as Rose Hall and Tryall. Whether staying in one of the all inclusive luxury resorts or in a villa overlooking the bay any visitor to Montego Bay is sure to have the time of their life.

Mobay isn't really representative of the "real" Jamaica but is still a fun place to relax and enjoy the sights. There is a lot to do though most resorts will cater to your every need. There are several craft markets and duty free stores abound. Bring in a return plane ticket and you can purchase tax free items such as liquors, perfumes, and jewelry.

An excursion on the Appleton Express, a tourist train ride to the mountains is a great day out. The excursion lasts one whole day and includes a visit to the Appleton Estates, one of the Country’s largest sugar and rum producers, lunch and plenty of rum.

Rafting on Martha Brae River is an excursion not to be missed, it lasts an hour and half and is a great opportunity to admire the scenery on the river’s calm waters.

Many hotels offer boat rides in the bay. Private companies also have party yachts on which to cruise away your worries. A nighttime cruise through the bay is very pretty as the mountains rise up over the city and tiny points of light mark Jamaican homes.

Mobay is a good point of operations to use if you wish only to explore the nearby area. Just east of town Rose Hall Great House and Greenwood Great House. To the south is Barnett Estate, you've never seen so much sugar cane. A great attraction to Mobay is the annual Sumfest music festival. Sumfest is a relatively new reggae celebration that is slowly replacing the traditional Sunsplash of years past.

There are several very nice resorts in Mobay. One is the Rose Hall Wyndem. Located outside of town near the great house of its name, the Wyndem is blessedly removed from the all night parties in town. It is fairly luxurious with its own beach and golf course. Half Moon takes luxury up to the next level. Golfing and horse back riding is available.

Rose Hall Great House, situated 8 miles south of the city, is one of the most visited places in Jamaica. Its history fraught with tragedy and mystery attracts the curiosity of visitors. Once owner Annie Palmer, better known as "The White Witch," supposedly helped hasten the death of three husbands and one plantation hand (reported to be her lover).

The Rocklands Feeding Station in Anchovy, south of Montego Bay, is well worth the short drive for birdwatchers who want to get a glimpse of some of the area's distinctive wildlife. The birds arrive to feed in the afternoon offering visitors a chance to see the famous Doctor Bird, Jamaica's national bird and tiny hummingbirds amongst the others.

Finally the Belvedere Estate, built in the early 1800s, has a long history of prosperity and destruction. It was one of the area's largest sugar producers but became one of the first casualties of the 1831 Christmas Rebellion, leaving ruins that still stand. Today, craftspeople in period dress re-enact some of the daily tasks performed over a hundred years ago, and visitors can take a tour to learn about what life was like on the plantation.

Montego Bay Beaches

Doctor’s Cave Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Jamaica, privately run the beach offers plenty of facilities. Cornwall Beach, a wide white sand beach just behind St James Shopping Plaza, draws a trendy young crowd. It is also privately run and offers water sport facilities as well as refreshments. The Bird Watchers Bar, which is built around a massive oak tree, is a central focus on the beach. Walter Fletcher Beach is one of the most recent city beaches and offers facilities such as water sports and a restaurant. There is a fee to access this beach. Chatham Beach is a small strip of white sand, situated north of Gloucester on Kent. It is free to access and is easy to find as it is close to the road. Finally we must mention Rose Hall Beach, eight miles west of Montego Bay. This beautiful, white-sand crescent beach, has a fully-accredited PADI dive shop, Cool Aqua Divers, where you can learn to scuba dive, excellent water sports facilities including jet-skis and pedalos and a great beach bar and restaurant serving jerk chicken.

• Montego Bay Food & Drink

  There is plenty to eat in Mobay. A personal favorite is the Pelican. It is reasonably priced and offers authentic Jamaican cooking and some American mainstays like hamburgers. Breakfast here is terrific. Margaritaville is a party waiting to happen fit with a slide into water though once it ran out of margaritas. Across from Margaritaville is some new casino action.

  • Sugar Mill,

    At Half Moon Golf Course, Montego Bay
    This terrace restaurant set on the grounds of the Half Moon Golf Course serves Caribbean specialties with spicy Jamaican sauces. Good seafood dishes and grilled meats. Reservations are essential for dinner.
    Tel. +1 876 953-2228

  • Day-O Plantation Restaurant,

    Barnett Estate Plantation, Fairfield
    This restaurant, set on the garden terrace of a Georgian-style plantation house serves Jamaican and continental cuisine. Reservations are essential for dinner.
    Tel. 876 952-1825

  • Palm Bay Restaurant & Jerk Centre,

    14 Bogue Crossing, Montego Bay
    Jerk specialties served in comfortable setting.
    Tel. +1 876-952-1795

  • Town House by the Sea,

    on Gloucester Avenue next to Doctors Cave Beach
    Jamaican and continental food with sea view.
    Tel. +1 876 952-2660

  • Pier 1 on the Waterfront,

    Howard Cooke Boulevard
    This lively restaurant and bar by the sea offers fresh seafood, cocktails and entertainment.
    Tel. + 1 876 952-2452

  • The Houseboat Grill,

    Southern Cross Boulevard, Montego Freeport
    Montego Bay's only unique floating restaurant, bar and grill, The Houseboat Grill is moored in the calm waters of the Montego Bay Marine Park Fish & Bird Sanctuary and offers a constantly changing international menu. Casual smart dress; women heels not recommended.
    Tel. +1 876-979-8845

  • The Groovy Grouper Beach Bar and Grill,

    on Doctor’s Cave Beach
    Jamaican food and grilled dishes.

  • The Glistening Waters Restaurant and Marina,

    Falmouth
    Jamaican cuisine in an amazing setting by the Luminous Lagoon at Rock in Falmouth near Montego Bay.

  • 7th Heaven Fish Pot,

    Falmouth
    Good place to stop for lobster or steamed fish.

  • The Pork Pit,

    27 Gloucester Avenue
    Good value place for jerk pork and chicken.
    Tel. +1 876 940-3008

• Getting Around - Montego Bay Transport

  • From the Airport

    Montego Bay Sangster International Airport is located 3 km north of Montego Bay and is linked to the city via a regular shuttle bus service run by Air Jamaica Express. Alternatively taxis, located outside the airport terminal, are readily available.

  • Ports & Marinas

    Pier One Marina on Howard Cooke Boulevard is a great base for chartering boat tours, Pier One is also a cruise ship port and home to the famous Pier One restaurant.

  • By Bus

    • Jamaica's bus system, while serving almost every village in the country, is unorganised: timetables don't really exist and buses are often literally overflowing.
    • Buses and coasters, run between Montego Bay and every point on the island. Buses arrive and depart from each town's transportation station, which is usually near the main market.
    • Coasters, or private minibuses, display red license plates with the initials 'PPV'. They depart their point of origin when they're full (often overflowing) and drop off passengers en route.

  • By Taxi

    Taxis are readily available.Use licensed cabs only (with red PPV license plates). Taxis wait outside most major hotels and if you're stuck you'll find companies listed in the yellow pages. Route taxis are also an excellent, cheap way to travel. These communal cars that travel throughout the country are usually Toyota Corolla station wagons marked with a red license plate and the words 'route taxi' on the front door. They pick up as many people as possible, so you share the space but also the fare.

Need to find a place to stay while you are in Montego Bay? Thanks to the Jamaican Tourist Board Online Site you can find one. These guys are great. They've basically compiled a constantly updating list of the Hotels, All Inclusives, Guest Houses, and Apartment Resorts for most of the hotspots in Jamaica.

The official visitors guide to Montego Bay, Jamaica: http://www.montego-bay-jamaica.com/