Explore Montego Bay

A Real Melting Pot

The tropical adventure of your dreams awaits you in Montego Bay, Jamaica's second city and major cruise ship port. Whether you’re looking to relax on perfect white sandy beaches with clear blue skies above, be swept away in the rocking nightlife steps from your hotel, enjoy a round of golf on our spectacular courses or enjoy thrilling experiences that etch lifetime memories, you’ll find it in enchanting “Mobay.” Often referred to as the complete resort, Montego Bay is known for its luxurious accommodations and world-class golf courses. The famous Hip Strip (Jimmy Cliff Boulevard) offers an array of restaurants, bars, and shops.

Go on snorkeling or diving adventures at the Montego Bay Marine Park and explore colorful coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and check out Doctor's Cave Reef and Secrets Reef for some of the best snorkeling spots in Montego Bay. The stately Rose Hall Great House is a must visit to learn about the legend of Annie Palmer, the "White Witch of Rosehall". If you are brave enough, tour the famous mansion at night when it is said that Annie Palmer roams the halls of the haunted estate.

Montego Bay a marvelous melting pot of cultures, buzzing with locals, visitors, and expats who’ve made Jamaica their home. Enjoy the exuberant pubs and clubs, the wide array of eateries, the pristine beaches, the incredible artistry and craftsmanship of our people, and the diverse accommodations here ranging from all-inclusive resorts to boutique hotels to suit every taste.

Get to know Montego Bay

We’ll get you on the right track. Montego Bay is the perfect spot to get your Jamaican adventure off to a good start. Here are a couple of things to know; from facts to handy tips, what clothes to pack and what you shouldn’t leave without seeing.

Facts About Montego Bay:

1. Jamaica has a tropical climate, specifically a tropical wet-and-dry climate, characterized by a wet season from May to November, which coincides with the hurricane season, and a dry season from December to April. Regardless of the season, pack your summer clothes, and a couple of jerseys for safety.

2. Doctor's Cave Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Jamaica for its clean and beautiful waters. It is open to the public as well as to members of the Doctor's Cave Bathing Club. The whole family can have fun by renting a snorkel and scuba gear here.

3. Margaritaville is a top bar and restaurant, and quite an experience too. Featuring the music of Jimmy Buffett, a slide and a swimming pool are out back so get ready for the ride of your life.

4. You'll find most meals and drinks very affordable, so if you're bringing the whole family to our island, look forward to a few treats out.

5. The Montego Bay resort area is made up of the parishes of Trelawny and St. James. Head out to see the treasures in Trelawny like the historic  town of Falmouth, or rafting on the Martha Brae River. 

Activities

As Jamaica’s third most populous city, Montego Bay is booming with attractions and activities for every type of traveler. 

You can go on an epic eco-adventure with Cockpit Country Adventure Tours where you’ll journey through awe-inspiring caverns gleaming with wondrous geographical treasures that were once a hideout for Maroon warriors. Or, take the family or friend group over to Paintball Jamaica for a fun-filled day of play in a wooded area with plenty of shade. Another option is a relaxing and blissful ride down the Martha Brae River on a carefully hand-crafted bamboo raft surrounded by nothing but greenery and water with the sound of wind breezing through the trees, flowing streams, and birds singing.

You’ll also find lots of different types of beaches here to explore along with an abundance of water activities among the multitude of things to do in Montego Bay.

Hotels 

Similar to the plethora of things to do is the vast number of resorts and hotels in Montego Bay. You’ll find an assortment of beachfront properties, all-inclusive resorts that cater to both families and adults, villas for large groups, and apartments and boutique hotels for the astute traveler.

Stay in the center of the action close to the energetic “Hip Strip,” which is Gloucester Avenue where the coast lies just on the other side of businesses that line the avenue, or browse any of the more relaxed options in the hills above the city and the outskirts of the town. Choosing to stay at a hotel in Montego Bay is ideal for those wanting to tour several major attraction sites in opposite directions. It’s smackdab in the middle of Ocho Rios, Negril, and St. Elizabeth, which makes it perfect for those planning day trips to see and do it all.

Attractions

There are some Montego Bay attractions you simply must not miss. Practice your “to di world” pose in front of the Usain Bolt statue at the sports bar of the fastest man in the world, also near the Hip Strip. Then venture into downtown to visit Sam Sharpe Square, bustling with local city culture and featuring a cobblestone plaza with historical monuments. Here, you’ll be able to visit the Montego Bay Cultural Centre and immerse yourself in the history of the characteristic town and learn the meaning behind Sam Sharpe Square.

There’s no shortage of restaurants. It’s a tremendous location for the foodie hoping to sample Jamaica’s best. Insider tip: ask your local tour guide to share with you their favorite eatery to sample some of the best homemade cooking featuring authentic Jamaican flavor. 

Find more Montego Bay tips and facts rounded up to help you have the best time in our tropical paradise.