Jamaica’s second city and the country’s main tourist hub, Montego Bay boasts white sandy beaches, a wealth of restaurants and bars and a good choice of activities. During the day you can relax on the lively beach, swim, snorkel and dive in the crystal clear sea or charter a private boat and explore the coast in your own time. In the evenings, there are plenty of nightspots to explore, with a range of authentic Jamaican bars and restaurants just waiting to be discovered.
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Montego Bay
Downtown – The busiest part of Montego Bay, Downtown is a great place to see an authentic side of life in Jamaica. Explore the lively streets, eat in local restaurants and soak up the atmosphere of this unique Caribbean city.
Gloucester Avenue – Also known as the ‘Hip Strip’, Gloucester Avenue is home to a wide choice of bars, restaurants and shops. The perfect destination for a meal out or night on the town, the Hip Strip has something for everyone.
Ironshore – With its picture postcard beaches and laid back atmosphere, the suburb of Ironshore is a mecca for holidaymakers looking for that quintessential Caribbean experience. Spend your days relaxing on the sand, have a go at snorkelling or diving in the turquoise waters or find a local beach bar and enjoy a classic Caribbean sundowner.
Doctor’s Cave Beach – One of the most popular beaches in Montego Bay, Doctor’s Cave is just a stone’s throw from Gloucester Avenue. The beach offers swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing as well as a variety of amenities, making it a great destination for a day out in the Caribbean sun.
Things to See in Montego Bay
If you can tear yourself away from the beach, Montego Bay has a number of interesting sights to explore. To learn more about the region’s past, head to the 18th century Rose Hall Great House, an elegant - and supposedly haunted - former plantation home. You can also visit the tropical gardens and antique-laden rooms of the Bellefield Great House or the 132 acre Croydon in the Mountains, a working plantation estate located just outside Montego Bay. To explore the city’s natural attractions, visit Doctor’s Cave Beach, the meandering Martha Brae River and the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary.
Things to Do in Montego Bay
Life in Montego Bay revolves around the stunning beaches that dot the coast. Though it can be hard to part from your local stretch of sand, you should try to visit a few different bays and coves during your stay to experience everything the destination has to offer. The water at almost all of the city’s beaches is clear and clean, making them ideal for snorkelling as well as swimming and sunbathing. There are also a number of activity centres on Montego Bay’s beaches that offer dive trips, boat hire, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Head inland to the Martha Brae River to float gently downstream on a bamboo raft as you watch the lush Jamaican countryside slide by. For a tasty meal or a night out, head to the Hip Strip of Gloucester Avenue and if you want to shop for souvenirs, head to the markets and stalls around Harbour Street.
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