Montego Bay Travel Guide

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Montego Bay
Doctor's Cave Beach © Jamaica Tourist Board
The north coast of Jamaica is the island's popular 'Riviera' area, and at the centre of this resort paradise is Montego Bay, known affectionately as 'MoBay' to locals and regular visitors. The area has a sparkling 10-mile (16km) shoreline, fronted by coral reefs and aquamarine lagoons, backed by green hills shrouded in sugar cane, banana palms and lush tropical vegetation.

Christopher Columbus was the first European tourist to step ashore at Montego Bay in 1494. Now, the Spanish settlement that was founded in 1510 has grown into Jamaica's second city, but it is first choice for holidaymakers. The beaches in the area are picture-perfect and visitors can choose from a variety of recreations, from bird watching to music festivals, golfing to riding down the river on a bamboo raft.

The Montego Bay area also has some fascinating historical perspectives, not all of them pleasant, that live on in the legends and stories surrounding the few remaining great plantation houses belonging to dynastic families that grew rich from slave labour in past centuries. Several of these are open to the public.




Attractions

Bob Marley © sambeckwith

Bob Marley Experience

Although Jamaica's legendary reggae superstar Bob Marley lived in Kingston, his fame could not be ignored in Montego Bay. Devotees of the singer can satisfy their curiosity by visiting the Bob Marley Experience, a theatre and memorabilia store complex at the Half Moon Shopping...  see full details



Croydon in the Mountains

Jamaica's national hero, Samuel Sharpe - the slave who led the bloody 'Christmas Rebellion' of 1831 and helped to expedite the emancipation of Jamaica - was born on this still-working plantation in the interior, 24 miles (39km) from Montego Bay. Three-hour-long guided tours of...  see full details



Doctor's Cave Beach © Jamaica Tourist Board

Doctor’s Cave Beach

The story of Montego Bay's most famous beach began in 1906, when a group of doctors decided to found a bathing club on a beach property donated for the purpose by Dr Alexander James McCatty. Access to the small beach at the time...  see full details



Court House, Falmouth © Jamaica Tourist Board

Falmouth

The rather derelict Georgian port town of Falmouth is about 23 miles (37km) east of Montego Bay, and makes for an interesting walking tour. The centre of the town is Water Square, which features the Albert George Shopping and Historical Centre, a market full...  see full details



Hip Strip

Undoubtedly Montego Bay's liveliest area, the 'Hip Strip' (the area surrounding Gloucester Avenue) is a tourist hotspot of international repute. Jam-packed with sun-seeking visitors from dawn till dusk, the area is full of wonderful local eateries and relaxed bars where reggae music is the...  see full details



Montego Bay Marine Park © MBMP

Montego Bay Marine Park

The Montego Bay Marine Park is a large area of sea and shore located adjacent to the city of Montego Bay, proclaimed to protect some of Jamaica's best coral reefs and marine resources. The park is open to all, but has been divided...  see full details



Rose Hall Great House

Rose Hall

The Rose Hall Great House is one of Jamaica's most popular tourist attractions, particularly because of the Gothic horror legend surrounding the monstrous reign of the last mistress to live in the house. Stunningly beautiful Annie Palmer, known latterly as the 'White Witch of...  see full details



Excursions


Greenwood Great House

Generally regarded as 'the greatest' of Jamaica's Great Houses, the Greenwood Great House was built between 1780 and 1800. The residence of Richard Barrett (cousin of renowned poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning) - who is said to have presided over 33,600 hectares and 3,000 slaves...  see full details

Rocklands Bird Sanctuary

An extremely popular Montego Bay tourist attraction - and an absolute must for bird-lovers - the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the island of Jamaica's wide variety of colourful birdlife. Founded in 1954 by Lisa...  see full details

Events

Reggae Sumfest

Reggae Sumfest

For many people Jamaica is synonymous with reggae music. So where better to go to a reggae festival than in the reggae capital of the world? The Reggae Sumfest is held every summer in Montego Bay and attracts the best reggae, ska and...  see full details


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