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Montego Bay Travel Guide

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 blue 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-postcard perfect and visitors can choose from a variety of recreations, from bird watching to music festivals; golfing to riding a river on a bamboo raft.

The MoBay area also has some fascinating historical perspectives, not all of them pleasant, that live on preserved in the legends and a 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 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


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


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

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 Rose Hall',... see full details



Excursions

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 on 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


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. Centre of the town is Water Square, which features the Albert George Shopping and Historical Centre, a market full... see full details



Looking for an unforgettable Jamaica holiday? Check out tour operator thomson.co.uk today.
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