Montego Bay Travel Guide
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. The Spanish settlement was founded in 1510. It has grown into Jamaica's second biggest city, but is first choice for holidaymakers. The beaches in the area are picture-perfect, while there is also bird watching, music festivals, horse riding trails, golfing and floating down the river on a bamboo raft.
The Montego Bay area also has a fascinating historical background, not all of it pleasant, which lives 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.
Things to do in Montego Bay
Many visitors have no desire to venture beyond the stunning white Caribbean beaches of Montego Bay. Doctor's Cave Beach is a great favourite; the Montego Bay Yacht Club is a wonderful location for cocktails or a romantic meal on the beach; and Cornwall Beach, Aquasol Beach and Sunset Beach are all popular choices. The Montego Bay Marine Park is a protected area ideal for scuba diving, snorkelling and any number of other ocean-based activities. Many of the beaches in Montego Bay are affiliated with resorts and have admission fees.
Montego Bay has two worthy Jamaican Great Houses to explore. The Greenwood Great House, built between 1780 and 1800, and once home to about 3,000 slaves, is now arguably the greatest antique museum in the Caribbean. The other is Rose Hall, infamous for the wicked female mistress who is still said to haunt its passageways.
There are many exciting excursions out of the city too, including tours of nearby plantations such as Croydon in the Mountains and visits to historic villages such as Falmouth. One of the most popular daytrips is a visit to the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, where visitors can hand feed hummingbirds.
Doctors 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 was through a cave, hence the name. The cave was destroyed in 1932 in a fierce hurricane, but the bathing club has lived on and the beach has become legendary. The water is warm and crystal clear, with its waters believed to have curative powers. Today, access to the beach is controlled through a smart entrance way and a complex of changing rooms, showers and a beach bar.
Rose Hall
Legend has it that plantation-owner Annie Palmer was murdered at the Rose Hall Great House in 1831, but not before she had rid herself of three husbands (allegedly by using voodoo magic). Palmer was killed during a slave uprising on the estate, brought about by her battle with a slave for the love of the estate supervisor. She is now known as the 'White Witch of Rose Hall'. The house, originally built in 1780, was abandoned for many years but has now been restored. A gift shop and pub are in operation in the dungeon, where the white witch is said to have imprisoned and tortured victims. The story endures powerfully in the local imagination and makes exploring this wonderful house quite spooky, especially on a night time candlelit tour.
Montego Bay Marine Park
The Montego Bay Marine Park protects some of Jamaica's best coral reefs and marine resources, divided into zones where different activities are allowed or restricted. The park's resource centre is found at Pier One Marina on the waterfront in downtown Montego Bay, providing information about the park and ecological presentations. Private operators also run undersea submersible tours of the reefs, while the marine park offers wonderful scuba diving and snorkelling. A really fun way to explore is to swim or snorkel out from Doctor's Cave Beach or Sunset Beach. This should only be attempted by experienced swimmers, who should have either a diver's flag or a bright life vest.
Falmouth
The old Georgian port of Falmouth makes for an interesting visit. The centre of the town is Water Square, which features a market full of little craft stalls that dates from 1895. Also of interest are plantation mansions as well as St Peter's Anglican Church and the William Knibb Memorial Church, a chapel built in memory of Jamaica's enthusiastic Baptist abolitionist. Besides the cultural attractions there are lovely beaches to roam and laze on. For the adventurous, there are river rapids and canopy jungle tours to be enjoyed just outside of the town. The famous Jamaican attractions of Dunn's River Falls and Dolphin Cove are also good excursions to combine with a trip to Falmouth.
Croydon in the Mountains
Nestled within a spellbinding landscape of lush foothills, wild flowers and trickling waterfalls, the Croydon Plantation will give travellers tremendous insight into the history and culture of Jamaica. National hero, Samuel Sharpe, was born here and would later be instrumental in the emancipation of Jamaica when, as a slave, he led the Christmas Rebellion of 1831. Today, this plantation and heritage site produces some of the finest coffee beans and tastiest pineapples in the world.
Visitors can learn about the history and processes of coffee and pineapple production on the plantation's fantastic guided tours, and will have the chance to savour some of the exquisite produce. Transport to and from the main Montego Bay hotels and the Grand Palladium Resort in Hanover is provided by the plantation.
Hip Strip
The Hip Strip is undoubtedly Montego Bay's liveliest area and is jam packed with sun-seeking visitors from dawn till dusk. It's full of wonderful local eateries and relaxed bars where reggae music is the only thing on the playlist. Tourists looking to let loose and have a real rum-fuelled party should check out the wild local nightclubs. Strolling along the strip and experiencing the vibe is essential on a trip to Montego Bay, which is the perfect place to trawl for souvenirs, enjoy a few cocktails and meet locals, many of whom are friendly and willing to dispense valuable advice about what to see and do in Jamaica.
Greenwood Great House
The Greenwood Great House was built between 1780 and 1800 and is generally regarded as the greatest of Jamaica's Great Houses. It was the residence of a notorious Richard Barrett, said to have presided over 33,600 hectares and 3,000 slaves. It stands as testament to both the grandeur and cruelty that the British brought to the Caribbean. Greenwood has not undergone extensive renovations, with a tour taking in the Barrett's original library, fine antique furniture and a collection of unusual musical instruments. Described as 'the finest antique museum in the Caribbean', an excursion to the Greenwood Great House is highly recommended for visitors to Montego Bay who are interested in the colonial history of the island.
Rocklands Bird Sanctuary
Rocklands Bird Sanctuary offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with Jamaica's wide variety of colourful birdlife. Founded in 1954 by Lisa Salmon, the highlight of the trip is the opportunity to hand-feed hummingbirds (including the Doctor Bird, Jamaica's national bird) while relaxing in the shade on the patio. The sanctuary is lush and full of plants and flowers, so apart from the bird sighting opportunities, it's a lovely place to wander off for a nature walk. The sanctuary is nearby Montego Bay but the roads are bad, so many prefer to travel with a tour and an experienced driver.
Montego Bay Climate and Weather
The tropical climate of Montego Bay ensures it's warm and sunny year-round, making it a great holiday destination. There is little seasonal variation in temperatures, with the average high being 91F (33C) and the lowest temperature generally only falling to 69F (21C). July and August are the hottest months and January through March are the coolest but the difference in temperature is minor.
There are frequent rain showers in Montego Bay, but these are brief and the weather usually turns sunny again afterwards. The Jamaican rainy season runs from May to November, with the chance of hurricanes between June and November. The wettest months in Montego Bay are September and October.
The most popular time to travel to Montego Bay (and the rest of the island) is in the dry season between mid-December and mid-April. But if visitors are travelling on a budget or want to avoid the crowds, it's a good idea to travel to Montego Bay in the wet season because it's cheaper and the short-lived rain showers don't generally put much of a dampener on a Jamaican holiday. It's always warm enough to swim in the lovely Caribbean waters of Montego Bay.
Jamaica travel info
Electricity
Electrical current is 110 volts, 50Hz. Flat two- and three-pin plugs are in use.
Language
The official language of Jamaica is English but a local patois is also spoken, which is a mixture of English, Spanish, and various African languages.
Money
The Jamaican dollar (JMD) is the local currency and is divided into 100 cents. The island is well supplied with ATMs, banks and bureaux de change, with banking hours usually running Monday to Thursday from 9am to 2pm, and Friday from 9am to 4pm. Cambio exchange offices are found throughout the country and often offer better exchange rates than banks, as do exchange bureaux at the airports and hotels. Travellers should retain receipts as proof of legal currency exchange. Major credit cards are widely accepted; cash is best taken in US dollars.
Tipping
Outside the all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica where tips are part of the package, visitors should tip 10 to 15 percent for taxis, personal services, room service and restaurants where a service charge is not already included in the bill. Parking attendants, bellboys and porters also expect a small tip.
Health
While generally safe, the tap water can cause stomach upsets and visitors are advised to drink bottled water. Mosquito-borne diseases, such as Zika, dengue fever and chikungunya have been confirmed. Private medical facilities are of a reasonable standard but can vary throughout the island, with facilities limited outside Kingston and Montego Bay. Medical treatment can be expensive so travel insurance is advised. If visitors require prescription medication, it's best to bring it with them, along with a signed and dated letter from their doctor naming the medication and explaining why they need it.
Safety
There are incidents of petty crime such as robbery, particularly in the capital city of Kingston and in Montego Bay. Tourists are advised to be cautious and take care of their belongings. It's best to avoid using buses at night and also to steer clear of any public demonstrations that may occur. Hurricane season runs from June to November. While it is rare for tropical storms to make landfall in Jamaica, visitors travelling at this time should monitor local and international weather updates for peace of mind.
Local customs
Contrary to popular belief, smoking marijuana is illegal in Jamaica. Homosexuality is also prohibited by law and the country is notorious for its intolerance towards it.
Doing business
Business in Jamaica is surprisingly formal, with proper titles used and suits and ties the norm despite the tropical climate. Introductions are usually made with a handshake and an exchange of business cards. Punctuality is key, and socialising is an important aspect of the business meeting. Business hours are usually from 8:30am to 4:30pm or 5pm on weekdays.
Duty free
Travellers to Jamaica over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 230g of other tobacco products; 1L alcoholic beverages and wine; and perfume up to 170ml. Prohibited items include products made from goatskin (e.g. drums, handbags and rugs).
Communications
The international access code for Jamaica is +1, in common with the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean, followed by 876. WiFi is available in the main towns, restaurants and resorts; travellers can purchase local prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones.
Passport & Visa
All foreign visitors to Jamaica must hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the country, return or onward tickets, and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Jamaica if visitors are arriving from or have transited through an infected area. It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry requirements
US citizens must have a passport to enter Jamaica that has to be valid upon their return to the USA. A visa is required for stays of over 90 days.
UK citizens must have a passport to enter Jamaica that has to be valid for the duration of their stay. A visa is required for stays of over 90 days.
Canadian citizens require a passport valid for period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of fewer than 90 days.
Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay in Jamaica. No visa is required for stays of fewer than 90 days.
South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay in Jamaica. A visa is required.
Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay in Jamaica. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay in Jamaica. No visa is required for stays of fewer than 90 days.
Useful contacts
www.visitjamaica.com
119 (Police); 110 (Ambulance, Fire)Embassies / consulates in other countries
Jamaican Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 452 0660.
Jamaica High Commission, London, United Kingdom: +44 20 7823 9911.
Jamaican High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 233 9311.
Jamaican Embassy, Sydney +61 04 0220 5266.
Jamaican High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 362 6667
Jamaican Embassy, Brussels, Belgium (also responsible for Ireland): +32 2 230 1170.
Embassies / consulates in Jamaica
United States Embassy, Kingston: +1 876 702 6000.
British High Commission, Kingston: +1 876 936 0700
Canadian High Commission, Kingston: +1 876 926 1500.
Australian High Commission, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for Jamaica): +1 868 822 5450.
South African High Commission, Kingston: + 1 876 620 4840.
Irish Embassy, Ottawa, Canada (also responsible for Jamaica): +1 613 233 6281.
New Zealand High Commission, Ottawa, Canada (also responsible for Jamaica): +1 613 238 5991.