Montego Bay

Travel Guide

Montego Bay
Montego Bay
Doctor\'s Cave Beach which includes tropical scenes, a sandy beach and general coastal views
Montego Bay featuring tropical scenes and general coastal views
Montego Bay showing tropical scenes, a beach and general coastal views

This Caribbean city offers the essential vacation ingredients: white-sand beaches, a rich history and a relaxed pace.

Relaxation is one of the top reasons why visitors come to Montego Bay, and the beautiful beaches here offer the perfect place to indulge in nothing but enjoying the glorious Jamaica weather. The beaches have white sand, clear water and coral reefs that are perfect for snorkeling just 300 feet (92 meters) from the shoreline. Order cocktails from the beach bar and have them delivered to your rented lounge chair. The locals operate on “Jamaican time,” which means that service might sometimes be slow but it will always be friendly. Doctor’s Cave Beach and Walter Fletcher Beach are the city’s major draws, offering calm water and white sand. For adventure, try wave running, jet skiing and scuba diving, all of which can be done at the city’s main beaches. Aquasol Theme Park also offers a range of watersports, plus go-kart racing and tennis, making it an ideal place for families. Elsewhere, local crafts markets and grand colonial architecture provide a glimpse of Jamaican culture, both past and present. Jamaica became a British colony in 1655, and slavery was introduced on sugar plantations soon after. At Rose Hall Great House you’ll get a glimpse of Montego Bay’s part in the country’s history of slavery. The plantation house was built in the 1770s and one of its former residents, Annie Palmer, referred to as the White Witch of Rose Hall, is said to haunt the home still. Explore Sam Sharpe Square, the heart of the city. A bronze monument commemorates Sam Sharpe, the 19th-century Baptist minister who led a major rebellion that contributed to the end of slavery in the area. Today, he is considered a national hero. The cobblestone square is full of beautiful colonial architecture and is great for people-watching. Restaurants and cafés line the major downtown thoroughfares of St. James Street and Market streets. Enjoy seafood brought fresh from the nearby Caribbean Sea, or try a dish seasoned with jerk spice, a Jamaican speciality. Montego Bay is a quaint city on the Caribbean Sea, about three hours by car from Jamaica’s capital, Kingston. Pristine beaches, friendly locals and a rich culture make it a popular, family-friendly destination year-round.

For more details on interesting local attractions and activities, check out our things to do in Montego Bay page.

Where to stay in Montego Bay

AquaSol Theme Park featuring outdoor art

Hip Strip

Hip Strip is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Doctor's Cave Beach and Jamaica Beaches, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Montego Bay.

Hip Strip
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Ironshore

Though Ironshore might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Blue Diamond Shopping Centre and SuperClubs Ironshore Golf and Country Club.

Ironshore
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Catherine Hall

Catherine Hall might not have many top sights, but Saint James Parish Church and Montego Bay Marine Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Catherine Hall
Beautiful aerial view of Montego Bay with a cruise ship in port. We stayed at the couples only, all-inclusive Couples Ocho Rios resort for 3 days and this was on our way to 4 days at the Couples Negril resort. I highly recommend both of the resorts.

Coral Gardens

While there might not be top attractions in Coral Gardens, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Saint James Parish Church and Montego Bay Marine Park.

Coral Gardens
Early morning in Montego Bay. All is calm

Northern Estates

4/5(322 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in Northern Estates, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Rose Hall Great House and Half Moon Golf Course.

Northern Estates
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Albion

While Albion isn't home to many top sights, Saint James Parish Church and Montego Bay Marine Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Albion
Hotel Riu Montego Bay - Adults Only - All Inclusive
Hotel Riu Montego Bay - Adults Only - All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Mahoe Bay, Ironshore, Montego Bay, Saint James
$366 nightly
The price is $424 total per night from Jul 8 to Jul 9
$424 total
Jul 8 - Jul 9
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star beach property in Montego Bay. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,746 reviews)
"There were a lot of food options, entertainment, and friendly and responsive staff."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Hotel Riu Montego Bay - Adults Only - All Inclusive
Deja Resort All Inclusive
Deja Resort All Inclusive
3.5 out of 5
92 Gloucester Avenue, Montego Bay, Saint James
$205 nightly
The price is $226 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$226 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star beach property in Montego Bay. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,243 reviews)
"Really nice pool needed to be cleaned but really great !"

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Deja Resort All Inclusive
Hotel Riu Reggae - Adults Only - All Inclusive
Hotel Riu Reggae - Adults Only - All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Montego Bay, Montego Bay
$462 nightly
The price is $462 total per night from Jul 8 to Jul 9
$462 total
Jul 8 - Jul 9
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star beach property in Montego Bay. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,031 reviews)
"My Husband and I overall had a great experience. The guest at this location was more on the loud and party vibe, we were looking to relax. The hotel staff was great, food delicious ... but our favorite part was the AMAZING ENTERTAINMENT!"

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Hotel Riu Reggae - Adults Only - All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Dalley's Cozy Apartments
Dalley's Cozy Apartments
3 out of 5
46 Gloucester Avenue, Montego Bay, St. James Parish
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Montego Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and concierge services. Popular attractions Doctor's Cave Beach ...
8/10 Very Good! (4 reviews)
"I really enjoyed my stay. I was completely burned out from personal drama and work. It was the perfect location for me to relax, have some alone time, and spend quality time with my good friend. The location is ideal. It is located above a supermarket on the Hip strip in Montego Bay. It is a discrete ..."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

Dalley's Cozy Apartments
Montego Bay Club Apartments
Montego Bay Club Apartments
4 out of 5
11 Queens Drive, Montego Bay, St. James Parish
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Montego Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Doctor's Cave Beach and Sunset Beach ...
7.2/10 Good! (34 reviews)
"The exact location was a little tricky but Karl was a phone call away to assist. The building was safe and close to everything, but it’s in need of repairs and updating. The apartment itself met our expectations for the price paid. Loved the balcony to watch sunsets and the hip strip. My family loved ..."

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2025

Montego Bay Club Apartments
Montego Bay Club Beach Resort
Montego Bay Club Beach Resort
3.5 out of 5
11 Queens Drive, Montego Bay, St.James
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Montego Bay. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Doctor's Cave Beach and Sunset ...
4/10 (32 reviews)
"The view is out of this world and the is kept clean."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Montego Bay Club Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Montego Bay

There are various ways of getting around Montego Bay and the surrounding area, but traveling by taxi is by far the simplest. The distances you will need to cover are fairly small, so you shouldn’t end up spending too much money. Do make sure, though, that if your taxi has a meter it is recording a reasonable price. For non-metered taxis, always negotiate a price before you get into the vehicle. Visit the Port Authority of JamaicaOpens in a new window website.Browse Montego Bay rental cars.

Best time to visit

Like all of Jamaica, Montego Bay will be hot and sunny no matter when you visit. There are slight fluctuations in temperature throughout the year, but you will never need more than a T-shirt and shorts. Despite the fairly consistent weather, high season is generally confind to mid December to mid April. Try to visit outside these months to benefit from lower hotel prices and more peaceful beaches.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Montego Bay

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