Hotels in Montego Bay

Surrounded by beautiful white sand beaches and gentle rolling waves, Montego Bay is the capital of the parish of St. James in Jamaica. It boasts the fourth largest native population in the country, with half a million Jamaicans calling it home. Thanks to stunning scenery, gorgeous resorts, and enticing duty-free shopping, Montego Bay has long been one of the favoured vacation destinations for tourists and sun-seekers all over the world.

Something that makes Montego Bay stand out from the crowd when it comes to holiday destinations is the sheer number of great hotels and resorts that are dotted around the destination. If one resort is filled up, all you need to do is select the one right next door to it! There are accommodations to fit all categories of budget, making Montego Bay an affordable vacation option for everyone.

Neighbourhoods of Montego Bay

• Downtown: The main drag, it’s highly popular with tourists with some unique architecture.
• Gloucester Avenue: A tourist friendly area lined with shops, bars, cafes and hotels.
• Lucea: The ideal spot if you are looking for a peaceful experience away from the bustling nightlife.
• Rio Bueno: A great mix of beach life in the day and club life in the night right next to the sea.
• Brandon Heights: A quiet neighbourhood away from the main tourist area but close to the Montego Bay Marine Park.

What to see and do in Montego Bay

Montego Bay is filled with a pleasing mixture of relaxing activities and enriching historical activities. You can spend entire days lounging in the sun at Doctor’s Cave Beach, and then the very next day you can visit Sam Sharpe Square which boasts rows of colourful homes and is the sight of a very important anti-slavery monument in the town. The Rastafari Indigenous Village is also a must-see piece of preserved history. The gorgeous beaches present plenty of opportunities for water sports in and on the water as well as beach activities such as volleyball, cricket, beachcombing for shells and horse riding. Those looking for more water-based fun out of the ocean will enjoy spending a day at the popular Aqua Sol Theme Park, filled with water rides and seaside amusements.

What to eat in Montego Bay

The food options in Montego Bay are a classic snapshot of everything that Jamaica as a whole has to offer. At one of the many restaurants around the coast and further inland, you will be able to enjoy traditional dishes such as:

• Jerk chicken: Jerk is a special blend of local spices
• Red snapper: Traditionally cooked in classic parchment paper
• Ackee and saltfish: Jamaica’s national dish
• Jamaican patties: A spicy pastry filled with meat or vegetables
• Curried goat: Usually served with rice and peas

One thing that you can guarantee with Jamaican cuisine is that every single dish will always be packed full of flavour and colour.

Typical events and festivals in Montego Bay

There is always something going on in Montego Bay - you will find an event at pretty much any time of the year. Some of the most popular high profile events in the area include the Jamaica Jazz Festival in January, the Easter Regatta which is a four-day event featuring luxury yachts, the Reggae Sunfest which is a musical beach party every in July and, of course, Bob Marley Week that takes place over the week of the legendary musician’s birthday in February. The general vibe for events and festivals staged in Montego Bay is always celebrations of music and culture.

How to move around in Montego Bay

The most popular and convenient way to travel around Montego Bay is via the local bus network. There are a number of different bus lines that ferry locals and tourists alike to different parts of the area, along with other options including private hire minibuses and taxis that operate out of the official Montego Bay Transport Centre. Montego Bay is served by Sangster International Airport, which is the largest airport in Jamaica. For those hoping to visit by water, there is also a free port and a cruise line terminal that operates from a manmade peninsula that juts into the bay.

The climate in Montego Bay

Due to its Caribbean setting, Montego Bay enjoys a warm climate all year round. Peak travel time to the destination is Dec to May, with average temperatures ranging anywhere from 29 degrees to 31 degrees. The temperature rarely dips below the 22-degree range even in the ‘coldest’ parts of the year. Something to note is that the rainy season for Montego Bay is between June and November, and during this time there is always the possibility of hurricanes in the area.