With plenty of beach resorts and golf courses, Montego Bay is certainly a crowd-puller. Perched on Jamaica's north coast on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, Montego Bay is packed with all the elements required for an ideal tropical vacation. From sun-soaked beaches, emerald waters of the Caribbean, tropical gardens, historic plantations, lush countryside, it has got it all.
There are plenty of options in Montego Bay to have a peaceful escape from the urban grit. The all-inclusive resorts make your staycation comfortable, adventurous, and all beachy. Whether you are looking for a romantic tropical vacation or family trip, this Jamaican destination ticks all the tropical boxes.
However, before you book a flight to Jamaica, here is what you should know about the city.
Best Time To Be in Montego bay
Montego Bay has a tropical monsoon climate. It remains warm and sunny all year round. The yearly average maximum temperature is 29℃. Although you can plan a trip to this tropical paradise any time of the year, it is better to book a flight to Montego Bay between December and March. During these months, the weather is mostly settled and is perfect for sightseeing.
Top Places To Visit in Montego Bay
Whether you are an adventure-seeker or someone looking for a peaceful romantic getaway on the Caribbean beaches, Montego Bay knows how to set the mood right. Snorkelers and divers explore the protected reefs in the waters, while others go for fishing, golfing, or river riding on bamboo shafts. There’s plenty to do and plenty to explore in Montego Bay.
Here are a few attractions to explore in Montego Bay
Dunn’s River Falls
Dunn’s River Falls, tumbling down 180 meters of limestone terraces, make a great day trip. Take a 90 minute drive from Montego Bay near Ocho Rios and combine your trip to the falls with Nine Mile, the birthplace of legendary musician Bob Marley. There’s a pristine natural pool at the bottom of the fall. It is not deep and visitors, including kids can swim in the waters to cool off the heat. Visitors also climb the waterfall, which takes one and a half hours.
There are stairs alongside the fall for those who do not want to get wet or take risk on uneven and slippery rocks. The fall is surrounded by lush vegetation, which is a sight to behold. Another attraction Nine Mile is not far from the fall and is a must-visit. The museum, dedicated to Bob Marley, houses artifacts, including guitars, awards, and photographs of Bob Marley.
Doctor’s Cave Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Jamaica is Doctor’s Cave beach, known for its white sands and turquoise water. In 1920, a British osteopath claimed that the waters of Doctor’s Cave beach have healing properties, which he believed are fed by mineral springs. This claim helped shape Montego Bay’s tourism industry. There are several all-inclusive resorts in Montego Bay near the beach.
Today, a large number of beach-goers flock to Doctor’s Cave to soak in the sun, enjoy the soft white sands on their toes, and swim in the calm waters. The beach is also packed by cruise ship passengers and snorkelers. You have to pay an entry fee of $6 to enter the beach. The beach is lined with restaurants, gift shops, change rooms, hotels, and resorts as well.
Rocklands Bird Sanctuary
Whether you are an ornithologist or not, a day trip to Rocklands Bird Sanctuary is one of the top things to do in Montego Bay. The sanctuary is always crowded with bird watchers, nature lovers, and photographers. Visitors to the sanctuary can even hand feed the exotic and endemic birds. When you arrive in the sanctuary, you will be given a bottle of nectar, bird seed, and a place seat. As soon as you take the seat, hummingbirds start pouring on your hands to savor the seeds.
It is also home to Jamaica’s national bird the long-tailed doctor bird. The story behind the sanctuary is fascinating. The owner of the house used to take long walks in the woods and feed the birds. These birds got used to her and started following her home. Although she died, the legacy she left behind lives on.
YS Falls
Another charming natural gem is YS Falls, a natural wonderland packed with plenty of fun things to do in Montego Bay.seven tiers of cascades in YS Falls let visitors bask in its natural beauty. Whether you are looking for an escape to reconnect with nature and relax or looking for an adventure, YS Falls is the right place to be. Its main highlight is the fall cascading from pool to pool, forming a tier of waterfalls. Take a soak in the n natural spring pools or cool off under the gushing waterfall.
The main pool is just four feet deep and hence is easy to lounge even if you are with kids. Thrill-seekers also head into the canopy and try out the canopy rides. Or you can enjoy ziplining and hang from a rope swing, which is 40 feet above the waterfall. Or you can traverse through the wooded jungle to admire the wild beauty of Montego Bay.
Martha Brae River Rafting
River rafting on a traditional bamboo shaft in Martha Brae is one of the most peaceful yet thrilling activities to do in Montego Bay. A river rafting day trip in Martha Brae lets you explore the wilderness of Jamaica. Both sides of the river are lined by wooded jungles. Book a rafting tour to experience this otherworldly adventure. It involves drifting down five kilometers of jungle-fringed river on bamboo rafts and along the way, you can admire the native flora and fauna.
The river rafting trip includes various amenities like restrooms, swimming pools, picnic ground, a lounge area, gift shops, and a medical garden. Another highlight is river tubing, which is a fun way to float in the river. Martha Brae is just 40 minutes away from Montego Bay.
Greenwood Great House
If you are interested in soaking up a tiny slice of Jamaica’s fascinating history, take a trip to Greenwood Great House, a 200 year old home that survived the slave rebellion of Christmas 1831. The house was originally owned by Richard Barrett, cousin of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, an English Victorian era poet. The house was built in the 1700s and is filled with antique paintings and furniture.
There is a library full of rare books, a small collection of musical instruments, including rosewood piano, music box, and barrel organ. A trip to this Victorian-era house lets you experience what a Jamaican Victorian-era felt like for the elites. Moreover, its location up in the hills offers some panoramic vistas of the surrounding areas.
Bottom Line
Montego Bay is one of Jamaica’s most popular tourist destinations. This tropical paradise is known for its diverse natural attractions. The postcard-perfect beaches are not only visually appealing, it also offers plenty of sunshine to bask. Surfers and snorkelers love its gentle waters. And history buffs hardly get time off from digging history. Hence, if a vacation is on your card this summer, make Montego Bay your next destination.
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