The Best of Montego Bay – You will have fun filled, sunny days to remember with a Montego Bay Jamaica vacation. For those of you who pictured yourself lying back on perfectly white, sandy beaches, the sky above blue and sunny, while cooling down with delicious drinks at your leisure – Montego Bay is your ideal destination.
Montego Bay is Jamaica’s top tourist destination, welcoming visitors arriving by air and sea. The capital of St. James Parish was founded in the 16th century by the Spanish and today is home to scores of resorts suiting every budget. When visitors aren’t relaxing on Montego Bay’s beaches, there are countless options for fun and entertainment. Continue reading our Montego Bay Vacations post and start planning today! And for other great Jamaica beach destinations, visit our Jamaica Travel Guide, or visit us on Pinterest.
Montego Bay Weather (When to Visit)
The best time to visit Montego Bay is November to mid-December. That’s when the island’s already beautiful weather (ranging from mid-70s to the high 80s all year-round) is the most pleasant and the hotel and flight deals are the easiest to find. Rates are also cheap during the summer, but you’ll risk the wrath of hurricane season. January to March is the peak travel season to the island – room rates can spike to more than $700 per night at some hotels
The Best of Montego Bay Beaches
Doctor’s Cave Beach
Doctor’s Cave Beach is a private beach so expect to pay an entrance fee. But in exchange for your entrance fee, you get a near perfect beach with the cleanest restrooms you’ll find on a beach. There are also ample lounge chairs and umbrellas for rent. The drawbacks though is that it gets really crowded on ship days, and there’s always someone trying to sell you a bracelet or braid your hair.
Treasure Beach
This south coast beach community, known as much for fishing and farming than tourism, offers a great opportunity to mingle with ‘real’ Jamaicans far from the tourist hordes. Expect to find uncrowded sands, private coves, and laid-back resorts, dining, and nightclubs. If you need a place to crash, try the barefoot-chic oceanfront Jake’s Hotel.
Seven-Mile Beach
The longest beach in Jamaica is one of the island’s best. Seven Mile Beach is lined with resorts but maintains a touch of Negril’s free-love spirit with a number of designated areas for nude sunbathing, including at the Hedonism II Resort.
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Rose Hall Beach
If you’re in Montego Bay and looking for a more sedate beach experience than you’ll find downtown, head east to Rose Hall Beach. Stay at one of the luxury beachfront resorts here, such as the Iberostar, Half Moon, or the Hilton Rose Hall, and this glorious strip of sand will be right outside your doorway. You can access this beach at the Rose Hall Beach Club, which has a restaurant, beach bar, and live entertainment, among other amenities.
Boston Bay Beach
Boston Bay Beach, located in the somewhat faded tourist town of Port Antonio, is known for having some of the best jerk stands and surfing in the country. The beach is frequently by locals and tourists alike.
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The Best of Montego Bay Restaurants
The Houseboat Grill $11 – 30 The Houseboat Grill offers a unique setting for an intimate, one of a kind dining experience. Enjoy dinner downstairs in our cozy dining room, upstairs on our upper deck under the stars. The Houseboat Grill features a constantly evolving fusion menu created by internationally trained Chef Rich Nurse. Come casually elegant. Telephone: 876-979-8845 Web: The Houseboat Grill
The Pelican Grill $11 – 30 Located on the “Hip Strip” is Montego Bays place for mouthwatering Jamaican cuisine. Try our steamed red snapper with okras and bammy, ackee and salted codfish with boiled green bananas, yam and fried johnny cakes. Desserts include sweet potato and bread pudding. West Indian curries, escoveitched fish, jerk chicken, stewed peas, oxtail & more. Family owned & operated & serving only the freshest, truly Jamaican home-style dishes to Montego Bay patrons for almost 50 years. Telephone: 876-952-3171 Web: The Pelican Grill
Juici Patties Restaurant Under $10 Over fifty products comprising different types of patties, loaves, soups, porridges and traditional breakfast dishes. In an increasingly, fast-paced society, Juici developed a menu that reflected the taste of the Jamaican people, and offered them the kind of food most were accustomed to having. Telephone: 876-940-3494 Web: Juici Patties Restaurant
Scotchies Under $10 With three locations around the island, and most recently, one in Belize, Scotchies has quickly become the jerk authority of the Caribbean. The recipe and technique is the same at every branch, and the owners have done a fantastic job in keeping each setting as close to the original as possible. Diners watch their food being smoked and cut right in front of them. Telephone: 876-953-8041 Web: Scotchies
Sugar Mill Restaurant $31 – 60 Sugar Mill Restaurant, located at the beautiful Half Moon Resort, provides one of Montego Bay’s most luxurious and romantic dining experiences. Ask to be seated outside in their beautifully lit courtyard, under the shade of the restaurant’s massive sea grape tree. You’ll be soothed by the sound of chirping cicadas and the gentle turning of the nearby waterwheel, set on the foundations of the Running Gut Estate, which dates back to 1676. Telephone: 888-830-5974 Web: Sugar Mill Restaurant
The Best of Montego Bay Nightlife
Pier 1 One of Montego Bay’s most popular bars is Pier 1. You’ll find both locals and tourists enjoying the waterfront views and incredible music every night of the week. On Wednesday and Friday nights the pier comes alive as DJs and dance hall artists perform for the crowds who stay well into the morning drinking rum and Cokes the whole night through. Jamaicans love to dance and celebrate, and you’ll find plenty of that at Pier 1. Telephone: 876-952-2452 Web: Pier 1
Biggs BBQ Restaurant & Bar Known, primarily for their BBQ, Bigg’s also serves outrageous cocktails that you have to try. The master mixologists have created a totally unique cocktail menu that you won’t see anywhere else on the island. Some of the drinks look like meals within themselves; their signature Bloody Mary, called The Hog Father, is infused with habanero peppers and garnished with a beef slider and strips of bacon. Telephone: 876-620-4227 Web: Biggs BBQ Restaurant & Bar
Blue Beat Ultra Lounge If you’re looking for nightlife, style, and lots of fun, Blue Beat is a great place to go. It’s more of a nightclub, than bar, but a fantastic place to get great cocktails and listen to all the latest music across almost every genre. The lounge has indoor and outdoor space, which adds to the casual yet elegant environment. Telephone: 876-952-4777 Web: Blue Beat Ultra Lounge
Sky Beach Bar & Seafood Grill Just outside of Montego Bay, off of the main highway in Hopewell, is Sky Beach Bar & Seafood Grill. The casual bar provides the perfect setting to enjoy a rum punch on the beach at sunset. You’ll be right on the water, in a beautiful setting with nothing but the waves and chirping cicadas to accompany you throughout the evening. Telephone: 876-956-5006 Web: Sky Beach Bar & Seafood Grill
Mobay Proper Sports Bar & Grill This bar and grill is a perfect representation of the hidden side of Montego Bay, as it is a regular local spot to get great food and drinks at a reasonable price. You wont find an endless list of cocktails or any neon colored cocktails, but you will find amazing, friendly staff that brings the best of island simplicity to the bar. Telephone: 876-940-1233 Web: Mobay Proper Sports Bar & Grill.
The $ – $$$$ don’t just stand for the price, they are a TripAdvisor rating as follows:
$ – fast food, self service, $$ – casual, sit-down service, $$$ – more formal dining, $$$$ – most expensive, special occasion. So the cost is a bit relative. It’s more of what the type of restaurant is, and the cost that would be general for that type of restaurant if that makes sense. I might have to change my description 🙂 thanks for the visit.
For the 30 minutes, I have emerged myself with the aesthetic beauty of God’s created beautiful Montego Bay with man-made magnificence of lovely hotels, park, nightclub and what not.
All these eye-catching pictures narrate the story hidden inside this piece of treasure, a place definitely worth visiting.
Starting from Visa status, travel package, airfare to hotels and restaurants, food and beverage description, sports, ride, it has built completely the package.
It is a review addressing all the questions you may have in your mind. If I hope if I travel alone I will be safe.
Hi Anusuya, yes you can travel alone to Montego Bay and be completely safe. Just take the normal precautions you would for visiting any foreign country. I am glad you enjoyed, and thanks for visiting!
This is great! I haven`t been to any places in Jamaica and by just reading your detailed review makes me book a trip anytime soon. Those places look amazing, and i commend you for being detailed on this topic.
This article is helpful for planning a holiday in Jamaica. You have covered the good places to go.
Thanks for sharing this article.
You are very welcome Hanna. Thanks for visiting my Montego Bay Jamaica Vacations review.
My boss went to Jamaica and came back and told me if Jamaica wasnt on my bucket list then it should be. We are always looking for new places to take a holiday. However there is one twist in our planning.
We are raising our 7 year old grandson so we have to make sure there are things for kids to do as well. Maybe you could tell me what kinds of things there are for kids.
Thank you for a great review. The pictures make me want to book a flight right now.
Dale
Hi Dale and thanks for visiting. I am glad you enjoyed my review of Montego Bay Jamaica. If you go here to TripAdvisor, they really do have a great list of things you can do with children in Montego Bay. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
I want to go! Take me! Take me!
What a beautiful and thorough visit you took us on — just built a desire in me to go see this wonderful, sunny place. What is the weather like for the first few months of the year? Sounds like it is excellent. Unfortunate, that the rates are higher then, but my business is too busy in November and December to leave. However, leaving Alaska in the early part of the year is a good thing.
Ok Fran, Let’s Go! You know, anytime of year you will find gorgeous weather actually. I live in Florida, so I like to go when it is at it’s warmest, being the warm weather gal that I am. Even during Hurricane season is okay as the price is definitely right, and if the area is clear than I am all in! Thanks for stopping by!
Goodness, what a marvelous place to visit. So much to do, the options appear endless. Not sure if I would like to go in hurricane season but the prices are so much better. I have been to Jamaica before on a Cruise Liner so was able to experience the beauty of the beaches and the glorious color of the ocean but have not been to Montego Bay.
Think it must go on my wish list.
Thanks for reading Jill! I like Montego Bay the best out of all the Jamaica destinations. I think I could vacation back to any of them though, would not be hard!
I really love this article it gives me so much information on taking a vacation in a great place like Jamaica.I have been dreaming going to Jamaica because I found it cool and very unique to visit.
I like this website due to its articles on different attractive places to visit .
I wish I could visit such fantastic places you recommend to us.
You will soon Julienne! I am glad you enjoyed and thanks for the visit.
Oh my gosh, Jamaica it is.
I am sitting here right now and try to warm myself up by looking for tropical destinations, in the meantime we have an ice storm going on where I live.
An aunt of mine once went to Jamaica and I still remember how she talked about it for months and months after she was back again.
I appreciate the video it really hit me even more that I have to go there. We haven’t planned our Winter going away destination, yet, but, I am sure that Jamaica is at the top of the list.
Thank you for sharing it, it really made my otherwise, cold day, a bit warmer.
I am glad that you warmed up somewhat after reading about Montego Bay Jamaica Vacations 🙂 A nice warm and sunny place would be great right now I am sure. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Leahrae – that’s a wonderful run-down of Montego Bay facilities. I’ve only been to Jamaica once and that was as part of a cruise stop about 15 years ago! We walked up a waterfall but I can’t remember where that was – probably not MoBay as you didn’t mention it! 🙂
Jamaica was home to Iam Fleming (James Bond and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and, as a writer, I always had a fascination for it. However, he lived quite a way further along the coast, I think.
I have often thought of going back to Jmaica and exploring the island but from what you say, Montego Bay alone would take a complete holiday to explore! Beeing a foodie 🙂 I liked your restaurant reviews. Although you give price ranges, can you give some sort of guide as to what a $ or $$$$ restaurant might cost, or the equivalent?
Heck, you got me thinking of sunny, beachy weather now :-)Ian
Oh man, that Luminous Lagoon! Jamaica has been on my bucket list for too long. The food alone makes me swoon but, all of my friends say I must go at least once!
They are always worried when I go to tropical destinations that I will never come back! *winks* they know me very well indeed.
I’ve heard great things about the couples only Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall. Some friends across the pond have visited there and had nothing but, amazing things to say.
I agree! Everyone needs to go at least once. I too, would want to stay and never leave! But I do live at the beach, so that helps…a lot LOL You will love the Hyatt Zilara. Great hotel! Thanks for stopping by.
A Montego Bay Jamaica vacation is just what I need. I really love this article it gives me so much information on taking a vacation in Jamaica. A getaway like this is going to be wonderful.
I just had some friends to come back from Montego Bay and they really said they enjoyed themselves now I am really interested in going because of reading your wonderful article.
Thank you for helping me with all your visual of Montego Bay I really love them and it gives me something really to look forward too.
Thank you again I really appreciate this wonderful article.
You are very welcome Quinn, and I am glad you enjoyed your digital vacation to Montego Bay! I hope you can vacation there soon.
Love this post, really want my vacation early now! I’ve always fancied Jamaica as a holiday but never really looked into it before as I thought it would be too expensive. But, after reading your post I am definitely going to look into it further.
I know you said peak season is Nov-Dec and I certainly want to avoid hurricane season, what other month would recommend? My other half is ok with some heat but not when it is at it’s highest.
Hi Michelle and thanks for visiting. I think that February and March are great months, just because there is so much going on, and you would really get to experience Jamaica. Not too hot, yet not cold.
I can’t believe my eyes Jamaica is this beautiful. Thanks for this eye opening article. I’ll plan my next vacation on a trip to Jamaica. What would you think will be the total cost implication for someone coming from a third world country?.
Thanks for this wonderful post as always. I will keep update with your blog for more travel ideas
Boy Lok, it is really hard to give a cost estimate without knowing exactly where you will be flying from, what type of hotel, how long you will be staying and any tours/activities you might want to do. If you can shoot me a detail filling in these blanks, I can give you a pretty good estimate. Thanks for stopping by.
Remarkable blue skies and water…just what I need right now! Awesome review and recommendations. Do you have any recommendations for the best areas to snorkel? I’m also interested in learning how to scuba dive. Could you direct me to the best scuba diving schools in Montego Bay Jamaica? Your site is really increasing my excitement to travel south…really soon.
Great Paul! The best place to snorkel is going to be Doctor’s Cave Beach. That is where you will want to snorkel. For diving, I would go with Dressel Divers. They are the best choice in my opinion 🙂 Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Lehrae,
Jamaica has been one of my travel destinations on my bucket list for years and deciding just where to go in Jamaica has not been added to the list just yet. Montego Bay might just have found its way to that location I end up wanting to go. Is the water seriously that blue color? Appleton Estates would just have to visit there once I hit the island along with the equestrian activities you have listed. My love of horses being what it is. Can you really swim with the horses? Thank you so much for showing me that Montego Bay is a great pick for my trip to Jamaica.
Susan
Yes, the water is that blue! And yes you can swim with the horses. You just hit the jackpot and I think this would be the perfect Jamaican destination for you. Please let me know if you have any further questions.
ive been to Jamaica many times but not Montego bay, I would love to go here , it looks truly beautiful , I know the resort we went to certainly was, Sandy Bay being my fav but its no longer there which Is sad, but now I am looking to try Montego Bay, thank you for the helpful info on your site.
You will enjoy Montego Bay Jayde. Sandy Bay is still there. I am curious why you say it is not. Am wondering if you know something I don’t LOL. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow, I didn’t know Jamaica is this beautiful.
That bioluminescent bay just makes me speechless.
I’ve never seen such a beautiful bay.
It has just increased my curiosity.
Thanks for this excellent post as always.
You are welcome Pearl and thanks for visiting!
Thank you for a very informative article on Montego Bay Jamaica. I knew the island was beautiful, but the way you described it, made its beauty leap off the page. The luminescent bay seems magical. I love Jamaican food here in the U.S., and I can only imagine how delicious it is in Jamaica. Great review.
Thanks Shalisha! Now you are ready to plan to this beautiful destination 🙂 The food is fantastic in Jamaica, I hope you can visit there soon!