The Best of Montego Bay

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 Best of Montego Bay 5 Star Resorts