Your Checklist for the Best Things to Do in Montego Bay

A paradise for adventure seekers and beach lovers alike, Montego Bay has so much to offer. With its crystal-clear waters, horseback riding expeditions, and fast-paced rafting, Montego Bay is the ultimate travel destination for cruisers from all over. 

Montego Bay, also known as MoBay, is Jamaica’s largest city and tourism capital, and together with the nearby towns of Ocho Rios and Falmouth, offer boundless opportunities for fun and relaxation on the island.

In the early days the city was a prominent sugarcane and pig lard port for the region’s busy shipping straits; sadly these same straits also brought slaves, bringing a dark side to this bright place until the slave rebellion in 1831.

Today Montego Bay is a large commercial center and port, as well as a top choice for all things Jamaica. Read on to discover some of the best Montego Bay attractions.

Best things to do in Montego Bay:

The Beaches

Why just go to the beach when you can hang out at the beach in style? Skip the beach blanket wars and treat yourself to a day of sunny bliss on the best beaches of Montego Bay with an exclusive day pass at one of these all-inclusive beach resorts:

Royalton White Sands Luxury Resort — this upscale, family-friendly resort will pamper you with private beaches and all manner of water fun. You will enjoy access to an adult-only pool, an all-ages pool, and a lazy river where you can float all around the resort. The kids will have a blast on the splash pads and in the pirate-themed water park. Bonus: there is a supervised kids program on site to keep the little ones entertained so you can relish a little “me” time.

Take a break from the sun to sample local and international cuisine at the resort’s buffet or in one of their specialty restaurants. Afterward, grab a signature cocktail and mingle with others at the bars.

 Riu resort — This adults-only resort has all the toys you could want, including beach chairs, sun umbrellas, and towel service to enjoy the private beach in comfort. Take to the waters for a refreshing swim and enjoy the many water toys (kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, and sailing) or stay on land and play on the water slides at the resort’s Splash Water World park.

With several swimming pools, a swim up bar, jacuzzi, whirlpool, sauna, table tennis, and volleyball, you won’t get bored! Feast on authentic Jamaican barbecue or treat yourself to the bountiful lunch buffet, then take a drink (or two) to the nearest hammock to watch the waves roll in. A wellness center is also on site, for an additional charge.

Hedonism II Negril Resort — laze the day away in nearby Negril on the famous Seven Mile Beach at this legendary hedonism playground. What can we say? This adult-only, clothing optional resort certainly lives up to its name!

With a private beach area, an infamous “Playroom,” pools, hot tubs, water sports, and an open bar, there is no limit to the fun you can get into. This is the place where you can safely drop your inhibitions. An amazing array of gourmet food and drink will tantalize your taste buds and round out your memorable day.

If you love the beaches but don’t want to experience a little more of the city, then join in on this entertaining beach tour that also includes some shopping. Enjoy a drive out to Negril with its soft sands and warm waters, enjoying spectacular views along the way. At the beach you can take a swim, do some kayaking, or just stretch out and catch the sun’s rays: your beach experience, your choice! Then head over to Rick’s Cafe for a bite to eat (your expense) and watch the brave cliff divers before doing a little area shopping.

You can also opt to take a combo tour of downtown Montego Bay, learning its history while you walk along its cobblestone streets past Georgian style buildings. Stand at the Cage, a small structure used as an overnight jail, then try a delicious Jamaican beef patty before making your way to the famous Doctor’s Cave Bathing Beach for some fun in the Caribbean sun. These waters are rumored to be spring fed with curative powers that draw hopeful tourists and locals alike to its shores.

Water Fun

Jamaica’s snorkeling and diving spots draw thousands of people each year to the island’s hot spots like Doctor’s Cave Beach, Montego Bay Marine Park, and Luminous Lagoon to see the incredible marine life and coral reefs. Strap on your gear and be dazzled by the tropical fish as well as sharks, stingrays, and turtles who will be just as curious about you as you will be about them!

Alternatively, you can stay topside and enjoy river thrills as you tackle the White River rapids. Feel your heart pound as you ride the Class I and Class II rapids on a group raft or personal river tube. You can also opt to experience the river in a tandem kayak that will challenge both your paddling and teamwork skills.

Get your breath back between each section of the rapids with calmer spots on the river, giving you a break while you float along and admire the scenery. Along the way you will pass under an old colonial stone bridge, then exit the river into the sea where you will paddle (or be towed) toward a private beach for some relaxation and refreshments.

Nature Fun

Travel along the coast to Braco Stables for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim with horses in the Caribbean Sea! Once at the stables you will be matched with a horse, then you and your steed will weave your way along trails and through countryside estates to a private beach area where you can ride and frolic in the waters with your new four-legged friend.

Other popular activities on the island include zip-lining through the island’s lush canopy for amazing aerial views and adrenaline-pumping fun. The Martha Brae River offers a peaceful river raft experience past lush foliage and historic plantations.

Shopping and Dining

Local Markets and Craft Centers

Gain a little history with your shopping at Sam Sharpe Square in the heart of the city. This square was named after a local slave and Baptist minister who was hanged in the square (then Charles Square) for encouraging the slaves in the Baptist War on Christmas rebellion. Today the square is a lively public venue with street vendors, restaurants, and shops.

Harbour Street Craft Market is the place to go if you are seeking charming handmade items. Stroll the market to see the wares and watch various artists doing their thing, such as carving bamboo cups and braiding hair.

Visit Upscale Shopping Centers and Boutiques

Main Street Rose Hall is the place to go if you want to score some duty-free luxury items. Browse the jewelry, smell the cigars, and pick up a bag or two of gourmet Jamaican coffee amidst a background of colorful wall murals and lively reggae music. There is a mix of local artists and international designer brands here offering you everything from watches and sunglasses to clothing, fragrances, and more. And, of course, mouthwatering Jamaican food!

The upscale Half Moon Shopping Village has around 25 shops to get your shopping fix; it also houses a Bob Marley exhibition, a British style pub, plus convenient amenities including a bank, post office, dentist, and even a medical center on site.

Gloucester Avenue, aka the “Hip Strip”, is THE party place in MoBay. The hottest bars are there, along with multiple shops, art galleries, and restaurants. It is also the place for kitschy souvenirs. Doctor’s Cave Beach is a few steps away for when you need to take a break from all the action.

Jamaican Cuisine

If we had to sum up Jamaican cuisine in one word, it would be “flavorful.” The island’s cuisine is spicy, thanks to its blend of Middle Eastern, Spanish, English, Chinese, Indian, and African influences.

The land that gave you Jerk chicken and curried goat is heavily dependent on local seafood, peas (beans), rice, breads, and a wide variety of fruits to satisfy every appetite. While here, be sure to try the island’s traditional dish — ackee and saltfish — as well as the dessert favorite, Key Lime pie.

There are no shortages of places on the island to get your fill, from food trucks to restaurants and everything in between. A hands down favorite of tourists and locals alike is Rick’s Cafe, a beachside hangout with a definite party vibe, lively music, a pool, delicious pub fare, and professional divers who will entertain you as they jump from the surrounding 35 foot high cliffs.

Must-See Attractions

Rose Hall Great House, originally built in 1770, was a prominent plantation home back in the day with an equally prominent backstory. Learn about the mistress of the house, Annie Palmer, who — as legend has it — murdered three husbands and several slave lovers before she died by a similar fate.

Locals refer to her as the White Witch of Rose Hall due to her ghostly appearance inside the house. She even appears in a popular ballad, “The Ballad of Annie Palmer,” by Johnny Cash. Who knows? You might even spot Annie walking around on the grounds during one of the nightly ghost tours.

Dunn’s River Falls is one of the most popular Montego Bay waterfalls, and a must-do for newbies to Jamaica! Be ready to climb UP an actual cascading waterfall as you get your footing on the travertine rocks of the 180 meter high Dunn’s River Falls. Don’t worry — there will be plenty of naturally occurring pools along the climb for you to pause at, and several exit points to a nearby stairway should you want to leave the falls at any time and finish climbing alongside them. Click here for a quick overview on what to expect when visiting and climbing the falls.

Get introduced to Jamaica’s serene underwater world with a quick sail out to Montego Bay Marine Park where you can get up close to barracudas, pufferfish, sharks, stingrays, and more as you snorkel around this special marine preserve. From there you will make a stop at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville to enjoy the waterslides, trampolines, and a jungle gym in the water guaranteed to bring out the kid in you. Afterward, step inside for some great music, good food, and a refreshing island cocktail.

The stately 18th century GreenWood Great House is one of the few mansions that survived the 1831 slave rebellion, possibly because its owners were benevolent to their bondservants. Inside the house are priceless artifacts that give you a rare glimpse into how the city’s plantation owners lived in the 19th century.

The birds at Rocklands Bird Sanctuary are very friendly to humans and are known to fly right up to you! You can actually hand feed one of the many birds — including the Jamaican Hummingbird — while you learn all about these amazing mammals.

Explore Jamaica’s largest underground cave system when you descend 65 steps below ground into the Green Grotto Caves. Massive stalactites and stalagmites circling an underground lake will greet you as you soak in the eerily quiet surroundings far, far away from the island’s hustle and bustle. Look up to see some of the caves’ 10 million resident bats, including the Jamaica fruit-eating bat and Mustache bat.

Measuring 1.5 kilometers in length, these caves were used as a hideout –first for the Spanish, and later, for runaway slaves. The government even used them for a time to stash their rum barrels during WWII. More recently, the caves were used in the filming of the James Bond’s movie Live and Let Die.

With waterfalls, river rafting, horseback riding, and snorkeling to shopping, dining, dancing, festivals, and music events, there is truly something in Montego Bay for everyone. And did we mention the postcard-perfect beaches?

Visit our website at shoreexcursionsgroup.com today for more information. We offer many small and even private excursions to help you make the most of your time in Montego Bay and wherever else your travels take you.