A guide to things to do in Montego Bay
With a wealth of restaurants, bars and white-sandy beaches, Montego Bay is a tropical paradise where you can chill on a beachside hammock and sway along to the steady reggae beats in the background. Boasting infinite coastline, palm trees and an energetic party scene, holidays to Montego Bay make the ideal Jamaica retreat. Relax on the lively beach in the day or snorkel in the pristine waters. Alternatively, hire a private boat and discover the coast at your leisure. Night-owls will be thrilled with the countless nightspots, Jamaican bars and restaurants just waiting to be discovered.
Heal your ills at Doctor's Cave Beach
With its crystal-clear Caribbean waters and powder-soft sand, it’s easy to see why Doctor’s Cave draws thousands of holidaymakers to its shores each month. Because the bay is sheltered from stormy seas and currents, Doctor’s Cave is a great beach for little ones and less-confident swimmers. It’s a lot more than just a brilliant beach – many believe the waters have healing powers and a spell here was often prescribed for those in need of some sun, sea and sand.
Go rafting on Martha Brae River
About an hour’s drive east of Montego Bay is the Martha Brae River, one of the biggest rivers in Jamaica. Tucked away in the nearby village of Trewlawny, you’ll have one of the best rafting experiences ever. The rafts are eco-friendly and made completely of bamboo. The three miles of river is surrounded by lush, tropical rainforest and the water is perfectly still – it’s a wonderful way to cool off when the city heat gets the better of you.
Brave a zipline adventure
One sure-fire way to get a bird’s-eye view of Jamaica is by gliding your way through the island’s thick tropical forests on the longest zip-line course in the Caribbean. You’ll be sure to spot wildlife, not to mention gain a perspective of what an untouched Jamaica looked like before European colonists came on the scene.
Go ghost hunting at the Great House
Facing the sea, Rose Hall Great House is a renovated plantation home constructed in 1770. It’s about 20 minutes from Montego Bay and, as legend has it, Annie Palmer (the White Witch of Rose Hall) was a particularly cruel slave owner whose voodoo powers ultimately caused her husband’s ugly death. Nowadays, her home is embellished with furniture from that time, and you can visit the house during the day or plump for a hair-raising candlelit tour at night. Some believe the ghost of the White Witch still lurks the Great House!
See stunning plantation crops
Croydon in the Mountains boasts a whole 132 acres of working plantation, with its main crops being coffee, pineapples, plantain, citrus and honey. Nestled in the slopes of the Catadupa Mountains, you’ll witness superb views of the surrounding countryside. Discover more about the various crops, sample drinks produced from the plantation’s fresh fruit, and try delicious produce as you amble around the picturesque grounds. And after the tour, why not indulge in a barbecue lunch finished with Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee?