City Guide

MONTEGO BAY City guide

Soft sandy beaches, endless sunshine, spicy plates of jerk, plus rum, reggae and friendly locals – there’s a lot to love about the city a ectionately known as Mo Bay.

Add to this world-class championship golf courses, well-preserved plantation houses that tell the story of Jamaica’s troubled history of colonisation and slavery, and mesmerising waterfalls, and you have a Jamaican port city that rewards a pre or post-cruise stay.

With the Caribbean island set to take centre stage this summer as it marks 60 years of independence on August 6 – with a host of fetes and festivals for its annual carnival to mark this milestone – here’s your expert guide to Montego Bay. Get ready to soak up the good vibes…

Jamaica’s second city is a popular stop on Caribbean cruise itineraries, bringing together the perfect blend of city buzz and bea h hills fi nds Kaye Holland

What to see

If it’s the three Ss – sun, sand and sea – that you’re after, Mo Bay won’t disappoint. Stake your spot at Doctor’s Cave, aka Montego Bay’s most famous beach.

Founded as a bathing club in 1906, Doctor’s Cave owes its name to English osteopath Sir Herbert Barker, who wrote an article espousing the virtues of the water’s healing properties. Following the publication of Barker’s piece, people fl ocked to Doctor’s Cave in their droves to experience the supposedly therapeutic mineral e ects.

While it’s tempting to spend your time slumbering in the sun, rum punch in hand with reggae music permeating the air, there’s more to Mo Bay than beaches and Bob Marley.

When you’re ‘done’ at Doctor’s Cave, wander along adjacent Gloucester Avenue snapping up souvenirs. Must-buys include Blue Mountain co ee, woodwork, Wray & Nephew white rum, and Jamaican soaps.

From there, make for National Museum West which, as the name suggests, tells the history of western Jamaica. There’s a separate room dedicated to the rise of the Rastafarian movement, which began in Jamaica during the 1930s following a prophecy made by black political leader Marcus Garvey.

However, for a proper introduction into the island’s famous religion, head to the Rastafari Indigenous Village. Here you can connect with Rastas and learn more about their culture and way of life. Bottom row, from left: Rose Hall; rum shack, Ocho Rios; White Witch Golf Club; S Hotel

Where to eat

Jamaican cuisine is a feast for the senses, and no visit to the Caribbean’s liveliest island is complete without

Top row, from left: Bamboo rafting; the colours of Jamaica; ackee and saltfi sh; Caribbean sunset; Bob Marley music on view at the S Hotel sampling some jerk cooking, bammy – a type of fl atbread – and ackee and saltfi sh, the national dish that’s made with salted codfi sh and ackee fruit.

You can tuck into these dishes at street-side shacks and fi ne-dining restaurants alike but, for a fun night out, try Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records. The legendary sprinter has added another string to his bow and opened a chain of eateries, including a branch in Mo Bay.

Just steps away from Tracks & Records lies the S Hotel, a sleek addition to the city’s sleep scene with its minimalist colour scheme and Insta-worthy Sky Deck, home to the island’s hottest rooftop pool lounge. Rooms from £237 per night.

Go further

East of Mo Bay lies Rose Hall, the most famous plantation house in Jamaica, whose origins go back to the mid-18th century. And to add some spice to its history, there is a ghostly tale of the so-called ‘white witch’ Annie Palmer, to whom the mansion owes its fame. Local folk legend has it that Annie murdered three husbands here and her ghost is rumoured to haunt this huge house. Theatrical 45-minute tours run both day and night.

Staying in the neighbourhood of Rose Hall, golfers who don’t scare easily won’t want to miss a chance to enjoy a round at the 18-hole White Witch Golf Club. Designed by Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril, its fairways o er players arresting vistas of the Caribbean Sea.

Further east, you’ll fi nd Luminous Lagoon, whose waters glisten when disturbed – a magical e ect that’s down to the presence of bioluminescent plankton. There are 45-minute boat tours allowing passengers to swim in this mystical place, which depart from the Glistening Waters Marina every night.

If you want to go further still, the attractive port town of Ocho Rios is an hour’s drive east – and the jumping-o point for Jamaica’s number one tourist attraction, Dunn’s River Falls, a dramatic series of cascades and rock pools that empty into the sea.

Getting there

Virgin Atlantic fl ies direct to Montego Bay from Manchester and Heathrow four times a week with a fl ight time of around 10 hours. British Airways o ers fl ights from Gatwick in spring and winter. Tui serves Jamaica’s second city from a number of regional UK airports including Birmingham and Bristol, and has used Montego Bay as a home port for ships including Marella Explorer 2 and, from January 2023, Marella Discovery 2. Other cruise lines that o er guided excursions in and around Montego Bay include Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, MSC Cruises, Viking and Holland America Line.

For more city guides and destination inspiration, log on to cruise-international.com

CRUISING FROM VANCOUVER?

Take the opportunity to add on VIA’s famous ‘Canadian’ train and explore more of Canada. Perhaps take the one night trip to Jasper and explore the majestic Rocky Mountains or why not sit back and relax for the full four night journey to Toronto (you can always break the journey for a few nights en-route).

CRUISING FROM MONTREAL OR QUEBEC CITY?

Those departing from either port have the option of using VIA Rail’s daily, affordable and efficient services to visit some of the other cities on the east coast. How about visiting the capital of Ottawa or the cosmopolitan city of Toronto or why not both?