Affectionately known as ‘Mo’Bay’, this popular
resort has been luring people to its white-sand beaches, grand hotels, villas
and apartments since the early 1900s. It’s all here:
restaurants, clubs and colourful markets, plus some great sporting
venues, including championship golf courses and first-class snorkelling and
scuba diving.
Stroll down Gloucester Avenue, known as the Hip
Strip, for art galleries and shopping opportunities and plenty of dining
choices. It’s gaudy, in-your-face but fascinating. Downtown is a hive of
activity, with St James Street the main thoroughfare. To shop with the locals
check out the vibrant Fustic Market on Barnett Street.
The most popular beach is Doctor’s Cave Beach, a
Jamaican institution. Here there is good swimming and excellent facilities, which
continue to the next beach, Cornwall Beach, with its bar built around a huge
almond tree. The Montego Marine Park encircling both beaches covers some 10sq
miles – protecting coral reefs,
mangroves, sea grass beds and exotic fish.
In the town are several interesting18th-century
buildings, and just beyond the bay old plantation houses and spectacular
wildlife can be found.
Montego Bay lies on the northwest coast of Jamaica
and has a typical tropical climate with the year divided into a wet season and
a dry season. It has slightly more rainfall than
the south coast with most rain falling from May until October, with September
and October generally being the wettest months. Typically, there may be
substantial downpours but soon replaced by clear sunny skies. The lowest
rainfall is from January to about March, which makes it the most popular time
to visit.
Temperatures do not vary much across the year,
though on average the hottest months are July and August with an average daily
high of 32°C and a low of 23°C, when the evening winds blow across the town.
The coolest temperatures occur in the early months of the year but they rarely
fall much below the mid-20sC.
Humidity tends to be highest in the mornings, with
the breeze increasing in the afternoons. The island itself lies in the Atlantic
Ocean hurricane belt, so it is subject to being hit by passing hurricanes. Fortunately,
Jamaica is rarely in the front firing line.
The average monthly temperatures:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
29 |
29 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
31 |
32 |
32 |
31 |
31 |
30 |
30 |
|
Night |
20 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
21 |
The range of goods on offer is fantastic and
souvenirs to bring home include: pottery, leather, mahogany sculpture, sarongs,
T-shirts, jewellery, straw items, reggae CDs and tapes, spices, rum and coffee.
Try the following for these and other local produce:
The local currency is the Jamaican dollar, known as
the ‘jay’. US dollars are widely accepted but check if an item is priced in US
or Jamaican dollars. Most hotels, restaurants and large shops accept major
credit cards and traveller’s cheques. ATMs available in the resort may carry
high withdrawal fees.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to nightlife in Montego Bay. Whatever
your fancy you should find the perfect venue here – from relatively quiet
bars in more secluded neighbourhoods to party time on the beach. So take a
stroll to see what grabs you. Choose from cool nightspots where you can sip
cocktails, or try relaxing over a cold beer or grooving the night away at the
hippest club. But don’t forget there is a plethora of music to be enjoyed and
not just reggae, and some theatre, too.
Popular venues for a night out include:
If you can drag yourself away from the beaches and fun of Montego Bay
you could check out the following:
Montego Bay is considered a safe place but take note of the following
precautions:
