Doctors Cave Beach
The story of Montego Bay's most famous beach began in 1906, when
a group of doctors decided to found a bathing club on a beach
property donated for the purpose by Dr Alexander James McCatty.
Access to the small beach at the time was through a cave - hence
the name Doctor's Cave. The cave was destroyed in 1932 in a fierce
hurricane, but the bathing club has lived on and the beach has
become legendary.
The water is warm and crystal clear, and Sir Herbert
Barker, well-known British osteopath, claimed back in the 1920s
that the waters of the beach have curative powers, which made the
bathing spot even more alluring for foreign visitors.
Today, access to the beach, which is located in the
middle of Montego Bay's 'Hip Strip' is controlled through a smart
entrance way and a complex of changing rooms, showers, gift shops,
and the 'Groovy Grouper' beach bar.
Doctors Cave Beach
User:Op. Deo
Rose Hall
Legend has it that the stunningly beautiful Annie Palmer was
murdered at the Rose Hall Great House in 1831, but not before she
had rid herself of three husbands (allegedly by using voodoo
magic). Annie herself was killed during a slave uprising on the
estate, brought about by her battle with a slave girl for the love
of the estate supervisor. Annie is now known as the 'White Witch of
Rose Hall'.
The house, originally built in 1780, was abandoned
for many years, but has now been restored. A gift shop and pub are
in operation in the dungeon, where the white witch is said to have
imprisoned and tortured slave victims. Investigation into the ghost
story suggests that Annie Palmer is fictional, as there never was a
mistress of Rose Hall by that name. However, the story endures
powerfully in the local imagination and makes exploring this
wonderful house quite spooky, especially on a night time candlelit
tour.
Address:
Rose Hall Highway
Rose Hall
Sarah Ackerman
Montego Bay Marine Park
The Montego Bay Marine Park is proclaimed to protect some of
Jamaica's best coral reefs and marine resources. The park is
divided into zones where different activities (for example various
watersports and fishing) are allowed or restricted. The park's
resource centre is found at Pier One Marina on the waterfront in
downtown Montego Bay, and provides information about the park, and
ecological presentations. Private operators also run undersea
submersible tours of the reefs.
The marine park offers wonderful scuba diving and
snorkelling. Venomous Lionfish have become common in the park and
although they are beautiful visitors are warned not to touch them
as contact with the poisonous spines is painful and in rare cases
can cause convulsions or paralysis. A really fun way to explore is
to swim/snorkel out from Doctor's Cave Beach or Sunset Beach. This
should only be attempted by experienced swimmers, who should have
either a diver's flag or a bright life vest.
Address:
Marine Park Resource Centre and Headquarters, Pier One,
Howard Cooke Blvd
Montego Bay
Jerrad Miller
Falmouth
The old Georgian port town of Falmouth makes for an interesting
visit. The centre of the town is Water Square, which features a
market full of little craft stalls that dates from 1895. Also of
interest is the former residence of John Tharp, a notorious
slave-owner, and the town house of rich plantation owner Edward
Barrett. St Peter's Anglican Church, and the William Knibb Memorial
Church (a chapel built in memory of Jamaica's enthusiastic Baptist
abolitionist) are also worth a look. The best way to explore this
historic town is on a walking tour with one of the well-informed
local guides.
Besides the cultural attractions there are lovely
beaches to roam and laze on. For the adventurous, there are river
rapids and canopy jungle tours to be enjoyed just outside of the
town. The famous Jamaican attractions of Dunn's River Falls and
Dolphin Cove are also good excursions to combine with a trip to
Falmouth.
Falmouth
Derek Hatfield
Croydon in the Mountains
Jamaica's national hero, Samuel Sharpe - the slave who led the
bloody 'Christmas Rebellion' of 1831 and helped to expedite the
emancipation of Jamaica - was born on this still-working plantation
in the interior, 24 miles (39km) from Montego Bay.
Guided tours of the Croydon coffee and pineapple
plantation run from Montego Bay, and have become a must-see for
every visitor to the island. Visitors gain some interesting
insights into the history and processes of coffee and pineapple
production, as well as the chance to savour some of Jamaica's
exotic fruits. One of the highlights is just the location, which is
beautiful. A delicious meal is served at the end of the tour and
the owner of the plantation often makes an appearance.
Transport to and from the main Montego Bay hotels and
the Grand Palladium Resort in Hanover is provided by the
plantation.
Pineapples
Garry Knight
Hip Strip
The 'Hip Strip' is undoubtedly Montego Bay's liveliest area, jam
packed with sun-seeking visitors from dawn till dusk, and full of
wonderful local eateries and relaxed bars where reggae music is the
only thing stored in the jukebox. Tourists looking to let loose and
have a real rum-fuelled party should check out the surprisingly
wild nightclubs of the area.
Craft-sellers, vendors, uncommonly aggressive ladies
of the night, and hopeful ganja-dealers abound, so visitors should
be mindful of their possessions. However, strolling along the strip
and experiencing the vibe, warts and all, is essential on a trip to
Montego Bay. This is the perfect place to trawl for souvenirs,
enjoy a few cocktails, and meet the locals, many of whom are
friendly and willing to dispense advice about what you should see
and do in Jamaica.
Address:
Gloucester Avenue
Cocktails
Sarah Ackerman
Greenwood Great House
The Greenwood Great House was built between 1780 and 1800 and is
generally regarded as 'the greatest' of Jamaica's Great Houses. It
was the residence of Richard Barrett (cousin of renowned poet
Elizabeth Barrett Browning) - who is said to have presided over
33,600 hectares and 3,000 slaves. The Greenwood Great House stands
as testament to both the grandeur and cruelty that the British
brought to the Caribbean.
Greenwood has not undergone extensive renovations,
and appears to modern-day visitors largely as it was inhabited. A
tour of the House will take in the Barrett's original library (home
to some astonishingly rare books), some sombre oil paintings of the
family, some fine antique furniture and a collection of unusual
musical instruments.
Described as 'the finest antique museum in the
Caribbean', an excursion to the Greenwood Great House is highly
recommended for visitors to Montego Bay interested in the colonial
history of the island. Guided tours are the only way to explore the
house and they last about 30 minutes.
Frangipanis in the Greenwood Great House
garden
Tatters
Rocklands Bird Sanctuary
Rocklands Bird Sanctuary offers visitors the chance to get up
close and personal with the island of Jamaica's wide variety of
colourful birdlife. Founded in 1954 by Lisa Salmon (affectionately
known as 'the bird lady'), today the sanctuary is managed by the
knowledgeable and charming Fritz, a man who is blessed with an
almost St Francis-like gift for beckoning birds down from the
surrounding boughs.
The highlight of the trip is the opportunity to
hand-feed hummingbirds - including the Doctor Bird, Jamaica's
national bird - while relaxing in the shade on the Sanctuary's
patio. The sanctuary is lush and full of plants and flowers so
apart from the bird sighting opportunities it is a lovely place to
wander off for a nature walk.
The sanctuary is nearby Montego Bay, but the roads
are bad, so many prefer to travel with a tour and an experienced
driver.
Address:
On the road to the village of Anchovy
Yellow-faced Grassquit
Tony Northrup
The tropical climate of Montego Bay ensures it is warm and sunny
year-round, making it a great holiday destination. There is little
seasonal variation in temperatures, with the average high being
91°F (33°C) and the lowest temperature generally only falling to
69°F (21°C). July and August are the hottest months and January
through March are the coolest but the difference in temperature is
minor.
There are frequent rain showers in Montego Bay, but these are
brief and the weather usually turns sunny again afterwards. The
Jamaican rainy season runs from May to November, with the chance of
hurricanes between June and November. The wettest months in Montego
Bay are September and October.
The most popular time to travel to Montego Bay - and the rest of
the island - is in the dry season between mid-December and
mid-April. However, if you are travelling on a budget or want to
avoid the crowds it is a good idea to travel to Montego Bay in the
wet season because it is cheaper and the short-lived rain showers
don't generally put much of a dampener on a Jamaican holiday. It is
always warm enough to swim in the lovely Caribbean waters of
Montego Bay.
Sangster International Airport
Location: The airport is located two miles (3km) northeast of
Montego Bay.
Time: Local time is GMT - 5
Transfer Between Terminals:
Both the domestic and international terminals are located in one
building and are within close proximity to each other.
Getting to the city:
Hotel Shuttles, taxis and Intra-island Airlines are located in
the Ground Transportation Arrivals Hall outside the Customs area.
Many hotels will organise airport shuttles for guests.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies at Sangster International Airport include
Thrifty, Hertz, Budget, Avis and Island Car Rental.
Airport Taxis:
There are two taxi companies operating at Sangster International
Airport: JUTA and JCAL. They can be booked at the Authorised
Airport Taxi desk located just outside the Customs exit.
Facilities:
There are ATMs, currency exchange facilities, lost and found
facilities, business lounges offering fax, photocopy and internet
facilities, childcare amenities, police station, a smoking lounge,
a tourist information service, a number of restaurants and beverage
stands, and dozens of shops, including duty-free.
Parking
Parking is available for JMD 150 per hour, and JMD 600 for 3-24
hours.
Reggae Sumfest
For many people Jamaica is synonymous with reggae music. So
where better to go to a reggae festival than in the reggae capital
of the world? In fact, most of Jamaica's most popular festivals
have something to do with their much-loved music tradition. The
Reggae Sumfest is held every summer in Montego Bay and attracts the
best reggae, ska and dub musicians from across the globe.
The reggae festival is held over three days and is widely viewed
as the best reggae festival in the world. There are many famous
local performers and international stars. Although not everybody
that performs is strictly in the reggae genre, musicians mix it up
with reggae influences. Musicians that have performed at the
festival in the past include Wyclef Jean, Mary J Blige, Destiny's
Child, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and
Missy Elliott and many more.
The Reggae Sumfest is a world-class music festival attended by
thousands of people. Some of the events take place on the beach and
others in venues around the city. You can find out about the
programme and buy tickets on the official website below.
Venue:
Montego Bay
Sumfest Stage
sergio_leenen
Montego Bay is Jamaica's most popular tourist city, and for good
reason.
Many visitors have no desire to venture beyond the stunning
white Caribbean beaches, which will always be the greatest
attractions in Montego Bay. And for good reason: Doctor's Cave
Beach, though it now contains no caves and no conspicuous medical
practitioners, is a great favourite; the Montego Bay Yacht Club is
a wonderful location for cocktails or a romantic meal on the beach;
and Cornwall Beach, Aquasol Beach and Sunset Beach are all popular
choices. The Montego Bay Marine Park is a protected area ideal for
scuba diving, snorkelling and any number of other ocean-based
activities. Many of the beaches in Montego Bay are affiliated with
resorts and have admission fees.
Montego Bay has two worthy Jamaican Great Houses to explore. The
Greenwood Great House, built between 1780 and 1800, and once home
to about 3,000 slaves, is now arguably the greatest antique museum
in the Caribbean. Th other is Rose Hall, infamous for the wicked
female mistress who is still said to haunt the place.
There are many exciting excursions out of the city, including
tours of nearby plantations like Croydon in the Mountains, and
visits to historic villages like Falmouth. One of the most popular
daytrips is a visit to the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, where you can
hand feed hummingbirds.