Montego Bay, the gateway to Jamaica’s wild northwest coast, began as a Spanish sugar port before booming into a beloved Caribbean playground. Today, “Mobay” mixes heritage squares and great houses with glittering coral reefs, calm turquoise bays, and a proud culinary scene centered on jerk, seafood, and rum.

Expect beach time at Doctor’s Cave and Cornwall Beach, day trips to Ocho Rios for cascading waterfalls, and evenings with live music at waterfront spots. Inland, the hills hold Rastafari communities, bamboo rafting rivers, and ziplines with views that fall away to the sea.

Practical notes: Sangster International Airport (MBJ) anchors the north coast, with frequent nonstop flights from the U.S. and connections from Europe. Cards are widely accepted but keep small cash for patties, taxis, and tips. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes for falls, and a light rain layer—brief showers are common even in the dry season.

Montego Bay

Montego Bay blends sugar-era history with crystalline water and lively nightlife. The Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue) fronts beaches, boutiques, and cafes, while Sam Sharpe Square commemorates the 1831 Baptist War and emancipation struggle. Offshore, the Montego Bay Marine Park shelters reefs ideal for snorkeling.

• Top sights: Doctor’s Cave Beach, Sam Sharpe Square, St. James Parish Church, Rose Hall Great House, Greenwood Great House, Montego Bay Marine Park.
• Best activities: Reef snorkeling and glass-bottom boat rides, bamboo rafting and river tubing, Ocho Rios waterfall day trips, Negril sunset catamaran, ATV in the countryside.
• Where to eat: Scotchies (classic jerk), Houseboat Grill (lagoon seafood), The Pelican Grill (old-school Jamaican/Caribbean), Uncorked West (wine + small plates), Mystic Thai (Thai with a local following).
• Fun fact: Doctor’s Cave Beach rose to fame in the early 1900s for “healing” spring-fed waters; today it’s beloved for calm, gin-clear swimming.

Where to stay (curated options via our partners): Browse villas and apartments on VRBO Montego Bay, or compare resorts and boutique hotels on Hotels.com Montego Bay. Names to shortlist: Half Moon (sublime grounds and dining at Sugar Mill), S Hotel (boutique on Doctor’s Cave), Secrets Wild Orchid/St. James (adults-only all-inclusive), and smaller beachy stays near the Hip Strip.

How to get to Montego Bay: Fly into MBJ. Search fares and schedules on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: 1.5–4 hours from U.S. East Coast, ~6–7 hours from Midwest with a connection, and 9–12 hours from Europe with 1 stop. Roundtrip fares often range $300–$850 depending on season.

Day 1: Arrival, Settle In, and a Seaside Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive at MBJ and transfer to your hotel or villa. If you like a smooth start, consider booking the airport VIP lounge (Club Mobay) for expedited lines and a welcome drink. Check in, drop bags, and shake off the flight with a quick dip at Doctor’s Cave Beach—gentle water, soft sand, and showers make it easy on day one.

Evening: Sunset cocktails at the water’s edge at Pier 1—great for people-watching and occasional live music. For dinner, pick Houseboat Grill (a floating restaurant on the Bogue Lagoon; try the coconut curry shrimp or catch of the day) or The Pork Pit for casual jerk chicken, pork, and festival straight off the pimento wood.

Night: Stroll the Hip Strip for gelato or a nightcap. If you’re adjusting to the time zone, keep it light—tomorrow’s a beach-and-snorkel day.

Day 2: Beach Day and Hip Strip Bites

Morning: Coffee and a patty at Cafe Blue (Fairview) or a cappuccino and banana bread at Lester’s Coffee Bar (Half Moon shopping village). Stake out loungers at Doctor’s Cave or Cornwall Beach; rent snorkel gear and float over tame, shallow reefs.

Afternoon: Lunch at The Pelican Grill, a local institution since the 1960s—order the brown stew chicken, curried goat, or conch fritters. Afterward, browse beachwear boutiques and souvenir stalls on the Hip Strip. Cool off with a scoop at Devon House I-Scream (island-famous for flavors like Stout or Rum & Raisin).

Evening: Dine at Marguerite’s by the Sea (tables near the water; lobster thermidor and pepper shrimp are standouts). Nightcap at the terrace bar or, on weekends, back to Pier 1 for DJ sets.

Day 3: Ocho Rios Waterfalls—Blue Hole and Dunn’s River

Morning: Early start for Ocho Rios (about 1.5–2 hours by private driver). Wear water shoes and a swimsuit under your clothes. You’re headed for Jamaica’s most beloved cascades.

Afternoon (featured tour): Blue Hole, Secret Falls, and Dunn's River Falls Combo Day-Trip — climb the 600-foot limestone terraces of Dunn’s River and swim in the electric-blue pools at the Blue Hole. Guides point out safe ledges for jumps and help with handholds as you ascend the falls.

Break for lunch in Ocho Rios—Miss T’s Kitchen is a favorite garden spot for one-pot wonders like oxtail, steamed fish, and curry shrimp.

Evening: Return to MoBay and refuel at Scotchies Montego Bay. Order jerk pork, chicken, and a side of bammy or festival; add a sorrel rum punch if you’re not driving.

Day 4: Zip, Tube, Ride—A North Coast Adventure Day

Morning: Fuel up with Blue Mountain coffee and a fruit plate (mango, pineapple, naseberry) before a full-throttle day. Bring quick-dry clothes and closed-toe shoes.

Afternoon (featured pass): Jamaica All-Access Adventure Pass at Ocean Outpost — mix and match activities like Horseback Ride ‘n’ Swim, ziplining, river tubing, and coastal ATVs at a one-stop seaside base. Expect 4–6 hours depending on the combo you choose.

Evening: Clean up and head to Uncorked West for a relaxed dinner—cheese boards, flatbreads, and jerk shrimp pasta pair well with a glass from their excellent wine list. Craving spice? Mystic Thai’s khao soi and green curry have a loyal local following.

Day 5: Culture, Countryside, and Community

Morning (featured experience): Rastafari Cultural ATV Community Experience from Montego Bay — ride side-by-side ATVs through farms and villages, learn about Rastafari philosophy and ital cooking, and swim in a hidden spring. It’s immersive, low-key, and often a trip highlight.

Afternoon: Return to town for a late lunch at Peppa's Cool Spot—great jerk pork chops, steamed fish, and cold Red Stripe. Then tour Rose Hall Great House for a window into plantation-era history and the legend of the “White Witch.”

Evening: Optional after-dark outing to the Luminous Lagoon in Falmouth (about 45 minutes away), where bioluminescent microorganisms glow with every splash. Otherwise, stay in MoBay for a mellow dinner at The Pelican or a rum flight at your hotel bar.

Day 6: Negril Day Trip and Sunset on the Sea

Morning: Depart for Negril (1.5–2 hours). Spend late morning on Seven Mile Beach’s soft sand. For lunch, try Best in the West Jerk (casual, beloved by locals) or Sun Beach for grilled lobster and a toes-in-the-sand vibe.

Afternoon & Evening (featured cruise): NEGRIL CATAMARAN CRUISE Sunset Ricks Cafe Adults only ALL HOTELS — sail the coast, snorkel a reef, then glide to the cliffs near Rick’s Cafe for the island’s most famous sunset. Open bar and music set the mood; bring a light cover for the ride back.

Night: Drive back to Montego Bay (plan 1.5–2 hours). If you’re hungry on return, grab late bites at a local cookshop or order room service.

Day 7: Easy Morning, Markets, and Departure

Morning: Souvenir hunt at the Old Fort Craft Market for hand-carved bowls, straw bags, and Blue Mountain coffee. Take a final stroll through Harmony Beach Park along the water.

Afternoon: Brunch at The Pelican Grill (ackee and saltfish with fried dumplings is a classic) before heading to MBJ. If you booked the airport lounge, enjoy a last taste of Jamaican hospitality before your flight.

Flight tips: Check in 2–3 hours early for international departures. Compare live options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Getting Around & Practicalities

• Airport transfers: MBJ to Montego Bay hotels runs ~15–25 minutes. Private drivers are common; expect ~$25–$40 one-way for two people within MoBay, more for Negril or Ocho Rios day trips.
• Day-trip driving times: Ocho Rios 1.5–2 hours each way; Negril 1.5–2 hours each way. Depart by 7–8 a.m. to beat traffic and cruise schedules.
• Money & tipping: Jamaican dollars (JMD) and USD are accepted in tourist areas. Tip 10–15% in restaurants, $1–$2 per bag for porters, and $5–$10 per person for guides on adventure tours.
• What to pack: Water shoes for falls, reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag for phones on boats, and light linen for evenings.

Optional Add-Ons (if you have extra energy)

If you want even more water fun closer to MoBay, consider river tubing on the Rio Bueno or a beach day paired with bamboo rafting. Prefer to double down on waterfalls? Swap Day 3 for a different combo or repeat your favorite pools—Blue Hole never gets old.

Another great option (alternative to Day 4 or 5): Blue Hole and Bamboo Rafting Ocho Rios if you’d like a gentler, scenic day on the river after your waterfall climbs.

In seven days, you’ll have swum Montego Bay’s clear water, climbed Jamaica’s iconic waterfalls, sailed into a Negril sunset, and tasted jerk hot off the pimento wood. Consider this your blueprint—and a reason to return for the rest of the island’s coast and mountains.