25 Best Things to Do in Montego Bay, Jamaica - Trip Canvas (2024)

Montego Bay, located at the north shore of Jamaica, is a popular tourist destination with plenty of hotels and restaurants as well as a port for cruise ships. The city is known for its beautiful beaches, notably Doctor’s Cave Beach, in addition to outdoor attractions like gardens, golf courses and adventure tours. Other popular places of interest for visitors include museums, shops and historic homes.

Check out our list of best things you can enjoy in and around Montego Bay, Jamaica.

1. Visit Half Moon Equestrian Centre

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• Location: Rose Hall, Jamaica
• Cost: $30-$200 per person
• Time Needed: ½ hour - 2 hours

Half Moon Equestrian Centre is in the luxury Half Moon resort. For more than 30 years, the clinic has provided support and rehabilitation for injured and abandoned horses.

Visitors can interact with these magnificent horses at Pony Park, a great experience for younger children. Older participants, depending on skill level, can ride horseback, jump and take polo classes.

The beach experience is a popular option where you tour on horseback down to Half Moon Bay and swim with your horse. Private instruction in dressage, riding and polo also are available.

2. Climb Dunn's River Falls

• Location: Ocho Rios
• Cost: Starting at $105
• Time Needed: 6-8 hours

Dunn's River Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Jamaica because of its unique nature and accessibility to the cruise ports. Because Dunn's River empties into the Caribbean Sea, you'll find an on-site beach. However, the most crowd-pleasing thing to do is climb the 960-foot-tall falls, and if you are looking for even more adventure, plan to zipline over the falls.

If you need a break from activities or are unable to climb, there's an observation deck where you can observe the falls. Don't forget your water shoes and if you plan on carrying your phone, have it in a waterproof pouch. For the best chance to avoid the crowds visit near opening time on weekdays when the cruise ships aren't in port. Book a tour from Montego Bay to enjoy this fun attraction.

3. Visit Ocho Rios Blue Hole

• Location: Ocho Rios
• Cost: $125
• Time Needed: 6-8 hours

Blue Hole in Ocho Rios is part of a river system that has sloping waterfalls and is so named for the beautiful soft blue of the water. If you visit, you'll have the opportunity to see some of the falls, swim in the cold spring water that fills the lagoons, and jump in from rope swings.

Wear water shoes for this excursion. The trail and rocks at Blue Hole can be slippery. Lots of tours combine Dunn's River Falls with Blue Hole because of their proximity to each other. If planning an adventurous day, consider booking this day trip from Montego Bay or even this waterfall tour if you'd rather enjoy a private trip instead of riding with a group.

Also be careful if booking a tour on your own or using your own transportation due to the risk of name confusion. Blue Hole in Ocho Rios is sometimes called Secret Falls and Irie Blue Hole. There are also multiple places in Jamaica named Blue Hole. You're looking for the one in Ocho Rios.

4. Experience Chukka Caribbean Adventures

• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: Starting at $179
• Time Needed: 6 hours

Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers experiences that are sure to be fun for all participants. One of the best activities is the zipline over Dunn's River Falls. Other memory-making experiences include a horseback ride in the ocean and an adventure on ATVs.

Chukka can arrange excursions for waterfalls, sailing on a catamaran and tubing down rivers. For a relaxing and romantic outing, float down the Great River on a bamboo raft. The experience includes a limestone foot massage and a choice of wine or beer.

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5. Meet the animals at the Animal Farm and Nature Reserve

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iStockphoto.com/cweimer4

• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: $5-$80
• Time Needed: 1-4 hours

Among the most frequented sights in Montego Bay is the Animal Farm and Nature Reserve where you can take guided tours, bird-watch and interact with animals. The animals on the property include several species of birds, rabbits, pigs and even a rescued cow.

The farm is well-known for its use of alternative energy. It is off the electric grid, using solar power and methane produced on-site by biogas plants, i.e. a system that transforms organic waste into energy.

6. Marvel at the Luminous Lagoon

• Location: Falmouth, Jamaica
• Cost: $81
• Time Needed: 3 hours

The tour of the Luminous Lagoon will be a highlight of your time in Jamaica. The lagoon is one of the most popular bioluminescence bays in the world. Bacterial cells make fantastic blue lights; they illuminate when the water is disturbed.

The journey runs during the night, typically 30 to 45 minutes on the water. If possible, plan your tour during the new moon – the darker the night, the brighter the glow of the water appears. Wear water shoes and a swimsuit if you plan to take a dip in the glowing water. Luminous Lagoon is 3 to 5 feet deep in most areas.

Tip: The tour is an Instagrammable moment, but unfortunately, phone cameras typically do not capture the phenomenon. If you don't have a higher-quality camera of your own, be prepared to purchase photos from the tour company.

7. Learn about history at Greenwood Great House

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iStockphoto.com/Yaraslau Saulevich

• Location: Rose Hall, Jamaica
• Cost: $20 per entry
• Time Needed: 1 hour

Greenwood Great House was built in the 1780s and used primarily to lodge and entertain the guests of Richard Barrett, a one-time Speaker of the House of Assembly and cousin of poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The stunning house, constructed from cut stone, was spared from burning during the Great Jamaican Slave Revolt of 1831-32, unlike many other plantation houses on the island. It appears much as it did when originally constructed.

Guests can peruse Barrett’s original library, which has hundreds of books. You also will find paintings, antique furniture and a collection of rare musical instruments dating back to the 17th century. Guided tours are 45 minute. Afterward, grab a drink at The Level Crossing, the on-site pub.

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8. Have fun on a Diving or Snorkeling Tour of Montego Bay Marine Park

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• Location: Pier One Complex, Montego Bay
• Cost: Starting at $417
• Time Needed: 2-4 hours

Montego Bay Marine Park is the protected area that makes up the bay. Choose from diving, snorkeling, fishing and sightseeing boat excursions. On diving and snorkeling trips, you can see the most spectacular coral reefs, and your guide will point out conch, crabs, lobsters, stingrays, urchins and any other marine animals that you happen to cross paths with.

9. Go river tubing and take a canopy zipline at Montpelier

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iStockphoto.com/RossHelen

• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: Starting at $150-$200
• Time Needed: 3-4 hours

Start your tour with Chukka Caribbean Adventures in the jungle by ziplining through the trees, getting views typically reserved for birds. The second part of this wonderful tour is tubing in the Great River where you will enjoy a leisurely ride on the gently winding water.

Tubes are linked to each other to help group stability, and the guides enrich the experience with entertaining stories and information about local flora and fauna.

10. Enjoy Doctor's Cave Beach

• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: $6 per entry
• Time Needed: 3-4 hours

Doctor's Cave Beach was the best-known beach in Jamaica by far in the 1920s, after a British osteopath said it had curative properties. The declaration attracted tourists, and many hotel owners came to the area to take advantage of the market.

Today the beach is owned and operated by Doctor's Cave Bathing Club, and it’s a popular spot for cruise passengers. Amenities at the beach include a changing and shower area, restrooms, and beach chair and umbrella rentals. Admission requires a small $6 fee.

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11. Party at Tropical Bliss Beach

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• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: $5 per entry
• Time Needed: 2 hours

Tropical Bliss Beach is near Sandals Montego Bay, about an 8-mile drive west of Montego Bay Cruise Port. Beachgoers to Tropical Bliss Beach are greeted with a rum punch and a party vibe, especially when cruise ships are in port. A DJ plays music, and stilt walkers provide entertainment. Food and beverages are available for purchase from the restaurant. Other amenities include chair and cabana rentals and a gift shop.

Entry is inexpensive ($5). Tip: if you are vacationing in Jamaica and want a quieter experience at Tropical Bliss Beach, go on a day the cruise ships are not in port.

12. Experience Green Grotto Caves

• Location: Discovery Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: $10-$20 per entry
• Time Needed: 1 hour

A visit to the Green Grotto Caves is among the best known activities in Jamaica. The cave was important long before a scene in the famous 1973 James Bond movie "Live and Let Die" was filmed here. There is evidence that Green Grotto Caves, about a three-quarters-mile-long cave system, was once used by Taíno Indians. The Spanish army used the caves in the mid-17th century, and people hid in them while attempting to escape enslavement.

In the 1990s, the owner ran a nightclub in the caves. Now Green Grotto is an enjoyable excursion where you can see an underground lake and some of the tens of thousands of bats that make the cave system their home.

13. Have an adventure on the Braco Stables Horseback Ride and Swim

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wundervisuals/iStockphoto.com

• Location: Falmouth, Jamaica
• Cost: Starting at $185
• Time Needed: 1 hour

Enjoy the unique and natural beauty of Jamaica with Braco Stables. The 2-hour guided horseback ride will take you across scenic landscapes where your guide will tell you about the area. The ride culminates at an attractive white sandy beach where you can ride the horse directly into the water.

14. Play a round of golf at Cinnamon Hill Golf Course

• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: $125
• Time Needed: 4 hours

Cinnamon Hill Golf Course is among the places to golf during your visit to Jamaica. The 18-hole course offers expansive seaside views. Originally designed by Hankie Smedley in 1969, the course was redesigned in 2001 by von Hagge, Smelek & Baril. Sometimes there is a strong sea wind here, either to your benefit or your opponent’s. One thing is certain – you'll never have any dull play here.

15. Sunbathe at Dead End Beach

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anouchka/iStockphoto.com

• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: Free
• Time Needed: 2-3 hours

Dead End Beach, also known as Buccaneer Beach, is the ideal location to enjoy an authentic Jamaican beach frequented by residents.

One of the best features of the locale is its proximity to Sangster International Airport, ensuring the enjoyment of those who like watching the low-flying planes.

Dead End Beach, located at the end of Kent Avenue in Montego Bay, has no cost, but there are no amenities either.

16. Stroll down the Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue)

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iStockphoto.com/energyy

• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: Depends on the activities
• Time Needed: 2-3 hours

The Hip Strip, a section of Gloucester Avenue, is near Doctor's Cave Beach. The many souvenir shops and restaurants make it a favorite for many travelers. Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Montego Bay is a popular stop for the tasty food in the restaurant and the lively atmosphere.

Many cruise passengers frequent the Hip Strip, which features a number of shop keepers and street venders. Note that if you buy souvenirs here, expect to bargain or haggle.

17. Spend the day at Cornwall Beach

• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: $5 per entry
• Time Needed: 3-4 hours

Cornwall Beach offers breathtaking scenery, and it tends to be less busy than other beaches in Jamaica like its neighbor, Doctor's Cave Beach, adding to the charm. There is a small fee ($5) to use the beach, but this peaceful place has everything needed for an excellent day, including restroom facilities, umbrellas and chair rentals, snorkeling gear rentals and locker rooms. There is also a beachside restaurant and bar to grab a bite to eat.

Tip: Occasionally, events are held at the beach, so if you want to go on a less crowded day, check ahead with Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach; phone (876) 619-1200.

18. Enjoy the outdoors at Good Hope Estate and Plantation

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iStockphoto.com/LisaStrachan

• Location: Falmouth, Jamaica
• Cost: Starting at $140
• Time Needed: 2-3 hours

Good Hope Estate is unlike most Jamaican plantations. This plantation, through Chukka Caribbean Adventures, offers several activities including bamboo raft tours, kayaking, tubing down the Martha Brae River, ziplining and rum tastings.

Good Hope is an excellent day trip, and guided tours of the estate are available. You can arrange pickup for tours from most major hotels in Montego Bay and Falmouth, Jamaica.

19. Join a Jamaica Food Tours

• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: $100-$200
• Time Needed: 2-3 hours

Trying delicious dishes seasoned with local spices is an interesting experience in a foreign country, but tourists may not know where to find authentic cooking. Jamaica Food Tours has made it easy.

The walking and eating excursion is two-and-half to three-and-half hours and leads visitors through the best restaurants of Montego Bay. You will try excellent jerk chicken and pork and have other options available such as oxtail while you enjoy the sights of Montego Bay.

20. Enjoy art at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre

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iStockphoto.com/kaiooooooooooooo

• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: $8 per entry
• Time Needed: 1 hour

Have a creative day at Montego Bay Cultural Centre where you can learn about the art and history of Jamaica. It houses the National Museum West and the National Gallery West where you will find an exhibit on Rastafarian culture and also works by current Jamaican artists. Montego Bay Cultural Centre is located in Sam Sharpe Square.

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21. Tour Rose Hall Great House

• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: $25 per entry
• Time Needed: 45 minutes

Rose Hall Great House was constructed in the 18th century and named for one of the original residents, Rose Palmer. The house was restored in the 1960s, and today, visitors can take 45-minute guided tours of the house and grounds. If you are looking for a spooky experience, take the night tour and learn about the legend of Annie Palmer, the White Witch said to haunt the estate.

If ghost stories are not your thing, no worries! The estate has two golf courses, so you can play a round, enjoy the lovely grounds, and feel relaxed by the seaside views.

22. Hike the Blue Mountains

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• Location: Start at Kingston or Buff Bay
• Cost: Starting at $153
• Time Needed: All day

Consider a day trip or two to explore all that Blue and John Crow Mountain National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nearby Kingston has to offer. The Blue Mountain are home to species of animals endemic to Jamaica that can't be found anywhere else, including several birds. It also offers a cold climate at the mountain peaks. Near the summit of Blue Mountain is an elfin forest so named for stunted growth of the trees and other plant life due to the thinner air and often near-freezing temperatures.

You can take a tour of the Blue Mountain Peak Trail, a steep and challenging trail that, on clear days, gives visitors spectacular views like nowhere else in Jamaica. Guided hikes typically leave at midnight or a few hours after, so hikers can enjoy dawn at the summit. Visitors can also take tours of coffee farms to learn about how Blue Mountain Coffee is grown and how it's different from coffee grown elsewhere.

23. Parasail across Montego Bay

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• Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: Starting at $143
• Time Needed: 2 hours

Parasailing is a unique way to see Montego Bay. Parasailing flights typically last 10 to 15 minutes and are a thrilling way to see Montego Bay and get a birds eye view of the ocean. This adventure has age and size limits, so check with your tour operator before booking. If you want to go parasailing, but are nervous about the activity, keep a few safety tips in mind. The operator should explain the safety protocols, you should be wearing a life jacket, and your harness should fit snugly. Also, there should be at least two tour operators on the boat — one driving and one operating the parasailing equipment.

24. Visit YS Falls

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• Location: Cornwall, Jamaica
• Cost: Starting at $184
• Time Needed: 3-8 hours

Head down to YS Falls. The estate boasts a tiered waterfall that empties into a natural pool where you can swim and play. Pack water shoes and a swimsuit.

While at YS Falls, you can also opt to zipline through the canopy and over the falls to get views of the lush green jungle from up to 40 feet in the air. On the grounds are beautiful gardens to wander through and enjoy, including ginger lilies and many other plants.

25. End your vacation at Club Mobay Departure Lounge

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• Location: Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Cost: Starting at $35
• Time Needed: 1-2 hours

Spend those last moments of your vacation like a VIP. Club Mobay Departure Lounge features comfortable seating with light snacks and beverages included. There are even spa services, so you can experience some last-minute pampering before boarding your flight. Club Mobay also features a play area for children.

Book your space with Club Mobay ahead of time to ensure you have access to lounge. After checking in with your airline, enjoy the Club Mobay's fast track line through security and relax in the lounge before boarding.

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