Best Things to do in Montego Bay

The inviting blue Caribbean Sea surrounding Montego Bay
The inviting blue Caribbean Sea surrounding Montego Bay | © lucky-photographer / Alamy Stock Photo
Lola Mendez

Montego Bay, the second-largest city in Jamaica, has no shortage of exciting things to do, as well as being home to many excellent accommodation choices and restaurants. Be sure to explore all the area has to offer, including Rastafari cultural tours, dark history lessons about the slave trade in Jamaica and not to mention unwinding by the sea.

Rastafari Indigenous Village

Book an educational tour at the Rastafari Indigenous Village in Montego Bay. During the cultural program, you’ll be told the history of the religious group and hear about the Rastafari principles of equitable exchanges. You’ll have the chance to taste local delicacies including home-made cacao and coconut oil, test out all-natural soaps with ingredients from the organic herb garden, and make and play calabash maracas. The highlight of the visit is listening to a sacred ceremonial musical performance.

Sunset cruise

Rose Hall Great House

History lovers won’t want to miss visiting the Jamaican Georgian-style mansion Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay. The grand 6,600 acre (2,671-hectare) hillside estate was built in the 1770s. The former plantation is said to be haunted by the bloodthirsty spirit of Annie Palmer. You can take a ghost tour to brave your encounter with the White Witch of Rose Hall. Legend has it that the slave owner allegedly murdered three of her husbands and the slaves she’d forced to help cover up her killings.

Fort Montego

When the British colonized Jamaica they built many fortresses to protect the stolen land from pirates in the 1700s. Fort Montego once housed four 12-pound cannons and five lower-caliber guns. The cannons were only fired twice in history. It’s free to visit Fort Montego, which is within walking distance from downtown Montego Bay. At the fort, you can visit the three remaining cannons and what’s left of the artillery store.

Cornwall Beach

Enjoy a laid-back beach day at Cornwall Beach, which tends to be less crowded than neighboring Doctor’s Cave Beach. The family-friendly beach is just a short walk from town. You’ll find tranquil waters here that are perfect for a dip. The beach is equipped with all the necessary facilities including restrooms, lockers, chairs and umbrellas. Bring your own towel and relax on the fine sandy shoreline.

Ahhh Rasnatango

Ahhh Rasnatango’s spectacular garden and art gallery is a must-visit in Montego Bay. Take an hour-long guided stroll through the lush gardens to glimpse at Jamaica’s magnificent flora and fauna, including 18 different species of birds. Some blooms you may come across include black gladioli, yellow gladioli, dahlias, begonias, coleus and many different types of ferns. Pick up some locally made keepsakes in the Ahhh Treasures gift shop.

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