Montego Bay
Montego Bay
Activities
While this Jamaican spring break favorite is great for party animals, it can also be surprisingly low key – if you want. Montego Bay has excellent duty-free shopping, vibrant nightlife, and calm waters. Browse the local handicrafts at the open-air Harbour Street market, or the "hip strip" shops of Gloucester Avenue. The underwater crevices of Widowmaker’s Cave offer an intricate diving experience. Float serenely down the Martha Brae River on a bamboo raft and let your troubles melt away under the sun.
Transportation
Most arrivals in Jamaica are at Donald Sangster International Airport just east of the center of Montego Bay. Use only special taxis or vans operated by JUTA, the Jamaica Union of Travellers Association, or taxis operated by its government-sanctioned counterpart, JCAL Tours (Jamaica Co-operative Automobile & Limousine Tours). Do not get into a "pirate taxi," even if the driver promises to cut the going rate in half; cheating tourists is disturbingly common. JUTA tariffs are controlled, and you'll recognize its vehicles by the union emblems and red license plates. A list of official tariffs is posted at the airport -- but it's still important to agree on the price before setting out, to avoid potential disagreements later.
Food & Drink
Montego Bay has some of the finest and most expensive dining on the island. But if you're watching your wallet and have an adventurous streak, try the terrific street food. The densest concentration of street food in Montego Bay is available at the junction of Gloucester Avenue and Kent Road. The Hip Strip is lined with bars, food stands, and shops catering to the beach trade. At any of these stands, you might try authentic jerk pork or seasoned spareribs, grilled over charcoal fires and sold with extra-hot sauce. To complete the experience, order a Red Stripe beer to go with it. Cooked shrimp are also sold on the streets of downtown Mo Bay, especially along St. James Street. They don't look it, but they're very spicy, so be warned.
Unfortunately there are no self-catering offers at this location at the moment.