The warm sun felt hot yet soothing on my skin. The energy outside was bustling with a mix of excitement and anticipation as tourists caught their first glimpse of the island and cab drivers tried to catch their attention.
I’d just stepped out of the airport, feeling that same mix of excitement + anticipation and basking in the warmth I hadn’t felt in months. “Three weeks in Jamaica here I come,” I thought. First stop, Montego Bay.
Located on the northwestern coast of Jamaica, Montego Bay is the tourist capital of the island. Cruise ships dock in port daily and the ‘Hip Strip’ is full of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. It’s a busy, vibrant place with music coming out of every shop and the faint smell of marijuana, or ganja, in the air.
Things to do in Montego Bay
Rafting on the Martha Brae River
Floating down the Martha Brae River on a bamboo raft that was hand made by our guide is an adventure I won’t soon forget. It was POURING rain! Luckily, our guide had a tarp that we could put over us, although by the end, we said, “screw it” and let the rain beat down on us. It was magic. The trip takes about an hour and the scenery is beautiful.
Swimming in the Luminous Lagoon
The Luminous Lagoon was one of my favorite activities! We went at night which made it a really cool experience. I love boats, the feeling of gliding across the water with the wind in my hair makes me feel beautiful + alive. Taking a boat to the lagoon in the moonlight made it even better. Once we got there, we jumped off to swim. Due to microorganisms in the water (they’re completely harmless!) the water glows as you swim through it.
Visiting the Great Houses
For those who love history, visiting the different Great Houses are a must. They are former sugar cane plantations that house a hard but incredibly important part of the island’s history. We visited the Greenwood Great House and Rose Hall. Personally, I liked the Greenwood tour better. Rose Hall is very touristy which isn’t a vibe I love, especially for these kinds of tours.
Day trip to Negril
Negril is about an hour and a half from Montego Bay and the perfect place for a day trip! We spent the first half of our day on the 7-mile beach. By going to the Margaritaville, we got free beach access. We spent the morning swimming, sunbathing, and walking on the beach then ate lunch there. It’s a bit expensive but you could also just order drinks. From there we went to Rick’s Cafe to go cliff jumping. I had so much fun jumping off the cliffs and taking photos of my friends. If you love a little adrenaline, it’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Visiting an Indigenous Rastafarian Village
Rastafarianism is a religion rooted in Jamaica that can be traced back to the 1930s. It combines Protestant Christianity, mysticism, and pan-African political consciousness. Rastafari are so welcoming and kind. Visiting the village was definitely a high light of the trip. It’s beautiful and the love that goes into their work is incredibly evident. I loved learning about the culture and getting to see their village first hand.
Where to Stay
When most people think Jamaica, they think all-inclusive resorts. That’s not what we have here. I stayed at two different places in Montego Bay, at a hotel on Hip Strip and at a hostel on the outskirts of the city. Both were wonderful!
Doctor’s Cave Beach Hotel
Upon arriving at Doctor’s Cave, we were offered a complimentary rum punch from Kenny, the bar tender. Strong but delicious. Doctor’s Cave has a bar, pool, hot tub, work out area with a treadmill and some weights, and complimentary breakfast. The hotel staff are lovely and the rooms are simple but clean. The place definitely has character to it. I once walked into my room and there was a gecko on the wall. I screamed while my friend picked it up, WITH HER BARE HANDS, and put it outside. My roommate and I also had a bit of a broken door incident. We got locked out of our hotel room and my professor had to pry the door off its hinges but all ended up well and it’s a great story.
Cedar Ridge Lodge
There is a balcony with couches, chairs, and a hammock overlooking all of Montego Bay. Need I say more? I l-o-v-e loved Cedar Ridge Lodge. It’s a hostel run by a woman named Arleene, a very intelligent, well-spoken, woman. We paid extra to have breakfast and dinner provided for us. Ms. Madge is the lodge’s cook and one of my favorite people I met in Jamaica. I helped her cook breakfast every morning and learned so much. I love to cook so learning how to make Jamaican food was so special. There are private rooms and small group rooms. I stayed in a dorm with 7 bunk beds. Each bottom bunk had curtains for privacy which was nice. There is no hot water for showering but the gorgeous views, incredible food, and relaxing vibe more than makeup for it.
Where to Eat
Tracks and Records: Usain Bolt’s restaurant located on the Hip Strip. I ate there twice, both times having amazing pasta dishes. There is indoor + outdoor seating, the staff was wonderful, and all of the food looked so good.
Lunch at the Rastafarian Village: A meal of Ital food, meaning no additives, oil, salt, sugar, or meat, is served on little bamboo boat plates. It’s so simple and so good.
Tastee Patties/Juici Patties: These are two of the most famous pattie chains in Jamaica. Patties are a Jamaican pastry filled with spices and cheese, meat, veggies or soy. I’ve had chicken+cheese, veggie slaw, and soy filled patties. They taste great and are super cheap+filling.
Coral Cliff Casino: My friends and I went to Coral Cliff’s restaurant at least five times while in Montego Bay. There is live music at night which was really fun. The service is slow, and a little hit or miss BUT the food is good and so so cheap. The sweet potato fries and fried okra are so yummy. The mac+cheese was a group favorite, and I personally was a big fan of the cob salad. It’s not the best place you’ll ever eat but if you’re looking for a cheap place to hang out with friends, it’s a winner for sure.
There you have it, friends, my guide to Montego Bay. It’s warm, sunny, full of culture, and right on the ocean. My time there was so relaxing but I also learned a lot about the history and culture of Jamaica.
Hugs,
