Travel Budget for Montego Bay
Parish of Saint James, Jamaica
How much does it cost to travel to Montego Bay?
Average Daily Expenses
(Per Person)
This typical travel budget for Montego Bay is an aggregation of travel expenses from real travelers. This will give you an idea of how much money you will need during your visit.
|
Average Daily Travel Cost:
|
JMD 30,884.03 |
| Accommodation1 | JMD 15,658.78 |
| Food2 | JMD 13,176.68 |
| Local Transportation1 | JMD 1,651.47 |
| Entertainment1 | JMD 4,891.36 |
| Alcohol2 | JMD 1,165.74 |
Last Updated: Jul 10, 2016
Sample Costs
Below are some expenses from the budgets of actual travelers.
| Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach | JMD 423.05 |
| Snorkeling Trip | JMD 2,961.35 |
| One Tank Dive | JMD 5,922.70 |
| 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride | JMD 6,768.80 |
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
Winnifred Beach
One of the famous beaches in Montego Bay is called Doctor's Cave Beach, where the waters supposedly have healing powers. Perhaps the water isn't really magical in that sense, but it sure is a magical sight to see. The water is crystal clear and calm with white sand that is perfect for sunbathing. Keep in mind that MoBay is a hub for cruise ships, so you will likely find crowded beaches during peak seasons.
Twenty minutes from MoBay is the Rose Hall Great House, which was a plantation home in the 1700's. It has since then been restored and is a beautiful property. The house is supposedly haunted by the ghost of Annie Palmer, who lived in the house and was a practitioner of black magic.
If you are staying in Montego Bay then you will most likely visit the Sam Sharpe Square, which is in the city center. The square is named after a slave who resisted planters that didn't comply with emancipation efforts. He was later hanged in the square and after independence was recognized as a National Hero. In the square, you will also find a cage that was built in the early 1800's as a holding place for runaway slaves. The square holds a lot of history and is worth visiting while in Montego Bay.
There are a couple places around Montego Bay that many travelers visit. Falmouth is one of these places; it is about 18 miles east of MoBay and is Jamaica's most well preserved Georgian town. There is a flea market every Wednesday morning with fresh food vendors. The village of Reading is west of Montego Bay and it is at a raised elevation so you can head up there for beautiful views. Lethe is another village near Montego Bay where you can raft down the Great River and see a beautiful stone bridge dating back to the 1800's. Many people don't usually venture far from the beaches in MoBay but it is definitely worth exploring further into the mountains that surround the town!
Winnifred Beach
Sights
Head to Harbour Street to explore the craft markets where vendors are selling many unique goods to the frequent cruise ship passengers that are usually exploring this area. You can always try to plan it out so that you get there before or after a large group of cruisers.One of the famous beaches in Montego Bay is called Doctor's Cave Beach, where the waters supposedly have healing powers. Perhaps the water isn't really magical in that sense, but it sure is a magical sight to see. The water is crystal clear and calm with white sand that is perfect for sunbathing. Keep in mind that MoBay is a hub for cruise ships, so you will likely find crowded beaches during peak seasons.
Twenty minutes from MoBay is the Rose Hall Great House, which was a plantation home in the 1700's. It has since then been restored and is a beautiful property. The house is supposedly haunted by the ghost of Annie Palmer, who lived in the house and was a practitioner of black magic.
If you are staying in Montego Bay then you will most likely visit the Sam Sharpe Square, which is in the city center. The square is named after a slave who resisted planters that didn't comply with emancipation efforts. He was later hanged in the square and after independence was recognized as a National Hero. In the square, you will also find a cage that was built in the early 1800's as a holding place for runaway slaves. The square holds a lot of history and is worth visiting while in Montego Bay.
Neighborhoods
In Montego Bay itself, there are two general areas: Downtown and Gloucester Avenue. Downtown is where you will experience 'real' Jamaica, and is not considered safe when day turns to night. Gloucester Ave is where you will find all the tourist focused spots like hotels, shops, and restaurants.There are a couple places around Montego Bay that many travelers visit. Falmouth is one of these places; it is about 18 miles east of MoBay and is Jamaica's most well preserved Georgian town. There is a flea market every Wednesday morning with fresh food vendors. The village of Reading is west of Montego Bay and it is at a raised elevation so you can head up there for beautiful views. Lethe is another village near Montego Bay where you can raft down the Great River and see a beautiful stone bridge dating back to the 1800's. Many people don't usually venture far from the beaches in MoBay but it is definitely worth exploring further into the mountains that surround the town!
Activities
Snorkeling is magnificent in Montego Bay, especially at Cornwall Beach. It is another popular beach, though, so there will likely be lots of people. Other snorkeling spots are Coyaba Beach, Montego Beach, and Bogue Lagoon. The only kitesurfing center in Jamaica is located 20 minutes from MoBay, any/all levels of kitesurfers welcome! The company is called KiteBoarding Jamaica in Bounty Bay. Zip line through the tropical forest in the town of Lethe, which has the longest zip lines in all of the Caribbean.Related Articles
Food and Dining
Seafood is probably the food highlight of Montego Bay, and there are tons of places to find great (and fresh) seafood. A great restaurant to try for seafood is called Pier One Seafood, and it is an open-air venue with fresh fish and tropical drinks. For some delicious traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, head to Pork Pit on Gloucester Ave. Of course, if you want more of an extravagant dinner experience, head to Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville (also on Gloucester Ave). They serve a range of dishes, including jerk chicken, and even have a hot tub and water slide that leads into the sea where you will then find a water trampoline.Transportation
Sangster International Airport is nearby Montego Bay and is the largest airport on the island. There are tons of companies that offer private transportation once you arrive in Jamaica. Jamaica Airport Transfers is one of these companies and it will take you from the airport to your hotel for an affordable cost. Taxis are the best way to get around Montego Bay (unless you feel like walking) but make sure that you take an official Red Plate taxi. Always establish a price before getting into the taxi otherwise, you will have to pay double or triple what it should actually cost. These taxis do not take credit cards.Travel Tips
The Beach!
By Bryan on Oct 28, 2011 in Entertainment
Check out the nearby Cornwall Beach for beautiful blue waters, palm trees, and nice sand. It costs a few dollars to get in, but the scenery is worth it. You could also visit Doctor's Cave beach for a few dollars with similar amenities. Here you'll find a sea trek adventure for about $60. Both places offer swimming as well as snorkeling in the clear waters.
Dunn River Falls
By backpackguru on Nov 2, 2011 in Entertainment
If you've spent some time at the beaches, consider heading inland to see some of Jamaica's waterfalls. Head to Dunn River Falls which is between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. It's a wonderful view, and you're actually allowed to climb up the waterfall. There are stone terraces with poos of calm water that you can splash around in. The area is surrounded by rainforest so you truly feel like you've immersed yourself in something special and unique. You could book a tour in Montego Bay, but the best way, and most affordable, is to catch a minibus that takes people straight to the entrance. The trip is 30 minutes one way and costs around four US Dollars.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase.
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