Itineraries for Your Trip to Montego Bay
1 Day in Montego Bay for First Timers
While plenty of people spend their entire Jamaican vacations in Montego Bay, a lot of people use it more as a jumping-off point, flying into Sangster International Airport before heading off to a different base. As someone who has spent a fair amount of time in Montego Bay, I’d suggest dedicating at least a day of your itinerary to the city. You’ll have enough time to stroll down the Hip Strip, pay a visit to the Rastafari Indigenous Village, and head out for an evening visit to my personal favorite destination in the area: the bioluminescent Glistening Waters Luminous Lagoon. Here’s one great way to spend one day in Montego Bay.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Glistening Waters Luminous Lagoon.
Bring a lightweight rain jacket if you visit during the May–October wet season.
Spend your morning in Montego Bay exploring the city’s urban highlights. Spend some time on the Hip Strip, a popular shopping spot where you can pick up souvenirs ranging from Blue Mountain coffee and jerk chicken spice rub to t-shirts and shot glasses. Then head to Doctor’s Cave Beach, where you can spend a bit of time lounging on white sands or go for a swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Plenty of tours cover both spots, and include round-trip transportation from your hotel.
In the afternoon, take a tour out to the Rastafari Indigenous Village, located in the hills a short drive from the center of town. Here you can meet adherents of the Rastafari faith and learn about their culture and beliefs. Most experiences include a visit to the community’s herb garden and a drumming session. Don’t just show up, though—you’ll need to reserve your visit in advance or join a tour that includes transportation.
In the evening, pack a swimsuit and a towel and pay a visit to the Glistening Waters Luminous Lagoon, which gets its name from its bioluminescent waters that illuminate when agitated. To visit, you’ll need to take a boat ride through a brackish lagoon and into the glow, where you’ll have the option to jump in and swim among the shimmer if you choose. Transportation-only and packages that include boat ride tickets are available so that you don’t have to deal with the stress of renting a car and trying to find the lagoon in the dark.
