Montego Bay, Jamaica: beach vacation travel guide for Canadians

Montego Bay is a great gateway to Jamaica, and a wonderful destination in itself. Located on the northwestern coast of the island , it is home to the second-largest airport and is full of luxurious retreats, all-inclusive resorts and golf courses. A busy downtown area and other areas of note provide plenty of sightseeing outside of the all-inclusive experience. Gloucester Avenue, also known as Hip Strip, is full of restaurants and bars with stunning views of the bay.

There's no shortage of famous beaches In Montego Bay. Doctor’s Cave Beach is the oldest established beach, and named for the so-called restorative powers of the water. Doctor’s Cave is a private beach with an entrance fee, but most visitors would say it's well worth the cost. Located right on the Hip Strip, it has fine, sugar soft sand and gentle waters, perfect for children.

Walter Fletcher Beach is a great destination for families thanks to the amusement rides right on the beach. Go karts, waterslides and other fun-filled activities make this a popular destination on the weekends. Dead End Beach, also known as Buccaneer Beach, is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a more authentic Jamaican beach experience, while Silver Sands Beach is a villa community and also requires an entrance fee that pays for extra peace and quiet.

The more adult-leaning Rose Hall Beach is a very popular destination in Montego Bay, and the plethora of beachfront resorts make it a convenient one. Rose Hall is a historic plantation; today, you can visit the Rose Hall Great House, full of eighteenth-century colonial-style furnishings. Legends tell of the White Witch, Annie Palmer, who is said to have possessed black-magic powers.

Golf aficionados will rejoice in Montego Bay, where famous golf destinations include Cinnamon Hill Golf Club, White Witch Golf Course, Half Moon Golf Course and Tryall Golf Course.

If you’re interested in guided tours of colonial homes, Greenwood Great House is an antique-filled home in an almost-original form.

Visit Martha Brae River for river rafting. You’ll board a 30-foot-long bamboo raft and learn about local flora and fauna as you meander past lush countryside. Or spend a day visiting Aqua Sol Theme Park, filled with activities like scuba-diving lessons, glass-bottom boat rides and other group activities for visitors to enjoy.   

Travelzoo Tip: Plan a stop at Luminous Lagoon, one of only five bioluminescent bays in the world.

Browse our Jamaica deals, or visit our Jamaica beach vacation guide for more inspiration.