Cheap Montego Bay Holidays 2024 from £957pp

Why go to Montego Bay

With everything you could want in a relaxing getaway – think luxurious all-inclusive hotels, picturesque beaches, crystal-clear waters and a lively nightlife – a Montego Bay holiday is the quintessential Caribbean experience.

Think of Jamaica and you’ll likely conjure up images of long, white-sand beaches, a pristine blue sea, and soft reggae filling the air. In short, paradise – and one you can find in Montego Bay. The pace of life is slow and relaxing here, and lazy days can be spent soaking in the sun, horse riding along the coast, or diving into crystalline waters with your snorkel ready to go.

The city centre and surrounding area also have plenty of cultural attractions to tempt you away from the beach. Head downtown for museums and galleries, which provide insight into Jamaica’s colonial history, or take a tour to visit grand former plantation houses and hear stories of their dark past.

Foodie? Montego Bay’s culinary scene is varied and delicious, with lots of choice beyond your hotel. There’s everything from upscale restaurants and local eateries to simple seafood shacks along the beach. For local flavour, try jerk chicken, Jamaican patties, and ackee and saltfish. Vegetarian and vegan joints are increasingly popular too, with tasty meat-free takes on traditional dishes.

For night owls, Montego Bay’s vibrant nightlife features reggae and dancehall favourites pumping out of venues until the small hours – and ample rum to keep you going. Start at the watering holes and clubs along Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue). It’s known for late-night parties and is also a fun place to shop for souvenirs. For something quieter, pick a laid-back beach bar and enjoy a refreshing sundowner.

When to go to Montego Bay

As a year-round destination, you can expect hot temperatures whenever you decide to visit the Montego Bay. The weather peaks in July and August, when highs reach 33C and the sea is warm for swimming. July also sees the largest reggae festival in Jamaica, Reggae Sumfest, held in Montego Bay.

Montego Bay also makes an excellent winter sun destination: January to the end of March is one of the best time to visit weather-wise, with average temperatures in the mid-20s and the lowest chance of a rainy day.

For cheap holidays to Montego Bay, search in September and October. These are Jamaica’s rainy months but the temperature is still around 30C. Montego Bay, luckily, is one of the driest areas on the island, so you’ll still have a good chance of blue skies.

What to do in Montego Bay

Sunbathing on white-sand beaches and treating yourself to local rum top the must-do list on every Montego Bay holiday. But when it’s time to leave your sunbed or bar, there are plenty of other things to do in the city, whether it’s visiting a museum, snorkelling alongside colourful marine life, or discovering more about Jamaica's culture and history.

Doctor’s Cave Beach

Palm trees swaying in the breeze, sugary white sands, and a shimmering sea which remains calm all the way to the horizon – it’s no wonder Doctor’s Cave Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Montego Bay. This pretty bay was the first tourist beach in the area; today, it remains well equipped with sun-loungers and umbrellas to rent.

It’s a top spot for snorkelling too, with crystal-clear waters and stunning corals begging to be explored. Come prepared to pay a small fee to use the beach.

National Museum West

The National Museum in Sam Sharpe Square is more than just a place to kill time if the sky clouds over.

Here, you’ll discover the fascinating history of western Jamaica, with an exhibition that leads you from the time of the indigenous Taínos to the slave trade and through to the 20th-century. The museum is part of a cultural centre where you can also see works by contemporary Jamaican artists.

Rose Hall Great House

A 20-minute drive north of Montego Bay brings you to Rose Hall Great House, a grand 18th-century mansion with an enormous garden leading down to the sea. One of the island’s most notorious plantation owners Annie Palmer once lived here and, according to local legend, murdered three of her husbands and several lovers over the course of ten years!

Book a tour to see the antique interior and hear the full story told by enthusiastic guides. There’s an after-dark tour too, where you may even meet the White Witch of Rose Hall herself.

Rastafari Indigenous Village

Take a tour to this ‘living cultural centre’ and find out more about the Rastafari way of life. Watch craftspeople making traditional drums, jewellery and soap, then try home-grown vegetables in a Rastafari vegan meal.

The setting is beautiful, with a pretty walk through the jungle to reach the village, and tours end with a traditional drumming performance.

Montego Bay Marine Park

Clear aquamarine waters, coral reefs, and bright green mangroves – the Montego Bay Marine Park is brimming with natural beauty. It’s Jamaica’s first national park and has regulations to help ensure the coral is both protected and repaired.

The city’s beaches are all part of the reserve but if you want to explore, you can hire a kayak and paddle out further to see rainbows of tropical fish, as well as barracudas, lobsters and pelicans flying overhead.