Montego Bay Jamaica.com - Info
Long known as the friendly City, Montego Bay is the complete resort. Jamaica's largest destination stretches fifteen miles along the coastline from the luxurious Tryall Club in the west to Greenwood in the east. The blue waters of the Bay are fringed by mangrove wetlands and beautiful white sand beaches, surrounding the old town, which nestles at the feet of lush green mountains.
The Caribbean is the most beautiful sea on earth and at its heart is the island of Jamaica. Located on the north coast, with a population of just over 100.000, Montego Bay has been one of the world's famous playgrounds of the jet set since the 1950's. With a first class international airport and modern port facilities for cruise and cargo shipping.
Montego Bay is the gateway for visitors to Jamaica and the Caribbean. Jamaica's long history dates from the days of the indigenous Taino and Arawak Indians, wiped out during the Spanish invasion and occupation. British colonization brought Europeans, Africans, Indians and Chinese to work on the wealthy sugar plantations and led to the inevitable Rebellion against slavery, giving us Emancipation and finally Independence. This terrible history and mixed ancestry has produced the proud, strong and beautiful Jamaican people of today.
It also explains our vibrant culture expressed so well in song, dance ,art, crafts, cuisine and architecture, with roots and rhythms from around the world. Apart from fishing, farming, and some very light manufacturing, our only industry is hospitality and entertainment. Here you will find some of Jamaica's finest attractions, a range of outdoor sports, gourmet dining, fast food, slow food, arts, crafts, night life, elegant five star accommodation, small inns, luxury villas, quality shopping and local friendliness.
So much to do, so little time
Excursions include visits to historical great houses, or working plantations that were formerly grand estates. Others may wish to experience an guided river ride on a bamboo raft, or an exciting sailing cruise or take a snorkeling or scuba expedition. How about an exhilarating round of golf on one of our championship courses nearby, a game of tennis, laze around on the beach, or visit our unusual bird sanctuary up in the hills.
AJAL:
Some years ago, the owners of Jamaica's finest attractions formed the Association of Jamaica Attractions Ltd. to work together on offering the best excursions. AJAL now has 50 members located in the island's main resort areas with half of them around Montego Bay. All members are fully insured, regularly inspected and licensed by the Jamaica Tourist Board to meet the highest industry standards. Many of the members use natural areas as part of their attraction and are committed to the protection and sustainability of our environment. Visit the AJAL member web site for more information
The Port of Montego Bay:
The Port is operated by the Port Authority of Jamaica.
The terminal consists of five primary berths two of which are dedicated exclusively for cruise shipping and two of which are presently used for both cruise and cargo shipping The Government of Jamaica has increased expenditure on major infrastructure improvements to the port in recent years. Alongside, in the terminal building are in-bond, gift, souvenir and specialty shops. There is a telecommunications centre with telephone and fax service for cruise passengers (and crew) and a snack and refreshment stand. Transportation is available from the terminal building, supervised by the Jamaica Tourist Board, which also maintains a visitor information booth.
City Centre:
Opportunities for shopping, one of the most popular pastimes of cruise passengers, are abundant in Montego Bay. There is a moderately priced pier to downtown shuttle, dropping passengers off at the City Centre Shopping Mall, which enables those who are looking for the finest in duty free merchandise, to avail themselves of the highest quality jewelry, watches, perfumes, leather goods, linens, crystal, electronic components, photographic and video equipment, pens and much more.Shops located at this facility are "guaranteed shops" enabling passengers to return merchandise for whatever reason. Also within the City Centre are shops that offer T-shirts, cigars, Blue Mountain Coffee and a wide selection of items that are of interest to visitors. SHOPPING
Duty-free and other quality shops selling clothing, Blue Mountain Coffee, records, cigars, Jamaican rum and liquors, postcards and other fine merchandise are located at the Half Moon Shopping village:This beautiful garden complex is home of the only official Bob Marley exhibition in Montego Bay and houses several fine restaurants and an authentic English pub. Other shopping opportunities exist at the Cruise Ship Terminal and at the Montego Freeport Shopping Centre adjacent to the Port.
Currency:
Official currency is the Jamaican dollar, the current exchange rate is about US$ 1.00 - JA$ 46.50 but this can fluctuate, change at banks and exchange bureaus only.
US dollars are widely accepted and major credit cards are also commonly used.
Transportation:
Major tour companies with luxury coaches and uniformed drivers and guides will arrange group excursions and they include: CCS Tours, Caribic Vacations, Jamaica Tours, Sunholiday, Tropical Tours and Exlusive Holidays.
Taxis and buses:
available for hire at the Cruise or Airport from the associated drivers (owner members of JUTA and JCAL licensed by the JTB, with a set fare structure, uniformed drivers). Shuttle bus: service from the cruise ship pier to downtown City Centre Shopping Mall for US $ 2.-per person each way
Air tours:
See Jamaica by air. Charter flights available by arrangement in fixed wing craft from Timair or by Helicopter from Helitours.
Scheduled inland air service by Air Jamaica Express and Air Negril. HOT TIPS
Please be reminded that the use and/or possession of drugs: ganja, cocaine or other drugs is against Jamaican Law. Please don't use or export !
During large events when a big crowd gathers, there can be some elements who take advantage of the situation, pick-pockets! Take precautions, do not take valuables, airline tickets, passports and other important documents with you.
Take only the amount of money you think to spend for the day, lock your other valuables in the Hotel safe. Hold on to photo cameras and never leave your belongings unattended. Ask a friend to look after them.
Better safe than sorry...
