Fright night: Experience Rose Hall Great House tours by candelight in Montego Bay. Credit: Loren Sztajer.
By Blane Bachelor
Montego Bay, Jamaica, or MoBay, as it’s known by locals, is one of the most popular beaches in the Caribbean, with a bevy of all-inclusive resorts and plenty of places to grab a rum punch while soaking in the sunset and reggae. But when you’ve had your fill of sand and sun, there are plenty of things to do in Montego Bay. Check out our recommendations — plus a few great Montego Bay hotels — all of which are guaranteed to stoke that unforgettable “irie” feeling.
For a fun way to cool off from the hot Jamaican sun, consider a visit to Dunn’s River Falls & Park, about an hour’s drive from Montego Bay, in Ocho Rios. Peacefully shaded by lush vegetation, these beautiful waterfalls are a geological rarity because they empty into the sea. They’re a blast to climb, too – often in a long, guide-led, hand-holding human chain. The excursion is notoriously slippery, so water shoes are a good idea (bring your own so you don’t have to buy an overpriced pair on-site). Go mid-week for fewer crowds.
Reggae fans shouldn’t miss a pilgrimage to the Nine Mile Museum, the tiny town that marks the birthplace and final resting place of “King of Reggae” Bob Marley, who spent his early years there before moving to Kingston. Along with his messages of freedom and global unity, you’ll take in the single bed he sings of in the song “Is This Love” and other Marley memorabilia. Keep in mind that ganja peddlers lurk around here, and the place is packed on Feb. 6 every year with fans commemorating Marley’s birthday.
Finally, an ideal option for October: a visit to Rose Hall Great House. This stately circa 1770-mansion offers a spooky history: It was once run by Annie Hall, known by locals as “The White Witch of Rose Hall,” who, according to legend, killed several husbands and slaves she took as lovers, all the while dabbling in witchcraft and voodoo. Many say her spirit haunts the premises; see for yourself by taking one of the newly launched night tours, which are conducted by candlelight.
Right on the Rose Hall property is the stunning Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, but there are plenty of other options for great Montego Bay hotels. Some of our favorites: Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay and the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Montego Bay.
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San Francisco-based travel writer Blane Bachelor counts her visit to Jamaica to see her Peace Corps friend Josh as among her most memorable trips.