Montego Bay Vacations

Year-round temperatures in the 80s and little rain put a sunny spin on any Montego Bay vacation. Prime dates depend on your desire to be part of the crowd(s).

High season is winter -- also the driest time of year -- when beaches get lively in December and are packed with good vibrations by Christmas. The revelry continues with Bob Marley's birthday bash in February and rages on through Easter and spring break. Expect a last hurrah in April for the island-wide Carnival festivities.

Summer heat keeps crowds and hotel rates low, aside from Reggae Sumfest in July. Montego Bay hurricane season peaks in August and September.

Not your typical bump along the trail, this one starts with panoramic coastline views and ends with a ride off into the sunset, quite literally. Hold your camera high as your horse moseys right into the warm Caribbean Sea.

Mellow and authentic, Walter Fletcher Beach attracts locals and backpackers. In a white-sand crescent, Rose Hall Beach brims with a dive shop, jet ski rentals, changing rooms and a beach bar. No-frills Dead End Beach, also known as Buccaneer Beach, keeps it simple: just sand and sunset views.

If you had a Jamaican mama who was too tired to cook, she might send you to this locals' source for traditional grub. Don't let the pool tables, dominoes on the patio and sports on the big screen fool you into thinking the food isn't grand. And that includes the Friday night fish fry.

Along the coast and up and down the mountain, locals sell jerk pork, rum drinks, straw hats, wood carvings or fresh fruit and more.

Just before Falmouth, a bare bones beach reveals a thatched-roof bar with a friendly staff. Reggae radio pulses out a low-key soundtrack for blended cocktails, grilled lobster and coconut shrimp.

Something to buy, something to eat, somewhere to dance and someone to braid your hair -- all on the same street, affectionately called the Hip Strip.

Battle the colorful crowds to people watch, swim or snorkel. This popular beach is known for its clear blue water that's pleasantly warm.

Mingle with some of the most exotic birds in the world and feed sugar-water to buzzy-winged hummingbirds by hand.

The city has no shortage of trinket peddlers, but here at souvenir central, all 180-plus vendors are licensed. Browse and bargain away.

Tubing, bamboo rafting, kayaking and river rafting are Montego Bay vacation essentials. Get wet on a scorching afternoon or two.

Descend upon Reggae Sumfest in February, head to the Bob Marley Experience theater or tour his scenic birthplace in Nine Mile. Show off your moves to the beats of a steel drum band or a DJ on any steamy night in Montego Bay.

Get your certification before you go and the wonders of Cayman-Trench Wall and Chubb Reef can be yours. Experienced divers can enter the famous Widowmaker's Cave, then work their way back up a narrow chimney.

Those who don't mind a bone-chilling tale may catch a glimpse of the White Witch on a tour through this ghostly landmark.

Jerk means spicy, delicious and slathered on chicken, pork or fish at this mouth-watering institution. Even for vegetarians, who feast on deep-fried cornbread (called "festival"), breadfruit and sweet potatoes dipped in a wicked, peppery sauce. Look for the thatched-roof dining huts along the coast highway and fans hunched over mounds of the good stuff wrapped up in aluminum foil.

After naps on the beach, an adrenaline shake-up is in order. Zip through a lush rainforest at top speeds past treetops and rushing water. Barrett Adventures offers the longest zipline in the Caribbean, with a 1,600-foot-long ride.