Photo: Courtesy of @miliman12 

Relax and Play in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay, the fourth-largest urban area in Jamaica and a popular tourist destination, offers the perfect blend of relaxation and activity. Guests can browse local handicrafts at the open-air Harbour Street market, dine amongst the happening "hip strip" shops and clubs of Gloucester Avenue, or float serenely down the Martha Brae River (tripadvisor.com). Additionally, visitors can enjoy exquisite beaches, reef snorkeling, and cave exploration.  

Harbour Street Craft Market 

For an authentic Jamaican experience, visit the cultural village of Harbour Street (harbourstreetcraftmarket.com). Nestled in the heart of bustling Montego Bay, Harbour Street Craft Market is within walking distance of the city's main restaurants and activities (visitjamaica.com). Stop by to watch the artistic process, get to know the artists and craftsmen, and select from high-quality, creative craft pieces and ethnic jewelry (visitjamaica.com).  

Hip Strip 

Gloucester Avenue, otherwise known as the "Hip Strip," is the place to be for both locals and tourists. With approximately 13 hotels, more than 60 shops, and over 35 bars and restaurants, the Hip Strip caters to a variety of interests. The Hip Strip is also located near many popular beaches, including Doctor's Cave, Cornwall, and Walter Fletcher beach. 

Some restaurants include Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Bob Sled Cafe, Groovy Grouper (at Doctor's Cave Beach), Cuban Cafe, Ice's, Ma Lou's Native, Pelican, and the Brewery, to name a few (tripadvisor.com). Most of these spots are open during the day.  

Margaritaville has several outdoor daytime water activities, including a 120-foot water slide, two water trampolines, water volleyball, lounge chairs, floats, lots of entertainment, and food and drink (travelaroundjamaicatours.com). The water activities shut down at sunset, and then it gets wild at night with DJs downstairs and reggae bands upstairs (tripadvisor.com). 

The nightlife on the Hip Strip also includes Blue Beat Jazz & Martini Bar with live entertainment on the weekends and great music and videos during the week (tripadvisor.com). In addition, Marguerite's is right next door with a fine-dining seafood menu, and across the street is Coral Cliff with slot machines and entertainment as well (tripadvisor.com).  

There is plenty of action on the strip for everyone to enjoy, and when you are winding down your night of partying, you can buy jerk chicken from the street vendors on your way back to your hotel. 

Martha Brae 

Martha Brae, the island's top rafting attraction, is just twenty miles from Montego Bay. Here you will board a thirty-foot-long bamboo raft, guided by a knowledgeable captain who will tell you about the river and Jamaica's land and culture. 

Martha Brae is a three-mile stretch of gorgeous river. The leisurely raft excursion lasts about an hour. You can either sit back and enjoy the relaxing ride or jump in for an exhilarating swim (visitjamaica.com). Bring extra cash for food and drinks and for purchasing hand-crafted gifts and souvenirs.  

Doctor's Cave Beach 

The number one beach in Montego Bay, Doctor's Cave Beach, is located right off the Hip Strip. A once privately owned beach, Doctor's Cave Beach is now a community beach club. Locals and tourists alike can come to enjoy a stress-free day of crystal-clear water, white sand, and easily accessible beach chairs and umbrellas for rent. Snorkeling gear is also readily available for rental, inviting beach-goers to explore the exquisite marine life and reef. The club restaurant provides excellent food and drink, and the clubhouse offers bathrooms, showers, changing areas, etc. Entry fees are surprisingly cheap at just USD 6 for adults and USD 3 for kids (jamaicahotelreview.com). Year-long club memberships are also available that offer unlimited access to the beach, gym, sauna, steam room, and several other benefits (jamaicahotelreview.com).   

Widowmaker’s Cave 

The Widowmaker's Cave got its name from the James Jones novel Go to the Widowmaker (divebooker.com), where the main character goes deep sea diving and becomes obsessed with the beauty of the reef. The cave is formed in a narrow cleft in the reef wall and is shaped like a narrow tunnel with lots of crevices and cavities (divebooker.com). Numerous species of soft corals, gorgonians, sea fans, and sponges cover the site's rock walls (divebooker.com). Divers can see parrotfish, Creole wrasses, turtles, blue angelfish, snapper, and grouper (divebooker.com). 

In Summary 

From excellent duty-free shopping, to lively nightlife, to calm waters, to alluring underwater caves, Montego Bay offers visitors a variety of options.  

Sources: 

divebooker.com 

harbourstreetcraftmarket.com 

jamaicahotelreview.com 

travelaroundjamaicatours.com 

tripadvisor.com 

visitjamaica.com