5 Reasons to Visit Montego Bay, Jamaica

One look at Montego Bay and it's easy to see why so many highly recommend this as the perfect vacation spot. It’s a commonplace to visit among spring breakers, but there are low-key options to make your time spent there as a couple relaxing and memorable.

You can stroll through local shops and street markets for handmade crafts and foods. Take a bamboo boat ride down the Martha Brae River. You could just relax and enjoy the pristine beaches from your all-inclusive resort.

Still need more reasons to visit? Consider the following.

The Food: International Cuisine

Restaurant options include everything from international foods to traditional Jamaican cuisine.

The Houseboat Grill, for example, is a charming boat that sits in the tranquil waters of the Montego Bay Marine Park. It features an upper and lower deck casual dining areas.

Enjoy jerk chicken, red snapper, fried johnny cakes, and more at the Pelican Restaurant. The restaurant features a modern dining setting with a rustic color layout and homestyle dish menu.

Fresh seafood is available in abundance at the Pier One on the Waterfront restaurant. As a treasured option among locals and visitors, this spot offers a wide variety of what many call the best Jamaican dishes you can enjoy by the sea.

That's not to mention what you can try just on your resort. Sandals Montego Bay, for example, allows you eat at 20 local restaurants for free.

The Spas: Unwind in Style

Unwind after a long day or start your day on a high note with a stop by the spa.

Montego Bay has several options to choose from to help you feel at home, but none are better than the Red Lane Spa. Waiting there is a a tranquil sanctuary complete with massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, fitness classes, aromatherapy, wrap treatments, and more.

The Shopping: Shop Modern to One-of-a-Kind

Are you looking for the perfect gift for a special someone or want to splurge on yourself? Exquisite jewelry and unique gift items are available at various shopping options throughout Montego Bay.

Luxury and boutique outlets await shoppers at The Shoppes at Rose Hall. Here you will find specialty goods, fragrances, designer clothes, cosmetics, and more at over 30 shops. The Blue Diamond Shopping Plaza is a popular option for tourists as well. It features fine jewelry, beauty products, and souvenir stores.

You can also do some Duty Free shopping at Luxury , by Chulani Jewelers. Established in 1959, it's the oldest Duty Free retailer on the island.

The Watersports: Enjoy Blue Water Adventures

You can’t visit Montego Bay without doing something in the water. There are water sports and adventure activities for all ages including snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Going all-inclusive with Sandals Montego Bay gives you access to unlimited scuba diving and water sports like waterskiing, sailing, paddle boarding, tubing, and more. You will also be able to access land activities like beach volleyball, basketball, lawn chess, and more.

The Art Galleries: Art Inspired by the Beauty of Jamaica

Learn Jamaica culture through authentic arts and crafts on display at local galleries. Many works featured include pottery, paintings, and sculptures. Some galleries let you purchase items to take home. For more than 50 years, the Gallery of West Indian Art has collected art pieces by Jamaican, Cuban, and Haitian artists. Paintings by early Haitian and Jamaican artists are for sale.

The National Gallery West features temporary and permanent exhibitions focusing on Western Jamaican art. The pieces were created from various perspectives from avant-garde to contemporary and traditional. The gallery provides guided tours with future attractions including art classes for kids and educational programs.