Itinerary · Montego Bay · Jamaica
5 days in Montego Bay
A day-by-day plan grouped by neighbourhood, so you spend your time seeing Montego Bay, not crossing it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
5 days covers the main sights, though 7 lets you slow down. Day 1: Doctor's Cave Beach and Hip Strip. Day 2: Greenwood Great House and Sam Sharpe Square. Day 3: St James Parish Church and Dead End Beach (Buccaneer Beach). Base yourself in Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue).
Key facts
- Days
- 5
- Sights covered
- 12
- Day trips
- 1
- Best base
- Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue)
- Book ahead
- Nothing essential
Day by day
Day 1: Doctor's Cave Beach and Hip Strip
Doctor's Cave Beach, Hip Strip and Montego Bay Marine Park, then Rose Hall Great House in the evening.
Morning
Doctor's Cave Beach
Arrive early on cruise-ship days; the beach fills by late morning. (Half a day, low cost).
Late morning
Hip Strip
A polite but firm 'no thanks' handles most vendors; keep walking if you are not interested. (2–3 hours, free).
Lunch
Lunch: Jerk chicken and pork
Jerk centres along the coast road east of the airport and stands on the Hip Strip; roadside drum-pan grills across town at night.
Afternoon
Montego Bay Marine Park
Book snorkel trips with operators who brief you on not touching coral and use reef-safe sunscreen. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).
Evening
Rose Hall Great House
Book the evening tour for the atmosphere, or a daytime tour for the views over the sea.
Day 2: Greenwood Great House and Sam Sharpe Square
Greenwood Great House, Sam Sharpe Square and Montego Bay Cultural Centre, then Luminous Lagoon at Glistening Waters in the evening.
Morning
Greenwood Great House
Ask the guide to demonstrate the old music boxes and polyphon. (1 hour, mid-priced).
Late morning
Sam Sharpe Square
Visit with a local guide who can explain the square's history and lead you through the nearby streets. (30–45 minutes, free).
Lunch
Lunch: Ackee and saltfish
Breakfast at local cafés and resort buffets.
Afternoon
Montego Bay Cultural Centre
A good indoor stop on a rainy or very hot afternoon downtown. (1 hour, low cost).
Evening
Luminous Lagoon at Glistening Waters
Go on a dark, moonless night for the brightest glow.
Day 3: St James Parish Church and Dead End Beach (Buccaneer Beach)
St James Parish Church, Dead End Beach (Buccaneer Beach) and Martha Brae River rafting, then Hip Strip in the evening.
Morning
St James Parish Church
Dress modestly, and visit outside service times unless you would like to attend. (30 minutes, free).
Late morning
Dead End Beach (Buccaneer Beach)
Come at sunset with a drink and watch arrivals; there are few facilities, so bring what you need. (1–2 hours, free).
Lunch
Lunch: Curry goat
Local cookshops downtown and in residential areas.
Afternoon
Martha Brae River rafting
Bring cash for a tip for the raft captain and for drinks sold along the riverbank. (2–3 hours with transfers, mid-priced).
Evening
Hip Strip
Bars with sea views, beach-club parties and live music along Gloucester Avenue.
Day 4: Day trip to Negril
About 1 hour 30 minutes by car each way. Getting there: Car, private driver, tour or Knutsford Express coach.
Morning
Travel to Negril
About 1 hour 30 minutes by car (Car, private driver, tour or Knutsford Express coach); about 80 km.
Day
Negril
Jamaica's westernmost resort town has Seven Mile Beach, a long, calm stretch of sand, and the West End cliffs, where people jump into the sea and watch the sunset at cliffside bars. Best for couples, beach and first-timers.
Evening
Back in Montego Bay
Dinner: try Escovitch fish.
Day 5: Falmouth historic town
Falmouth historic town, then Resort entertainment in the evening.
Morning
Falmouth historic town
Visit on a day without a cruise ship in port for a calmer walk. (2 hours, free).
Lunch
Lunch: Escovitch fish
Seafood restaurants and beachside cookshops.
Evening
Resort entertainment
Nightly shows, discos and themed parties inside the big all-inclusives.
Where to stay for this itinerary
With 5 nights, Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Downtown Montego Bay ($) suits culture and budget. Compare every area.
Pace and daylight
The sights in this plan add up to roughly 18–24 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11 hours in December to 13.2 hours in June.
More or fewer days
Questions travellers ask
+Is 5 days enough in Montego Bay?
5 days covers the main sights, though 7 lets you slow down. How many days Montego Bay needs.