Free things to do · Montego Bay · Jamaica
5 free things to do in Montego Bay
Montego Bay without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: SpaceEconomist192, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Montego Bay without paying an entry fee: Hip Strip, Sam Sharpe Square, St James Parish Church and Dead End Beach (Buccaneer Beach) are all free. Compare all-inclusive packages with flights included; they are often better value than paying separately.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 5
- Low-cost extras
- 2
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- September
Free sights and experiences
Street · Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue)
1.Hip Strip
A polite but firm 'no thanks' handles most vendors; keep walking if you are not interested.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- Shopping
Historic site · Downtown Montego Bay
2.Sam Sharpe Square
Visit with a local guide who can explain the square's history and lead you through the nearby streets.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
Religious site · Downtown Montego Bay
3.St James Parish Church
Dress modestly, and visit outside service times unless you would like to attend.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Beach · Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue)
4.Dead End Beach (Buccaneer Beach)
Come at sunset with a drink and watch arrivals; there are few facilities, so bring what you need.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Neighbourhood · Falmouth and Trelawny coast
5.Falmouth historic town
Visit on a day without a cruise ship in port for a calmer walk.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue) | Hip Strip and Dead End Beach (Buccaneer Beach) | 2–3 hours + 1–2 hours |
| Downtown Montego Bay | Sam Sharpe Square and St James Parish Church | 30–45 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Falmouth and Trelawny coast | Falmouth historic town | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Beach · Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue)
Doctor's Cave Beach
Arrive early on cruise-ship days; the beach fills by late morning.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
Museum · Downtown Montego Bay
Montego Bay Cultural Centre
A good indoor stop on a rainy or very hot afternoon downtown.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- Compare all-inclusive packages with flights included; they are often better value than paying separately.
- Pay in Jamaican dollars where possible; dollar prices in tourist spots often round up.
- Use Knutsford Express coaches instead of private drivers for Negril and Ocho Rios.
- Eat at jerk centres and cookshops rather than resort à la carte restaurants for local food at lower prices.
- May, June, September and November offer the lowest hotel rates outside hurricane-peak weeks.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Montego Bay expensive to visit?
Montego Bay is moderately priced for most visitors, but 5 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Montego Bay?
Hip Strip: A polite but firm 'no thanks' handles most vendors; keep walking if you are not interested.