Montego Bay

• 🌍 Sangster International Airport (MBJ  ^IATA), Montego Bay (on the northwest part of the island, very close to the cruise ports at Montego Bay and Ochos Rios.). 

Montego Freeport, built in the 1960s on what was called the Bogue Islands, is the port of Montego Bay. The Montego Freeport terminal consists of five primary berths two of which are dedicated exclusively for cruise shipping. There is a telecommunications centre for cruise passengers (and crew), snack and refreshment stand.

Transportation is available from the terminal building, supervised by the Jamaica Tourist Board, which also maintains a visitor information booth. Montego Freeport is about 3 km south of town. Taxis to downtown MoBay cost about US$10. Shuttle bus service from the cruise ship pier to downtown City Centre Shopping Mall for US$2 per person each way.

Gloucester Avenue-which is lined with tourist hotels, shops, and restaurants-has sidewalks on both sides and is best visited on foot. Aside from this road, walking may be considerably less safe.

Buses, minibuses and route taxis arrive and depart from the transportation station off Barnett St at the south end of St James St. There’s an inspector’s office (7AM-6PM) inside the gate where you can ask for the departure point of the bus you’re seeking.

Montego Bay Metro (952-5500; 19A Union St) is the municipal bus service (around J$100). Montego Bay Metro now operates three routes: Greenwood to City Centre; Sandy Bay to City Centre; and Cambridge to City Centre.

Taxis are readily available, but as with all cities be aware that some drivers will be less honest or reliable than others. follow your instincts; never get into an unmarked car with someone who offers you a ride, and stick with taxi services you recognize. Your hotel can suggest trustworthy drivers. Reliable driver (as used by the Bird's Nest and Five Gable include Frankly (local ☏ +1 876 581 5712) and Smith (local ☏ +1 786 787 7889)

Another very common way of getting anywhere outside the vicinity of your hotel is by tour van. If you book a tour to the falls or the canopy, the driver will usually pick you up at your hotel. For more on tours, check the Do section below.

All day, representatives from tour companies will stroll the beaches, offering parasailing, horseback riding, and a million other fun activities; if you're interested, keep your ears and eyes open for these guys, but remember to always play it safe and go with companies you recognize and trust. A lot can go wrong during these activities if the people in charge don't know what they're doing!

• Jamaican Taxi Tours, ☏ +1 876 429-8664, info@jamaicantaxitours.com. Professional and licensed drivers. Tours cover various interests such as archaeology, history, culture, religion. 
• Travel Around Jamaica Tours, ☏ +1 876 287-2180, info@travelaroundjamaica.com. Travel Around Jamaica Tours is a Montego Bay-based private airport transfer and tour company, which offers private airport transfers to all hotels, resorts and villas in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril. As well as private transfers to popular tourist destinations in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril. 
• Dreamer Catamaran Cruises, Rapsody Tours, Charters & Cruise Limited, Gloucester Avenue, ☏ +1 876 979-0102, fax: +1 876 979-0101, reservations@dreamercatamarans.com. M-Sa 10AM-1PM/3PM-6PM. The Dreamer Catamaran cruises are a great way to explore the Caribbean Ocean. On the Catamaran cruise, there is an opportunity for sight seeing, snorkelling, drinking, sun bathing. The staff is very friendly, helpful and patient, making sure new comers to snorkelling feel comfortable with their equipment and what to look for while exploring the sea. After snorkeling, alcohol is served on the catamaran, along with massages by the crewmembers. The Dreamer Catamaran cruises are fun, safe, and a great experience. US$89. 

• Bethel Court Guesthouse, 25 Bethel Court, ☏ +1 876 476-7239. Mount Salem. Here you will have your own private furnished apartment. $20/night dorms, $50/priv room. 
• Caribic House, 69 Gloucester Ave, ☏ +1 876-979-9387. Hostel - very much budget accommodation. Great views of the beach from the third floor. Across the street from Doctor's Cave Beach. $35/night (double occupancy). 
• Hotel Gloriana and Spa, 1-2 Sunset Blvd, ☏ +1 876-632-5250. A cheap place to sleep, with lovely staff, but the rooms are very basic. $70/night. 
• Ridgeway Guest House, 14 The Queens Dr, ☏ +1 876-330-7180. An inexpensive, well-liked guest house run by very hospitable and helpful staff. $50/night. 
• Grandiosa Hotel, 3 Ramparts Close, ☏ +1 876-630-6780. Another budget option, with nice views and a friendly staff. $60/night. 
• Grand Palladium Resorts & Spa, Point Lucea, ☏ +1 876-619-0000, toll-free: +1 888 774-0040. All-inclusive 3 meals daily plus snacks and all drinks and house wines with meals included. Free activities (snorkeling, sailing, paddle boating) all of these activities are on the beach adjacent to the Grand Palladium Resort. Lifeguard on duty. $229/night. Kids stay free. 
• Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort, ☏ +1 876 9532485. (updated Feb 2015)
• Five Gables, Lot 285 Fairview, Ironshore (Route taxis and buses commute between MoBay and Ironshore. From the junction you can either walk (2.5km uphill) or find a taxi (see Get Around, J$150)), ☏ +1 876-312-3472. Five Gables is a hostel in a villa in the suburb of Ironshore. The house consist of multiple rooms with bathrooms, a kitchen and a huge community area. Outside, the property features a pool, a sun deck with bar, hammocks and chairs as well as a garden. It is closely associated with the bird's nest. Even if it appears fully booked, call the owner Ian, he might let you camp in the garden or offers you another room next door. dorm $23 / double ensuite $70. (updated Mar 2015)

• Doctors Cave Beach Hotel, 11 Jimmy Cliff Blvd, ☏ +1 876-952-4355. A moderately priced hotel along Gloucester Avenue (called the Hip Strip). A well-established alternative for those seeking a good value. $115-170/night. 
• El Greco Resort, 11 Queen St, ☏ +1 876-940-6116. Popular resort village. Furnished one and two bedroom air-conditioned suites, just a elevator ride down to famous Doctors Cave beach. $112-177/night for 2-4 people. 
• Royal Decameron Montego Beach, 2 Gloucester Ave, ☏ +1 876 952-4342. Oceanview rooms and patio, includes all food and drinks (including international drinks and wine). 3 beaches, and 2 pools. 1 Al a carte restaurant and 1 buffet. $100/person/night, including all beach activities. 
• Rose Hall Resort & Spa, a Hilton Resort, ☏ +1 876-953-2650. Rose Hall Road, Montego Bay. This island resort in Montego Bay was a legendary sugar plantation during the 18th century. $250/night. 
• Altamont West Hotel, 33 Gloucester Ave, ☏ +1 876-979-9378. Rates start at $90. 

• Half Moon Rose Hall, Half Moon P.O., Rose Hall, ☏ +1 876 953-2211. A large hotel with golf courses, spa facilities, a variety of vacation villas, and conference and meeting facilities. Rooms and suites start at $350/night. 
• Riu Montego Bay. Ironshore P.O, Rose Hall. Less than three miles from downtown Montego Bay, and 1.7 miles from the airport, it has a wide variety of activities and comfortable accommodations in a beautiful setting, including an on-site spa, entertainment by the pool and on the beach during the day and on stage at night. $400/night The Riu Montego Bay has a total of 5 bars and 5 restaurants. The restaurants include a steakhouse, Italian restaurant, Asian Rrestaurant, main restaurant and a pool-side buffet. There are 2 pool-side bars, and 2 inside the resort and 1 sports bar. The sports bar is open 24 hours with a mini-casino next door. There is always entertainment during the day at the pool area and at night, either in the entertainment area, or on the beach. 
• Silent Waters Villa, River Road, Great River Private, ☏ +1 847 304-4700. Luxury villa with nice views and good service. The 5 guest suites and the owner's villa can accommodate one group of up to 20. Tennis court, 2 pools, heliport, 14 staff. $2,000-4,857/night.. 
• 🌍 The Tryall Club, Alice Eldemire Dr., Hanover Parish (15-20 minute drive west of the city), ☏ +1 876 956-5660. A splurge, but worth it. A world-renowned golf course designed by Ralph Plummer lies on this property, making the Tryall one of the premier golf destinations of the Caribbean. Each villa has a private pool along with personal staff that cater to your needs. Other amenities at the Tryall include a kids club, 9 tennis courts (four which are red clay), and a private beach. $400/night. (updated Nov 2018)

You can get domestic flights to Kingston's second airport Tinson Pen.

A weekly international service to Santiago de Cuba is also available, costing approximately US$400 (June 2012) with Air Jamaica Shuttle

The Montego Bay Bus station, in downtown Montego Bay has buses serving most of the larger cities throughout the country including Black River, Ocho Rios, Spanish Town & Kingston.