If you only have 1 day in Montego Bay before your flight, cruise departure or onward trip this itinerary covers exactly how to spend it. We explored independently, visited the beaches, walked the Hip Strip, tried local food and explored the historic centre to see whether Montego Bay was worth visiting.
Table of Contents
Quick Route
Airport → Doctor’s Cave Beach → Hip Strip → Pork Pit → Sam Sharpe Square → Cultural Centre → Patties → Sunset → Airport
Is 1 Day Enough In Montego Bay?
Short answer: Yes
1 day gives enough time to:
✓ see the waterfront
✓ swim
✓ eat local food
✓ explore town
But if beach time is your priority then I would stay in Negril.
Our rating: ★★★☆☆
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Montego Bay At A Glance
| Best for | Short stays or resort stays |
| Days needed | 1 -3 |
| Budget: | $$ |
| Best area: | Hip Strip |
| Car needed? | No |
| Airport | Sangster International |
Map Of Our Day In Montego Bay
Our 1 Day Montego Bay Itinerary
We stayed locally and explored Montego Bay independently. We based ourselves right near the airport so we could get up and head there quickly for our very early flight. We came from Negril on the Knutsford Express bus and again it was a really easy journey. We got on at the Negril South Terminal and caught a route taxi up there for 400 JMD each. When we arrived in Montego Bay we got off at the airport and walked across the parking lot and up a hill to our accommodation. Arriving into Montego Bay we checked in and went down to the main road to get in a route taxi to get down to the Hip Strip, we wanted to see the beach but also the historic side of Montego Bay and feel the vibe of the city.
Morning Beach Stop: Best Beach To Visit With One Day? Doctor’s Cave Beach
We checked in and jumped in a route taxi to Doctors Cave Beach. This is a beautiful beach, perfectly taken care of and it shows. Sadly on the day we arrived it was overcast and rainy but this is the spot I would come to and possibly find it hard to leave. Entry pricing changes periodically, so check before visiting. When we visited, adult admission was approximately $8 USD and then $7 USD for a sun bed, lounger or umbrella. Card, USD or JMD are accepted. I would stay here for a few hours and enjoy the best of the beach.
An Alternative Free Beach Option
If you want a free beach then you can visit the public beach at Harmony Beach Park, this is located close to town. It’s another very clean and tidy beach which is free to enter. You’ll pay $10 USD for an umbrella and $5 USD per sun-bed.
Again the facilities here are spotless and there are loads of security walking around. It is a public beach so you can just put your towel down for free and many locals do so on the weekend. If you rather have more of a local experience this is a great compromise. You only need to hand your bag over to be searched to enter this very well kept and managed beach.
Walk the Hip Strip & Best Souvenir Shopping
The Hip Strip begins near the airport and runs along Gloucester Avenue toward town. You can walk the whole length in about an hour.
Gloucester Avenue: The Main Strip for Shops & Snacks
From Doctor’s Beach we walked down hill, this is the most popular area for shopping and food. You’ll find lots of souvenir stores here, some with 50% off pricing and some with discounts but in general things were all appropriately similarly priced. We walked this street and took in the sights.
Lunch in Montego Bay: Pork Pit Jerk Spot
As it was our last day in Jamaica we had to finish off with some Jerk chicken and the Pork Pit is located on the way into town. It was busy when we arrived but people do move on quickly so getting a table isn’t a problem.
What to Order for an Authentic Jamaican Meal
We went with traditional jerk chicken and the flavour was excellent. They cook all day so don’t worry too much about it selling out. We got a half chicken which was enough for us and added a little chilli sauce. The crispy jerk seasoning was the best we”d had and. Watching them cook on the hot coals with the Smokey pimento wood was something special.
Insider Tips for Eating Like a Local
You’re going to need to use your hands here. You’ll be given a plastic fork but to really enjoy it like a local pick up your food and enjoy it. The pork is also deliciously tender as well, don’t skip the fat here, it’s the tastiest bit! Sides to order are rice and peas and a bammy.
Old Fort & Craft Market
This is another stop on the Hip Strip, it’s a small fort which is a little overgrown but has good information. You will find it on the left as you head down the path heading to town. The old fort here was built in 1750 and originally had 17 cannons. It has since been left to disrepair but there are 3 cannons you can check out. They are actually in good condition.
Across the road a little craft market had sprung up. You won’t miss it as the ladies that run the stalls will definitely call out to you. If you’re hunting for souvenirs this is a good spot as they’ll bargain with you (as will all craft markets), they carry much the same wares as the one in town so I would choose to do one of the other. If you aren’t looking for souvenirs then I would just walk up to the cannons and back out on the road to save any hassle.
Art & History Stops Downtown
Bustling downtown is home to some of the main historical sites in Montego Bay. It’s a very busy place so be ready for some local interaction.
Explore the historic centre at Sam Sharpe Square
Sam Sharpe Square is the main centre of town. It’s a large square with multiple sites all within it. There are food stalls and shops around it to check out as well.
Sam Sharpe Square: Honouring Jamaica’s National Hero
Sam Sharpe was one of Jamaica’s National Heroes. He was a Baptist deacon who helped organise the Baptist War (1831–1832), a major uprising that accelerated the movement toward emancipation in Jamaica. Sadly he was executed in Montego Bay in 1832 and slavery was abolished in the British Empire just a few years later.
The cage, monument and fountain
In the Sam Sharpe Square you’ll find the Cage which looks like a church with a bell tower. This is where runaways, drunks and plantation slaves who hadn’t left town by the 3pm curfew were locked up. The monument to Sam Sharpe is here, it depicts him preaching to his flock. The fountain just behind the square is apparently the located where he was hung (so we were told by a local).
TIP- there are 2 locations on Google Maps for Sam Sharpe Square, this is the correct one.
Montego Bay Cultural Centre
The cultural centre is the big cream building in the square, it’s home to some museums and costs $10USD to get into.
Why This is the Must-See Cultural Stop If you’re interested in learning about the history of Jamaica or the Rastafarian Movement then you’ll definitely want to visit here. Both exhibits are excellent.
St. James Parish Church: A Quick Historical Visit
We walked over to the St James Church and took a look at the historical grave yard and interior. It was a peaceful stop in Montego Bay. It is a historic landmark in Montego Bay, the first stone was laid in 1775 and was a sign of wealth as the town grew in importance as a trade hub. Many famous visitors have been here including Queen Elizabeth II and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
St. Cleaver Street Mural
There is a lot of street art around Montego Bay and the Cleaver Street mural is a famous one, it’s bright colours are an uplifting sight in the city.
Harbour Street Street Craft Market
A craft market full of sellers who will invite you into their stalls to see if you want to make a purchase, we walked through as much as we could before grabbing a souvenir and heading off.
Quick Snack Stop: Jucci Patties
The patties in Jamaica are a national treasure, eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Mike tried the Tastee Patties in Negril and loved them had to try another popular brand, Jucci Patties. His verdict? Very similar, but Tastee wins by a small margin. Grab some to decide for yourself, he loved the beef and cheese.
Sunset — Final Hours Before Departure / Head Back To Hotel
We went to the Harbour City Shopping Mall to grab some snacks from the grocery store there before heading back to the hotel. Our flight was early the next morning and we wanted to get some sleep. We walked over to the edge of the mall to check out the sunset over the water and got a route taxi heading back up to the airport area.
Departure Day
We left early in the morning, Mike grabbed one last patty from the small cafe at the front. There is not a lot of shops in the airport so I had snacks with me. We were able to just walk down the hill from our hotel to the airport which was convenient.
Best Things To Do In Montego Bay (If You Have More Time)
If you have more time in Montego Bay these are the tours I would do. I would also make sure to stay at a nice resort, my favourite is the S Hotel which all inclusive. I have listed these in the order I want to do them, if you are only staying at Montego Bay and not staying Negril then I would definitely do a day trip to Negril.
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour with Admission
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings
- Jamaica Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting with Bus Transportation
- Rainforest Bobsled Mystic Mountain transportation
- Triple Action pack Combo (Blue Hole, Horse back riding and river tubing)
- Private Authentic Down-to-Earth Half Day Tour in Montego Bay
- Amazing Montego Bay Tour
- Clear Kayak Photoshoot and Drone Video in Montego Bay
- Negril Tour from Montego Bay – Seven Mile Beach & Rick’s Café
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Where To Stay In Montego Bay
This will depend on your itinerary, in general
- Beach → first timers
- Town → budget
- Resorts → luxury
- Airport → transit
We were transiting through Montego Bay so we stayed close to the airport and went into town to look around for the day. We stayed at the Ridgeway Guest House which was ok, clean and comfortable and across the road (and up a small hill!) from the airport so we could walk there to check in in the morning.
Next time we visit I would definitely stay in a resort and the two I really want to stay at near the Hip Strip are S Hotel Montego Bay, Half Moon or on a stunning strip of beach at Riu Montego Bay.
I think if you are staying for any length of time in Montego Bay investing in some nice accommodation or resort is absolutely worth it.
Costs For 1 Day In Montego Bay
We travelled as a mid-range couple and spent one day exploring the town of Montego Bay without staying in a resort, this is our estimated budget:
- Accommodation ~$100 USD
- Food ~$50 USD
- Transport ~$20 USD
- Activities ~$20–150 (depending on what you do, spend a day at a beach club, go on tours etc)
- Estimated total ~$200+
Is Montego Bay Safe?
Montego Bay is a big city and has a different vibe to Negril and Kingston. The streets feel very local and if you are not an experienced traveller you may feel better on a tour. We walked around and didn’t have a problem but if I was on my own I would have taken a tour. The beach areas felt very safe, both Harmony Beach and Doctors Beach I would happily visit by myself for the day. Route taxis and Ubers felt fine as well, we took both with no issue, although we found it harder to get a route taxi in the evening when we were trying to get back to our hotel as they were quite full.
Always use your travel safety precautions, if you are walking around Montego Bay city on your own be conscious of your surroundings and belongings.
Is Montego Bay Worth Visiting?
Montego Bay is worth visiting if you are transiting on a short stay or a port day with a cruise and want to go on a tour or spend the day at the beach. It would also suit travellers who want a full resort stay with private beaches, the Riu and the S Hotel are perfect for this and really gorgeous. I would skip it if you want to experience a relaxed vibe, slow travel trip.
Our verdict? We preferred Negril.
We have written up a comparison of both so you can decide for yourself what will suit your trip, check out our Negril vs Montego Bay Guide.
What We’d Change Next Time
Next time I visited Montego Bay I would make these changes:
- I would stay at a beachfront resort
- Add in some excursions to see the Rose Hall and the Appleton Distillery as well as go out to Ocho Rios.
- If I was transiting through and only there for a day I would spend it at Doctor’s Beach Club.
Alternative Montego Bay Itineraries
- Half day – spend the day at a beach, either Doctor’s or Harmony Beach.
- 2 days – stay at S Hotel, walk the town and then relax at the resort for the rest of your time.
- 3 days – stay at S Hotel, walk the town, do a tour to Appleton Distillery and Ocho Rios rafting and then relax at the resort for the rest of your time.
FAQ For Montego Bay
How many days in Montego Bay?
We were happy to explore Montego Bay for a day but that was as much as we needed there without staying in a resort or doing tours.
Is Montego Bay expensive?
Montego Bay is about the same cost as the rest of Jamaica, there are budget options to be found in food and accommodation.
Can you walk around?
Yes you can walk around the town of Montego Bay but you will need to be aware of your surroundings. Alternatively take a tour.
Should I stay in Montego Bay or Negril?
We preferred Negril, the beaches were the most stunning we saw in Jamaica and loved the laid back vibes.
Is Montego Bay worth it?
It is worth seeing Montego Bay, however one day is enough if you are not doing any tours or staying at a resort.
Can you swim?
You can swim at Harmony Beach or Doctor’s Beach Club in Montego Bay. Many resorts have their own private beaches as well.
Do you need a car?
Not really, you can walk the town and if you are doing a tour they include transport usually. The airport is accessible by shuttle, this airport shuttle is highly recommended.
Final Verdict
Our final thoughts on visiting Montego Bay were that 1 day was enough to see the town and its landmarks as well as experience the beach. If we were staying at a resort we could stay a couple of days longer and we would love to take a tour from here to the rafting at Ocho Rios or to the Appleton Estate Distillery.
Would we return? Honestly, only if we stayed at a resort or if we were straight transiting through. We feel like we saw the city enough for our needs. It is an interesting and historic location, definitely worth seeing but you are able to do it in a day.
Continue to plan your trip:
→ Jamaica Itinerary
→ 2 Days In Kingston
→ 5 Days In Negril
→ Negril vs Montego Bay
→ Caribbean Itinerary
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