Montego Bay

1. Dead End Beach

Dead End Beach, also known as Buccaneer Beach, is a beautiful beach accessible to locals and visitors to Montego Bay. It’s the perfect place to go for an authentic Jamaican beach experience; visitors can also try the delicious local cuisine at the restaurants and bars that dot the shore. One of the best parts about the beach is that it is near Donald Sangster International Airport, which means that it’s easily accessible to those who are there for a short time and those who are there to get some thrilling views of the low-flying aircrafts as they bathe in the refreshing water.

Kent Avenue, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Phone: 876-805-7824

2. Fort Montego

Close to downtown Montego, Fort Montego is the remnants of an old British fort that was built in the 18th century to keep Montego Bay free from pirates as well as defend against attacks from the Spanish and French. Now, visitors can head to the historic area and explore the remains of the fort, including the artillery store and the three cannons, which are famed for having only been fired twice in their entire existence. Located on the “Hip Strip” of Gloucester Avenue, visitors really get a feel for Jamaica’s culture and history at the fort and the surrounding sites and attractions.

3. Greenwood Great House

Greenwood Great House was built in the 1780s and was the residence of Richard Barrett, a wealthy Englishman who came from a family of politics, plantations, and poetry. The stunning 15-room estate was built in Georgian style and can be found on the 82,992-acre land almost in its original form, with little to no renovations and decor changes made over the years. Visitors will be able to see the original library of the Barrett family, which is filled with books, paintings, intricate china, antique furniture, and rare musical instruments that dates to the 1600s. The beautiful and historic aspects of the well-preserved attraction have made it a favorite with tourists over the years.

435 Belgrade Avenue, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Phone: 876-953-1077

4. Animal Farm

The Animal Farm and Nature Reserve is one of Montego Bay’s most visited attractions. Visitors can schedule a tour of the grounds or explore it themselves. There is a wide range of exotic animals and birds at the farm and one of the best aspects of the site is being able to hand-feed birds in the walk-in aviary. Visitors will also be able to learn about the alternative energy projects that take place in the farm; there are many solar initiatives as well as bio-gas generating plants there. The beautiful gardens are a lovely place to spend the day and are ideal for an on-site picnic; there are even outdoor cooking facilities for visitors to use while there.

Animal Farm, Lot 169, Copse, Lethe, Montego Bay P.O. Box 34, Reading Jamaica, Phone: 876-899-0040

5. Barnett Plantation Tour

The Barnett Estate Plantation lets visitors explore one of the oldest sugar plantations in Jamaica. The plantation sits on over 10 acres of land and has been a part of the family-owned company for over eleven generations. Visitors can tour the lush tropical estate on their own or go on a guided tour to browse and better understand the history of the plantation and the family who ran it. There are many historical artifacts in the Great House that display the historical value of this beautiful estate.

Barnett Plantation Tour, Barnett Estates, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Phone: 876-952-2382

6. Chukka Caribbean Adventures

Comprising the best of what Jamaica has to offer, Chukka Caribbean Adventures is guaranteed to be fun for the entire family. It’s an experience like no other, as visitors zipline through the lush rainforest, go horseback riding by the ocean, or explore the countryside on an ATV. Visitors can pick and choose activities based on how adventurous they want to get; Chukka will even put together excursions to nearby waterfalls, schedule catamaran cruises, or take visitors tubing on the nearby river. A unique experience that not many offer is bamboo rafting, where visitors get to go on a ride on the Great River on a 30-foot raft made of bamboo.

Chukka Caribbean Adventures, #2, Montego Freeport Shopping Centre, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Phone: 877-424-8552

7. Crafts Market

Montego Bay’s Crafts Market is a combination of colors, sounds, and smells that truly encompass a Jamaican holiday. All the island souvenirs that visitors crave, such as musical instruments, beads, straw hats, t-shirts, and other novelties, can be found at the market. The authentic Jamaican craft items are usually handmade from straw, wood, or leather and allow visitors to take a bit of Jamaica back home with them. Even those who aren’t looking to purchase anything will love the sights and sounds of the local vendors exhibiting their skills at weaving, carving, and so much more.