Travel

Understand [ edit ]

Montego Bay from the air

Christopher Columbus sailed into the bay in 1494 and named it "el Golfo de Buen Tiempo" or Fair Weather Bay. The first record of a Spanish settlement here shows it as Monterias. The Spaniards hunted the herds of wild hogs that used to roam the hills and produced and exported 'hog butter' or lard. The name Montego derives from the Spanish "manteca" meaning lard, and Montego Bay is shown on some ancient maps as Lard Bay.

Due in part to its location on the island's north shore, Montego Bay has long since earned the title of 'tourist capital of Jamaica.' It receives the bulk of international flights, and is home to Sangster International Airport, the larger of Jamaica's two main international airports. It is a tourist destination known for its duty free shopping, cruise line terminal, and the sheltered Doctor's Cave beach with clear turquoise waters, which is one of the most famous beaches on the island.

Get in [ edit ]

By air [ edit ]

Montego Bay Sangster International Airport is on the northwest part of the island. The airport is very close to the cruise ports at Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.

Here there are some companies that offer private transportation:

• Travel Around Jamaica Tours [1] / 1st Class Private Montego Bay Airport Transfers and Tour Services to all hotels and villas in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril, Jamaica.
• Mr. Stubbs [2]
• Best Jamaica [3]
• Amstar DMC [4] / Montego Bay Airport Transfers
• Island Transfers [5]
• Jamaica Tour [6]
• Jamaica Vacations [7]
• Paradise Palms Jamaica [8]
• PG Tours Jamaica [9]
• Jamaica Airport Transfers [10] / Transfers from Montego Bay Airport
• Jamaican Taxi Tours [11]

By sea [ edit ]

Montego Freeport. built in the 1960s on what was called the Bogue Islands, is the port of Montego Bay[12]. 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 3km 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.