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The free beach in Montego Bay offers calm blue waters, soft white sand, and plenty of swimming and snorkeling opportunities. You then get to experience Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, located on the seven-mile beach at Negril. You have opportunities to enjoy a wide array of water sports activities or just relax on the beach. The highlight of the shore excursion is a visit to the famous Rick’s Café, where you can enjoy a party atmosphere and Reggae music. Shore excursions to Montpelier last between four and eight hours, depending on the length of your time in port. Montpelier has superb inland water and is the go-to destination for water sports and activities on rivers.
Doctor’s Cave Beach
The beach is located at the far end of the Hip Strip, so it’s a relaxing end to a walking tour of Montego Bay downtown. You should also be aware of vendors selling souvenirs along the way. Depending on the type of shore excursion you choose, the rafting experience lasts one to two hours and is a 40-minute drive from Montego Bay.
Ocho Rios Cruise Port
An excursion taking one to one-and-a-half hours, expect to take plenty of photos as you play in the pools and falls. The terraced Dunn’s River Falls are about five stories feet high and 600 feet long and fed from a spring at its source. Several small pools and lagoons dot the vertical sections of the falls, making for a good time with the whole group.
Freeport, Bahamas
Cruise Critic went looking for the best things to do in Jamaica in each port of call, which include Montego Bay, Falmouth, Ocho Rios, Kingston and Port Antonio. We sought out things you can do both independently or through ship tours -- and we scoured the cruise lines themselves to find what they offer guests when docked in Jamaica. You have not truly visited Montego Bay if you haven’t been on the Hipstrip. The actual name is Jimmy Cliff Boulevard named after our music icon but is commonly referred to as bottom road by the locals.
Other Montego Bay Attractions:
For fans of the 007 franchise, a visit to James Bond Beach is a must on your list of things to do in Jamaica. Visiting the Green Grotto Caves offers a unique opportunity to delve into Jamaica's geological and historical wonders. Whether you're an adventure seeker, nature enthusiast or history buff, the caves provide a memorable and educational experience amidst their stunning natural beauty. It has a rich culture, stunning landscapes and some of the most active excursions you’ll find on your cruise. We found a mix of mainstream and upscale cruise lines calling on Montego Bay. With Montego Bay being not just Jamaica’s second city, but also one of the island’s main tourism hubs, it is not surprising that it also has one of the busiest cruise ports on the island.
Prices are lower during the summer and autumn months, but that’s also hurricane season, so be sure to watch the forecast. Visit the Hip Strip and enjoy the seaside nightclub by moonlight and chill out to the awesome reggae grooves they have on offer. In fact, only five bays in the whole world are known to host luminescence like this.
Falmouth, Jamaica Cruise Port and Terminal Information - Cruise Critic
Falmouth, Jamaica Cruise Port and Terminal Information.
Posted: Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Shore excursions to Croydon plantation give you the chance to experience Jamaican culture and history. You can tour a working plantation, taste authentic Jamaican cuisine, and view the lush countryside as you explore the plantation. The Croydon Plantation is a working estate an hour’s drive from Montego Bay Cruise Port.
Fun Things to Do in Montego Bay on a Cruise Day in Port
The days when haggling was mandatory to avoid a serious rip-off are long gone. Almost all destinations have standard fares and these only depend on how many passengers will be in the cab - check caribya.com or juta.com for Taxi Fares. However, be aware that to return to the ship, taxi drivers in town (or wherever you heading) may try to increase the return fare. With that said, Port Antonio isn’t just known for its tranquil beaches; it is also located near some iconic Jamaican sites, like the famous Blue Lagoon and the Rio Grande River.
What should I pack for a day trip to Montego Bay?
Although a cruise excursion is sometimes more expensive than taking a taxi, it’s worth considering for Montego Bay visitors. This pretty beach has more to offer its visitors than fine white sand. Nor does it have the same historical attractions and other points of interest within walking distance of the cruise port as some other Caribbean destinations. Cruise ships often include both Montego Bay and Grand Cayman as ports of call on the same western Caribbean cruise. The Montego Bay cruise port is a western Caribbean cruise destination and the tourism capital of Jamaica. Dump-up Beach is a free public beach that is popular with locals and cruisers alike.
It offers a unique combination of links style and inland golf courses. Upon leaving the terminal building, you’ll see many licensed taxi drivers. They have standard fares for getting to the Montego Bay town center and the most popular locations. However, getting back to the cruise ship or flagging a taxi in the town center is different. The main attractions and Montego Bay’s downtown area are located 3 miles (4.8 km) from the terminal. So, it’s best to take a licensed taxi or Hot Spot Shuttle to explore the town’s attractions.
Situated next to Walter Fletcher Beach, at the Hip Strip entrance, this sandy beach features crystal clear water and a relaxed vibe. This beach is mainly popular with locals and is perfect for those looking for a laid-back atmosphere with reggae music and drinks, away from the touristy crowded places. There is also a 120-foot waterslide that goes straight into the ocean, a selection of water sports and an aqua park available for all visitors. Cruise travelers planning to visit exclusively the historical center of Montego Bay will be better off by getting on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus aka Hot Spot Shuttle - $15.00 per person. Some cruise lines (Carnival) sell the Hot Spot Shuttle onboard for a couple of dollars more than the regular rate.
Facilities at the beach include pedal boats, glass-bottomed boats, snorkeling, banana boat rides, jet skis, and water trampolines. Cruise ships in Montego Bay dock at the town’s Freeport zone, a designated area within the main section of the harbor specifically designed for international trade and tourism. This Freeport zone is where passengers disembark from their cruise ship and are welcomed by a large terminal building.
If you would like to visit the falls and experience their cascading waters and jungle backdrop, check with your cruise line to see if they partner with any local excursion providers. Port Antonio is considered the least popular stop for cruise ships on our list, but it still offers plenty for those listed as a stop on their upcoming cruise itinerary. Numerous beaches and coves offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful afternoon, which can be a welcome opportunity to distance yourself from the crowds on board your ship. While the town and beaches near the cruise port are ideal for those looking for a more relaxed experience, the lush greenery and stunning waterfalls surrounding the port are the real attractions. In fact, Ocho Rios actually means “Eight Rivers” in Spanish, so it is no surprise that the region offers rafting, waterfall hikes, and all kinds of other thrilling nature experiences. Walking is not a great option, it is around a 3-mile walk on a busy highway with nowhere to stop and catch a breather in between.
The closest shopping to the cruise docks is at Montego Freeport, which is a brief walk straight south. Doctor’s Cave beach is arguably one of the best locations on the island for exploring the world underneath the crystal clear water. A city tour may include arts and crafts vendors and 18th century cannons in Old Fort Craft Park, the historic St. James Parish Church and John’s Hall Plantation. Explore the 18th Century Braco Great House sugar plantation on horseback as your guide leads you on trails down to the Caribbean Sea.
Read our full guide to Jamaica cruise ports to know what to expect. This is one of the most in-demand tours among coffee lovers, and certainly one of the best things to do in Jamaica. You’ll see the plantation operations, learn how the coffee is harvested and what happens before it ends up in your cup. Book this excursion through your cruise line, including onboard Oceania Sirena. For scuba-diving cruisers, Jamaica often feels like a let down after visiting exciting Western Caribbean ports like Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman or Cozumel. But in Montego Bay, hook up with the local dive shops for a trip to the Widow maker’s Cave.
Many cruise ship passengers say that some taxi drivers try to take advantage of tourists and charge more for the return fare. So, agreeing on the fare before taking a taxi from the town center is always a good idea. Many cruise passengers enjoy visiting the historical sites and 18th-century plantation houses around the area. However, if you’re more of an adventure seeker, the Green Grotto Caves, swimming in the tranquil rivers, snorkeling, or an ATV adventure excursion may be your thing. A visit to Jamaica’s tropical paradise is not complete without sinking your toes into our warm sand. A 10-minute drive will transport you to the bustling Hip Strip, dotted by brick and mortar businesses and sandy beaches.
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