Welcome to Montego Bay Jamaica!

Welcome to Montego Bay Jamaica
...The Friendly City!

MONTEGO BAY JAMAICA, by Dorrett Simmons

Montego Bay (Mobay) got its name from the Spanish word, "Manteca Baha" which means "Bay of Lard".

A lot of wild boar hunting was done during the time of the Spaniards and a lard producing industry was created, thus the name. It was later translated to mean Montego Bay as you now know it.

Here are some very important and fascinating facts about the second city.

Montego Bay:

Is situated in the parish of St. James.
Has a population of approximately 120,000.
Is affectionately called the “friendly city” because of the warmth and friendliness of its people. Montego Bay is also called MoBay- for short.
Was made the second of only two cities in Jamaica-in 1980.
Is the Tourist Capital of Jamaica.
Boasts the Island’s largest airport, the Sir Donald Sangster International Airport.
Air Jamaica and quite a few other airlines run their Caribbean hub from here in Montego Bay, connecting the Island to several famous and well travelled destinations.

POPULAR ACCOMMODATION

MoBay is known for its many accommodations, hideaways and eating spots. It gives me great pleasure to mention some of the frequently visited hotels here in the 'Second City'.

Sandals Royal Caribbean Hotel & Spa and Private Island

The Ritz Carlton Golf & Spa Resort.

The Round Hill hotel

Doctors Cave Beach Hotel

Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort

Wyndham Rose Hall

Breezes Montego Bay

Sunset Beach Resort

Sandals Inn Montego Bay

Half Moon Royal Villas

Richmond Hill Inn

Ora Vista Guest House (a home away from home and a stone throw away from Richmond Hill Inn)

And how could I forget – The Riu Montego Bay which will be officially opened in September of this year (2008).

And many more, too many to mention this time.

LOCAL SITES AND LANDMARKS

There are quite a few local landmarks in Montego Bay. One such site is the famous Sam Sharpe Square, so named because one of the national heroes, Samuel Sharpe.

Here in the center of the town is the Civic Center, operated by the St. James Parish Council. It is used to accommodate many cultural events and is a popular attraction for the people of Montego Bay, surrounding towns and all over from Jamaica.

The facility provides:

Conferencing facilities
Art Gallery
Museum
Guided Tours
Public Parking &
Public Washroom

Then there is also the Cage, a very ancient building which was used to house runaway slaves but is now used for selling all things Jamaican.

Montego Bay is also known as home of the ever so popular Reggae Sumfest and patrons from all over the world (foreigners, Returning Residents, Natives here at home) are all in high gear whenever the month of July comes every year to look forward to this memorable event.

Montegonians are also proud to say that the city has been host to the Jazz and Blues Festival which saw a lot of famous talents from all over the world.

There is so much more to tell and though we are only the second city, compared to Kingston which is the other city, the warmth of the Montegonians will never be forgotten.

So come on down, meet us and be a part of our history.

By the way, if you are looking to book a good hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica, try doing so via HotelsCombined.com.

They ensures you get the best price by comparing prices from many different sites - that's what I did!

You will also get more pictures, reviews and other valuable hotel details from right there.

Edited: 11/26/11