Montego Bay Jamaica
The Tourist Capital Of 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 (airport code: MBJ)
• Many airlines run their Caribbean hub from here in Montego Bay, connecting the island to several famous and well travelled destinations & last but not least...
• has some of the most beautiful beaches in Jamaica, eg. Cornwall Beach, Doctors Cave Beach and Aquasol Beach.
  

POPULAR ACCOMMODATION

MoBay is known for its posh accommodations, resorts 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 (now Hyatt).
  
• The Round Hill hotel
  
• Iberostar Hotel
• Seagardens Beach Resort
• Doctors Cave Beach Hotel
  
• Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort
  
• Wyndham Rose Hall (Now Rose Hall Resorts) 
  
• Sunset Beach Resort  (Now Sunscape Resorts)
  
• Sandals Inn/Carlyle
• Secrets Hotel
  
• 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 was officially opened in September 2008.
  
  And many more, click here to see the Top 50 - by user ratings!
  

LOCAL SITES AND LANDMARKS IN MONTEGO BAY JAMAICA

In addition to the spanking new Montego Bay Convention Center in Rosehall, there are quite a number of other local landmarks in Montego Bay.

One such site is the famous Sam Sharpe Square, so named because one of the national heroes, Samuel Sharpe and the Dome.

Here in the center of the town is also 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.

Restaurants In Montego Bay

Montego Bay boasts a wide array of dining and restaurant options.
These range from casual outdoor to posh and elegant dining.

Among them are:

• Robbie Joseph's Seahorse Grill/ The Yacht Club
  (Sunset Drive, Freeport, 876-684-9133)
• The Pork Pit Restaurant
  (Hip Strip, 876-940-3008)
• Jerky's Bar & Grill
  (Fairview Shopping Center, Alice Eldemire Rd, 876-684-9101-2)
• Sugar Mill Restaurant
  (Rose Hall, 876-953-2228)
• The Houseboat Grill (Southern Cross Rd, Freeport, 876-979-8845,)
• Pelican Restaurant (Hip Strip, 876-952 3171)
  Kid friendly. Great for groups or the entire family.
• China House (Hip Strip)
  
• Dragon Court Court Chineese Restaurant (Fairview Shopping Center, Alice Eldemire Rd) &
• Scotchies Jerk (Coral Gardens)

See Montego Bay Restaurants for even more.

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.

MORE PICTURES OF MONTEGO BAY

See also: Montego Bay Beaches And Weather In Montego Bay

Edited: 10/26/17

Pages Related To Montego Bay Jamaica

• Cheap Hotels In Montego Bay
• Montego Bay Jobs
• Montego Bay Hotels
  
• Montego Bay Attractions
  
• Montego Bay Credit Union
• Montego Bay Car Dealers
• Breezes (Ceased Operations)
  
• Hotels in Jamaica
  
• Tourist Attractions in Jamaica
• Jamaican Products and Services
• Our Jamaican Blog
• Our Discussion Forums
• External Reading: at Wikipedia

For a comprehensive review of Montego Bay, including its best attractions, see the Jamaica Travel Guide page.

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