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Go beyond the beachside resorts when visiting Montego Bay, Jamaica. Courtesy of Shutterstock.
The best activities to try around Montego Bay
March 3, 2025
Getting bored of resorts? While relaxing by the pool has its perks, Montego Bay and all of Jamaica have so much more to experience. Here are some of the top excursions for your next trip to Montego Bay to ensure you see it all.
Climb a waterfall at Dunn’s River Falls
Yes, you read that right. Few people can say they climbed up a waterfall, but it’s possible at Dunn’s River Falls. Located in Ocho Rios (a couple hour drive from Montego Bay), this popular attraction is a bit like a natural waterpark. The waterfall itself is a 900-foot-long set of naturally terraced falls flowing into the Caribbean Sea.
Pro tip:
Wear a swimsuit as well as pool shoes to maximize traction while walking up the falls.
Starting from the beach, a guide leads your group up the giant stone steps, through rushing waters and relaxing lagoons. With their help showing you where to step, this trek isn’t as daunting as it sounds, as long as you’re ready to get wet. The journey from the bottom to the top can take only half an hour if you’re moving quickly, but there are plenty of opportunities to pause and relax.
Get up close with exotic hummingbirds
Jamaica is home to a surprising range of wildlife. Among the most striking is the national bird of Jamaica, the red-billed streamertail (known locally as the “doctor bird”). These and dozens of other vibrantly colored birds can be seen at Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, about a half-hour drive from Montego Bay.
Did you know?
Jamaica is home to at least three species of hummingbird that aren’t found anywhere else in the world.
This isn’t your average birdwatching spot. Instead of seeking out these exotic birds, they come right to you. Just feed them using small bottles of sugar syrup provided by the sanctuary, placed in front of an outstretched finger. With a little patience, these incredibly colorful buzzing birds will be fluttering before your eyes, even landing on your finger for a few moments to sip while you admire their beauty. The sanctuary also offers some space to explore and see the birds in their natural habitat as they feed from native orchids and other plants.
For bird-lovers or anyone interested in seeing unique wildlife in a peaceful, serene setting, this is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Tour world-famous rum distilleries
There are centuries of history behind the story of Jamaica. One way or another, much of it boils down to making and trading that intoxicating sugar-distilled spirit. By visiting one of the island’s rum distilleries, travelers can learn about Jamaica’s heritage while sampling some of its bounty.
Among the major distillers (and one of the oldest) in the Montego Bay area is Hampden Estate, about an hour’s drive from the city. Built on a nearly 300-year-old sugarcane plantation, the distillery and bottling plant offers guided tours taking guests through the process of rum-making from copper still to cocktail. Afterward, you’ll get to try the end result of years of barrel aging and centuries of craftsmanship that have made Jamaica a world-famous destination for rum.
Did you know?
Jamaica is known for its dark rum, which has stronger flavors than other varieties of rum due to its high molasses content and longer aging process.
While the facilities here may be old and a bit rough around the edges, any beverage connoisseur knows that these things only improve with age. With its rum being sold to distributors and mixed into other brands from around the world, it’s clear that is also the case here.
It's not hard to have a great time anywhere in Jamaica. While relaxing on the beach is a perfectly nice way to spend a vacation, don’t overlook the fantastic experiences available to you in the Montego Bay area that can make your trip truly unforgettable.