Montego Bay
Visit Montego Bay for its white-sand beaches and coastal resorts, then explore the old port city and Rose Hall.
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Montego Bay, often called MoBay, is a coastal city on Jamaica’s northwest coast and the capital of St. James parish. It is a major arrival point for the island, with Donald Sangster International Airport inside the city limits and a cruise terminal on a man-made peninsula in the bay. Duty-free shops and resorts line the coast. White-sand beaches run along the eastern side of the bay, with coral reefs to the north and south. The Montego Bay Marine Park covers about sixteen square kilometres, including Bogue Island.
Montego Bay was a sugarcane export port, and some coastal resorts preserve buildings and mill works from former plantations. Downtown, Sam Sharpe Square commemorates Samuel Sharpe, a leader of the 1831–1832 Christmas Rebellion, which began around the city. January to April is roughly the dry season. June to September brings the year’s hottest weather and the possibility of hurricanes; October is the wettest month.
Montego Bay in five
- Check your booking after Hurricane MelissaThe hurricane hit western Jamaica hard in October 2025. Most areas have been rebuilding since; confirm that your hotel, tours and roads are open before you travel.
- Use licensed taxisLicensed taxis carry red PP license plates. Agree the fare before you get in; airport and resort taxis often quote in US dollars.
- Drive on the left, or book a driverJamaica drives on the left and coastal roads are busy. Many visitors hire a driver for day trips instead of renting a car.
- Try a bamboo raft on the Martha BraeRaft trips drift down the river near Falmouth, about 30–40 minutes east of town, with a raft captain doing the poling.
Need to know
- Airport
- Sangster International (MBJ), about 10–15 min to the Hip Strip
- Getting there
- Direct flights from North America, the UK and Europe
- Getting around
- Licensed taxis, hired drivers, resort shuttles
- Best base
- The Hip Strip for walking, Rose Hall for resorts
- Time needed
- 3–5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Dry, breezyJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Dry, busyFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Dry, warmMarchRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Warm, drierAprilRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, drier
- MayRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Hot, showersMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 147 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- JuneRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low26°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane season
- JulyRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low26°Hot, humidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, humid
- AugustRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low26°Hurricane riskAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain22 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh30°Low26°Peak hurricanesSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 161 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 2
Peak hurricanes
- OctoberRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low26°Hurricane riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 224 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane risk
- NovemberRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rain easingNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 183 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Dry, holidaysDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in Montego Bay, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Montego Bay
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 77%
Montego Bay
06:29 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°25°77%Monday: Rain. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 77%.
- Tue29°25°86%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Wed28°25°91%Wednesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Thu27°24°78%Thursday: Rain. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Fri28°24°49%Friday: Fog. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Sat29°24°64%Saturday: Fog. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Sun29°25°71%Sunday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 71%.
Updated 05:57 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 159 JMD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Negrilabout 1.5 hours by roadSeven Mile Beach and the West End cliffs at sunset.Read the guide
- Ocho Riosabout 1.5 hours by roadDunn's River Falls and river gorges.Read the guide
- Falmouthabout 30–40 min by roadGeorgian streets and the Martha Brae river.
Before you go to Montego Bay
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Plan around Montego Bay
Regions, safety, entry and hurricane season
Read the guideNegrilSeven Mile Beach and cliff sunsets
Read the guideOcho RiosWaterfalls and rainforest on the north coast
Read the guideEntry rules for JamaicaCheck your passport and arrival forms
Read the guideInsurance for hurricane seasonCover for cancellations and delays
Read the guideMontego Bay FAQ
Is Montego Bay a good base for Jamaica?
It is the easiest, with the main airport and resorts close by. For longer beach time, split the stay with Negril or the south coast.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
Book a transfer, or use a licensed taxi with red PP plates from the airport rank, and agree the fare first.
When is the best time to visit Montego Bay?
December to April is drier and less humid. June to November is hurricane season, with the highest risk in September and October.
Is Montego Bay safe for tourists?
Resort areas and the Hip Strip are busy with visitors, but crime does exist outside them. Use licensed taxis or hired drivers, avoid walking at night, and read your government's current travel advice before booking.
Should I stay in Montego Bay or Negril?
Stay in Montego Bay for short trips and easy airport access. Choose Negril for a longer beach stay in a slower town, and use a transfer from Sangster airport, which takes about 1.5 hours.