Montego Bay Luxury Villas
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Villas in Montego Bay Jamaica
Montego Bay is situated on the beautiful north coast of Jamaica. The third-largest urban center on the island of Jamaica, MoBay, as it's known locally, is a picturesque town at the heart of life in the gorgeous parish of St James. No surprise to find that villas in Montego Bay Jamaica are some of the most popular in the Caribbean for families and groups looking for a multi-faceted vacation.
It's really true when they say, ‘There's something for everyone in Montego Bay.' It's a well-established vacation destination that has wooed lucky visitors for decades. Let's take a look at some of the wonderful reasons why Montego Bay villas are the perfect launch pad into a world of exciting exploration in Jamaica.
- Getting There / Getting Around
- Beaches for the Lazy or Active
- Nightlife for Romance
- Nightlife for High Octane Fun
- Wild and Wonderful Nature
- The Beating Heart of Reggae
- Cheers, Welcome to Jamaica – Rum, Beer, Coffee
- Dining – High to Low – but always Tasty
- The Secret Sauce of Montego Bay
Getting There / Getting Around
Montego Bay Airport – Sangster International Airport (MBJ) is the gateway to your Jamaica vacation. 550 miles south of Florida, this airport is located on the northeastern shores of Jamaica, just north of Montego Bay town. It's an easy transfer to any of the divine all-inclusive villas in Montego Bay Jamaica or to any of the Montego Bay villas for rent. At Exceptional Villas, we can arrange a luxury air-conditioned transfer to meet you on arrival and get you settled in your perfect vacation home without delay.
While on vacation, we can book some wonderful private guided tours that will take you around Jamaica. For shorter trips, if you want to travel like the locals, the Route Taxis that operate officially around the island offer set-price journeys. These cabs are easily distinguished by their red license plates. You'll get an interesting story, for sure, from your driver. It's all part of the experience!
There's an extensive bus network that operates from Montego Bay to other urban regions around Jamaica. Montego Bay to Kingston is a 4-hour journey. You will get to see a lot of the island as you travel across to the southwestern corner towards Jamaica's capital, but to really get the most out of a trip, book a private car tour that will allow you to stop and explore as you go.
Beaches for the Lazy or the Active
For a lively urban center, you will be surprised to find one of the most beautiful beaches of the Caribbean in the heart of Montego Bay. Doctor's Cave Beach is considered the number one beach in the area. You pay a small admission fee to enter the beautifully maintained beach, and you can rent loungers and umbrellas, establishing yourself along this magnificent stretch of white sand. It's part of the Marine Park, so there's terrific snorkeling just offshore, gorgeous swimming conditions, and enough amenities to support a day of fun relaxation.
Don't be surprised if you see some friendly, colorful fish swim by as you float in the balmy waters. Pier One, Starbucks, and DLE will provide ample refreshments and snacks for you and your group, and you're only a short walk to the fun and frolics of the Hip Strip when you want a break from all that sandy perfection.
If you are traveling with kids, Aquasol Beach Park / Walter Fletcher Beach has so much to offer. In addition to perfect beach conditions, there are water slides, go-karting, and water sports. It's lively and fun and a firm family favorite.
If you are looking for a quieter beach experience, Kent Avenue Beach, about 4 miles from Montego Bay, is one of those off-the-beaten-track beaches that feels almost private. Open to the public but just that little bit removed from the bustle, it's a great place for some sunbathing, swimming, and just chilling with a good book in hand.
Nightlife for High Octane Fun
Montego Bay is probably the liveliest center in Jamaica for a good night out. A casual stroll along the famous Hip Strip of Gloucester Avenue will find you dipping in and out of bars and clubs. Whether you enjoy jazz, rap, or reggae, there's a bar waiting for you. This is where the party really starts in Montego Bay for all ages. Casual food, boisterous bars, or quieter dedicated music venues can all be found easily.
Blue Beat Ultra Lounge is one of the favorites for visitors. It offers a combination of live music (everything from jazz to Latin to DJ nights – check the schedule) and tapas.
For a bigger event, try Pier 1. Open-air dining and thumping DJ nights bring this venue alive after dark. And it just wouldn't be a trip to Montego Bay without a visit to Margaritaville. Yes, it's awash with tourists, but if you're young or young at heart and like the idea of uncomplicated food, lots of cocktails, and thumping beats, you'll enjoy this big venue right on the beach.
Nightlife for Romance
Taking it down a notch or two, there's a really ambient side to life in MoBay. You can leave the heavenly confines of any of the Montego Bay vacation rentals to enjoy a romantic evening at some of the loveliest restaurants in the Caribbean. The Sky Beach Bar and Seafood Grill (open Noon to 11 pm daily), a very short drive from downtown MoBay is a glamorous destination with a prime location overlooking the sea.
The bar is dimly lit and the perfect place to start your memorable evening with some divine cocktails. Montego Bay's famous HouseBoat Grill in the Marine Park Fish Sanctuary has glorious indoor and outdoor dining options. It's a casual destination but very popular. Reservations are a must if you want to get a table. Lunches and dinners are served daily, or just drop in to the bar after 5 pm.
For some glamour and a night of great food, visit Usain Bolt's Tracks and Records restaurant; it is one of those historical places to dine. Delicious food in lovely surroundings is all part of a night at this champion's wonderful restaurant.
Wild and Wonderful Nature
In Montego Bay, you are ideally situated to tap into the fabulous natural world of Jamaica. Tropical rainforests, waterfalls, stretches of pristine beaches, and mountain trails make this Caribbean island one of the most stunning destinations in the world. A day trip to Ocho Rios (literally meaning 8 rivers) is a memorable outing. The famous Dunn's River Falls – a naturally terraced waterfall can be climbed or simply admired.
If you like hiking, then Blue Mountains National Park has some great trails. Take a tour guide to show you the best routes. There are some incredible views, and you'll get up close with some of the stunning flora and fauna of this Caribbean island.
The Beating Heart of Reggae
If you are a music aficionado or just someone interested in exploring the history of Reggae, you've come to the right place. As the birthplace of this music genre, you will hear the traditional sounds of mento, ska, and rocksteady pour from bars and clubs around Montego Bay.
The songs became the voice of Jamaica, taking native styles of music and mixing them with rock and soul. The unique tempo has traveled the globe and was the very first music genre to have true international appeal. As you lounge in one of the Montego Bay luxury villas, I recommend you tune in to some of the local sounds.
The rhythm and style of old and new wave reggae seem to just suit lazy afternoons around your private pool as you sip a deliciously cool beer.
Cheers, Welcome to Jamaica – Rum, Beer, Coffee
Whatever your tipple, there's a refreshing local brew waiting for you. Let's start at breakfast time with Blue Mountain coffee. The ideal growing conditions around the slopes of the Blue Mountains make coffee one of the most delicious home-grown agricultural crops in the Caribbean.
The freshest beans, lightly roasted and ground each day, make that first cup of coffee like none you've ever tasted before. Maybe it's the added feature of sipping your coffee on your private terrace in front of one of the luxury villas Montego Bay offers with the Caribbean stretched tantalizingly in front of you that amps up the experience.
For a refreshing cool option, you'll want to sample some of the local beers. The famous Red Stripe beer or Jamaica Ginger Beer makes a tasty cooling accompanied by some fiery food choices.
And last, but so definitely not least, rum. From the high-end variety of rums distilled at Appleton Estate to the newer Rum-Bar Rum, these delicious spirits can be enjoyed on their own or mixed with some clean and fresh fruit juices to create lush cocktails that slip down oh so easily.
Whether you are unwinding on the terrace of one of the best villas in Montego Bay Jamaica, after a day of fun around MoBay, or are enjoying a fruity pick-me-up before you step out into the vibrancy of a Jamaican evening, you can ask your wonderful butler to surprise you with a local mix.
Dining – High to Low – but always Tasty
Jamaica has a large agricultural hinterland. Away from the bustling coastlines, there are farms that specialize in producing top-quality meats, fruit, and vegetables. For those who love their entrees from the blue depths, there is a thriving fishing economy around Jamaica that delivers the freshest catches to the restaurants and bars around the island.
Your private chef will know where to source the best ingredients to produce bespoke menus that suit your group's needs. And if you are dining out – anywhere from a high-end dining splendor to a barefoot beach shack experience, you can be sure the food will be divine.
A lot of the recipes that are used at some of the smaller eateries have evolved from family recipes. Although there's a general consensus about what jerks should look and taste like, be assured there are many variations to be sampled.
One of the best jerk restaurants in MoBay is Scotchies. Smokey, hot, spicey, flavourful – all the words that are used to describe the national dish of Jamaica. Goat is one of the meats of choice among locals, but if that's a step too far for you, the good old reliable jerk chicken won't disappoint. Scotchies delivers a no-frills, casual experience not to be missed.
And for the ultimate in street food, the Jamaican Patty is the number one choice. These pastry pockets are usually filled with seasoned beef, but you'll find that some now cater to the meat-free diner. The yellow pastry, colored with turmeric, makes this empanada-like snack a delicious beach treat with a beer.
The Secret Sauce of Montego Bay
Okay, you've traveled through so many aspects of Montego Bay, sampled the delicious food, and sipped some tantalizing beverages. You've strutted your stuff along the Hip Strip while embracing that laidback reggae vibe. The beaches have welcomed you when you wanted to recharge your batteries after a night of rum and fun.
As well, you've drifted into the perfectly turquoise Caribbean to pump up the volume on some water sport action. It's been quite the tour, and yet … there's something impossible to define about life in Montego Bay. I call it the ‘secret sauce' to a perfectly delicious vacation. It's the kaleidoscope of colors, the melting pot of nations, laughter, and energy. And yet, it's more than the sum of all these parts.
When you've checked out the list of villas in Montego Bay and found the one that speaks to your heart, you can embark on your own personal exploration of one of the most unique and memorable corners of the Caribbean. You'll probably find your very own reason why Montego Bay is one of the most enjoyable and yet deeply relaxing places to visit in the Caribbean. Be sure to let us know!