1st time to Montego Bay

[flamomo]

I tried posting this inside a MoBay thread, but no response.

We are senior ladies who will be visiting the port of MoBay during our February cruise. The few ship excursions offered don't appeal to us. After reading others posts we get the impression that quite a few don't care much for this port. So now we don't know what to do there. We really don't want to just stay aboard.

We do enjoy walking, sightseeing and shopping, as well as maybe having lunch ashore. But it sounds like the pier is not in town.

Could someone please tell us about how far it is into town, what is the suggested transportation, and how can we most safely get to/from town. If it is by taxi, what would be a fair fare per person (there could be 2 or 4 of us).

Is there a bazaar or craft market? What else could you suggest for us to do, Any restaurant ideas?

Thanks for any help.

[MSUcruisers]

My travel agent is a Jamacian-American and recommends using cruise tours since the island is not that safe to go off on your own.

[CaribbeanBlue]

I've been to Montego Bay (MoBay) a LOT on business and have never had a problem. Im also a lady in my late 40's) I would suggest going to Dr's Cave Beach for the day and then a stop at Margaritaville on your way back for a cheeseburger and red stripe. Its a short taxi drive.

 

If your into shopping ask your taxi driver to take you to "City Center" for wonderful shopping. Its a small, shopping complex but you can get some wonderful items there, its modern, clean and no one will hastle you. Your driver will wait for you, or simply catch another taxi driver, they have a stand right there.

 

I would not advise the craft or straw markets in Montego Bay. Ive been there and found them to be uncomfortable, and I dont rattle real easy.

 

CaribbeanBlue

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[flamomo]

We really appreciate your responses.

We would have signed up for an excursion, but there are not many offered and what are available do not interest us.

The beach is a possibility that I will have to discuss with the rest of our group.

We would be interested in going to the City Center for browsing for souvenirs, and lunch at Margaritaville would be great. I've been to several of them and always enjoy both the atmosphere and the food.

Does getting to Margaritaville involve another taxi, or is it in the area where the shopping is?

I presume taxis are readily available at the pier where we will dock.

Thanks for the warning about the craft/straw market. We'll avoid that.

Sorry to keep asking questions, but none of us have been to MoBay.

[CaribbeanBlue]

From City Center to Margaritaville is a very short taxi ride but a bit too far to walk comfortably. Dr's Cave Beach is a short walk from Margaritaville. There is a Casino across the street from Margaritavile , but they dont have table games, mainly machines. I've seen better casinos. On the block across the street from Margaritaville are a few nice t shirt stores with souveneers also.

 

CaribbeanBlue

 

http://www.*****.org

[TOTTT]

Flamomo,

 

Good for you for wanting to get out and explore...and not caving in to the prepackaged cruise excursions that don’t see you as an individual, but a number to shuttle through with the least amount of effort to ‘work’ with! People who generally didn’t enjoy a particular port somewhere on an excursion often didn’t put in the time to research, ask questions, link up with a driver who is there to “show off” the city (not just run a prepackaged tour that takes little effort and where you are just one of a crowd), or who didn’t know your expectations, likes and dislikes, etc. Taking the time to ask questions is NEVER something to apologize for, even if it takes 20 emails and 400 questions !

 

MoBay is a tourist town...the “pretty” tourist part, along the waterfront, and the “real” town just blocks away. It is an eye-opening contrast to see both..even if it’s just having your driver spend 15-20 minutes taking you through some of the downtown side streets without you actually getting out of the vehicle if that is the preferred custom level...he or she can still take time to explain tons about the city and city life. There are some historical monuments, there is a new museum that just opened up....Perhaps do this part first, then wind up on what is referred to as the “Hip Strip” (tourist shops), where you can walk and browse, have something to eat and drink, catch some breeze, etc.

 

There will be taxis just outside the terminal, but in your case, I would highly recommend contacting the private driver of your choice, ahead of time, so you can communicate via email to work out an itinerary...let the driver know what it is you’d like to do and see or learn about, get their response, tweak and refine and fine tune all plans until all parties are satisfied that the tour will be exactly what is wanted.

 

There is a small craft markets and can easily be incorporated right at the end of the tourist strip and ask the driver to walk with you and help you with the pricing. People who are uncomfortable with these craft markets think they’re being harrassed, yet have no clue that is the “Jamaican way”...but we don’t see it as harrassment. If I go to the local open air market with my husband, and he’s picking through a pile of fresh carrots from one lady, the man with the stand next door will say “when yuh dun, come see mi cabbage”...and the next lady over will say “Rass (shortcut for Rasta”) you nuh wan see mi mangos, dem fresh”, and the orange vendor will be peeling an orange ready to give a free sample hoping to entice us into a bag of sweet oranges (which we always do get!), the man with the watermelon cart is hoping we’ll take a slice of watermelon...it’s fun, it’s colorful, it’s life! Yes, some vendors hope you’ll buy everything you need in from one stand (or one shop)...but don’t feel pressured.

One of the absolute rudest things you can do in Jamaica is not greet people, so an easy “Good morning” or “Good afternoon” as you walk past, combined with a smile, is still seen by Jamaicans to be preferable to looking away, scowling, and scurrying past. Again, having your driver there with you will help ease the pressure, and run interference if you really need it.

 

Restaurants abound...do you want a little Jamaican eatery with authentic food and local prices? Do you want a tourist establishment with food like you’d get at home? Do you want to eat somewhere that is not maxed out with other cruise shippers for the day or someplace with a little more room to breathe? If going with a private driver, spell all this out..they should be able to describe local foods, give you prices, maybe even photos!

 

Ask the driver what more they might recommend to give you a good overview of the city or Jamaican life that you hadn’t even thought about...you could still get in a beach visit....lots of choices!