Top Things To Do in Montego Bay

You might spot some of Ras’ handiwork in your hotel - a lot of the bigger ones display his art. Together with other local artists, he’s created this gorgeous ecotourism escape, bringing together the work of Jamaican creatives, tropical gardens carved into the mountainside and stonkingly good views over Mo Bay City (which is only a quarter of an hour away). Browse the gallery, sit and sip at the juice bar and control the urge to buy up the whole gift shop. There’s also the chance to meet turtles and spot over a dozen endemic birds.

Venice has its gondolas, Oxford its Punts and Jamaica its long bamboo rafts that pootle along the rivers. Martha Brae river is the nation’s favourite for rafting (even the Queen’s been here), complete with the ‘Rafter’s Village’ embarkation area where you can have a picnic, shop for souvenirs or relax at the bar. Rafts here are long bamboo vessels, steered by a captain. Learn the curious legend of Martha Brae, a young Arawak with supernatural powers, enjoy the sights along the river bank and stop for a dip in the water. The Great River or Rio Grande is another good spot, where rafting was introduced by none other than Errol Flynn.

A number of local companies do horseback riding excursions where you can hack through Jamaican countryside, canter along the coast and ride into the sea. Group trips and private trips are available as well as different routes depending on your experience. The Half Moon Equestrian Centre is a good place to ride from, and has a lovely Pony Park where children can meet small animals and have pony rides.

Peering over downtown Mo Bay, this white limestone church was built according to the Greek cross plan in the late 1700’s. It had to be renovated in the fifties after an earthquake caused considerable damage, but continues to be thought of as Jamaica’s prettiest church.

Spanning over 40 acres of tropical forest and farmland, the farm’s main focus is birds, with more than seventy different varieties. PJ’s Walk In Avery is a fabulous feature, where the birds will feed from your hand. There’s a petting zoo too, where you can meet pigs, goats, rabbits, sheep and Boxer the donkey. Wander along bird watching trails or around the herb garden or sit down for a picnic lunch.

This dense land of pits, hills and valleys is where the Maroons - freed Spanish slaves and escaped British slaves - set up a stronghold in the 18th century. Maroon communities still live here, in towns like Accompong and locals will be able to show you around, telling you all about the area. Jamaican flora and fauna don’t get more diverse than in this neck of the woods, making it a must visit for birdwatchers and nature lovers. There’s a fabulous road that you can walk or drive from Clarks Town to Albert Town. Look out for tours featuring the area’s caves, waterfalls and lagoons.

Lisa Salmon, the much loved ‘bird lady’ originally set this up as a Feeding Station, and her nephew now continues her legacy in the sanctuary. Dozens of bird species can be seen here, both endemic and migrant. This is where you can feed hummingbirds, yellow-faced grassquits and orangequits, which happily perch on your hand.

Mother Nature, showing off again. On a still night, gazillions of phosphorescent dinoflagellates give the lagoon a beautifully eerie glow. Some boat tours take you around the lagoon where you can swim in the glittering water.

Visit indigenous Rastafarians and experience their lives and culture for a day. Help out with organic farming and make traditional Rasta crafts and music. This is an amazing way to understand the Rastafarian lifestyle and get to know Jamaicans in their own home.

Jamaica Zipline have five ziplines, including the longest in the Caribbean – the 488 metre Big Timba. The area runs along the Great River in the Lethe Estate, half an hour south west of Mo Bay. As you whizz over the tree canopy, there are incredible sights of Jamaica’s rolling hills. Zipline tours are often combined with fruit tasting and river rafting.

Explore this working pineapple, citrus and coffee plantation in the foothills of the Catadupa mountains. Find out about the plantation’s history featuring Samuel Sharpe, who was born here and famously died fighting for the end of slavery. Try freshly picked fruit and fruit juices and get an eyeful of the surroundings – palms, rolling hills and forest covered mountains.

A handful of old Jamaican mansions have been perfectly preserved for public viewing. Bellefield Great House on the exclusive Barnett Estate gives you a taste of Jamaica hundreds of years ago. Walk between tropical gardens and visit the 300-year-old mansion with its antique furnishings (the surrounding views are incredible).

There’s also Greenwood Great House, which Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s cousin built it over 200 years ago. It was primarily used for entertainment and has a collection of rare musical instruments.

Rose Hall is probably the most famous – rumour has it that the house is haunted by the ghost of Annie Palmer, the ‘White Witch’ who murdered numerous husbands and lovers before she was gruesomely killed by her slave lover (if you’re not convinced, see the photos of people’s ghost sightings in the gift shop).

The story of the Gallery of West Indian Art begins with English fashion designer Liz deLisser (remember the bikini Ursula Andress wore in Dr No? Well that’s one of her most famous creations). After marrying a Jamaican and moving to the island, she set up a boutique and started displaying her favourite Haitian art pieces in it. When art started selling faster than clothes, the gallery was officially born and has displayed fabulous collections by Jamaican, Haitian and other Caribbean artists ever since. These days, Liz’s daughter Nicky continues the legacy and the colourfully painted wooden animals are the gallery’s signature feature.

Other galleries include the National Gallery West, a pint-sized version of the main National Gallery in Kingston and the Ahhh… Ras Natango, in the midst of divine tropical gardens.