Best Day Trips from Montego Bay

Excursions in Montego Bay give you a taste of all that the area has to offer, but excursions from "MoBay" - the name by which Jamaicans know the city - take you on an in-depth exploration of the island's treasures.

Discover YS Falls and Dunn's River, which offer some of the most breathtaking views on the island. Immerse yourself in Jamaica's music scene with the Bob Marley Life Tour to learn about the origins of the famous "One Love." Visit the Blue Mountains, full of secret waterfalls and serene rivers, and more. In this article you will find the tours you should not miss with their prices, duration and details to choose the option of your liking.

Let's see, this Caribbean island is also known as Bob Marley's island, of course among the must-do tours in Jamaica to make the most of the country is a visit to Bob Marley's House.

Located in Nine Mile, 8 Rivers, this is a tourist destination that attracts fans from all over the world. Booking your Bob Marley tour brings you closer to immersing yourself in the life and legacy of the Rasta revolution leader.

Exploring this former residence, you discover the 'One Love' among the singer's personal items and unique memorabilia such as his recording studio, awards, first editions of his albums, guitars and more. Plus, you get up close to the space where his remains are laid to rest. With your day trip to the Bob Marley Museum you can connect intimately with the artist, his inspiration, lifestyle and the origins of his message.

Details of interest

• Price: From 115 € per person.
• Duration: 7-8 hours.
• What you need to know: This is the ideal tour for reggae and music lovers in general. If you are looking for inspiration, this is the tour for you.
• What the tour may include: This type of excursions from Montego Bay usually include transportation service to your accommodation, private guide and a walk through the mountains of the area at 3,000 meters above sea level.
• Pros: Montego Bay and Nine Mile are 2 hours apart and the walk is worth it. On the other hand, getting to know the deep green mountains of the area is delirious, so the day looks promising when you choose this type of excursion.
• Cons: Often offered in English only. Food and beverages are not usually included.

The Blue Mountains bike tour typically begins with a pick-up at your accommodation to take you to the top of the mountains, at about 2,256 meters. Then, you get your bike to start the dizzying descent. Pedal through fields and coffee plantations. Explore tropical trails that lead to idyllic waterfalls. Dive into crystal clear waters, refreshing and revitalizing your senses.

This type of expedition takes you to discover the magic of southern Jamaica. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015, it encompasses a series of trails, shelters and settlements that are now known as the "Nanny Town Heritage Trail", or "Blue and John Crow Mountains" one of the places where the ancient Tainos hid from the colonizers.

At the end of the walk, after exploring Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Trelawny, you are taken back to your accommodation.

Details of interest

• Price: From 181 € per person.
• Duration: 8 - 12 hours.
• What you need to know: All people who can ride a bike are welcome. The degree of difficulty is basic. As an additional fact, the penultimate month of the year is the Jamaica Coffee Festival, although you can do the tour all year round, make it one of your must-do things to do in Montego Bay in October.
• What the tour may include: Round trip transfer from your lodging in Montego Bay. A farm tour. Brunch. Lunch. Drinks. Bike rental with helmet. Professional guide service.
• Pros: The tour works to disconnect from the city because the way is through winding trails of the Blue Mountains. If you are traveling as a family or with friends, it is ideal to share a day in Montego Bay. It is an all-inclusive style tour.
• Cons: It is of the tours that start earlier in the morning to make the most of the day, so, it is very likely that the pick up time will be around 06:00 in the morning.

Booking a tour to Negril prepares you to visit an area with plenty of water sports, adventures and pubs. The typical itinerary for this type of tour usually starts with a pick-up at your accommodation to transfer you to the west of Jamaica, a 60-minute drive.

Once in Negril, you head straight to one of the beaches in the area. Seven Mile Beach is often the meeting point. Here you will have the opportunity to dive into its crystal clear waters and discover with your snorkel the variety of multicolored fish that live around the coral reefs. If you prefer a dose of adrenaline, you can ride the waves in a speedboat, or rent a jet ski.

If you feel like relaxing, you can enjoy the sun on a sun lounger with umbrella included or walk along the soft white sand of the beach. You can also swim in the Pirate Cave in the area.

To finish, they usually take you to the famous Rick's Café. It is considered one of the best beach bars in the world. From its terrace, you can witness one of the most spectacular sunsets in Jamaica. Enjoy live music, sip delicious cocktails and soak up the festive atmosphere of this iconic place.

Details of interest

• Price: From 141 € per person.
• Duration: 6 - 10 hours.
• What you need to know: The tours to Negril are quite varied. There is the daring adventurer option: because you can take a safari. You have the beach and good vibes option, by choosing a cruise that ends at Rick's Café. Finally, there's the alternative for the traveling explorers of what? Combined attractions. Thanks to its strategic location, you can visit Negril in conjunction with YS Falls, or the Appleton Rum Estate.
• What the tour may include: Shuttle service to and from your accommodation. Professional local guide. Bottled water.
• Pros: The tour is ideal for enjoying Negril's most famous beach in a relaxed plan in addition to having a taste of the area's lively nightlife while enjoying panoramic views and drinks at Rick's Café.
• Cons: Meals and drinks usually cost extra. Groups can be large.

Among the 6 most beautiful waterfalls in the Caribbean are Dunn's River Falls, so visiting them is usually included in the best day trips from Montego Bay.

The classic itinerary usually starts with a pick-up at your accommodation and then takes you to the town of Ocho Rios, where the 180-meter high waterfalls welcome tourists and locals alike every day.

The water flows down small terraces that serve as stepping stones to reach the top. Want to try climbing them? The tour guides are trained to help you climb. The reward at the top is to enjoy panoramic views like a movie. In addition, you can enjoy natural hydromassage thanks to the water pressure at that point, or stay in the pools that are on each floor.

Then you usually have free time to explore and refresh yourself with the sound of tropical birds in the background. At the end, depending on which way you have chosen to visit the falls, namely by land with an excursion to Dunn's River Falls or by sea with one of the Montego Bay catamaran cruises, recharge your batteries with the tour before returning to your accommodation.

Details of interest

• Price: From 61 € per person.
• Duration: 4-8 hours.
• What you need to know: The rocks in the Dunn River waterfalls are slippery. Wear beach shoes or socks to avoid accidents.
• What the tour may include: Professional guide service. Transportation to and from the hotel. Lunch. Rum punch. Catamaran ride.
• Pros: You can choose between half-day or full-day experiences at reasonable prices.
• Cons: Often only available with English speaking guides and Jamaican patois.

Tours to the tropical theme park Mystic Mountain take you to explore the Jamaican jungle with a movie sleigh ride and zipline adventure included. After picking you up at the hotel, it continues with a scenic drive to Ocho Rios. Once at the adventure park, you will meet a guide who will take you to the Sky Explorer, a chairlift that will lift you more than 200 meters above the tropical vegetation.

Then comes the most exciting moment: the sleigh ride! Aboard this Jamaican bobsleigh roller co aster, you will descend a 1,000-meter-long track on the mountainside. Control your speed with a handbrake and experience the thrill of gliding through the dense jungle.

The Sky Explorer is inspired by the famous Olympic bobsleigh team from Jamaica, the only Caribbean country to participate in the Winter Olympics. And the fun doesn't stop, the next activity is the 5-span zip line through the treetops.

Other activities at your disposal are: wall climbing, roller coasters and climbing nets. To finish the tour, you have time to splash around in the park's infinity pool or jump into its water slide that guarantees fun and laughter. In addition, you can enjoy a delicious meal at the park's restaurant while the hummingbirds flutter around you.

Details of interest

• Price: From 63 € per person.
• Duration: 7 - 9 hours.
• What you need to know: For people in wheelchairs there are other special alternatives. The maximum weight allowed on the zip line and chairlift is 136 kg.
• What the tour may include: Shuttle service to and from the hotel or villa. Entrance to Mystic Mountain. Chairlift ride. Zip line experience. Bobsleigh experience.
• Pros: This park has everything for family fun. Plus, you can add the Dunn River waterfall rides.
• Cons: Meals and drinks are usually not included. Sometimes tours may include only some of the activities, the rest would be an additional cost.

Venture through the mountains and along Jamaica' s scenic south coast with a tour to YS Falls, a set of natural pools set among rocks surrounded by the Jamaican jungle.

Generally, after pick-up at your accommodation, you will be driven through the mountains, where the imprint indicates that you are about to make your way through the jungle. You will arrive at the YS farm, a working cattle and horse farm that is home to these impressive waterfalls. Deep in the hills, you will encounter a natural spectacle: 7-tiered waterfalls that reflect the beauty and power of nature.

With the help of a private tour guide, you will enjoy every moment to the fullest as you soak in the waters of mineral pools fed by subway springs, surrounded by lush vegetation.

This tour gives you the opportunity to explore the YS falls in a safe and exciting way. At your disposal you have activities such as zip line, swimming in the heated pool, walks through the 7 gardens and climbing the waterfalls.

Details of interest

• Price: From 120 € per person.
• Duration: 7 - 8 hours.
• What you should know: This type of tour often combines with a stop at Negril or Floyd's Pelican Bar to learn about and taste rum at Appleton Estate, the official drink of the island.
• What the tour may include: Shuttle service to and from your accommodation. Professional guide service. Entrance to the YS estate. Walk to Floyd's Pelican Bar. Walk around Negril.
• Pros: The entrance fee to the farm includes the waterfall tour and most of the activities.
• Cons: Groups can be large. While the drive to YS Falls can be a bit long (2 hours from MoBay), the experience is worth every minute.

• Time of transfers. Be aware that you may have to spend the whole day out. Trips may take longer than expected, especially if you have to pick up other clients at their accommodations. However, while some trips to Jamaica may involve long bus rides, they are certainly worth it.
• Language. Most tours are offered in English, however, many people on the island speak or at least understand Spanish so don't worry about communication if your languages are English or Spanish.
• Footwear. As a general rule, it is recommended to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Also, in Montego Bay, especially if you have scheduled a tour to the waterfalls, it is ideal to get a pair of beach shoes, as the rocks are quite slippery.
• Carry cash. Although many activities and services accept credit cards, it is always useful to carry cash for tips, additional expenses or local purchases that do not accept cards (a common issue, especially at the beach).
• Be respectful of the environment and local culture. This is a rule to follow in Montego Bay and in any destination, but it is always good to remember that, as much as we like to explore, we share the same interest with millions of other people, a minimum of respect is advisable. Follow the guidelines of the tour guides and be careful not to damage the environment or historic structures.