Discovering Montego Bay and the most beautiful beaches in Jamaica where you can relax, snorkel and admire the coral reef
Among the major cities of Jamaica, Montego Bay it is located in the Caribbean Sea and is a popular tourist destination also thanks to the presence of the Donald Sangster international airport. The island of Jamaica was visited for the first time by Christopher Columbus, who in 1494 named the bay Golfo de Buen Tiempo. The name "Montego Bay" was born only at a later time and probably derives from a distortion of the Spanish word manteca, or lard, since the bay hosted the port where beef, lard and leather were traded. After being a Spanish colony for the entire 1962th and good half of the XNUMXth century, Jamaica came under British control and, after having been a province of the West Indies Federation, gained its independence from London in XNUMX.
Montego Bay is considered the tourist capital of Jamaica since it hosts millions of tourists every year from all over the world, not only from North America but also from Europe and Asia. The climate you can find in Montego Bay is tropical with temperatures between 23°C and 30°C and often accompanied by high humidity. Perfect for spending a holiday period, keep in mind that at the end of summer it is one of the places where problems can occur. Hurricanes.
The Caribbean Sea gives the bay of Montego Bay the splendid colors that make the place a true earthly paradise: the white of the sand gently fades into the blue of the crystalline water, while next to it is the lush tropical vegetation with a thousand shades of greenery and above you the clear, deep blue sky. In short, an unparalleled tropical paradise that will welcome you to give you a dream holiday.
The vegetation you will encounter is characterized by tropical plants while the forests are crowded with colorful birds, the most famous of which are parrots and toucans. If you decide to venture into a wild corner, however, keep in mind that you may encounter snakes, alligators or poisonous spiders and to avoid mistakes, rely on excursions organized by local guides.
The beaches of Montego Bay are the ideal place for those who want to rest and relax, but also those who love to play sports or have fun outdoors will find options that will leave them decidedly satisfied. One of the busiest is Doctorâs Cave beach, which has become famous for the cave from which, according to some sources, therapeutic waters flow. Whether it's true or not doesn't matter, the place is definitely worth a visit to admire it in all its incredible beauty. Furthermore, along the coast there are numerous places to dance and have fun, even to the rhythm of reggae music. Montego Bay, in fact, is also famous for its Reggae Sumfest, one of the largest reggae music festivals held every year in summer. Since its inception in 1993, it has attracted young people and enthusiasts who come from every corner of the world to listen to the most important artists on the Jamaican scene.
Another important characteristic of the region is the presence of Montego Bay Marine Park, a protected area that extends along the coast. The park is the ideal place for snorkelling enthusiasts or for those who want to get closer to this discipline. Tropical fish flock to the warm waters and the coral reef extends just a few hundred meters from the shore. Those who love scuba diving can easily organize excursions to discover the most beautiful points of the seabed, while if you prefer a comfortable boat trip you can easily book an organized tour.
Do not forget to visit downtown Montego Bay, where you can discover characteristic corners, numerous typical restaurants and souvenir shops. The city center is constantly expanding with an increase in the cultural and gastronomic offer for tourists with infrastructures constantly growing in quantity and, above all, quality.
A final curiosity regarding Montego Bay is the Georgian villa Rose Hall, which is located along the northern coast. The grandiose villa, completely renovated in 1969, is one of the most characteristic buildings on the entire island. Built towards the end of the XNUMXth century in a panoramic point on the coast, it became famous for the legend of the White Witch. According to some, landlady Annie Palmer was a ruthless killer who murdered husbands and lovers and buried them in unmarked graves. The story, set in the colonial city, is peppered with magic, voodoo rituals and mystery. And even if the investigations have verified that there is very little of it, numerous tourists claim to have heard or sensed the presence of the White Witch wandering through the halls of her ancient property.
