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Long
known as the friendly City, Montego Bay
is the complete resort. Jamaica's largest destination stretches
fifteen miles along the coastline from the luxurious Tryall Club
in the west to Greenwood in the east. The blue waters of the Bay
are fringed by mangrove wetlands and beautiful white sand beaches,
surrounding the old town, which nestles at the feet of lush green
mountains.
The Caribbean
is the most beautiful sea on earth and at its heart is the island
of Jamaica. Located on the north coast, with a population
of just over 100.000, Montego Bay has been one of the world's famous
playgrounds of the jet set since the 1950's. With a first class
international airport and modern port facilities for cruise and
cargo shipping.
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| Montego
Bay is the gateway for visitors to Jamaica
and the Caribbean. Jamaica's long history dates from the days of the
indigenous Taino and Arawak Indians, wiped out during the Spanish
invasion and occupation. British colonization brought Europeans,
Africans, Indians and Chinese to work on the wealthy sugar plantations
and led to the inevitable Rebellion against slavery, giving us Emancipation
and finally Independence. |
This
terrible history and mixed ancestry has
produced the proud, strong and beautiful Jamaican people of today.
It also explains our vibrant culture expressed so well in song, dance
,art, crafts, cuisine and architecture, with roots and rhythms from
around the world. Apart from fishing,
farming, and some very light manufacturing, our only industry is hospitality
and entertainment. Here you will find some of Jamaica's finest
attractions, a range of outdoor sports, gourmet dining, fast food,
slow food, arts, crafts, night life, elegant five star accommodation,
small inns, luxury villas, quality shopping and local friendliness. |
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SO MUCH
TO DO,
SO LITTLE TIME
Excursions include visits to historical great houses, or working plantations
that were formerly grand estates. Others may wish to experience an
guided river ride on a bamboo raft, or an exciting sailing cruise
or take a snorkeling or scuba expedition. How about an exhilarating
round of golf on one of our championship courses nearby, a game
of tennis, laze around on the beach, or visit our unusual bird sanctuary
up in the hills. |
AJAL
Some years ago, the owners of Jamaica's finest
attractions formed the Association of Jamaica Attractions Ltd. to
work together on offering the best excursions. AJAL now has 50 members
located in the island's main resort areas with half of them around
Montego Bay. All members are fully insured, regularly inspected and
licensed by the Jamaica Tourist Board to meet the highest industry
standards. Many of the members use natural areas as part of their
attraction and are committed to the protection and sustainability
of our environment. Visit the AJAL member web site for more information |
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THE PORT
OF MONTEGO BAY
The Port is operated by the Port Authority of
Jamaica.
The terminal consists of five primary berths two of which are dedicated
exclusively for cruise shipping and two of which are presently used
for both cruise and cargo shipping The Government of Jamaica has increased
expenditure on major infrastructure improvements to the port in recent
years. Alongside, in the terminal building are in-bond, gift, souvenir
and specialty shops. There is a telecommunications centre with telephone
and fax service for cruise passengers (and crew) and a snack and refreshment
stand. Transportation is available from the terminal building, supervised
by the Jamaica Tourist Board, which also maintains a visitor information
booth. |
City
Centre:
Opportunities for shopping, one of the most popular pastimes of cruise
passengers, are abundant in Montego Bay. There is a moderately priced
pier to downtown shuttle, dropping passengers off at the City Centre
Shopping Mall, which enables those who are looking for the finest
in duty free merchandise, to avail themselves of the highest quality
jewelry, watches, perfumes, leather goods, linens, crystal, electronic
components, photographic and video equipment, pens and much more.Shops
located at this facility are "guaranteed shops" enabling
passengers to return merchandise for whatever reason. Also within
the City Centre are shops that offer T-shirts, cigars, Blue Mountain
Coffee and a wide selection of items that are of interest to visitors. |
SHOPPING
Duty-free and other quality shops selling
clothing, Blue Mountain Coffee, records, cigars, Jamaican rum and
liquors, postcards and other fine merchandise are located at the
Half Moon Shopping village:This
beautiful garden complex is home of the only official Bob Marley
exhibition in Montego Bay and houses several fine restaurants and
an authentic English pub. Other shopping opportunities exist at
the Cruise Ship Terminal and at the Montego Freeport Shopping Centre
adjacent to the Port.
CURRENCY
Official currency is the Jamaican dollar, you will have check for the
current exchange rate because it
fluctuates, but please change at banks and exchange bureaus only.
US dollars are widely accepted and major credit cards are also commonly
used.
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TRANSPORTATION:
Major tour companies with luxury coaches and uniformed
drivers and guides will arrange group excursions and they include:
CCS Tours, Caribic Vacations, Jamaica Tours, Sunholiday, Tropical
Tours and Exclusive Holidays.
Taxis and buses:
available for hire at the Cruise or Airport from the associated drivers
(owner members of JUTA and JCAL licensed by the JTB, with a set fare
structure, uniformed drivers). Shuttle bus: service from the cruise
ship pier to downtown City Centre Shopping Mall for US $ 2.-per person
each way
Air tours:
See Jamaica by air. Charter flights available by arrangement in fixed
wing craft or by Helicopter.
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HOT TIPS
Please be reminded that the use and/or possession
of drugs: ganja, cocaine or other drugs is against Jamaican Law.
Please don't use or export !
During large events when a big crowd gathers,
there can be some elements who take advantage of the situation,
pick-pockets! Take precautions, do not take valuables, airline tickets,
passports and other important documents with you.
Take only the amount of money you think to
spend for the day, lock your other valuables in the Hotel safe.
Hold on to photo cameras and never leave your belongings unattended.
Ask a friend to look after them.
Better safe than sorry...
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