Saint James

Montego Bay is Jamaica's second city and the capital of Saint James Parish, stretched along the island's northwest coast between white-sand beaches and green hills. Known locally as MoBay, it is the Caribbean's main resort gateway, combining a busy cruise port, a walkable downtown and the lively entertainment strip of Gloucester Avenue, often called the Hip Strip.

The city grew from a Spanish settlement and later a British sugar port; its name is commonly traced to the Spanish phrase for 'bay of lard,' reflecting the area's early hog trade. Sam Sharpe Square in the centre honours Samuel Sharpe, the enslaved Baptist deacon whose 1831–32 Christmas Rebellion helped push Jamaica toward emancipation.

Key landmarks include the Georgian-era St. James Parish Church, the Montego Bay Cultural Centre and the Civic Centre, while the Rose Hall Great House and Greenwood Great House sit just east of the city. Visitors also head to Doctor's Cave Beach, the Hip Strip's restaurants and bars, Harbour Street Craft Market and the upscale Rose Hall and Ironshore hotel districts.

Tourism drives much of the local economy, supported by Sangster International Airport and the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The area is known for all-inclusive resorts, championship golf courses such as White Witch and Cinnamon Hill, duty-free shopping and events including Reggae Sumfest each summer.

Montego Bay works well for both leisure and business travellers, offering beach holidays, historic excursions and water sports alongside conference facilities, corporate hotels and quick access to nearby Negril, Ocho Rios and the Martha Brae River.