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Jamaica's second largest city, MONTEGO BAY nestles
between the gently sloping Bogue, Kempshot and Salem hills,
and extends some ten miles from the haunts of the suburban
rich in Reading at its western edge to the plush villa
developments and resort hotels of Ironshore and Rose Hall to
the east. It's made up of two distinct parts: the main
tourist strip Gloucester Avenue (rechristened by the
marketing men as the "Hip Strip"), and the city proper,
universally referred to as “downtown” - a split so sharp
that most tourists never venture further than the dividing
roundabout.
The "Hip Strip" wouldn't exist were it not for Montego Bay's
prize asset: a dazzling bay with miles of coral reef (now
designated a marine park) and some beautiful beaches. Much
of the coastline has been snapped up by the hotels, but
there are three main public beaches along the length
of Gloucester Avenue, all with showers, changing rooms,
snack outlets and watersports concessions and a minimal
entrance fee.
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If you fancy a quieter day by the sea, you can head east of
town to Ironshore, where the Caribbean Beach Park
(Tues-Thurs 9am-6pm, Fri-Sun 9am-8pm; J$100) has a pretty
swathe of white sand that's usually more or less deserted.
There are changing facilities and showers, and a restaurant
and bar; the huge grassy space out front is often used for
stage shows. Shared taxis run here from Gloucester Avenue
(J$40).
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Jamaica
Travel Guide
Montego Bay, Kingston, Ocho Rios, Negril, Blue Mountains, Portland
Jamaica map
- Google Maps
Caribbean Travel Guide
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