Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Montego Bay
THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in Montego Bay
Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Montego Bay
- Traveler favoritesThings to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
- Traveler rankingHighest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews.
Category types
Traveler rating
Good for
79 places sorted by traveler favorites
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Admission tickets from $23.00
Art Galleries • Lookouts
Admission tickets from $35.00
Points of Interest & Landmarks • History Museums
Admission tickets from $20.00
What travelers are saying
- Bryan C1 contributionRasta Pasta was very informative and entertaining. Our experience was very good. We will visit again. Thanks for the experienceWritten March 25, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Melanie R27 contributionsOh the murders in each of the beautiful bedrooms! Our guide was engaging, history interesting and such a lovely song at the end!Written March 22, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jtina5 contributionsParking is on the roadside & is usually full. It’s paid parking (thanks to someone outside for pointing that out or else we would’ve been clamped). The Beach experience itself was awesome, good vibes, good music, the beach wasn’t crowded. Clean bathroom and changing room facilities. The staff was pleasant also.Written March 19, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AnnieLancashire, UK6 contributionsThe sanctuary is hidden within the mountains so a taxi is definitely necessary. You can feed hummingbirds and finches which is a beautiful experience. There are 16 species of bird at the sanctuary. It's 25 dollars per person to enter. Such a peaceful and wonderful experience.Written March 18, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dee P1 contributionThis was a magical experience for me. While listening to Ras tell the story of their humble beginning, hummingbirds sat on my finger and drank from the feeder in my hand. The experience brought me to tears of joy. The views are spectacular, the garden is full of amazing flowers, plants, a waterfall, and art sprinkled throughout. The gallery has gorgeous artwork. I felt like I was visiting with friends, and left with such an intense feeling of joy and peace. When Tamika told me that having a female hummingbird visit, it is a messenger from a lost loved one, which I loved because hummingbirds were my moms favorite bird as well. 100% recommend this place.Written January 20, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- John SmithGladwyne, PA5 contributionsA devoted and highly informed guide takes you through both a well-preserved masterpiece of colonial architecture and a slice of Jamaican history. Wonderful view of Falmouth and the sea beyond.Written February 11, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rachel M21 contributionsChose this hotel as all the rooms are sea view. It is lovely. The beach is so close, the pool is gorgeous with lots of daytime activities from the amazing entertainment team (Otis, Kajourney and Travis are great and a good laugh). The rooms are spacious with a lovely balcony where you can sip your Red Stripe which is replenished every day, whilst looking over the Caribbean ocean. Restaurant is buffet but the meals are delicious. There is a Mediterranean restaurant which you can book which is also lovely and a gorgeous setting on the beach. BBQ on the beach for Jamaica Day, celebrating independence was a bonus. Great jerk pork and chicken. Thanks Chef!! Also worth a mention is Genius Williams, the omelette guy. So happy and lovely. Works his arse off!! Will also take you out too but we booked with the hotel guide, Patricia who was also nice. Dunn’s River Falls is a must as is a snorkelling and rum catamaran although the trips are expensive. Most of the staff are great (Jodie Kay, bartender extraordinaire!) such a sunny disposition and so helpful but some are moody! Don’t go in the restaurant for breakfast or lunch wearing a see through dress / shirt over your bikini. One member of staff will turn you away. No one else does. I nearly complained as she wasn’t consistent. Some girls hardly wore anything. My beach dress had a central crocheted part and she wouldn’t let me in! Just a warning! It took us a couple of days to get used to some of the things. For instance going outside you do get hassled to buy rubbish or weed but as long as you’re polite and firm it isn’t a problem. We didn’t feel confident enough to go on the strip at night but it looked lively. It is expensive to eat and drink out though. We went to a gorgeous restaurant called the Houseboat on a lagoon. Beautiful food and setting but the taxi there was expensive (12 mins away!) as was the food. All in all, I would return for the right price and would learn to haggle more because you do get ripped off a lot if you’re not careful.Written February 28, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kim BWesterville, Ohio, United States7 contributionsUnexpected gem of a day seeing Jamaica in a way that tourists at the resorts don't get to experience. Wonderful hike (I use a cane but was able to handle the terrain) along the historic aqueduct through the lush tropical vegetation. Finished with a refreshing dip in the cool clean spring water of Jamaica's "oldest pool".
For an added personal touch and enhanced experience, contact Joseph McLeod who grew up on the preserve. He knows every crook and cranny, the vegetation and animals, the people, and the history like it was his own backyard. Actually, it was his backyard. Joseph can be reached at (876) 531-5898. A friendly engaging young man who bent over backwards to make sure our trip was as good as it could be.Written June 21, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - James SToronto, Canada419 contributionsSam Sharpe Square, originally called Charles Square was renamed in 1976 by the Jamaican Government to posthumously honour Samuel Sharpe. It is in downtown Montego Bay at the corner of market and St. James Streets in front of the Montego Bay Cultural Centre.
Samuel Sharpe (1801- 1832) was born in slavery on a local plantation. He became a Baptist Minister and local advocate for Emancipation. In 1832 he was one of the key figures of the Baptist War or Christmas Rebellion. Initially a peaceful anti slavery protest it soon devolved in the largest slave revolt in Jamaica’s history involving more than 60,000 slaves.
The revolt was put down and Sharpe was executed for his role in it, hanged in 1832 in the square that would later bear his name. This failed revolt however would lead to the Slavery Abolition Act by the British Parliament in 1833 and the abolishment of slavery throughout the British Empire in 1838. In 1975 the Jamaican Government posthumously proclaimed Samuel Sharpe a national hero with the title of the Right Excellent Samuel Sharpe.
The square is a lively location easily reached by foot, car or taxi and included in almost all tours of Montego Bay. As noted, it is in front of the Montego Bay Cultural Centre, originally the Courthouse building built in 1803 and destroyed by fire in 1968. It was rebuilt and opened as a museum.
The square itself contains a series of life sized statues depicting Samuel Sharpe speaking to slaves as well as signage explaining who he was and the importance of the site. Further exhibits are inside the museum. There is also a magnificent water fountain donated by Captain J. Kerr a local plantation owner.
To the side of the square is a small brick building referred to as “the Cage.” This single room building was used as a gaol to hold drunken sailors, vagrants and slaves who had failed to leave the town limits and return to their plantations by curfew.
As it is in centre of the city there are numerous restaurants around as well as shopping venues. There is no admission to the square itself although the entry fee to the nearby museum is $500.00 Jamaican Dollars. Visitors should take some precautions as the square itself borders on a busy roundabout.Written March 26, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - rupert mMontego Bay, Jamaica258 contributionsA great trip into the bush and support a sustainable farm.
we enjoyed seeing the animals and friendly people
a nice venture to see various wildlife, buy some eggs/plants and see some beautiful countrysideWritten July 29, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Andre WKingston, Jamaica2 contributionsNice location, fairly good bathroom and changing areas. I think enclosed shower areas would be much appreciated and add some more value to the venue. Parking is also quite adequate. My biggest issue was with the water. Before I entered the water I was informed that a member of our party had encountered 'sea eggs' which was quite painful. When I went in I felt a lot of sharp stones underfoot, I also encountered something slimy which I figured was some seaweed, there were a few close shaves with some sea eggs as well. Very nice location but the owners need to do a much better job at cleaning the shallow areas of Beach also maintaining the bathrooms throughout the day.Written August 10, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Laceysue1 contributionOur group of 6 had an amazing time at the blue hole and river tubing! Our guide Stacy was wonderful, the transportation was very comfortable, and we felt safe. We had many communications with Navar and Mitzie prior to our trip and Stacy was very conscious of our early ship departure time. 100% recommend!Written March 26, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lisa T2 contributionsWe had the most fantastic day out with our private tour to Nine Mile High and Dunns Falls. Our driver and tour guide Mama G and Mr Gayle could not have done more for us and made this fantastic day out de special . Could t recommend them highly enough !!Written March 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Neicy1 contributionThis was my 2nd visit to Jamaica and both times we used Island Life Tours as our tour guide. Our experience was excellent for both. Olando was also our guide for both trips. He is super cool, fun, funny, and attentive. We were able to control the music and vibe. He will take you wherever you want to go and even places you didn't know about. He will also tell you if you shouldn't be going to certain areas. He makes sure your stay in Jamaica is always a good time. I will book with Island Life Tours everytime I visit Jamaica.Written March 15, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Karen P2 contributionsWe booked our 9 Mile Bob Marley Experience with Reggae Tours and Bradford made the experience unforgettable! He was punctual, professional, great company and was an excellent tour guide to us about other sights we saw on the island along the way. The museum visit was awesome and it was a great use of our time while in Ocho Rios. We didn't know Reggae Tours did airport transfers as well so we told Bradford we would make certain to keep Reggae Tours in mind for our next trip. We have spread the word to friends and family about them in the meantime. Thanks for the awesome time, Reggae Tours!Written March 18, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
