Montego Bay Jamaica

We are booked at the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall, but I'm having second thoughts. I've always heard that its not safe to leave the resorts in Jamaica. I dont want to be stuck at the resort the whole time, I'd like to go into Montego Bay for shopping and dinner and stuff. Has anyone been to Montego Bay, and were you able to go outside the resorts there?

Re: Montego Bay Jamaica

I've stayed at the RIU Montego Bay. I only left the resort to go to Dunns River.

IMO I wouldn't leave the resort, but i'm sure many people do.

Message edited 1/5/2012 7:51:03 PM.

Re: Montego Bay Jamaica

My family is Jamaican; and I've vacationed there twice and i do NOT suggest leaving the resort; UNLESS it's for an organized tour.

There's a lot of crime going on there so it's DEFINITELY is not a country that you leave the resort at night to try local restaurants.

The resorts will even advise you not to venture off the property on your own. That resort will have plenty of restaurant options. The only time i did leave the resort (other than for a tour) was to go to margaritaville. We went with 2 staff from the hotel that we befriended and another couple. However the staff told us to stay near them and not to leave their side once it got late night (we hung out after a lot of the other tourists left).

OH also-we were there once on a cruise and kids were in the water beside the ship begging for money. We even went shopping in a tourist area. The shopping center was gated and surrounded by armed guards. We left to get some local food and i felt uncomfortable (it was daylight) DH said NOT to display any money and i turned my rings around.

BUT i'll say the beach is beautiful; the drinks will be good; and i'm sure the resort food is excellent. So you'll still have an amazing vacation

Re: Montego Bay Jamaica

Thanks for the info!

Re: Montego Bay Jamaica

We did the tour to Dunn's river and they took us shopping during that time as well. You could always do a tour to do some of the local things.