Just south of Cuba in the Caribbean, Jamaica is a top tropical island destination with beautiful beaches and resorts. The second-biggest town, situated on the northern shore, Montego Bay is a great starting point to explore all that the island has to offer. Collect your Avis rental car from Montego Bay Airport and start your road trip.

We make car rental easy, because we know you can’t wait to feel the freedom of the road and get the very most out of your stay. Wherever your travels take you, the keys are waiting for you to unlock the world.

While the capital of Kingston is over three hours’ drive from Montego Bay, there are plenty of other towns, resorts, and experiences within a short drive.

Negril

A little over an hour of Montego Bay, via the A1, Negril sits on the western tip of Jamaica. Developed only in the latter half of the 20th century, this is a relatively new town, renowned for its spectacular coral reefs. Scuba diving and snorkelling are popular activities here and major resorts dot the world-famous beaches.

Ocho Rios

The former fishing town of Ocho Rios is just 90 minutes’ drive from Montego Bay and is a top destination for those interested in diving and nautical sports. Dolphin Cove provides a chance to get up close with these sea animals, while the nearby Dunn’s River Falls are one of Jamaica’s biggest attractions. The waterfalls flow down tiers of limestone rocks, with a series of pools forming at different levels, making for stunning swimming spots.

Lucea

Just 40 minutes’ drive west on the A1, the town of Lucea is often overlooked by visitors, but has much to offer. With several historical attractions, including the Hanover Museum, set in an 18th century prison, it’s a change of pace from the other resort towns.

With your Avis rental car from Montego Bay Airport, the natural beauty and unique flavours of Jamaica await. All you need to do is drive.
 

The centre of town is a quick 15-minute trip from the airport via Queen’s Drive. The name, which is a derivative, charmingly, of the Spanish word for lard, goes back to Christopher Columbus’ first visit to Jamaica in 1494. Since then, the town, and the rest of the island, has developed, but its history is a turbulent one.

Travellers coming to Jamaica through Montego Bay will be greeted with a lively, loud and energetic urban centre, and will be within easy reach of many top sights, including stunning beaches. Some of the most famous stretches of coastline include Doctor’s Cove and Cornwall beach, boasting turquoise water and white-sand beaches.

Take a walk down Church Street, a picturesque boulevard with a number of interesting buildings. Its star attraction is the St James Parish Church, built in 1775, but later damaged in an earthquake, meaning it had to be rebuilt. It’s still a stunning sight and is widely considered the most impressive church in Jamaica.

To learn about the country’s Rastafari culture, take a tour of the Rastafarian Indigenous Village. And to get up close to exotic nature, visit the Rockland Bird Sanctuary, and spot red-billed streamertails, Jamaican mangos (a type of hummingbird) and more.

While you’re here, you should try the local specialities, including jerk chicken, curry goat, and fried plantains. The melting pot of African, British, French, Indian, and Spanish influences make the cuisine an exciting aspect of Jamaica.

Montego Bay is guaranteed to surprise you, and from the comfort of a hire car, you can see it all.

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