How to Spend a Girls’ Weekend in Montego Bay, Jamaica

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Planning a girls’ weekend in Montego Bay, Jamaica? Since my 30th birthday, my cousin and I have celebrated my birthday in the Caribbean. The tradition started for my 30th birthday in Barbados, and we followed up every year by visiting Martinique in 2017 and Providenciales in Turks and Caicos in 2018.

Since we’re both Delta SkyMiles Members, we used miles to take a girls’ trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica. This was my first time in Jamaica, but my cousin has visited often on solo trips and traveling with friends.

If you’re looking to celebrate a girls’ weekend in Montego Bay, Jamaica, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’ll share my experiences and recommendations for a trip to this vibrant Caribbean destination. From safety tips to budgeting advice and a list of must-visit attractions, this post has got you covered.

Is Jamaica Safe for Female Travelers?

Before embarking on our girls’ weekend in Montego Bay, I encountered concerns about safety in Jamaica. People who’d never even visited mentioned Jamaica not being safe for female travelers.

The US has a Level 3 travel advisory to certain cities in Jamaica, including Spanish Town, Kingston, and parts of Montego Bay.

Here are my two cents: Tell dem, “shut yuh rass!” Just like there are unsafe places in your local city, the same goes for places in Jamaica and ANY country for that matter.

During our three days in Montego Bay, there was never a moment where I felt unsafe, even when we went partying late at night. The most annoying part was catcalling, but that isn’t something I don’t deal with every day living in NYC.

If you travel to Jamaica with a group or as a solo female traveler, always be aware of your surroundings and avoid secluded areas.

What to Pack for a Weekend in Jamaica

Not sure what to bring for a weekend in Montego Bay? Here’s a packing list of what to bring for your weekend getaway to Jamaica.

1. Lightweight Clothing:

• Swimwear (bikinis, swimsuits, cover-ups)
• Sundresses and shorts
• T-shirts and tank tops
• Lightweight, breathable fabrics

2. Footwear:

• Flip-flops or sandals
• Comfortable walking shoes for tours and exploring
• Water shoes if you plan on engaging in water activities

3. Sun Protection:

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Wide-brimmed hat or cap

4. Personal Essentials:

• Passport and travel documents
• Travel-sized toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc.)
• Personal medications and a small first aid kit
• Insect repellent

5. Beach Essentials:

• Beach bag
• Snorkel gear if you plan on exploring underwater
• Waterproof phone case or pouch

6. Evening Attire:

• Light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings
• Casual evening wear for dinners or nightlife

7. Electronics:

• Camera or smartphone for capturing memories
• Portable charger and charging cables
• Adapters for electronic devices (if traveling from outside the region)

8. Water Bottle:

• Stay hydrated in the tropical climate with a reusable water bottle

9. Money and Documents:

• Credit/debit cards and some cash in Jamaican currency
• Printed or digital copies of travel reservations

10. Personal Items:

• Makeup and beauty essentials
• Hair ties and accessories
• Personal hygiene items

11. Daypack:

• Small backpack for day trips and excursions

12. Optional Items:

• Travel pillow for comfort during transit
• Travel-sized laundry detergent if you want to freshen up clothes
• Snacks for the journey or quick bites in between meals

Remember to tailor this list based on your personal preferences, the activities you plan to engage in, and any specific needs you might have during your weekend in Jamaica.

How Much Money Should You Bring for a Jamaica Girls Trip?

From transportation to activities, budgeting is crucial when planning a trip. Be prepared to spend $20-100+ depending on how far you’re traveling. Try cushioning about $150-200 daily for food, transportation, and activities. If you’re not planning to leave your resort, exchanging money is unnecessary.

For our weekend in Montego Bay, we did a combination of walking and participating in tours that included hotel pickup and drop-off, and we found a taxi driver with reasonable pricing. We paid in both US and Jamaican dollars.

With the exception of our trip to Martinique, our general experience with most locals in the Caribbean is they prefer getting US dollars over their local currency. Below are the exchange rates at the time of our trip:

$1 USD = 135.30 Jamaican Dollars

$1 CAD = 100.53 Jamaican Dollars

€1 EUR = 151.05 Jamaican Dollars

£1 GBP = 172.20 Jamaican Dollars

Where to Stay in Montego Bay

We stayed at the SeaGarden Beach Resort, a Jamaican-owned beach-front all-inclusive resort. The resort was also close to the Hip Strip in Montego Bay, which included many restaurants, gift shops, bars, clubs, and other all-inclusive resorts, including Sandals and Royal Decameron.

If you’re interested in “living like a local” or are a budget traveler, consider staying in an Airbnb or another type of villa rental. Use the interactive map below to find a hotel, resort, or vacation rental that best meets your travel needs and budget.

Things to do in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Here are some popular attractions and activities on the island that you can add to a girlfriend’s weekend Montego Bay itinerary. Taking a cruise to Jamaica? Some are also great shore excursions for a day in Montego Bay.

• Take a Catamaran Cruise – Enjoy food, drinks, the sounds of reggae music, and views of the Caribbean Sea via Catamaran Cruise.
• Visit the Waterfalls – A cruise stop or weekend in Jamaica can’t be done without visiting the beautiful waterfalls. Dunn’s River Falls is one of the more popular waterfalls in Jamaica, but you can also visit others, including Blue Hole, Turtle River Falls, YS Falls, and more.
• Mystic Mountain – Looking for an adventure? Ride a bobsled through the rain forest at Mystic Mountain, located in Ocho Rios, inspired by the Jamaican Olympic bobsled team from 1988.
• Luminous Lagoon – See the water illuminate in the Luminous Lagoon. This natural wonder is found in 4 places in the world but is the brightest in Jamaica.
• Enjoy the Nightlife – Looking for some nightlife in Montego Bay? According to our driver, Margaritaville and Pier 1 are the best places for Montego Bay Nightlife. We walked over to Margaritaville on our first night and danced all night. Pier 1 is great for Wednesday and Friday nights, while Margaritaville is good for Thursdays and Saturdays.
• Go Bamboo River Rafting – Bamboo rafting is well known throughout the island, especially on the Martha Brae and the Rio Grande rivers. We went rafting on the Martha Brae, and I highly recommend it for a slow-paced water activity.

What to Eat and Drink in Jamaica

Despite many hiccups, our resort’s breakfast buffet had great yam, dumpling, banana (plantains), saltfish, and okra. Red Stripe beer and mixed soft drinks with Wray and Nephew white rum were our drinks of choice outside of staying hydrated with water and coconut water. 

If you’re a foodie, limit your time at the resort and visit local restaurants for delicious eats like jerk chicken and fresh seafood. A cooking class can also teach you how to make authentic Jamaican food.

I hope this mini guide to a girls’ weekend in Montego Bay was helpful. If you plan a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica, pin this post for future reference.

Check Out These Other Caribbean Travel Guides

5 Fun Things to Do in San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Best Beaches in Martinique

Puerto Plata City Tour: 4 Fun Day Trips from Puerto Plata

Have you been to Montego Bay?