How to Find Cheap Hotels in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Montego Bay is the tourist capital of Jamaica. Christopher Columbus prophesied as much when he named the area "Golfo de Buen Tiempo" or "Fair Weather Gulf" in 1494. Well-to-do Jamaicans and Americans have second houses all along Montego Bay. In a town where all-inclusive resorts are the rule and the norm, cheap accommodations are not as common, but are relatively easy to locate.
Spend as many hours as you can at Doctor's Cave Beach. The beach is famous for it's clear, turquoise water.
Go snorkeling in Montego Bay. The characteristically clear water provides an unparalleled underwater viewing experience. For this reason, it's preferable to seek accommodations walking distance from the beach.
Fly into Sangster International Airport, the largest of the two international airports in Jamaica.
Take a cab into Montego Bay, but arrange for a local cab to pick you up rather than using the tourist cabs which crowd the airport.
To book accommodations, contact the Jamaica Tourist Board at (800) 526-2422 or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). You can look on Sunset Boulevard for cheap hostels. There is no cheaper room in town, and hostels have greatly improved their reputation over the last decade. Hostels are an excellent option, especially for the social traveler.
Find cheap hotels on Gloucester Avenue, located directly across from Doctor's Cave Beach. The area is loaded with bars and clubs, which are hopping at night, thus earning it's nickname: "The Hip Strip."
Save on accommodations by staying a few blocks (or in some cases simply a few hundred yards) away from the beach instead of directly on the sands. The expensive resorts hog the coastline, while the budget accommodations tend to operate inland--often walking distance from the shore.
Consider a budget all-inclusive resort. Although hard to find, these resorts usually range between $80 and $100. The main advantage is the fact that they include food and drinks in their cost.
Look for camping accommodations. The weather is always right for camping in Montego Bay.
