1

Do you mean that you arrive in mo bay around noon?

There is no one bus to Port Antonio from Montego Bay. The trip could be done a couple different ways, but all involve leapfrogging through several different towns along the north coast. If you do it all by public transport (usually a minibus or compact sedan stuffed to the gills with passengers), then it will be cheap and take a long time. Do a search, I'm pretty sure this trip has been covered here recently. I think there is also at least one bus company going from mo bay to Ocho Rios, the Knutsford Express. Sometimes mixing and matching works on a long trip-like if you are beat to hell towards the end and end up negotiating or getting talked into a reasonably priced private car ("charter") for the last leg or two.

Getting into mo bay in the afternoon, I would not attempt to make this trip the same day. You've already missed out on the morning transport rush, you're navigating an unfamiliar transport system, and you risk extending the trip past sundown. Travelling after dark is harder, less interesting, and less safe, and then if you reach your destination you have no idea how you got there and have to spend the next day orienting yourself. Personally, I'd spend the night in mo bay and start out the next morning, or else break trip up by only going part of the way that first day. Lots of nice places between mo bay and port antonio...

2

You will defintely have a true Jamaican expeience.
I agree that you should wait and spend the night in MoBay. Go down to the Dead End Bar and have some drinks, have a rest and head out the next day. Taking the bus for such a long way can be hectic and anything can come up. so YES it is best to leave the next day. This way you will reach Porty by dark. I NEVER suggest using Jamaican public transport after dark !! However, if you decide to leave the same day, be sure get Jamaican money at the airport. Yes worst rates, but will save you the hassle of getting J (Jamaican money) after leaving the airport. Be sure get small bills $50, $100, a few $500, but nothing larger. If you have large bags and there is no room to store them, then you pay double for the seat, unless you hold it in your lap. You have to get from the airport to the main bus park in MoBay behind the fire station. Once there, just ask around for a bus to Ochos Rios. Then a bus to Port Maria, and then to Annotto Bay, and then Porty. If you can get a bus in Ochie going all way to Annotto Bay then skip Port Maria. Either way you have to take a bus from Annotto Bay to Porty. It has been a long time since I have done that trip, but it should cost more then $5US, less if you do not have to pay extra for your luggage. The bus park in MoBay is real hectic, but if you need help, just ask a Jamaican. They are pretty friendly people.
I hope you have an IRIE trip in Porty (great choice by the way).
Also, there is a couple of ways to get from the airport to the MoBay bus park. You can hire a "private taxi" which would cost $5-$10US depending on your bargaining skills,and there is the public "route taxi" which will cost about $2-3US. I suggest just hiring the private taxi. It will be enough with the bus :>)
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

3

I wanted to say the trip should cost not more then $5US.
:>) :>) :>)
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

4

It might cost a bit more than $5 but less than $10. Mike's route is correct. Note: you may be encouraged -- very encouraged-- to take a private taxi from Port Maria to Annatto Bay. DON'T. It's rediculously expensive . Take the shared taxi, even if you have to wait a bit. If you have lots of luggage be prepared to pay extra for it (Less than your fare.)

The entire trip will take at least 5 hrs. by public transport so I agree with the suggestion that you enjoy a night in Mobay and leave early the following morning. (It is dark in JA by about 6:15 at that time of yr.; definitely by 6:30. And you will probably not get out of the airport before 1:00 if you land at 12 noon.)
Have fun and give us a report when you return.

5

If there is no bus from Port Maria, then yes do as Weaver said and take a "route taxi" (shared).
Then once in Annotto Bay you can take a bus or route taxi to Porty.
Mini buses, Coaster buses (larger) and Route taxis are all "public transport".
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

6

Wow..I'd like to read this trip report . Please take lots of pictures !

7

Awesome! You folks have been immensely helpful. Very much looking forward to our vacation and I'm liking the sound of this Dead End Bar (we'll need some beach and booze by the time we get there after an overnight layover in Atlanta)! Is it walking distance from the airport? Any recommendations for cheap places to stay in Montego Bay? We aren't picky and would even be happy sleeping on the sand. We just want a place to stay that is easy to get to and away (since we will be catching the bus at 6am the next day) and where we can meet some locals.

Also, if we took off to the east side of the island on the 26th of December from Montego Bay, is it possible to do an overnight in the Blue Mountains? Is camping readily available? We are big backpackers and would like to get some hiking/mountain climbing/camping while we are there. We have hotel reservation at Great Huts the 27th - 29th so have to back to check in for that.

Thanks for all of your feedback. Will be sure to check back in when we get back and give a trip report!

8

It's probably best just to forget about camping, and I wouldn't even consider sleeping on the beach at night in Mo Bay.

Dead end beach is about a 1/2 hour walk from the airport terminal, but I imagine you'd probably want to check in to your hotel or guesthouse first. There's lots of places to stay in Mo Bay, a lot depends on your priorities as the locations and prices are all over the map there. Do some searches on here, this has definitely been covered in recent threads.

I'm not picky either, so my personal pick would be Linkage guesthouse at 32 Church street, the cheapest rooms I know of and situated right in the middle of downtown ( a bonus for me, though many would disagree). You can take a collective taxi from the airport for about $1 US, the guesthouse is just a few blocks from the square where the collective taxis drop off downtown and is also walking distance from the bus park. You could drop your stuff off, settle in, orient yourself, find the bus station, etc., then head back out to dead end beach or wherever.

There are also other places very close to the airport and dead end beach, if you just wanted to stay out that way and do all your travelling the next morning. In this case, you might consider a private taxi from your hotel to the bus park the next morning in order to jump-start your trip to Port Antonio.

There are other places that have been recommended here, further out in the suburbs or up in the hills. They are probably the best value for your money, if you're looking for something kind of nice but not too expensive. However, they will certainly involve private taxi rides unless you really really want to embark on an endless public transport adventure for your first two days.

There are several guesthouses and lodges where you can stay in the Blue Mountains, they can help arrange hikes, as well. I think you could also just do the trip from Port Antonio if you wanted.

9

or do the John crow Mountains in Portland

10

This where I saty when in MoBay.
Carter's Guesthouse
4 Bogue Height Blvd.
Reading P.O.
Montego Bay.
Phone (876)- 952-5675 or (876)-409-3014
Rooms $40US ($50US with A/C)
All rooms have ensuite bath/toillet.
However, it is on the opposite side of MoBay from the airport, so it will require a taxi ride.
You may want a place closer to the airport since you will be leaving early in the morning.
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

11

I don't think you have time to do the hike to Blue Mtn. peak. You need a day for the hike plus to reach Port Antonio, even if you don't do the overnight. You'd have to go from Mobay to Wildflower(?) hostel or Mtn. Edge guest house, then hike the next day and travel,on the same day, to Great Huts. And everything will take way more time than you expect. As my mom said, you'll meet yourself coming and going. Relax, spend the night in Mobay, (Mike's suggestion is a good one) or go on as far as Jamaica jewel (www.myjamaicajewel.com --You'll have to go to the highway the next morning and wait for a taxi with room for you and your gear.)
And don't even THINK about sleeping on the beach!

12

:>) :>) :>)
Sleeping on the beach !!!!
:>) :>) :>)
Blue Mountain Peak and back to Porty in one day !!!
:>) :>) :>)
OHHHH !! the excitement of "first timers".
Once you are in Jamaica for a little while, you will see why neither one is a good idea !!
Please do not forget to post a trip report when you get back home.
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

13

Hey Mikey Mike,

Thanks for your informative posts here!
I'll be arriving in Mo Bay at 7 pm. I'm looking for a clean, cheap, safe place to stay before I head out the next morning.
For the place you mentioned, across town from the airport, do you recommend making reservations? Also, how much do you generally pay for a private taxi from the airport to there?

Also, is that place close to dead end bar? It sounds like a cool place for a couple drinks.

Many thanks!!

Nucker