From Montego Bay Jamaica by Fabian Stennett

gungehyard@blogger.com  Montego Bay is the Second City in Jamaica and is not only the tourist capital of Jamaica but it is considered the tourist mecca of the Caribbean.The Donald Sangster International airport is located in Montego Bay Jamaica and served as the central air travel hub of the Caribbean.The Montego Freeport wharf and shipping port located at Freeport is also one of the major transhipment hub in the Caribbean and   and it's diaspora . Cornwall Regional Hospital is the main hospital in st.james and is the most important medical center in the County of Cornwall, this is located in the high hills of Mt Salem. Montego Bay Community College, Cornwall college high School ,Mt Alverna High School ,St.James High, Herbert Morrison High School, Chetwood all age, Barracks Road primary,Corinaldi  primary,and Howard Cooke  primary School, are amongst some of the leading educational Centre  in Montego Bay  Jamaica . The  famous Doctors Cave Beach, Cornwall Beach, Harvey Beach and Aquasol Beach,(formerly Walter Fletchers), are some of the leading white sand beaches situated in Montego Bay. These beautiful beaches are easily accessible and can be found on the Hip Strip, Jimmy Cliff Boulevard and along the Rosehall main road.  The Charles Gordon Market is the main food market where vendors from rural areas such as Maroon Town , Garlands, Tangle River, Kensington, Somerton,and industry ,to name a few, goes to sell or peddle ground provision, clothes, and any anything that you know a regular local market would offer. The Montego Bay Crafts Market is located on harbour Street, there are also crafts markets at queens Drive and at Whitter's village in Rosehall.  The famous Rosehall Great house, Holiday Day Inn Hotel,Ritz Carlton Hotel, Sandals Hotel and Disco inferno are also in this  area. The Samuel Sharpe Square was name in Honour of one of Jamaica's national hero and Maroon strong man, Samuel Sharpe, the leader of the  Kensington Rebellion. Samuel Sharpe Square lyes in the heart of down town Montego bay and is the Epicenter of Montego Bay.  The Dome at Dome Street is one of the  original water source from in the 1770,s and still stands  today . Cyril Gully  near Princess Street is also another water shed area. Montego Bay Produces some Of the finest reggae icons ,such as Jimmy Cliff ,E.T.Webster, Conroy Smith,  The Mighty Lord creator ,Blues Buster ,Mackie Concious,Gangunjah Nevadye Atowa, Major Lloyd, Queen Ifreka, dancehall artist Tommy Lee, Sqash, Teejay, Rygin King,Silk Boss,Ever Spark, Toney Melody,Meritol family, Ras  Geranymo(apache), Okonko ,Fire Lion,Freddie Ranks, Hippy Lapaleng Ranks, Toney Melody, Byron Candy Man Reid, and Changa,Changa among others.Performers  like Karen Smith ,Nicky OJ ,AJ Brown( of third World fame),and Dennis Smith are Huge on the cabaret circuit and they are all product of Montego Bay. Reknown sport  personalities such as Steve Bucknor ,Tegat Davis, Alton Noah Sterling,Zawbowl,Theodore Whitmore,Winston " Twinny  Bug " Anglin , Steve Shorty  Malcolm,  Warren Barrett and kidaris  are all from Montego Bay

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Montego Bay – The Second City and Tourist Mecca of the Caribbean

By Fabian Stennett

Montego Bay, often referred to as "The Second City" of Jamaica, is not only the island’s premier tourist destination but is also widely considered the tourist mecca of the Caribbean.

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✈️ Transportation and Infrastructure

Donald Sangster International Airport, located in Montego Bay, serves as the central air travel hub of the Caribbean, welcoming millions of visitors annually. The Montego Freeport Wharf and Shipping Port at Freeport is another major transshipment hub serving Jamaica and the wider diaspora.

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🏥 Healthcare and 🏫 Education

Montego Bay is home to Cornwall Regional Hospital, the main medical facility in St. James and the most critical health institution in the County of Cornwall, located in the high hills of Mount Salem.

The city is also a regional leader in education, hosting prominent institutions such as:

Montego Bay Community College

Cornwall College (High School)

Mt. Alvernia High School

St. James High School

Herbert Morrison Technical High School

Chetwood All-Age School

Barracks Road Primary

Corinaldi Avenue Primary

Howard Cooke Primary School

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🏖️ Beaches and Tourist Attractions

Montego Bay is famous for its breathtaking white sand beaches, including:

Doctor’s Cave Beach

Cornwall Beach

Harvey Beach

Aquasol Beach (formerly Walter Fletcher Beach)

These popular spots are easily accessible via the Hip Strip (Jimmy Cliff Boulevard) and along the Rose Hall main road.

Tourist landmarks in the area include:

Rose Hall Great House

Holiday Inn Resort

Sandals Resorts

Ritz-Carlton Hotel

Disco Inferno Nightclub

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🛍️ Markets and Craft Centers

The bustling Charles Gordon Market is the city’s main food market, attracting vendors from rural communities such as Maroon Town, Garlands, Tangle River, Kensington, Somerton, and Industry, who sell ground provisions, clothing, and other local goods.

Montego Bay also features several vibrant craft markets, including:

Harbour Street Craft Market

Queen’s Drive Craft Market

Whitter Village in Rose Hall

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📜 Cultural and Historic Landmarks

Samuel Sharpe Square, named after Jamaican national hero and Maroon leader Samuel Sharpe—who led the Kensington Rebellion—lies in the heart of downtown Montego Bay and serves as the epicenter of the city.

Historical water sources like The Dome on Dome Street (dating back to the 1770s) and Cyril Gully near Princess Street are enduring landmarks.

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🎶 Music and Entertainment

Montego Bay has produced numerous reggae and dancehall icons, such as:

Jimmy Cliff

E.T. Webster

Conroy Smith

The Mighty Lord Creator

Blues Busters

Mackie Conscious

Gangunjah Nevadye Atowa

Major Lloyd

Queen Ifreka

Tommy Lee Sparta

Squash

Teejay

Rygin King

Silk Boss

Ever Spark

Toney Melody

Merital Family

Ras Geranymo (Apache)

Okonko, Fire Lion, Freddie Ranks, Hippy Lapaleng Ranks, Byron “Candy Man” Reid, and Changa Changa, among others.

The city also boasts top cabaret performers like:

Karen Smith

Nicky O.J.

A.J. Brown (of Third World fame)

Dennis Smith

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⚽ Sports Legends

Montego Bay has given rise to renowned Jamaican sports figures such as:

Steve Bucknor (Cricket Umpire)

Tegat Davis

Alton Noah Sterling

Zawbowl

Theodore "Tappa" Whitmore

Winston “Twinny Bug” Anglin

Steve “Shorty” Malcolm

Warren Barrett

Kidaris

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Montego Bay remains a vibrant cultural, educational, and economic force in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Whether you're a visitor or a local, its history, hospitality, and energy are impossible to ignore.