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MONTEGO BAY |
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Jamaica's second largest city, MONTEGO BAY nestles between the
gently sloping Bogue, Kempshot and Salem hills, and extends some ten
miles from the haunts of the suburban rich in Reading at its western
edge to the plush villa developments and resort hotels of Ironshore and
Rose Hall to the east. It's made up of two distinct parts: the main
tourist strip Gloucester Avenue (rechristened by the marketing men as
the "Hip Strip"), and the city proper, universally referred to as "
downtown " - a split so sharp that most tourists never venture further
than the dividing roundabout.
The "Hip Strip" wouldn't exist were it not for Montego Bay's prize asset:
a dazzling bay with miles of coral reef (now designated a marine park)
and some beautiful beaches. Much of the coastline has been snapped up by
the hotels, but there are three main public beaches along the length of
Gloucester Avenue, all with showers, changing rooms, snack outlets and
watersports concessions and a minimal entrance fee. If you fancy a
quieter day by the sea, you can head east of town to Ironshore, where
the Caribbean Beach Park (Tues-Thurs 9am-6pm, Fri-Sun 9am-8pm; J$100)
has a pretty swathe of white sand that's usually more or less deserted.
There are changing facilities and showers, and a restaurant and bar; the
huge grassy space out front is often used for stageshows. Shared taxis
run here from Gloucester Avenue (J$40).
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