Sangster International Airport

Sangster International Airport (MBJ) serves Montego Bay, Jamaica's second-largest city and premier tourist destination. Located 3 km east of Montego Bay center, it's Jamaica's busiest airport and gateway to the island's famous north coast resorts.

The airport has a single terminal with domestic and international facilities. Recently modernized with good amenities for a Caribbean airport.

Key airlines: American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Air Canada, British Airways, and various carriers.

MBJ serves Jamaica's north coast:

• To Montego Bay (Hip Strip): 5 km, 10-15 minutes
• To Rose Hall resorts: 15 km, 20-25 minutes
• To Negril: 80 km, 1.5 hours
• To Ocho Rios: 100 km, 1.5-2 hours
• To Kingston: 180 km, 3-3.5 hours

Uber does not operate in Jamaica. Use JUTA taxis or hotel transfers.

JUTA (Jamaica Union of Travellers Association) official taxis:

• To Montego Bay center: $15-20 USD
• To Rose Hall: $25-30
• To Negril: $80-100
• Fixed rates posted at the airport

Important: Only use licensed JUTA taxis (red plates). Negotiate before departing.

Route Taxis

Route taxis (shared minibuses) are available but not recommended for tourists with luggage arriving at the airport.

Hotel Transfers

Most resorts offer airport transfers—often included or available for booking. This is the recommended option.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Short-term	$15/day	Terminal adjacent
Long-term	$10/day	Covered

MBJ has good dining:

Airside:

• Jamaican restaurants (jerk chicken!)
• Fast food (KFC, Burger King)
• Bars
• Coffee shops

Try: Jerk chicken or patties before you leave.

Network: MBJ Airport WiFi

• Cost: Free (limited) / Premium available
• Speed: Adequate
• Registration required

SIM cards from:

• Digicel or Flow shops in arrivals
• Prices: $20-40 for prepaid with data

ATMs in the terminal. Get Jamaican dollars and/or USD.

Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD). Approximately 155 JMD = 1 USD.

USD widely accepted at resorts and tourist areas.

• Duty-free (rum, coffee, cigars)
• Jamaican crafts
• Bob Marley memorabilia
• Blue Mountain Coffee

Club MoBay (VIP Arrival/Departure)

• Access: Priority Pass, or purchase ($90+)
• Amenities: Full service, expedited immigration, food, drinks
• Note: Highly recommended for smoother arrival experience

Aspire Lounge

• Access: Priority Pass, business class, or purchase

Resorts along the north coast from Montego Bay to Negril. Many visitors go all-inclusive.

Jamaica is reggae, rum, and relaxation—from all-inclusive resorts to authentic culture, with legendary beaches and Bob Marley's legacy:

Montego Bay area (with travel time from airport):

• Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue): 15 min—bars, restaurants, shopping
• Doctor's Cave Beach: 15 min—famous white sand beach
• Rose Hall Great House: 25 min—haunted plantation house tours
• Montego Bay Marine Park: 15 min—snorkeling, glass-bottom boats

Beyond Montego Bay:

• Negril: 1.5 hours—7-Mile Beach, Rick's Café cliff jumping, laid-back vibes
• Ocho Rios: 2 hours—Dunn's River Falls, cruise port
• Falmouth: 45 min—Georgian architecture, luminous lagoon

Adventure & nature:

• Dunn's River Falls: Climb the 180m waterfall
• Luminous Lagoon: Bioluminescent plankton at night
• YS Falls: Less crowded alternative waterfall
• Blue Hole: Natural swimming holes in the jungle

Cultural Jamaica:

• Bob Marley sites: Museum in Kingston, Nine Mile birthplace (3 hours from MBJ)
• Rastafarian culture: Understand the movement beyond the stereotypes
• Reggae music: Live music throughout the island

Food & drink:

• Jerk chicken/pork: Jamaica's signature—smoky, spicy perfection
• Ackee and saltfish: National dish (ackee is a fruit)
• Patties: Jamaican meat pies—essential snack
• Rice and peas: Coconut-cooked rice with kidney beans
• Rum: Appleton, J. Wray & Nephew—try them
• Red Stripe beer: The local lager

Local tips:

• All-inclusive: Many visitors stay all-inclusive; resorts are self-contained worlds
• Safety: Tourist areas are generally safe; be cautious elsewhere
• Haggling: Expected at craft markets; not in stores
• "Soon come": Jamaica runs on island time—relax
• JUTA taxis only: Only use official licensed taxis
• Tipping: 10-15% at restaurants; tip staff at resorts
• Negril sunset: Rick's Café cliff diving at sunset is iconic
• Weed: Decriminalized in small amounts, but still be discreet
• Jamaica is more than resorts—the authentic culture is worth exploring
• "Irie" means everything is good—you'll hear it constantly