• Best for: Montego Bay is ideal for families, couples, singles and seniors seeking a leisurely couple of days under the Caribbean sun.
• Getting there: American flies nonstop to Montego Bay from Miami; Spirit and Air Jamaica fly nonstop from Fort Lauderdale. Several airlines make the trip in four to six hours with one stop or a change of planes.
• Cost of a weekend getaway: Roundtrip airfare in early June starts at $322 from Fort Lauderdale and $378 from Miami; cheaper fares available on one-stop flights. Online travel agencies were offering three-night air/hotel packages starting around $425 per person double occupancy. For deals, check www.caribbeantravel.com and www.cheapcaribbean.com.
• Staying safe: Unlike Kingston, which reports incidents of mayhem, Montego Bay is a safe city. Crimes against tourists are virtually non-existent; the resorts have security around the clock and police patrol with mobile monitors and closed circuit cameras. A polite ''No, thank you'' is all that's necessary to those who offer to braid your hair or sell you T-shirts. Leave airline tickets and passports in the hotel safe, hire only JUTA-operated taxis (Jamaica Union of Travelers Association) and contrary to urban legend, ganja is illegal for use or export.
WHERE TO STAY
• The gold standard for luxury, the AAA Five Diamond Ritz-Carlton at Rose Hall (800-826-9430 or 876-953-2800, www.rosehall.com) is offering a Reconnect package -- $299 per room, per night (plus 13 percent resort fee), includes accommodations, breakfast for two and a $100 daily food credit, a round of golf at the White Witch course or a massage -- try the Jamaican Coffee Scrub that refreshes and renews but won't keep you up at night.
• The palatial villas (2-8 bedrooms) at the Tryall Club (800-238- 5290, www.tryallclub.com) come with a chef and Swimming Nanny for the younger set. From $400 for a two-bedroom villa in summer to $2,410 for seven bedrooms at Christmas, per night.
• Sandals Inn (800-SANDALS, www.sandals.com) is all about location, location, location. On the Hip Strip, the 52 room all-inclusive is cozier than its two sister properties, Royal Caribbean and Sandals Montego Bay yet with the same high standards -- and you can have privileges at the others, with shuttle provided. Daily all-inclusive rate in May, $346.
• Also with instant access to the Hip Strip, the all-inclusive SuperClub Breezes Montego Bay (800-GO-SUPER, www.superclubs.com) fronts Doctor's Cave Beach, famous for the healing powers of its mineral-rich translucent water. Stand-outs include the rooftop Jacuzzi, Cook and Talk Jamaica classes and a staff that feels like family. From $250 per night in May.
• There at least a dozen budget hotels on the Hip Strip. Our choice is the Altamont West (33 Gloucester Ave., 876-979-9378, www.altamontwesthotel.com) The 31-room hotel has free Wi-fi, cable TV and a wine bar. Rooms from $90.
WHERE TO EAT
• The Boonoonoonoos (patois for ''plentiful'') platter at The Native (29 Gloucester Ave, 876-979-2769) is chock full of curried goat, lip-searing jerk chicken, ackee with salt fish and plantains. Open to the breeze on a verandah overlooking the Hip Strip, it raises lyming with the locals to a fine art. Dinner entrees, $9-$34.
• Close to the airport, Scotchies (Coral Gardens Main Highway, 876-953-8041) is a no-frills bonanza of roasted breadfruit, frosty Red Stripe beer and chicken, fish and pork blackened to perfection in a marinade of scotch bonnet peppers. $6.50 for a half-pound of jerk pork
• The views are ridiculously fabulous at the Montego Bay Yacht Club (1133 Sunset Dr., 876-979-8038, http://montegobayyachtclub.com) and the lamb chops with mint pesto are to-die-for.
• Try the spicy jerk burger ($8.95) at the Jamaican Bobsled Café (69 Gloucester Ave, 876-940-7009), which stays open until 2 a.m. and delivers to the resorts.
WHAT TO DO
• Built in the 1770's with limestone brought from England, Rose Hall Great House (876-953-2323, www.rosehall.com) was the home of the wicked Annie Palmer, aka White Witch of Rose Hall, who murdered her three husbands and remains one of Montego Bay's favorite ghosts. 45-minute tours, $20 adults, $10 kids.
• Starting from Doctor's Cave Beach, Chukka Sea Trek is Jamaica's only underwater tour. Designed for seafarers and land lubbers, a space age helmet rests on your shoulders while a continuous flow of air allows you to breathe. Your hair doesn't get wet and you can wear glasses while viewing the marine life and spectacular coral. 876-953-5619, www.chukkacaribbean.com; 30-minute ride, $69 per person.
• At the end of the Hip Strip next to the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Jewish Cemetery is the oldest on the island. Managed by the St. James Parish Council, the gates are locked; however, the JTB can arrange entry (876-922-5931 or 876-922-1287).
• Rockland Bird Sanctuary, 876-952-2009; $15 adult admission, $5 children.
• Wine With Me, 33 Gloucester Ave.; 876-371- 4804; www.altamontwesthotel.com. Wine cellar and food. Closed Mondays.
• Reggae Sumfest (July 13-19; 876-953-2933, www.reggaesumfest.com) is the largest reggae festival in the world attracting hard-core fans and a stellar lineup of acts. Book hotel rooms early -- they fill up fast. Event tickets, $12-$160.
INFORMATION
• Jamaica Tourist Board, 305-665-0557 or 800-233- 4582; www.visitjamaica.com.
