Runaway Bay occupies a quiet stretch of Jamaica’s north coast, between Ocho Rios forty minutes east and Montego Bay an hour and fifteen west. There is no town as such: a coast road, a few large resorts, a golf course, a fishermen’s beach and hills rising behind. It is the choice of people who want Jamaica without the bustle.
The essentials in four lines
- About four and a quarter hours non-stop from Montreal to Montego Bay (MBJ), then an hour and fifteen minutes of transfer.
- Jamaica stays on Eastern time all year: same hour as Montreal in winter, one hour behind in summer.
- The north coast is largely spared by sargassum.
- Nothing within walking distance: a taxi or shuttle is needed for any outing.
The area
The bay owes its name to a legend: the last Spanish settlers are said to have fled the island from here in 1655, ahead of the English advance. Next door, Discovery Bay is where Christopher Columbus made landfall in 1494 on his second voyage.
The beaches are short and spread across coves, sheltered by a reef close to shore. The sea stays calm and snorkelling is easy. The public beach at Cardiff Hall and the one at Puerto Seco in Discovery Bay complete the hotels’ private beaches.
What lies around
Green Grotto caves, ten minutes away, drop to an underground lake fifteen metres down. The network sheltered the Taíno, then fleeing Spaniards, then the Maroons; the guided visit takes an hour.
An adventure centre on the coast runs horseback rides that end in the sea, the horses walking into the water with their riders. It is the signature activity of the sector.
Dunn’s River Falls is about thirty minutes east, and Ocho Rios with its full range of excursions forty minutes away. Runaway Bay works well as a quiet base from which to range out.
All-inclusive in Runaway Bay
The supply is limited to a few large resorts, including one big family estate and one adults-only property, plus one or two mid-category hotels. Rates are generally lower than at Montego Bay or Ocho Rios for comparable category.
The trade-off is clear: less choice, less activity, but quieter beaches and better value. Since nothing is within walking distance, the quality of the resort matters more here than elsewhere. Our criteria for choosing an all-inclusive hotel help decide, and our file on value for money puts the differences in context.
When to go
From December to April the air holds around 29 °C, the trade winds blow and rain stays brief. That is the Quebec high season.
May, June and the first half of December offer the best balance of weather and price. From August to October, heat and humidity climb and the cyclone season peaks. Our guide on when to travel south from Montreal sets out those cycles.
To plan this trip, see also our Jamaïque page, Montego Bay, Negril and how to choose an all-inclusive hotel.
