stayed in the MoBay area about a year and a half ago, which under Jamaica's political climate could be an eternity.

stayed in the heart of town two days and walked around. wasn't a real pleasant experience-- constantly hassled, although in a passive agreesive sense (surprised to see military guards in frequent numbers, which was presumably a deterent). interesting, only had one opaque reference to ganja, so they apparently have started cleaning that up. hassling almost like what you get on most any Carribean beach, although the fact that you're not on a crowded public beach at the time makes you a little more security concerned.

the better question is why and what are you planning to see in Montego Bay?? it's really a pretty small, uninspiring town that doesn't seem to offer much culturally. in retrospect, we should have cleared out in half a day.

better to get out in the countryside to meet people and see the natural beauty, or head to a nicer "resort" town to hangout.