RIU Montego Bay Day Pass Review: Is Resort for a Day Worth It?
Turquoise waters and a sweeping beachfront view of Riu Montego Bay in Jamaica — just minutes from the cruise port.
If you’re cruising into Montego Bay and wondering whether a resort day pass is worth giving up a port excursion for — let me save you some time.
Yes.
And I’m going to tell you exactly why.
We visited Riu Montego Bay using my affiliate partner Resort for a Day, and it turned into one of those “we should’ve stayed longer” experiences.
Let’s break it down step-by-step so you know exactly what to expect.
I am an affiliate partner with Resort for a Day. If you choose to book through my links, I may earn a commission. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps support the content I create. As always, I only share experiences I’ve personally vetted and would book again myself.
Port Pickup: Know Where to Go
Resort for a Day transportation picking up guests just outside the Montego Bay cruise terminal.
First things first, this is not the same meetup location as cruise-line excursions.
Cruise passengers booking through the ship meet tour operators inside the international terminal.
For Resort for a Day guests:
Exit the terminal
Cross the pickup lane
Walk to a grassy area (still inside port gates)
Look for a tour operator holding a sign that says “Resort for a Day Pass”
Easy — but different. If you do not know that ahead of time, it can feel confusing.
There were two air-conditioned coaches:
One group heading to Iberostar
One group heading to Riu Montego Bay or Riu Reggae
Before departure, our tour operator:
Took roll call
Confirmed no one was missing
Verified ship time vs local time
Instructed everyone to stay on ship time
Professional. Organized. Zero chaos.
The Drive: Jamaica in Real Time
The Reggae & Dancehall Wall of Fame mural in Montego Bay — a colorful reminder that music is woven into Jamaica’s identity.
On the way to the resorts, our guide gave us a full cultural download:
Local history
Landmarks
Community updates
Hurricane recovery efforts
The island was still cleaning up from a devastating hurricane just months prior. Construction was everywhere. But the spirit? High.
You could feel how much tourism matters here. The gratitude was genuine.
First stop: drop guests at RIU Reggae.
Then we rounded the corner to our stop — RIU Montego Bay.
First Impressions: Open-Air, Big Energy
The lobby is massive and open-air with tons of seating. Immediately to the side:
Large bar
Stage area (RIU party central)
Small shopping area
Check-in process:
Queue at front desk
Make payment
Receive wristband + towel card
Leave your Driver’s License (yes, I hesitated — it was fine)
Important note: Day pass guests must queue again at the end of the day to retrieve ID and return towel cards.
The Pools: Five Within Eyesight
I counted five pools, all visible from one another:
Two quiet lounging pools
One with pool volleyball
One with swim-up bar and in-water tables
One more activity pool
For an Adults Only property, I was surprised (in a good way) to see four water slides.
During our visit, we noticed a wide range of activities available, including:
Sand volleyball
Group games
Sailing
Paddle boarding
Scuba diving
Catamaran trips
Outdoor yoga
Fitness center
Full spa
There is a towel shack system:
Turn in towel card
Receive towel
Return towel and get card back
Efficient.
The Beach: Soft, Turquoise, and Lively
Palm-lined white sand beach at Riu Montego Bay — an easy adults-only escape just minutes from the Montego Bay cruise port.
The sand was white and soft.
The water was turquoise with light patches of seagrass — nothing major.
The beach stretches long with plenty of seating.
From a small bay area, we had a clear view of the overwater bungalows at Secrets St. James Montego Bay. Stunning backdrop.
There’s also a beach bar. The drink service was quick and easy.
One observation: lots of European guests.
By the time day-pass guests arrive, pool loungers can be scarce. We had zero issues finding beach loungers though.
In the water, there are friendly (but persuasive) vendors operating kayak storefront-style setups. They are part of the local hustle — engaging, not aggressive.
The Buffet: Shockingly Good
Video tour of the buffet at Riu Montego Bay in Montego Bay, Jamaica, showcasing the wide selection of Jamaican specialties, international cuisine, fresh salads, and hot entrées available to adults-only all-inclusive guests and Resort for a Day visitors.
I’ll say it plainly.
We were impressed.
The buffet had:
Local Jamaican fare
Asian dishes
American classics
Italian
Mexican
Huge salad bars
Neither my husband nor I had a single bad bite. Everything we tried was flavorful, fresh, and far above average “all-inclusive buffet” expectations.
This wasn’t just “fine for a day pass.”
It was legitimately good.
Departure: On Time, No Stress
The iconic “One Love” photo backdrop inside Riu Montego Bay — a perfect welcome moment in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
When it was time to leave:
Queue at front desk
Retrieve Driver’s License
Return towel cards
Board bus
Our guide again took roll call before departure.
We returned to port with enough time to:
Shop
Board the ship
Shower
Make it to watch pier runners (and yes… there were pier runners)
No rushing. No panic.
What I Did Not Love
Keeping it honest:
No lockers for day-pass guests
Not enough time
That’s it.
Which tells you something.
Would We Go Back?
Palm-lined resort grounds at Riu Montego Bay in Montego Bay, Jamaica, just minutes from the cruise port.
Absolutely.
In fact, we are already planning a longer stay at Riu Montego Bay.
A day pass gives you a taste.
An overnight stay? That’s where you really settle in.
Is Resort for a Day Worth It in Montego Bay?
Watersports and catamarans available on the beach at Riu Montego Bay in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
If you:
Prefer an organized pickup
Want access to a full-service adults-only all-inclusive
Value great food and strong pool/beach vibes
Then yes — this is one of the easiest, lowest-stress port days you can plan.
Whether you are visiting Montego Bay or another cruise port, you can search all Resort for a Day locations and find the resort that fits your vibe here: Explore Resort for a Day Locations Here
(Affiliate link — I may earn a commission if you book through this link at no additional cost to you.)
Ready to Plan Your Own Montego Bay Escape?
Whether you want:
A one-day resort pass
A pre- or post-cruise stay
Or a full adults-only getaway in Jamaica
RIU is one of my trusted partners, and I would love to help you plan it the right way.
Reach out and let’s map out your Montego Bay stay — whether it’s one perfect day or a full week in paradise.
Your next Caribbean escape is closer than you think.
