Best time to Visit Jamaica: A Month-by-Month Guide

The cheapest time to travel to Jamaica

Firstly, everyone should aim to visit Jamaica at least once in their lifetime. I’ve found that between November and mid-December hotel and flight deals are easier to find, but not necessarily the most affordable.

However, Jamaica’s weather in December is delightful with lowering humidity during this time of year so pack some light and cool clothing.

The reason why prices are lower during this time is that it’s slighly after the height of Hurricane season, so some of the best hotels in Jamaica and even popular airlines will lower their prices to bring in more customers.

To find the absolute cheapest time to go to Jamaica, try looking at June through mid-December, and possibly even early to mid-January.

To save cash, it’s worth comparing Montego Bay versus Negril to see if one suits you better overall, as there are some significant savings to be made.

The worst time to visit Jamaica

Based on past events, August and September are the worst times to visit Jamaica. If you do decide to take a trip to the island during the middle of Hurricane season, be sure to travel with insurance.

Keep in mind that you may need to alter your beach day plans due to an impending storm. This could mean staying indoors or looking for shelter.

This is Jamaica’s rain season as well as Hurricane season, so you’ll find some fantastic deals. So if you’re looking for good flight and hotel deals, the best months to go to Jamaica are between September and November.

💡Smart Travel Tip
If you’re on a budget, don’t go on vacation to Jamaica during their high season which is typically from mid-December through April.

Especially in the month of December, during this time that many people are trying to escape the frigid temperatures up north and spring break.

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Least crowded months to visit Jamaica

If partying with the Spring break crowds during the holiday season doesn’t excite, you may want to try visiting Jamaica between April and June instead.

This is when the crowds begin to taper down, and the first rainy season begins, so not only will prices to Jamaica start to come down, the crowds will be dissipating too.

The temperatures during the Spring months are ideal ranging between the mid-70s and mid-80s. There is plenty of sunshine, but expect frequent rain, as the humidity slowly begins to climb as Hurricane season approaches.

Between June and November, prices and availability are usually lower. This is Jamaica’s low season with many people opting to visit places less prone to Hurricanes. Places such as Cartagena in Colombia are also worth a look.

Many travelers find they have more room on some of Jamaica’s beaches and faster service at restaurants without the Spring Break crowds.

Venturing outside of the main tourist hotspots of Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril will offer much fewer tourist activites and some hidden cultural gems. You can find some amazing travel deals around this time as well.

Keep in mind that when in Montego Bay, or other parts of the island, especially a non-touristy part, to take the necessary safety precautions to avoid any problems, more so if traveling to Jamaica alone or as a couple.

When to Visit Jamaica for Culture

Every month in Jamaica is the best month to visit Jamaica because there is always something going on that highlights its unique culture.

Not every month has a major event or public holiday, though, but the ones that do, are electrifyingly fun and enjoyable. Perhaps the most notable is Jamaica Carnival usually around Easter time in April. Then you’ll find that the majority of cultural festivals occur during the first half of the year.

Cultural Events in Jamaica

⤵️ See which cultural events in Jamaica are worth your time below:

When to Visit Attractions in Jamaica

There’s much more to Jamaica than the weather, food, and cultural events. Jamaica is home to many natural and exotic attractions.

1. Bob Marley Museum

Once home to the iconic father of Reggae, the Bob Marley museum is an absolute treasure for any Bob Marley fan.

The best time to visit this museum is in February when the island celebrates Bob Marley week, as well as Bob Marley’s Birthday Bash. This museum was once the home of the legendary Reggae artist and now features a small cafe and gift shop.

If you want to learn more about the life of Bob Marley, you can take this full day tour, which lasts for about 90-minutes to 2-hours in side the Museum.

I find that these types of day-tours are very informative, and in this case do a great job of bringing this legendary reggae artist back to life. Several of Marley’s instruments and personal items are on display at the museum.

There’s no photography or video allowed inside the museum. However, there are numerous murals and artwork outside the museum depicting the famous singer and family members.

2. Jamaican Bobsledding in Ocho Rios

Getting its inspiration from the movie Cool Runnings, Rainforest Adventures offers travelers a chance to go bobsledding down the mountains and through the rainforest.

After a short ride up the chair lift to the top, you’ll find a little restaurant and pool area for the kids along with a museum featuring Jamaicans that made history with the bobsled team.

You’ll have the opportunity to experience some spectacular views from the observation tower at the top of the restaurant. If riding a bobsled down the mountain doesn’t excite you, why not try ziplining through the forest?

3. Dunn River Fall’s and Park

The Dunn River Falls in Ocho Rios is a beautiful 180-foot waterfall that empties directly into the Caribbean at Little Dunn’s River Beach.

The falls are open year-round, but if you want to avoid the crowds, consider going during the low season, June through November.

There are days when cruise ships do not enter the port and on these days the best time to visit Dunn River Falls is between 8 am and 4 pm.

4. Blue Mountain National Park

Jamaica’s famous mountain range, the Blue Mountains, and its National park are popular attractions for many tourists.

It will take more than just a few hours to explore this national treasure in Jamaica fully, so plan to spend 2 days in the area to take in the sights.

Rising over 5,000-feet above sea level the temperatures are mild to cool at night with lower humidity. Usually, the best time of day to visit the mountains with clear visibility is the early afternoon.

The best time of year to visit is during the dry seasons, June through August and December through April.

5. Mayfield Falls

Mayfield Falls in Pennycooke is an alternative to Dunn River Falls in Ocho Rios but with fewer crowds and a relaxing atmosphere.

It has nine natural jacuzzies and a series of 21 cascading waterfalls. The tallest of these waterfalls is about 10-feet.

If you’re visiting during the hot summer months, this is an ideal place to visit to cool down and relax. You can book your ticket here to get there from Montego Bay which includes a tour of the nearby plantation.

⤵️ Whatever your reasons are for visiting Jamaica, keep this in mind:

• High season runs from mid-Dec through mid-April.
• The low season is typically from mid-April through mid-Dec.
• Hurricane season in Jamaica is from June 1st through Nov 30th.
• Jamaica has two rainy seasons: May to June, and Sept to Nov.

Best Time to go to Jamaica

Whether it’s your first time visiting Jamaica or your twentieth, there’s no shortage of things to do, see, and experience.

Jamaica allows its visitors to enjoy everything from relaxing on the beach to bobsleding down a mountain and even visit the Bob Marley museum.

Then of course all the firey Jamaican street food on offer, the warm weather, and music make this an ideal travel destination for many.

So no matter what style of travel you intend to do whilst on the island, know that Jamaica aims to provide something for everybody who visits.

If you’re still not convinced… why not compare Jamaica and Puerto Rico to see if you can find better reasons to visit the city of San Juan instead?