- Judith Akatugba
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With its stunning beaches, verdant tropical woods, and some of the Caribbean’s top resorts, Jamaica has long drawn tired winter visitors seeking sunshine and rejuvenation. But there’s much more to enjoy in this paradise in the Caribbean for tourists.
“Travelers used to swarm the Caribbean in the winter to get away from the cold, but that’s not the case anymore,” remarks Kenton Jones, general director of the opulent and 91-villa Tryall Club in Montego Bay. “Jamaica has become a year-round destination for travel.”
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Here’s a general breakdown of Jamaica’s main travel seasons:
• High Season: December to April
• Shoulder Seasons: May and June, October and November
• Low Season: July to September
Read on for the best times to visit Jamaica for beautiful beaches and can’t-miss festivals like the island’s pulsing Carnival celebrations and the world-famous Reggae Sumfest.
Best Times to Visit for Smaller Crowds
The low season is “when the weather is nicest ‘back home,'” according to Houston Moncure, despite the fact that Jamaica has plenty to offer all year round. Despite the influx of thousands of tourists to other parts of Jamaica via cruise ships and bustling all-inclusives, Moncure, who is the managing director of the opulent Bluefields Bay Villas on the laid-back and vibrant southwest coast of the island, affirms that this portion of the island remains uncrowded.
Enjoy less crowds throughout the island starting at the end of April, as the number of visitors drops even further until Thanksgiving, which attracts a surge of American tourists in November. “Traveling during [these months] has its perks since people can enjoy less traffic as you travel from destination to destination as well as fewer crowds in town centers, public beaches, and restaurants,” Jones explains.
Insiders on the island also mention a brief but significant downturn in January. “Festive season travelers head home, and most people wind down from the holidays,” says Moncure. “You’ll generally see a drop in holiday season prices, accompanied by gorgeous, cloudless weather.”
Best Times to Visit for Good Weather
Even the occasional passing shower is rare between December and March, when Jamaica experiences its greatest weather. Less humidity and warm Caribbean temperatures are typical compared to the rest of the year on the island. December through April are the ideal months to enjoy carefree days at some of Jamaica’s greatest beaches because of the gorgeous weather.
“Keep in mind that these rain storms tend to last for just an hour or two during the afternoons, as is customary throughout most of the Caribbean,” advises Moncure, even though the rains can continue until early November when they start to pick up in late April or May. “It’s the perfect excuse to disconnect for a few hours and nap in a hammock among the lush landscape.”
Best Times to Visit for Lower Prices
Jamaica has a variety of lodging options, from inexpensive guesthouses and all-inclusives to some of the most opulent resorts in the Caribbean. On the other hand, May and early November are the best months to go on vacation because everything is less expensive then, including lodging, activities, and tours.
For astute visitors, the shoulder seasons of May–June and October–November can provide substantial savings. But from July to September, when fewer people are traveling, costs usually reach their lowest points.
Following the conclusion of the holiday season, early January often sees a drop in lodging costs for tourists hoping to avoid the cold weather back home. Early February usually sees another price increase due to a spike in tourist numbers.
Best Time to Visit for Carnival
Visit Jamaica in the early months of April to take part in Carnival, one of the major events on the island. The Carnival festivities of Trinidad and Tobago are well-known, but Jamaica’s version is a vibrant jumble of food, dance, and music that never stops thanks to soca and calypso beats.
The National Carnival Road March in Kingston is the main event of Carnival, and it is preceded by fetes, beach parties, and smaller street parades. The entire island unites for the Road March, a masquerade parade, Jones explains. “People dance through the streets in the most amazing costumes as mas bands play music that is a part of Jamaica’s cultural identity.”
The festivities now take place throughout the island, not just in Kingston as they once did. Other locations include Ochos Rios, Negril, and Montego Bay.
Best Times to Visit for Reggae
The most famous cultural export from Jamaica has long been a major tourist attraction. In Jamaica, the captivating sounds of reggae are difficult to ignore throughout the year. But music lovers know that July is the perfect time to visit Jamaica for a full immersion in the beat and culture—the island’s annual Reggae Sumfest takes place in Montego Bay.
This year marked Sumfest’s 30th anniversary as the premier reggae event in Jamaica. “This week-long celebration has been the biggest festival in the Caribbean and one that invites visitors to dance from dawn till dusk to a lineup of the hottest dancehall artists, the biggest names in reggae, and top international talent while also experiencing all that Montego Bay has to offer,” Jones states.
International performers who cross genres often attract large audiences, but don’t forget to stay for the smaller local acts too. The Tryall Club and other resorts in Montego Bay are the ideal places to stay if you want to be close to the action, but make sure to reserve well in advance.
Best Times to Visit for Island Adventures
The rainier months, from July through late October, are the best time of year for daring trips inward on the island and away from the beach.
In these months, the scenery is more breathtaking than ever, but river rafting and tubing can be more daring because to the bigger watersheds. In a same vein, waterfalls will be most magnificent. Cross-island hiking pathways can become a little trickier after a downpour, but lush woodlands make for inviting expeditions. During the rainier months, tropical coastlines teeming with life are juxtaposed with the island’s breathtaking Blue Lagoon.
On the other hand, the bioluminescent Luscious Lagoon in Falmouth, located on the island’s north side, is most colorful between December through April, when it’s drier. During a new moon, the vivid blue bioluminescence that attracts tourists during the night is even more striking against the blackness.
Worst Times to Visit
It is important for travelers to remember that Jamaica is located inside the Atlantic storm belt. Although the hurricane season runs from the beginning of June to the end of November every year, the region typically experiences its peak tropical activity between the middle of August and the middle of October.
But there’s never a bad moment to go to Jamaica, really. The island flowers verdant and lush even during the rainy season, making the fleeting afternoon showers feel worthwhile. When you take into account the cheaper costs and less visitors during these months, it’s clear why Jamaica is growing in popularity—even in the historically low season.
