Best Time to Visit Jamaica
Picking a time to visit Jamaica can be overwhelming. After all, Jamaica is a tropical island that has great weather pretty much all year round. Many people think the best time to visit Jamaica is between December and April, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the year is out of the question.
In order to find the best time to visit Jamaica for you, check out this article, which will tell you all about Jamaica in the different months and seasons.
How to Figure Out the Best Time to Visit Jamaica
First, you’ll need to decide what you want from your Jamaica vacation. Are you looking to save money? Do you want to go when crowds are fewest? Or are you looking for perfect beach weather?
Once you have that answer, it will help narrow down when to visit Jamaica.
For example, the best weather is found during Jamaica’s dry season, which is December to April. However, this is also peak season, so prices and crowds will usually be higher.
If you’re looking for the cheapest time to visit Jamaica, that would be during the off season. The second cheapest time to visit Jamaica would be in shoulder season, which is the months between the off season and peak season.
Shoulder season will give you lower prices as well as better weather. Off season in Jamaica is July through September, which falls during the island’s rainy season. It’s also during hurricane season, which lasts from June through November.
The cheapest time to fly to Jamaica is September to November. Another cheap time to fly to Jamaica is from April to June.
Best Time to Visit Jamaica: Season by Season
There are actually advantages to visiting Jamaica in every season. The choice ultimately comes down to what you’re looking for–the activities you want to do and the temperature you’ll enjoy the most. Each season gives you a different experience of Jamaica, so read on to learn more.
Best Time to Visit Jamaica: Summer
The summer months are part of Jamaica’s rainy season, so you will likely encounter rain showers if you visit then. However, they usually pass quickly, so if you don’t mind heading indoors for a couple of hours each day, it’s not that big of a deal.
Rainfall is the most in June and August–an average of 4 inches of rain per month–but a bit less in July. Along with increased humidity from the rain, temperatures in Jamaica are highest during the summer months. On average, highs hit from the mid-80s to low 90s in June, July, and August.
Summer also falls during hurricane season in Jamaica (which lasts from June to November). The risk of a hurricane hitting during your visit is relatively low, but if you travel during this time you’ll want to keep an eye on the forecast and be sure to get travel insurance.
Best Time to Visit Jamaica: Fall
Fall is the height of Jamaica’s rainy season. This means rainfall amounts are much higher and can definitely throw a wrench in your vacation plans. In November, Jamaica can average a high of nearly 10 inches of rainfall. The risk for tropical storms and hurricanes is also a bit higher at this time (from mid-August through mid-October).
During these months, temperatures are a bit lower than summer, with highs from the low to mid-80s. We still recommend going to Jamaica during this time, but always purchase travel insurance in case of a hurricane.
The upside to traveling during this season is the elevated water levels around the island, which makes it a great time to experience some of the best river rafting. Prices also tend to be at or near their lowest during this time.
Best Time to Visit Jamaica: Winter
Winter in Jamaica spans the months of December, January, and February. These months have less rainfall and humidity, offering plenty of sunshine and milder temperatures with average highs in the 70s.
This is Jamaica’s high season, as visitors flock here to escape cold weather at home, especially for holidays like Christmas and New Year’s.
The only downsides of visiting Jamaica in winter are the elevated prices and increased crowds. However, you can often find deals during the month of January after the holidays are over. This is traditionally a less popular time for travel, so some places will drop their rates.
Best Time to Visit Jamaica: Spring
The spring months of March, April, and May are some of the absolute best times to visit Jamaica. Temperatures are a bit warmer than winter–in the low to mid-80s–and aside from holidays like spring break and Easter, crowds and prices are less. There can be a few rain showers that spring up, but that means the island is bursting with life.
The best time to visit Jamaica in the spring is in late April or May. This is after all the holidays but before school lets out for summer, and temperatures are perfect.
Best Time to Visit Jamaica Conclusion
When it comes to the perfect weather, the best time to visit Jamaica is the dry season, sometime between mid-December and April. These months offer visitors nearly perfect temperatures, little to no rain, and plenty of sunshine.
However, prices can be higher because it’s peak season. The most expensive month to travel to Jamaica is December around the holidays. If you want lower prices, try visiting in January, March, or April.
If you’re looking for something outside the busy season, then consider a trip to Jamaica in July. While technically part of the rainy season, July usually has fewer showers. Even the few showers that do pop up usually end quickly. You’ll just need to be aware of the possibility of hurricanes. November before the holidays is another good possibility.
So, who’s ready to book a trip to Jamaica? If you are, check out our Jamaica Travel Resources, or our article on how to choose the best Sandals resort in Jamaica.
