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Jamaica travel guide

An English-speaking Caribbean island where every main town sits on the coast

Best: Jan, Feb, Dec

Photo: Bergen Davis / Pexels

Capital
Kingston
Languages
English, Jamaican Patois
Currency
Jamaican dollar (JMD)
Time zone
UTC-05:00
Plugs
Type A, B · 116 V
Driving
On the left
Emergency
112 / 911

Why visit Jamaica

Jamaica suits travellers who want a Caribbean trip built around the sea, with English as a main language. All 5 towns on our list are coastal, from the capital Kingston to Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio and Negril. The island covers about 10,991 km², so you can combine several towns in one trip. The best months are December, January and February. One limitation is that traffic drives on the left, which takes some getting used to if you normally drive on the right.

  • Winter months with the best conditions

    December, January and February are the best months to visit Jamaica, according to our data. This makes the island a strong choice for a winter trip, when many travellers want to leave colder places behind.

  • Kingston, a large coastal capital

    Kingston is the capital and by far the largest city, with about 937700 people out of a national population of 2774538. It sits on the coast, so city life and the sea are close together.

  • Coastal towns of every size

    All 5 main cities are on the coast. Montego Bay has about 123994 people. Ocho Rios (16671) and Port Antonio (14816) are much smaller, and Negril has around 4500. You can choose a busy base or a quieter one.

  • English is an official language

    English is spoken across Jamaica, alongside Jamaican Patois. English speakers can read signs, ask for directions and book tours without a language barrier, and hearing Patois is part of the local experience.

  • A compact island to explore

    Jamaica covers 10991 km², so a single trip can take in both Kingston and towns like Montego Bay or Negril. If you plan to rent a car, remember that Jamaicans drive on the left.

Is Jamaica right for you?

Great for

  • Winter-sun trips in January and February, with about 10 to 11 rain days and highs near 25°C
  • Travellers who find strong heat hard, as highs stay between 25 and 28°C all year
  • English speakers who want easy travel, since English is an official language
  • Coastal trips linking Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio and Negril, which all sit on the coast
  • North American visitors whose devices use plug types A and B at 116 V

Less ideal for

  • Trips in September and October that need dry days, with 24 to 26 rain days a month
  • Travellers who want the most sunshine in November, the month with the fewest sun hours at 9.5
  • Self-drive trips for people not used to driving on the left

Jamaica right now: October

6.8/10
Avg high
26°C
Avg low
20°C
Rain days
26

Averages for Jamaica.

Weather by month

Climate data for Jamaica (2015–2024) shows December to February as the best months, with highs near 25°C, only 33–38 mm of rain and 10–11 hours of sun a day. July and August score lowest because they have the warmest highs of about 28°C and 18.5–22 rainy days, while October is the wettest month, with 132 mm over 26 days.

Average highs and lows in Jamaica by month January: high 25°C, low 17°C , 11 rain days . February: high 25°C, low 17°C , 10 rain days . March: high 26°C, low 17°C , 16 rain days . April: high 27°C, low 18°C , 19 rain days . May: high 27°C, low 19°C , 21 rain days . June: high 28°C, low 20°C , 17 rain days . July: high 28°C, low 20°C , 19 rain days . August: high 28°C, low 20°C , 22 rain days . September: high 28°C, low 20°C , 24 rain days . October: high 26°C, low 20°C , 26 rain days . November: high 25°C, low 19°C , 19 rain days . December: high 25°C, low 18°C , 12 rain days . 25°C 17°C JAN 11d 25°C 17°C FEB 10d 26°C 17°C MAR 16d 27°C 18°C APR 19d 27°C 19°C MAY 21d 28°C 20°C JUN 17d 28°C 20°C JUL 19d 28°C 20°C AUG 22d 28°C 20°C SEP 24d 26°C 20°C OCT 26d 25°C 19°C NOV 19d 25°C 18°C DEC 12d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Jamaica (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Jamaica: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Kingston and the east coast

  1. Day 1–2

    Kingston

    Start in the capital, a coastal city of about 937700 people. Spend 2 days walking its streets, tasting local food and getting used to English and Jamaican Patois being spoken around you.

  2. Day 3–4

    Port Antonio

    Move to this small coastal town for a slower pace. Use the 2 days to walk the waterfront, swim and rest after the city.

  3. Day 5–7

    Ocho Rios

    Finish with 3 days on the north coast. Spend time by the sea and explore the town. If you rent a car, remember that Jamaica drives on the left.

10 days

West to east along the coast

  1. Day 1–2

    Montego Bay

    Begin in Jamaica's second-largest city on this list. Take 2 days to settle in, walk along the coast and try local dishes.

  2. Day 3–5

    Negril

    Head to Negril, the smallest place on this route, for 3 relaxed days. Swim, read by the water and enjoy the quiet.

  3. Day 6–7

    Ocho Rios

    Travel east to the north coast. Spend 2 days exploring the town and its seafront. Jamaica drives on the left, so take care if you drive yourself.

  4. Day 8–9

    Port Antonio

    Continue to this small coastal town for 2 calm days. Walk the waterfront, swim and slow down before the capital.

  5. Day 10

    Kingston

    End in the capital, home to about 937700 people. Use your last day to walk the city and eat one more local meal.

Food to try in Jamaica

Ackee and saltfish

Jamaica's national dish mixes ackee fruit with salted cod, onions and peppers. It is a classic breakfast, often served with fried dumplings or boiled green bananas.

Jerk chicken or pork

Meat is rubbed with a spicy mix of Scotch bonnet pepper and allspice, then grilled slowly over wood. Look for roadside jerk stands and grills cut from old oil drums.

Jamaican patty

A flaky, golden pastry filled with spiced beef, chicken or vegetables. It is a cheap, quick lunch or snack sold in bakeries and patty shops across the island.

Curry goat with rice and peas

Goat meat is slow-cooked in a rich curry sauce. It is usually served with rice and peas, which are rice and kidney beans cooked in coconut milk, and is common at parties and Sunday meals.

Sorrel drink

A deep red drink made from hibiscus flowers, ginger and spices, sometimes with a splash of rum. It is most closely linked with Christmas, when many homes make a batch.

Blue Mountain coffee

This mild, smooth coffee is grown on the slopes of the Blue Mountains near Kingston. You can drink it in local cafés or visit a coffee farm in the hills.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Jamaica uses type A and B plugs, the flat-pin style also used in North America. The supply is 116 V. Check that your chargers and devices accept this voltage before you plug them in.
  • Driving side: Traffic in Jamaica drives on the left. If you usually drive on the right, take extra care when turning and pulling out, especially in your first few days.
  • Emergency number: For police, fire or ambulance, call 112 or 911. Save both numbers in your phone before you arrive.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Jamaican dollar (JMD). Check the current exchange rate before you travel so you can judge what things cost.
  • Language: English is spoken across Jamaica, so most visitors can get by easily. You will also hear Jamaican Patois, which can be hard to follow at first, even for native English speakers.
  • Time zone: Jamaica is on UTC-05:00. Check the time difference with home before you book calls or plan your first day.
  • Calling code: Jamaica's country calling code is +1. Check with your mobile provider about roaming charges before you travel.

Jamaica: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Jamaica?

December to February is the best time to visit Jamaica. These 3 months score highest in our ratings: 7.7 in December, 7.8 in January and 7.9 in February. They are the driest months, with 33–38 mm of rain and about 10–12 days with rain. Daytime highs stay close to 25°C, and you get around 10 to 11 hours of sun a day.

Is Jamaica good in August?

August in Jamaica is rated OK, with a score of 4.9 out of 10. It is one of the warmest months, with highs of 28.3°C and lows of 20°C. It is also wet: there are about 22 days with rain and 100 mm of rainfall. You still get around 11 hours of sun a day, so rain and sunshine often fall on the same day.

What is the rainiest month in Jamaica?

October is the rainiest month in Jamaica. It has about 26 days with rain and 132 mm of rainfall. September is close behind, with 24 rain days and 128 mm. Even in October the island averages about 10 hours of sun a day. Highs are still around 26°C, and the month scores 6.8, which rates as good.

How hot is Jamaica during the year?

Jamaica is warm all year, with only small changes in temperature. Daytime highs range from 24.7°C in January to 28.4°C in July. Night-time lows go from 16.7°C in February to 20°C in August. The warmest stretch is June to September, when highs reach 27.5–28.4°C.

What plugs and voltage does Jamaica use?

Jamaica uses plug types A and B, with a voltage of 116 V. These are the flat-pin plugs also used in North America. Check that your chargers and devices can run on this voltage before you plug them in. The local currency is the Jamaican dollar (JMD).

Which side of the road do they drive on in Jamaica?

In Jamaica you drive on the left side of the road. Other practical basics: the emergency numbers are 112 and 911, and the island is on UTC-05:00. English is the official language, and many people also speak Jamaican Patois. The international calling code is +1.

Similar destinations

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