Are you planning a trip to Jamaica and want to know what the best time of the year to go is? Jamaican weather patterns can be tricky, but your vacation doesn’t have to be. Vacation season is right around the corner. Jamaican weather is tropical, which means consistently warm, making it a wildly popular travel destination.
The tropical marine climate and beautiful mountains ensure that the Caribbean island doesn’t get too hot, and it cools down nightly. Sea winds and mountain valleys help moderate the beautiful island’s temperature. These natural elements keep even the highest temperatures of Summer in Jamaica typically below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperatures are perfect for those who want warm beaches without actually melting on them.
Jamaica’s beauty is difficult to rival. It is such a popular vacation destination that the annual number of tourists exceeds its population. It averages about 3.5 million visitors per year. That is a million more than its permanent population. Keeping up with the tourism industry is no small feat and hotels struggle to keep up with demand. The numbers are good for Jamaica’s economy, as is evidenced by the new hotels and attractions developers build continually to accommodate an ever-increasing number of eager tourists. Understanding more about the island and its weather increases the tourist’s chances of having a perfect vacation – or as close to perfect as possible.
Where Is Jamaica?
Jamaica is located in the West Indies, an archipelago of island countries of the Caribbean Sea. Technically, it is between the Southeast United States and Northern South America. It is one of the four largest islands in the archipelago. The other significant isles include Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola.
Only one of around 7,000 islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica lies 90 miles south of Cuba. It covers 10,831 square kilometers of land in total which makes it about the size of Connecticut. Surrounded by beautiful blue waters and bathed in sunshine, it feels like it’s located directly in the middle of paradise. With 621 miles of coastline, it is inarguably one of the crowning jewels of the Caribbean. Its white sand beaches alone make Jamaica a desirable place to visit.
Montego Bay (MBJ) is one of the most popular destination cities in Jamaica. Located on the northwest border, flights from the United States arrive there every single day. It’s the closest international airport to the States. Some of the most affordable flights from the US fly out of busy airports such as Atlanta (ATL) and Washington, DC (WAS). The prices are incredibly fair and are contributing factors to a large number of tourists to the island.
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Weather in Jamaica by month
Jamaican weather can be variable, but it is nearly perfect for days on end. Below is a breakdown of Jamaican weather by month.
January has an average high temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, February is the last and warmest month of winter. Temperatures can sometimes reach as high as 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This is also the best winter month about sunshine and rainfall.
March is the perfect month to travel considering the Jamaica weather patterns. You should expect only seven to nine rainy days, and these usually occur closer to the end of the month. Traveling in April is great because its weather patterns are warmer than March. You should expect that the second week of April will be rainier than the rest.
Usually, half of May experiences rainfall, so it still may not be the best time to travel. May is also known as a windy month with cooler temperatures in the morning and high humidity throughout the days.
Notably, June is the official start of hurricane season. July is the best summer month because of only a 30 percent chance of rainfall with warmer temperatures than June. In June, Jamaica, weather brings fewer hurricanes.
August is the warmest summer month. In fact, the lowest temperature in August is the highest temperature for most months.
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Sadly, September is full of storms and rain. It’s not the best month for beach-dwelling. Additionally, October is also a rainy month, with the weather coming more at the beginning of the month.
November is the last month of Autumn. Temperatures are pleasant with highs only getting to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, December is the warmest winter month, although you might need a sweater at night. This is especially true if it rains.
Best times to visit Jamaica
Consider the seasonal differences when visiting Jamaica. Most casual visitors to Jamaica pick a vacation resort without paying much attention to its location, especially those guests who would rather spend their days at all-inclusive resorts, venturing out only occasionally to shop or to see local sights. However, for those who want to experience Jamaica, knowing when to visit is vital.
January to March is the peak travel season to the island. People need to escape Winter, prompting some room rates to spike to over $700 per night at some hotels. The beaches in March are amazing thanks to the beautiful Jamaican weather. However, if you want to avoid crowds and save money, you will want to reconsider choosing March to visit.
Americans love to travel in the Summer, but that may not be the best time to visit. Although airfare and rooms are cheaper at this time of year, the increased rain showers cause many vital attractions and hotels to close. Prices are cheaper during summer months, but you run the risk of being there during hurricane season. From April to June, the days are nice with temperatures of the mid-70s and high 80s reigning, but it’s also quite rainy at times. It’s relatively quiet considering how misty it gets, especially on the golf courses and beaches. However, hotels offer incentives to visit during the springtime.
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The best time to visit Jamaica is in the sweet spot between November to mid-December. This is when the island’s already beautiful weather is the most pleasant and the travel deals are the easiest to find. This is also some of the dreariest times in America which only gives tourists more incentive to go. Thanksgiving in Jamaica may be a very nice change of pace.
Planning Activities Around Caribbean Weather
Since you now know about the right times to visit the island, knowing more about how Jamaican weather affects the different regions can help you plan your most perfect vacation. Importantly, if you love “dry heat,” Jamaica may not be the best destination for you.
Negril is situated near Jamaica’s relatively arid western tip and sees a lot of nudists. Seven Mile Beach is one of the longest uninterrupted stretches of sand there and in the whole Caribbean. However, other than that beach, local dives, and fabulous parties, there isn’t much else. Consequently, if you’re looking for a laid-back vacation, this is your spot.
Slightly wetter, the North Coast’s primary natural attractions include stunning public gardens and dramatic waterfalls. Ocho Rios is a favorite tourist spot with many resorts and tourist attractions. If you want to stay busy during your stay in Jamaica, you will want to book your stay here.
Not the most popular spot, Kingston is the capital city. Located on the Southeast coast, it is a cultural hub. For music loves, it is locally known as the reggae capital. For the rainy times in Jamaica, this may be the best bet for staying indoors. It’d be perfect for a day trip as some areas see high crime rates. However, the nearby Blue Mountains are beautiful and temperate. You can tour this region’s coffee plantations and rum factories.
Montego Bay is the number one destination for all of Jamaica and appeals to the broadest range of visitors. Also known as “Mo Bay,” it has excellent golfing and four of the most fabulous resorts on the island. It also has former great plantation houses and daylong excursions in nearby Falmouth, so you could make every family member happy here.
You Will Love Jamaican Weather
Jamaican weather is some of the best weather you will find on Earth. Even the rainy season is close to perfect. Warm winters ensure a great escape for the laid-back and adventurous. Instead of listing more details we thought we would describe Jamaica in a picture:
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