Jamaica’s cheapest and Best Time To Go
How flexible you are with your dates will determine when the best time is to book an all-inclusive trip to Jamaica:
Book last minute if your dates are flexible.
If you know when you want to go, book early. You can make changes if prices go down in the future.
If you want to stay at a certain resort, book early to avoid the resort being full.
In July and August, you shouldn’t fly. Airfares are very expensive in the summer.
When it comes to airfare, February is the best month to fly.
Prices at resorts tend to be lower in the fall, when the summer rush is over.
Read more: best Sandals resorts in Jamaica.
Do you want to know when the best time is to go to Jamaica? There’s never a bad time to visit this lively island. It has great beaches and warm weather year-round. Still, it pays to think about the weather ahead of time.
The best time to go to Jamaica will also depend on things like what you want to do, where you want to stay, and how much money you want to spend. We’ve put together a simple list of what to expect each month to help you plan your year.
Caribbean Highlight
The Jamaican weather
Jamaica has some of the warmest average daily temperatures in the Caribbean, so it’s not hard to stay warm there. The winter is warm and dry, while the summer is hot and humid. The months in between are a mix of the two! The water in the sea stays warm all year, so you can swim or snorkel in comfort whenever you go.
Jamaica’s peak season is winter, which officially lasts from mid-December to mid-April. During these months, you can look forward to warm, sunny days with little rain. This is one of the best times to visit Jamaica in terms of the weather. Keep in mind that this is also the busiest time of year for tourists, so the island will be full of people. During this time, prices will also be at their highest, especially during the holidays, spring break, and Easter.
Jamaica has a tropical climate, so during the summer, you can expect hot sun, high humidity, and tropical rain showers. From June to November, the high temperature every day is around 91F. This time of year is the best time to go on vacation to Jamaica if you want to save money and have a quieter time. Even though there is a chance of rain and storms, there is usually still a lot of sunshine.
When should you go to Jamaica for the best weather?
You can also get the best of both worlds during a few shoulder seasons. The first is from about mid-April to June, when prices go down but the weather is still nice. Jamaica is a good place to go in November and the first half of December for the same reasons. If you can only travel during the summer break from school, keep in mind that prices tend to go down in late August.
No matter what month you choose to visit, there are many places to stay. Renting a private vacation home is a great choice. They come in different sizes, so there’s something for every budget. Many homes even have staff living in them who will take care of your every need.
Look at our villas in Jamaica.
When is the season for hurricanes in Jamaica?
Jamaica has a hurricane season that starts on June 1 and ends on November 30. This is the same as most other Caribbean islands. Even if you decide to go to Jamaica now, you shouldn’t be worried because it’s very unlikely that a hurricane will hit while you’re there. In fact, hurricane season, especially in June, July, and November, can be one of the best times to visit Jamaica. During these months, the weather is usually nice and there aren’t many storms.
Keep in mind that most storms happen in the fall, and the most storms happen between early and mid-September. If you travel during hurricane season, you should strongly think about getting travel insurance that covers hurricanes. You can easily get this kind of insurance, and it will protect your investment if a storm keeps you from traveling.
We also suggest that you check the National Hurricane Center in the United States for weather updates before you go.
Jamaica is a great place to visit any time of year because each season has its own benefits. Visit in July for a hot beach vacation or in December to get away from the cold. September and October are the cheapest times to go to Jamaica, and even though it might rain, there is still sun. Spring is also a good time because the weather is nice, prices are lower, and there aren’t as many tourists.
For a more in-depth look, check out our month-by-month guide:
January
January is one of the coolest months in Jamaica, but it’s also one of the most popular times to visit. Low amounts of rainfall, and the island stays warm all month. The average temperature during the day is in the middle to high 70s (around 25c). There are about 9 hours of sunshine every day, and the humidity isn’t much of a problem because it stays mostly dry and nice. The water in the sea is also warm, so you can do things like swim and snorkel.
If you go to Jamaica in January, you should know that for many people in the north, it’s winter, so they’ll be coming to the Caribbean to escape the cold. This high season lasts from December to about the middle of April, so prices will be higher and there will be more people, especially around the holidays.
Even though the days in January may be long and warm, the nights can be cold, especially in the mountains.
February
In February, it might rain a little, but the rain is usually light and goes away quickly, leaving behind clear, sunny skies. During the whole month, the sun is out for about 9 hours a day, and the water is a perfect temperature for swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports. February is warmer than January and a popular month for people who want to get some winter sun. However, you can avoid the worst of the crowds if you travel during the school year instead of during the UK’s week-long half-term break.
Before it gets really hot, February is a great month to get out and about. You can explore the beautiful scenery around Montego Bay, go to the famous Dunn’s River waterfall, or do a wide range of outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Islanders also honor the life of Bob Marley, who was born and died in Jamaica, during the second month. Go to the Bob Marley Birthday Bash, the Bob Marley Museum, or his grave site in Ocho Rios to pay your respects.
Enjoy gorgeous weather all year March.
March
March is one of the best months to visit Jamaica because it doesn’t rain much and is still warm. Highs will be in the 80s, and the water will be as warm as a bath. In March, when there is an average of 9 hours of sunshine per day, beach days are a good idea. March is also a good month to do things outside because it doesn’t rain very often.
Know that college and high school students will be on Spring Break from the end of March to the middle of April. So, if you don’t want to be around students having fun, you might want to avoid the main tourist areas.
April
Jamaica will be less crowded in April than in the months before, especially after Easter and Spring Break. During this “shoulder season” month, the sun shines for a bright 10 hours a day, and daily temperatures are warm but not too hot. As the rainy season approaches, especially around the Blue Mountains, you can expect a little more rain.
Families can have a good time in Jamaica during Easter because there are many events going on during that time. But if you wait until after Easter to travel, you’ll find that prices for rooms are lower and there are far fewer people there.
May
May is one of the best months to go to Jamaica because the weather is great and the prices are low. The rainy season isn’t here yet, and the amount of rain has been pretty low, so it’s unlikely that bad weather will ruin your trip.
On average, each day has about 10 hours of sunshine, which is good news for people who like to be outside. During the day, the highest temperatures are in the 80s, but the trade winds keep things cool and comfortable. It may be the beginning of the slow season in Jamaica, but there are still many reasons to visit now, such as cheaper prices, quieter facilities, and a better chance to see how laid-back people live there.
June
In June, Jamaica’s low season starts, and the weather is hot and humid. Yes, it’s also the start of hurricane season, but it’s unlikely that a big storm will hit this early in the year. In fact, June can be one of the best months to visit because the high temperatures are getting closer to what they will be in July, the hottest month of the year.
Even though it’s getting hotter, this time of year in Jamaica is very nice because northeasterly trade winds keep the coast cool. Throughout the month, the humidity is high, and in the afternoons and evenings, there are refreshing rain showers that tend to end quickly. Some people might not want to go to Jamaica in June because of the word “hurricane,” but the best things about the island are still there: the sea, the sand, the surf, and lots of sunshine.
July
In July, the sun shines for a whopping 11 hours every day. July is the hottest month of the year in Jamaica, and families coming for their summer vacations make it a busy time for tourism. The average high temperature in July is 84F, which is pretty hot, but it can get even warmer. Even in the evening, when temperatures only drop to the 70s, there isn’t much relief from the heat.
The best time to visit Jamaica in terms of things to do is during the summer. Some of the best events on the island happen in July, like the Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, which happens every year. It might rain, but any showers will probably be a welcome relief from the heat.
During the school holidays, resorts tend to be busy, so you might want to stay in a private villa instead. Most villas have their own private pools and staff who will take care of all your needs.
When to go to Jamaica at its best
August
In August, Jamaica’s summer is at its peak, so be ready for high heat and humidity. The daytime highs are in the 90s, and the water is also warm. Good news for people who like the beach and water sports! On the other hand, it’s likely to rain in August, and prices are high when schools are out.
In August, there are a lot of fun things to do for entertainment, like the MoBay Jerk Festival and the Ocho Rios Seafood Festival.
September
If you plan to go to Jamaica in September, you should know that this is the peak of hurricane season. Even so, statistics show that the chances of a major hurricane ruining your vacation are still low.
September can still be a good time to go to Jamaica if you don’t mind the chance of rain. Once school starts, this is one of the quietest months of the year because fewer people are on vacation. Even though it rains more, you will still have warm sunny days and beautiful warm seas. Also, when it’s raining, you can check out the indoor attractions and duty-free shops.
October
In Jamaica, October is the wettest month of the year, with rain on about half of the days. It could rain hard for only a few minutes, or it could rain steadily for a few hours in the evening.
Even though it rains a lot in October, it can still be a good time to visit Jamaica because most showers leave clear, sunny skies behind. Even though it’s still low season, you can still find some great deals. However, during the UK’s half term week, prices tend to go up.
November
In November, the second shoulder season of the year, Jamaica is a great place to visit. In this quiet, cooler, and cheaper month, the hurricane season is coming to an end, and the rainy season is starting to wind down. Even though winter is coming, there are still about 8 hours of sunshine a day, and the temperature stays in the high 70s. Some travelers think that this month in the middle is one of the best times to go to Jamaica.
Before the Christmas rush, November is a great time to get away. You can use the duty-free shopping malls to get a head start on Christmas shopping. You can buy hand-made souvenirs at the Crafts Market in Montego Bay, or you can go to the Shoppes at Rose Hall for more mainstream shopping.
December
In December, when the high season starts, Jamaica is a fun place to visit. Since Christmas is coming up and school is out at the end of the month, there are a lot of great ways to spend a vacation. Visit in early December, when the weather is great and prices are lower than during the holidays. If you wait until the end of the month, you can spend Christmas on the beach.
Since it’s not hurricane season in December, there’s no need to worry about that. In December, daytime temperatures stay in the 70s, which makes it a great time to go if you want to avoid the oppressive heat of summer.
Keep an eye out for the fun and colorful events happening all over the island. In Montego Bay, you can celebrate in a local church, relax on the beach, or party the night away.
How to save the most money
If you take a trip during the low season, you’ll get better deals and have a quieter time. If you want to save money, now is the best time to go to Jamaica. Jamaica is most crowded and most expensive during the holidays, especially Christmas, New Year’s, Spring Break, Easter, and any school break.
Even though prices for vacations tend to go up during these times, you can still find great deals if you book early or keep an eye out for last-minute deals. You can see all of our current deals on our website, or you can sign up for our mailing list to find out about our special deals first.
Jamaica: Where to stay
There are some great places to stay in Jamaica, whether you want to rent a romantic hideaway, a family home, or a huge mansion on a private estate. All of our villas are in great places, and many of them come with a butler, a private chef, and housekeepers who are there to help.
No matter where you stay, you’ll get great customer service around the clock. We also give you access to a wide range of travel extras, like renting a car and getting to and from the airport.
When you’ve decided when the best time to go to Jamaica is, you can look at all of our vacation homes here.
