Best Time to Travel to Jamaica
When is the best time to travel to Jamaica? Anytime is always a good time when traveling to Jamaica, however November until mid-February is a great time for travelers on a budget since it’s outside of the peak season. It’s also after the end of hurricane season (which runs from August to October), so there is a much smaller threat of bad weather ruining your vacation.
Mid-December through April is the busiest time for tourism, but this is when the weather is at its very best. No matter when you go, the weather is usually warm and sunny year-round, which makes Jamaica an attractive place to visit.
How to Travel to Jamaica
One of the best ways to travel to Jamaica is by plane. There are three international airports in Jamaica:
- Norman Manley International Airport located in Kingston
- Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay
- Ian Fleming International Airport in the Ocho Rios resort area
Most of the main attractions are only minutes away from the airport, making it easy to sightsee up until the very last minutes of the trip.
If taking a cruise is more your style join, one of the over 2 million people who annually cruise to Jamaica. The country has three main cruise ship ports: Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Falmouth.
Best Places to Travel in Jamaica
A Jamaica travel guide can take you to some of the best places in Jamaica. These are the top-rated tourist attractions:
- Negril Cliffs and Beaches
- Martha Brae River
- Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park
- Dunn’s River Falls and Park
- Port Antonio
- Doctor’s Cave Beach
- Blue Hole in Ocho Rios
- Black River Safari Boat Tour
- Rose Hall Great House
- Reach Falls
- Rainforest Adventures of Mystic Mountain
- Mayfield Falls
- Falmouth
- Zipline Adventure Tours
- Kingston
- The Bob Marley Museum
These are just some of the best places to visit in Jamaica. Some of the best restaurants include Mezza Luna Jamaica: Mediterranean Dining Experience, Usain Bolt's Tracks & Records, Devon House Jamaica, Boston Jerk Center, Street Food Saturdays (IG @streetfoodsaturdays.com), Irie House, Scotchies & Rockhouse (just to name a few). There are also many great local shops to buy authentic handmade items all throughout Jamaica.
Jamaica Travel Tips
When traveling to Jamaica, there are a few additional tips to keep in mind for your trip:
- Enroll in STEP. STEP stands for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This is a program set up by the U.S. Department of State that allows you to receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination. It also helps the U.S. Embassy as well as family and friends contact you in an emergency.
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Book a resort near the attractions you want to visit most. Jamaica is one of the biggest islands in the Caribbean, so knowing where you want to go and what you want to see can ensure you get accommodations in the best area.
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Figure out island transportation before you travel. Learning how to navigate through a new place can be stressful, so decide how you will get to and from different parts of the island prior to travel.
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Pack light clothing. Light cotton or linen clothing is the way to go when visiting Jamaica, as the daytime temperatures can be warmer than you’re used to. And don’t forget to hydrate too!
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See what excursions are offered by your resort or hotel. Many accommodations offer their own excursions for visitors. At the very least, they will be able to recommend excursions based on your interests. They can also be a great resource for reliable transportation to and from the resort.
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Try some Blue Mountain Coffee. This is considered one of the best coffees in the world, so why not give it a try?
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Look for red-plate cabs. These cabs are licensed to operate and are insured. Avoid the white-plate cabs.
- Don’t wear camouflage clothing. Only the local army is permitted to wear this print in Jamaica, so keep any camouflage items at home.
How to Save Money in Jamaica
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Learn to haggle Bargaining for a better price is expected and encouraged in many souvenir shops. When visiting the craft vendors or taking a cab ride, don't accept the first amount quoted to you.
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Pay for it all upfront Jamaica is the nerve center of the all-inclusive. Many of the resorts include more than just food and drinks in their packages (think: water sports equipment and gratuities for resort employees).
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Skip spring break Throughout March and early April, prices at area resorts skyrocket thanks to an influx of spring break crowds.
Getting Around Jamaica
The best way to get around Jamaica is by taxi, whether you're coming from one of the airports – Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport (MBJ) is the most accessible to the tourist areas – or making your way around town. Uber is also accessible in Jamaica as they take both Cash and Card (within the app). Renting a car is also an option, but driving on the left side of the road can be confusing; road signs are unhelpful, drivers can be aggressive, and potholes are rampant. Many cruise lines including Carnival, Celebrity and Holland America make stops in Jamaica. They usually head for Montego Bay on the northwestern side or Ocho Rios in the northeast.
What To Eat
Jamaica is known for unique cuisine that fuses flavors and ingredients from different cultures. Seafood is a staple, and no Jamaican vacation is complete without sampling some of the island's fresh produce or main courses enhanced with some zesty jerk seasoning. Where to dine largely depends on where you're staying, but many area restaurants serve traditional dishes like ackee (the island's national fruit) and saltfish, callaloo (a stew-like soup made with callaloo leafy greens) or fried plantains. To try some spicy jerk seasoning, look for the nearest roadside stand and order a jerk chicken skewer or jerk pork with rice and peas.
Although many travelers choose to dine from the all-inclusive options at their hotels, Jamaica has hundreds of restaurants; some of which are worth venturing off the beaten path for. The beachside Rockhouse Restaurant in Negril attached to Ocean Cliff in Negril, earns high marks among travelers for its views (especially at sunset) and diverse menu. Scotchies is an affordable restaurant known for its delicious, local fare in Montego Bay. Meanwhile, Miss T's Kitchen in Ocho Rios serves up a colorful experience and a menu of healthy plates.
Culture & Customs
Jamaica's currency is the Jamaican dollar; roughly one U.S. dollar is equal to about 151 Jamaican dollars. You can pay in U.S. dollars at most of the island's resorts, especially those that are all-inclusive. When dining out, servers in restaurants usually expect a tip equal to 10% to 15% of the bill; if the service charge is already included, travelers can add an additional 3% to 5% based on good service. Note that at most all-inclusive resorts, tipping is included in the cost. Don't worry about carrying cash with you at all times; most hotels and restaurants accept credit cards.
Jamaican culture has often been lumped together with Caribbean culture; though it is true that the music, food and phrases from Jamaican culture have pervaded other nearby islands. But more so than other Caribbean islands, Jamaica's strong ties to its African history play a large role in its modern culture.
Jamaicans speak English but use a number of idioms that may not easily translate for tourists and often speak a French creole dialect called PATOIS. In fact, many have been adopted from the Rastafarian religion and culture. For example, when a Jamaican says, "all fruits ripe" it indicates that all is well.
Entry & Exit Requirements
Entry and Exit Requirements:
All United States citizens will need a passport for entry into and exit out of Jamaica and keep in mind that customs officials may ask you to provide evidence of sufficient funds for your stay plus evidence of a return trip to the U.S. or an onward journey. A departure tax is generally included in the cost of your airfare; you won't be charged an additional fee upon leaving Jamaica. For more information on entry and exit requirements, visit the U.S. State Department's website.
www.escapejamaica.com
1 comment
I traveled to Jamaica with my husband the first two weeks in June and we used this site for our entire travel. We went to Dunns River Falls in Ocho Rios and the food was amazing at Mezza Luna, like AMAZING!!! We also went to Margaritaville in Montego Bay and Stone Love’s Weddy Wednesday is the PLACE TO BE… Jamaica is just a vibe. We’re coming back in December and I’m super excited!