Best Time to Visit Jamaica

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On this page, you will find information about the climate and the best time to visit Jamaica. We created climate tables and charts for the location of Montego Bay. These contain details about temperatures, precipitation and more.

Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Jamaica for your holiday.

Climate Overview

Thermometer Symbol 22 °C to 31 °C
Waves Symbol 26 °C to 29 °C
Rainy Cloud Symbol 1.386.46 in (7 – 14 Days of Rain)
Show temperatures in degree
With an area of 6800 square miles, Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean. The American mainland is about 390 miles to the west. To the north is Cuba and to the east is Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

About 3 million inhabitants live in Jamaica, which has some geographical peculiarities. The Caribbean island is traversed by many small rivers, some of which also flow underground. The longest of them is the Rio Minho with a length of over 57 miles.

The highest point of the island is the 2256 meter high Blue Mountain Peak. The mountainous region is known for its coffee cultivation, which can thrive excellently due to the climate. In the northwest of Jamaica, near the holiday resort Montego Bay, there is another airport which is served by several international airlines.

Climate in Jamaica

Jamaica has a tropical climate with little fluctuation in temperatures throughout the year. In the months June to October the day temperatures rise to over 30 °C, in the other months they usually do not exceed this mark. However, a constant trade wind makes these high temperatures bearable and does not cloud the holiday feeling.

In the months of May to October, temperatures drop to a minimum of 25 °C. Also in the remaining months it will never get cooler than 23 °C. At the up to 2250 meters high Blue Mountains one finds a somewhat milder climate. At the summit even fresh 13 °C can occur. In general, Jamaica is divided into two dry and rainy seasons. Droughts occur in July and August as well as from December to April.

Rainfall occurs mainly in the rainy season between May and June and in the period from September to November. Rainfall varies greatly from region to region. In the northwest there can be up to 6.46 in of precipitation in October, in the mountain region too much more, here the annual precipitation can even be up to 196.85 in.

Best Time to Visit Jamaica: Overview

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MayMay
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JuneJun
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JulyJul
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When to go to Jamaica?


Jamaica can generally be described as an absolute year-round destination, as the weather is relatively constant and even the rainy season in the main holiday destinations is comparatively moderate. However, the best time to visit Jamaica is during the main dry season from mid-December to April. Since this period falls in the European winter, it is not surprising that Jamaica is very popular at this time of year.

Therefore you have to expect high prices and well-filled hotels during the best travel season, from Christmas to Easter is high season on the Caribbean island. However, with water temperatures always above 25 °C, a bathing holiday on Jamaica is possible all year round. The Caribbean beaches offer ideal conditions and lots of sunshine all year round.

Also for vacationers, who want to arrange their vacation actively, very good conditions prevail at each travel time. The dry months at the beginning of the year are recommended for kayaking or trekking trips. A steady breeze makes the hot temperatures bearable even in the coastal regions. Although the climate in August and September is generally very pleasant, this travel season is in the possible hurricane season.

Hurricanes can hit Jamaica between June and November (official hurricane season in the Caribbean), the highest risk is between August and the end of September. Since July is usually spared and in addition falls into the second, shorter dry season, this month is also recommended.

Climate Chart Jamaica

Montego Bay

Climate Chart Montego Bay
Show temperatures in degree

Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia

Climate Table Jamaica

In the following, you will find the climate table for Jamaica, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.

Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Montego Bay (Jamaica)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day Temperature28°28°29°29°30°31°31°31°31°30°29°28°
Night Temperature22°22°23°23°24°25°25°25°25°24°24°23°
Water Temperature26°26°26°27°27°28°28°29°28°28°27°27°
Precipitation (inch)3.52.521.382.244.094.722.563.785.086.464.534.02
Rainy days11977121181014141311
Hours of Sunshine788888887777
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Montego Bay is 26.1 °C.

For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C

Warmest month: July (27.4 °C)
Coldest month: January (24.6 °C)

The maximum water temperature in Montego Bay is 29 °C. You can take a bath at these temperatures.

Months with water temperature of at least 21 °C (adequate for beach vacation):
all months

Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 44.88 inch on 127 rainy days

For comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in

There is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).

You cannot expect snow in any month in Montego Bay.

Sunshine
As our climate table shows, April is the sunniest month with an average of 8.4 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 7.6 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.

Highlights and Attractions


In the north of the island you will find the paradisiacal Blue Holes in Ocho Rios, which are scenically beautiful and can also be used for refreshing bathing. Nearby you can visit Dunn’s River Falls. The waterfalls are an absolute must for every Jamaican traveller. In Negril lies Seven Mile Beach, which is considered Jamaica’s most beautiful beach and invites you to relax.

In the same place is the Rainforest Bobsled at Mystik Mountain, an amusement park of a special kind. Other attractions in Jamaica include the White River and Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios. Other contenders for the title”Jamaica’s Most Beautiful Beach” include Fort Charles Beach, James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, Half Moon Beach near Orange Bay, Aqua Sol Beach and Frenchman’s Cove near Port Antonio.

Popular Activities

More attractions

Jamaica: Bioluminescent Lagoon Boat Cruise with Transfers | Private Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios | Montego Bay: Reggae Catamaran Cruise With Snorkeling | Montego Bay City and Rose Hall Haunted House Tour | From Montego Bay and Negril: ATV Safari Adventure Tour | Dunn’s River Falls Day Tour | From Montego Bay: Negril Day Trip and Rick’s Café Sunset |

Current Weather and Forecast

Current Weather in Montego Bay
scattered clouds     scattered clouds, 27.9 °C
Clouds: 40 %       Wind: 17 mph ONO
Air Pressure: 1017 hPa       Humidity: 74 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 04:42 pm
The next days …
8th Feb 20239th Feb 202310th Feb 202311th Feb 202312th Feb 202313th Feb 2023
moderate rain23 °C to 28 °Clight rain23 °C to 28 °Clight rain23 °C to 27 °Cmoderate rain23 °C to 27 °Clight rain23 °C to 27 °Clight rain23 °C to 27 °C
23 °C to 28 °C23 °C to 28 °C23 °C to 27 °C23 °C to 27 °C23 °C to 27 °C23 °C to 27 °C
Clouds: 51 %Clouds: 43 %Clouds: 11 %Clouds: 7 %Clouds: 3 %Clouds: 4 %
0.11 in of rain0.08 in of rain0.09 in of rain0.32 in of rain0.09 in of rain0.06 in of rain
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree

Caribbean: Regions

Jamaica is part of the holiday destination Caribbean. We analyzed the climate for additional regions, in order to provide you with information about the best time to visit and the expected holiday weather:

Jamaica: Experiences of our Visitors

There are 3 reviews for Jamaica holiday already. Average rating is 4.3 of 5 stars.
  1. Avatar Preview
    Angie, 59 years old was there in December

    1st week permanent rain, but very warm, 2nd week sunshine

    Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed

  2. Avatar Preview
    Anja, 49 years old was there in April

    It was beautiful. The beach was a dream. And the weather is very hot???????????but the way I like it .

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  3. Avatar Preview
    Carina, 38 years old was there in February

    great travel climate in february, very sunny but dry. we had 14 wonderful days (one week montego bay, one week ocho rios) and would travel again anytime in february.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

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Caribbean Paradise Jamaica

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