Jamaica is a culturally diverse destination that offers a little bit of everything in a delightfully laid-back mix. The varied ethnic backgrounds of the Jamaican people (including African, Chinese, English, and Spanish) have influenced everything from food to music. Most tourists who visit Jamaica head to the beach, and there are plenty of options to choose from, such as the popular resort town and cruise port of Ocho Rios, the cliffs and resorts in Negril, or the mellow, more isolated Treasure Beach. The major cities in Jamaica, Montego Bay and Kingston, offer plenty of opportunities to sample reggae music and unique jerk cuisine. Flights to Jamaica land at one of the island's two airports, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.

Jamaica's climate is warm year-round. The busy winter months attract travelers seeking an escape from the cold up north. Summers have dry, warm weather, and are a popular time for families and honeymooners to visit. Though less popular, spring and fall can be good times to find deals and enjoy the same fun in the sun.

high season: mid-December to mid--April, June to August
shoulder season: September to early-December, mid-April to May

Weather Information

Jamaica's weather is pleasant throughout the year, with an annual average temperature of 82 degrees. Although inland areas enjoy a tropical climate, the weather can drop to the 50s in the mountains. The coast remains temperate due to northeast trade winds and mountain breezes. July and August are not only the driest months, but the warmest as well. Hurricane season is late August through November, but rain falls year-round.

Crowd Information

Jamaica is busiest from mid-December through mid-April and from June through August, with March and July as the busiest visitors months. Events such as the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival in January, the Reggae Sumfest in July, and the Jamaica Carnival during the week after Easter also attract large crowds.

Closure Information

Because Jamaica is a tourist destination year-round, there is no specific time when hotels and shops close down.

When to Save

Rates are generally lower from mid-April through November, but travelers are encouraged to work with travel agents and to research online to secure the lowest prices.

Information provided by the Jamaica Tourist Board

A few more sites for information

• Jamaica Tourist Board: The island's official website features an events calendar, easily searchable by month, vacation theme, event type, and area.
• Weather.com: Based on where you go in Jamaica, this popular website for current weather provides city forecasts, a flight tracker, and temperature averages for the previous year.

The information and websites listed here were valid at the time of publication, but some details may have changed since that time. Please check directly with the provider for the latest information.