Jamaica holidays

Blissful beaches and reggae rhythms, wild waterfalls and mighty mountains, tongue-tingling jerk cooking and powerful rum punch… holidays in Jamaica always leave you with positive vibrations.

Jamaica has beach holidays down to a fine art. Whether you’re looking for all-inclusive resorts in Montego Bay, laidback local vibes on Winnifred Beach, or waves and watersports at a Boston Bay surf spot, this Carribean beauty has the lot.

Most head straight to the beach towns of Negril, Ocho Rios or MoBay (Montego Bay), where the beaches are breathtaking, the bars are busy, and the sun is almost always shining. It’s here you’ll find the best package holiday deals and a ready-made Jamaican escape.

Step away from the beach, though, and the island comes into its own. You can give your getaway an adrenaline boost by rafting on the Rio Grande, diving the reefs near Runaway Bay, and hiking in the spectacular Blue Mountains. For a bit of an adventure, climb the waterfalls in Ocho Rios or tour the cool Green Grotto Caves.

See more of Jamaica’s tropical beauty with a boat trip. Hop aboard a night cruise in Montego Bay to see the Luminous Lagoon and take a magical bioluminescent swim. For snorkelling and a fresh lobster lunch on the beach, take a catamaran to Booby Cay island from Negril.

When it comes to food and drink, Jamaican cuisine is a tempting mix of African, European, and Asian cooking. Feast on jerk pork from street vendors in Kingston, try ackee and saltfish (the national dish) in Montego Bay, and taste spicy curry goat just about everywhere. Whatever you’re having, wash it down with the island’s fiery rum.

Music is a huge part of life in Jamaica, with a soundtrack of reggae beats and dancehall classics never too far away. Head to Montego Bay in July for Reggae Sumfest – a huge week-long music festival with beach parties and concerts featuring international artists.

For all-inclusive holidays

Montego Bay – or MoBay – is a top choice for all-inclusive hotels, with a mix of adults-only and family-friendly resorts. It’s also really close to Montego Bay Marine Park, great golf courses, raft rides down the Martha Brae and culture, such as Rose Hall, a former plantation house turned museum.

Ocho Rios and Negril are the other main beach resorts for all-inclusive holidays in Jamaica. For somewhere quieter, try Trelawny Bay, which has some great hotels for a romantic getaway.

For a beach holiday

Negril is a classic beach holiday spot. This west coast town has plenty of hotels for romantic adults-only getaways or family fun. It’s a big resort, but there are pockets of peace, and it has arguably the best sunsets on the island.

With lively nightlife and plenty of activities, Montego Bay is another popular resort for beach breaks. For something a little quieter, Ocho Rios has a more authentic Jamaican vibe and a good range of accommodation options.

For family holidays

Jamaica has been doing child-friendly beach resorts for a while, and it’s pretty good at it. Compare facilities before you book a hotel, as many have kids' clubs, splash pools and snorkelling.

Negril is a great choice for family beach holidays with plenty of all-inclusive options. You’ll be close to Booby Cay island for snorkelling and Seven Mile Beach for watersports.

Montego Bay is close to the airport, and the Marine Park has opportunities for snorkelling and kayaking. More natural Ocho Rios places you close to adventurous forest activities, such as Dunn’s River Falls.

For cheap holidays

With a good variety of accommodation to choose from, you can easily travel to Jamaica on a budget.

Start by searching for deals at the big three northern beach resorts – Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. Try comparing prices throughout the year as you’re more likely to find bargains outside peak season. Treasure Beach on the island’s south also has some cheap hotels.

For nightlife

For nightlife, Kingston is tough to beat. The uptown nightclubs – Taboo, Fiction and Kingston Dub Club – are world famous for dancing and atmosphere. You may even come across an all-night reggae festival.

Beach resort Montego Bay also heaves with bars and nightclubs along the Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue), each one promising music and dancing until the wee hours. Here, you also have the choice of some quieter nights at laidback beach bars.

For a luxury break

Jamaica has some seriously luxurious hotels, many in the west and north of the island. The Caves Hotel is a highlight in Negril. It's a four-star all-inclusive resort, with just 12 cabins built around the cliff.

The Trident Hotel near scenic Port Antonio is another stylish hotel with just 13 villas and a boutique spa. Glamorous and sophisticated, it takes its cues from the 50s and 60s and is close to remarkable beaches such as Frenchman’s Cove and Blue Lagoon.

There’s little wonder Jamaica is a package holiday paradise when it’s blessed with some of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

Ocho Rios Bay Beach

Popular with cruise ship visitors, Ocho Rios Bay Beach does get busy, but it manages to keep a chilled vibe, making it a lovely place for a day of sunbathing and watersports. It’s a public beach, but there is a small fee to enter.

Booby Cay island

Just off the coast of Negril, this pretty island is a little slice of heaven and exactly what you need for a romantic day trip by boat with a fresh lobster lunch. If you have children with you, pack a picnic and while away the hours on the beach or snorkelling in the clear waters.

Seven Mile Beach

Time and time again, Negril's Seven Mile Beach tops ‘best beach’ lists. Take a visit, and you’ll see why. A classic with palm trees and white sand, you can also expect jerk chicken kiosks, food huts, nightclubs, bars, and that easy Jamaican vibe. It’s a great place for kids to snorkel, too.

Boston Beach

Up the pace at Boston Beach, near Port Antonio, for a day of surfing. You can rent boards and have lessons, then have spiced jerk pork for lunch. There is an entry fee for using the facilities.

Winnifred Beach

This free public beach is popular with locals. It’s a totally different vibe to the major tourist beaches, with casual food and drink stands, and music playing. The beach is secluded, but you can visit by yourself or as part of an excursion.

Your Jamaica holiday can revolve around beach days, boat trips and snorkelling. But the national parks, culture-rich cities and historic music add even more heat to your trip.

Blue Mountain Peak

Part of Jamaica’s mountainous interior, the Blue Mountains are a serene, misty escape from the busy cities and coastal resorts. They’re the perfect playground if you want to get out into the wilderness.

The highest point on the island is Blue Mountain Peak. A guided walk to the top takes four to six hours, and if you’re up for a challenge, the very early sunrise trek is well worth the wake-up call.

Bob Marley Museum

Reggae music is everywhere in Jamaica, thanks in large part to island icon Bob Marley. On Hope Road in Kingston, this large colonial-era house where Marley lived before he died is now a museum to his legacy.

You can take an hour-long guided tour of the building to see his recording studio, gold and platinum records, and media clippings from his final tour. If you’re a serious fan, Jamaica’s Bob Marley Week in early February dives deeper into his legend with talks and concerts.

Green Grotto Caves

A good one to do with kids, the Green Grotto Caves has a family-friendly tour to explore the maze of underground caverns.

The caves have a rich history, having been used by the Taino people (Jamaica’s first inhabitants) for rituals, and then as a hideout by various folk, including smugglers during the world wars. Nowadays, bats are the main residents, happily hanging alongside the dripstone formations and an underground lake.

Kingston

Jamaica’s capital city is lively, day and night, with excellent cultural attractions, restaurants and parks.

For culture, head to the National Gallery of Jamaica. It has a fantastic collection of Jamaican art, from ancient Taino carvings to temporary exhibitions by modern artists.

Street dances, all-night reggae festivals and lively nightclubs make the parties in Kingston arguably the best on the island. Go uptown for the bars and clubs, including Taboo and Kingston Dub Club.

Dunn’s River Falls

Waterfall climbing is big business in Jamaica, and it’s no wonder when they are as beautiful as Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios.

Don your swimming costume to plunge into clear blue rock pools, clamber up limestone rocks and watch the hypnotic cascades. The site is popular and well-equipped for tourists, with changing facilities, food stalls and a playground.

If you’re put off by crowds, consider visiting Irie Blue Hole instead. It’s a little quieter and just a few minutes along the coast.

There is sunshine year-round, but tropical weather varies, so take it into account when you’re booking your Jamaica holiday.

Peak season is mid-December to mid-April when temperatures hover between 25C to 28C. There’s often a cooling breeze, making it ideal for sunbathing or hiking in the forest. You can expect some rain, but it quickly dries up, leaving plenty of sunshine hours – February and March have the lowest rainfall.

The hurricane season runs from June to November. September and October can be unpleasantly humid and are the riskiest months for hurricanes.

Weather aside, you could plan your break around Jamaica’s lively events. Ocho Rios Jazz Festival is in June and Reggae Sumfest is in July.

When is the cheapest time to visit?

Due to the hurricane season, July and August are the best months for cheap holiday deals in Jamaica. Expect more rain and temperatures at their hottest (33C). Again, bear in mind that it can be very humid during this period.

When should I go for the best weather?

Aim for between mid-December to mid-April. It’s peak season, so expect it to be pricier, but the temperature is pleasant (around 25C), and there’s less rain.