Best and Worst Times to Visit Jamaica (2024)

The best times to visit Jamaica are late November through late April during the dry season. The worst times to visit Jamaica are August through October during the Caribbean hurricane season.

But temperatures make a difference in the best times to go during the dry season, which includes both winter and spring.

Jamaica is the third most popular island for Caribbean tourists after Dominican Republic and Cuba, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

A big part of its popularity is warm temperatures, great beaches, interesting culture and high-quality resorts in Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios.

But its popularity takes a dive during part of the year because of a Jamaica hurricane season that typically brings heavy rains and the potential for damaging storms.

4 Jamaica Weather Tips

1. January through March have the lowest rainfall.
2. September and October are the cheapest, rainiest and least popular months to visit.
3. Temperatures in July and August are often uncomfortably hot.
4. March and April have the best combination of low rainfall and warm temperatures.

Jamaica Hurricane Season

The Jamaica hurricane season is most active from August through November and hits hardest in October. © Scott S. Bateman

Like most Caribbean islands, Jamaica has a hurricane season that runs from June through November every year.

Average rainfall during the hurricane season shows a modest increase during June and a drop in July. Then it picks back up in August and rockets up to a high point of the year of seven inches in October, according to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica. September is only slightly better.

The official Caribbean hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. The months that historically are most likely to have tropical cyclones—storms or hurricanes—are September and October.

That’s why August, September and October are the worst months to visit Jamaica.

Few Hurricanes Hit Jamaica Directly

Few hurricanes hit an island like Jamaica directly. Instead, the islands more often will see a big jump in average rainfall.

Jamaica also has a lengthy dry season when rainfall averages less than three inches a month. It lasts from November through April. It also has a brief dry season in July, which is one of the hottest months of the year.

Like many Caribbean destinations, the island has a brief and mild rainy season in May with about four inches of rain that drops off for a few months before climbing again.

Rain and cloudy skies threaten Jamaica more in September and October than any other months of the year.

Average Days With Rain

Average days with rain each month in Jamaica. © 2023 Scott S. Bateman

Deciding when to go based on the weather is not only a matter of the amount of rain the island receives each month.

It also is a matter of the average number of days that it rains.

During the dry season, the number of rain days from December through March averages between five and six. July averages the same amount.

During the rainy season, the average jumps to nine days in August, 11 in September and 14 in October. In other words, it rains on average nearly every other day during October.

Average Monthly Temperatures in Jamaica

Average monthly temperatures in Jamaica. © 2023 Scott S. Bateman

Staying warm is not a problem in Jamaica. The island’s average temperatures are among the highest in the Caribbean and stay that way most of the year.

The average high temperatures range from 86 degrees Fahrenheit in January and February to 91 degrees in July and August, according to the Jamaica Tourist Board.

It is one of the few Caribbean destinations where average temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. So people who like it hot will want to go then. People who don’t like it hot should choose another time.

The average low temperatures take place mainly at night. They range from about 70 degrees Fahrenheit in January through March to 75 degrees from June through September.

These numbers are historical averages, and the real average will vary from one year to the next. But over 30 years the patterns give some clues about which months may experience less rain.

Some Caribbean destinations can become slightly cool during the winter months. Seawater and nighttime temperatures in particular can drop into the 60s Fahrenheit in some locations. Because of this drop, swimming becomes uncomfortable for many destinations.

Jamaica’s seawater temperatures will feel comfortable most of the year except for winter months. Mornings are the most uncomfortable times after nighttime temperatures cool the ocean waters.

Most Popular Times to Go

© 2023 Scott S. Bateman

The chart shows the most recent tourism statistics for Jamaica by month.

It shows the most popular month to visit Jamaica is during July, the hottest time of the year. December follows July. December is the coldest time of the year but an escape from northern winters.

The third most popular month is March, which is a common spike in Caribbean tourism because of spring break from schools.

The least popular month is September, which also is the peak month of the Caribbean hurricane season. But September weather in Jamaica is not nearly as bad as October.

Cruises drop dramatically during September because of the high risk of heavy rains and either tropical storms or hurricanes that will force ships to alter their courses. In some cases, they have to skip planned ports of call altogether.

October is a more popular time to visit Jamaica than September despite the fact that chances of rain are higher in October.

Jamaica Weather by Month

Thirty years of weather data shows a clear set of patterns for rainfall and temperatures in the coastal areas of Jamaica. The following numbers are averages over a 30-year history.

Rain and cloudy skies threaten Jamaica more in September and October than any other months of the year. Pixabay license

January

Average high temperatures reach the low point of the year at 82 degrees Fahrenheit or 28 Celsius. Total rainfall is about three inches. It rains an average of nine days, which is somewhat higher than normal. Seawater often is too chilly for swimming, especially in the mornings.

February

Jamaica weather in February shows only a slight improvement in temperatures, rainfall and rain days versus January. But the trend is positive as the dry season that began in January continues to improve.

March

March is the driest month of the year with rainfall of about one inch and rain days totaling only five. But temperatures are still somewhat cool. The average high is 84 Fahrenheit or 29 Celsius. Water lovers may want to wait until a warmer month to visit.

March is the driest month of the year with rainfall of about one inch and rain days totaling only five. But temperatures are still somewhat cool.

April

April temperatures increase again to 85 Fahrenheit or more than 29 Celsius. Rainfall is slightly higher at only two inches. The coastal areas have seven rain days. April is the best month to visit Jamaica for a combination of warmer temperatures and low risk of rain.

May

Jamaica weather in May is both warmer and wetter. Many Caribbean islands have a brief but light rainy season in May. Jamaica averages four inches of rain, but it also has 12 days of rain, which is one of the highest levels of the year.

June

June is riskier with rainfall. The average increases to five inches, although the rain days drop to 10. But at least it is warm with daytime highs of 88 Fahrenheit or 31 Celsius.

Cruise ships visiting Ocho Rios like this one spike in numbers during the winter through summer and drop way off in September and October. Public domain

July

July oddly has a big drop in rain to only two inches despite the arrival of the Caribbean hurricane season in June. It also historically has seven rain days. Temperatures plateau at about the same amount as June. July is a good time to go to Jamaica for hot temperatures and lower risk of rain.

August

Rain climbs again in August to four inches or the same level as May. Rain days increase to 10. Temperatures edge up to the highest point of the year.

September

September is not a good time to go to Jamaica or just about anywhere else in the Caribbean. It is the peak month of the annual hurricane season. The island does better than many other islands with average rainfall of five inches in the coastal areas. But rain days jump back up to 12.

September is not a good time to go to Jamaica or just about anywhere else in the Caribbean. It is the peak month of the annual hurricane season.

October

Jamaica weather in October is usually the worst of the year. Total rainfall climbs to seven inches and rain days total 13. Both are high points of the year. Daring vacationers can go to Jamaica in October if they take last-minute trips and track a 10-day weather forecast that shows low risk of rain.

November

Rainfall in November drops back down to four inches. Average high temperatures are mild at 85 Fahrenheit or 29 Celsius. It still rains often with an average of 11 days.

December

Jamaica’s weather in December continues the November total of four inches of rain. Rain days drop to nine. Average high temperatures decline to 83 Fahrenheit or 28 Celsius. Like January, seawaters are often too chilly for swimming.

Jamaica tourism statistics show clearly that July is a popular time to go. © Scott S. Bateman

Cheapest Time to Visit Jamaica

Anyone on a tight budget will probably find that September and October are the cheapest times to visit Jamaica.

The bad news is that they are cheap months for resort prices for a reason. They are the peak months of the Caribbean hurricane season.

The charts above show that the fall months have a much higher than average amount of rainfall and number of rain days. They are the result of an increase in the number of tropical storms and hurricanes that travel through the region.

The best way to go in September and October is via last-minute vacation deals. Check the weather forecast for seven to 10 days in advance. If the forecast looks good, it might be worthwhile to take the chance.

Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera.

- December 13, 2023