Ask any Jamaican when the best time to visit the island is and why, and so they’ll in all probability give an inventory of causes to visit all yr spherical.
However for vacationers who aren’t afforded an indefinite keep on the island, sure months and seasons are perfect for spending time in Jamaica. Main occasions and events are normally held throughout summer time and winter months, whereas hurricane season tends to gradual issues down.
Right here’s our information to the best instances to visit Jamaica for the solar and cultural festivities.
January to March is the best time for cultural occasions
Jamaica’s balmy winter months appeal to crowds looking for to escape the colder climes of extra northern international locations, so you’ll be able to count on seashores to be busier and costs considerably larger – particularly in December and January. The sunshine is not the one draw, nonetheless; a few of the island’s main cultural occasions occur between January and March.
For historical past lovers, the Accompong Maroon Competition takes place on January 6 every year in Accompong, St Elizabeth, celebrating Maroon heritage and commemorating the signing of the Peace Treaty with the British in 1738. Maroons are descendants of enslaved Africans who escaped from plantations and constructed their very own communities in or close to the mountains throughout the 1700s.
Insurgent Salute is the most important roots reggae live performance in Jamaica. This two-day occasion is held at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in St Ann round January 15, the birthday of reggae musician Tony Insurgent, the pageant’s founder.
The theme continues in February, which is Reggae Month in Jamaica. It is a complete month of live shows, symposiums, lectures and extra highlighting and celebrating the affect of reggae on Jamaican tradition and the world.
Anticipate a live performance on Bob Marley’s birthday, February 6, on the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston. One other Marley tribute occasion normally occurs at Emancipation Park, additionally within the metropolis.
In March, the Jamaica Blue Mountain Espresso Competition takes place in Kingston with reside music, a market and naturally, a lot of espresso.
April to Might is the best time for exploring outside
Earlier than peak temperatures hit (throughout the summer time) and method earlier than the wet season, April and Might current the proper alternative to discover the outside. The climate is normally dry and wildlife flourish throughout these months. Pure sights – together with waterfalls, rivers and seashores – are additionally normally rather less crowded (excluding the Easter holidays).
Go swimming and benefit from the surroundings at Attain Falls in Portland or Reggae Falls in St Thomas. With drier trails and clearer skies throughout these months, it’s additionally the best time to go mountain climbing or bird-watching in Jamaica’s highest mountain vary, the Blue Mountains, on the jap aspect of the island.
In search of extra nice experiences? Listed below are our high picks in Jamaica.
June to August is the best time for events
If there’s one factor that Jamaicans understand how to do, it is social gathering. From dancehall road events to membership nights, occasions occur 365 days a yr, with peak social gathering season throughout the summer time months from June to August.
Jamaica’s largest music occasion is Reggae Sumfest, a week-long celebration held in mid-July in Montego Bay that includes a road dance and an all-white social gathering. The week culminates with an enormous live performance by dancehall and reggae performers.
Together with huge annual occasions comparable to Sandz Competition in Kingston and Best Weekend Ever in Ocho Rios, folks look ahead to Dream Weekend, a week-long social gathering collection held in Negril throughout the first week of August. It usually options eight events throughout the week, a lot of which have themes comparable to all-white, the ’90s and swimwear. This week additionally marks Jamaica’s Emancipation (August 1) and Independence (August 6), with occasions round these holidays, too, so locals have a tendency to be in an additional festive temper.
Throughout these months, you’ll discover extra affordable costs on flights. Resorts in areas the place main occasions are being held (like Montego Bay throughout Reggae Sumfest week) can even have discounted costs on offers, particularly for big teams.
June to November is hurricane season
In the event you’re not averse to moist climate, now’s the time to journey to Jamaica on a funds, as costs are usually decrease.
Hurricane season formally runs from June 1 to November 30. September, October and November are the height months, and there’s usually a rise in rainfall on the island, typically with flooding. Hurricanes in Jamaica, nonetheless, are few and much between. Not each hurricane season will see a hurricane or perhaps a storm growing, however locals nonetheless put together for the potential of one.
The peak months in hurricane season are slower than others by way of main occasions and events. There are, nonetheless, a lot of occasions that occur throughout Nationwide Heroes weekend — a serious vacation celebrating notable Jamaicans throughout the third week of October. Anticipate a lot of offers at lodges for this weekend as nicely.
In the event you resolve to visit throughout these months, at all times control the forecast, pay attention to native warnings and examine the duvet in your journey insurance coverage.
Try these budget-friendly ideas earlier than you e-book.
November is the best time to discover the meals scene
It’s all about meals in Jamaica for the month of November. Often throughout the first week of the month, the Jamaica Meals & Drink Competition takes place in Kingston with varied themed days, together with Pork Palooza and Picante.
The grand finale is Meet Avenue & Market, normally probably the most reasonably priced of all the times with tons of meals vehicles, stalls and artisan distributors.
Foodies over the island additionally look ahead to Restaurant Week, usually the second week in November, which inspires patrons to exit and dine at completely different eating places.
Taking part eating places, from five-star to low-budget eateries, will provide particular meals inside a set value class (normally cheaper than the norm) or a set low cost on all menu gadgets. Anticipate eating places to be packed at this time as locals set out to dine at their favourite.