Jamaica Holidays

From whiling away the days on the beach and exploring magical waterfalls, to wandering around vibrant museums and enjoying generous helpings of jerk chicken, there’s no end to the number of things you can do on your Jamaica holiday.

Doctor’s Cave Bathing Club in Montego Bay is one of the best beaches in Jamaica, with fine powdery sand and warm turquoise waters. It’s the perfect beach day for tourists and locals alike. Boston Bay is a surfer’s paradise thanks to its consistently excellent waves, while James Bond Beach on the north eastern coast consists of white sands and a majestic mountain backdrop.

Meanwhile, Kingston is the beating heart of the island. Here, you’ll come across all walks of life and traditions, from sizzling street food and eye-catching murals, to bustling marketplaces and soulful live music.

Jamaica is rich in colourful cultural experiences that offer a nice break from lounging on the beach. The Bob Marley Museum in Kingston offers a fascinating insight into the life and legacy of Jamaica’s most iconic reggae star through a range of memorabilia, including his clothes, instruments and photos. And it’s all inside Marley’s former home on Hope Road.

If that tickles your appetite for music, then the Reggae Sumfest held in Montego Bay is the place to go for the biggest celebration of Jamaica’s indigenous music. It’s one of the most popular music festivals in the Caribbean, and well worth visiting if you book your Jamaica trip for mid-July.

In order to gain a proper understanding into Jamaican heritage, visit the National Museum of Jamaica. This fascinating place showcases more than 15,000 artefacts spanning the centuries, from the Arawaks to the Spanish and British colonial periods, as well as an exhibition dedicated to Rastafarianism. The immaculately-restored Rose Hall Great House in Saint Bran’s Burg is another popular attraction, where you can learn about Rose Hall’s slave history and the legend of the White Witch.

As you’d expect from the land of reggae and spicy food, Jamaica’s nightlife is some of the hottest in the Caribbean. Dancing the night away into the early hours to the sound of a steel band is not uncommon, while stopping off to fill up on a generous helping of jerk chicken – washed down with a Red Stripe – is all part of the experience.

Kingston is undoubtedly the star of the show, thanks to its veritable collection of nightclubs, bars and street parties. But there are lots of other little pockets across the country where you’ll find an electric atmosphere. Montego Bay has an impressive array of sports bars and lounges, many paying homage to Jamaica’s world-class sports stars, from Merlene Ottey to Usain Bolt. Ocho Rios is also full of buzzing streets and all-night fun, where locals and tourists dance and soak up the lively atmosphere.

It’s best to plan your holiday to Jamaica between December and March. This is high season, when the days are sunny and warm, there’s little rainfall, and the nights are comfortably cool. Boasting bright blue skies and toasty temperatures that hover around 30°C, this is the perfect time for topping up your tan and enjoying the beaches. Plus, the nationwide Bob Marley Celebrations take place in February, with lots of events, shows and exhibitions on offer. As you might expect though, December to March is also the most popular time to go to Jamaica, as people search for some warming winter sun.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly holiday, the shoulder season of April and May is a great time to visit. The weather is still dry, but you’ll find that resorts are slightly cheaper and less busy. Like most Caribbean islands, Jamaica’s rainy season lasts between June and November, so these months are best avoided.

Visa: British nationals don’t need a visa to visit Jamaica
Language: English
Currency: Jamaican dollar (JMD)
Time difference: GMT -6 hours
Flight duration from London: A direct flight takes just under 10 hours
Capital city: Kingston

Once Easter has been and gone, Jamaica keeps the party going with some of the Caribbean’s biggest and most colourful Carnival celebrations. Kingston, Ocho Rios, and Montego Bay all host lively parades with flowing rum and an upbeat soundtrack of reggae, calypso, and soca. Up to 100,000 people are expected to attend Carnival events during the first week of April, building up to the electrifying Road March finale on the 7th. Book quickly to avoid missing out, and be sure to include breakfast - you’ll need that energy when the dancing starts.