Holidays in Jamaica 2022/2023

• An island with an infectious vibe
• Dense rainforests well worth exploring
• Reggae-soundtracked villages
• Glorious golden beaches

Jamaica is a land that sways to its own ‘riddim’, an island with a vibe that’s very different to that of its Caribbean cousins. The third-largest isle in the Caribbean, it’s big enough to offer far more than rum punch, sun-drenched sands and reggae beats.

Jamaica does offer brilliant beaches and fine hotels in spades but its character runs deeper, brimming with culture, history and adventure. Hiking routes vein its interior patchwork of coffee plantations, banana groves and mountain forests, a remote land punctured by gushing waterfalls and cerulean pools; thankfully, you don’t need Usain Bolt-like fitness levels to explore it. Elsewhere, the north shore is renowned for excellent snorkelling and diving, while its charming towns are only one reggae note away from erupting into a party – Jamaica did give us Bob Marley, after all.
However, leaving some time for rest and relaxation is an unofficial law when you’re on a luxury holiday in the Caribbean and Jamaica has an abundance of splendid sands – particularly Ocho Rios and Negril – to relax on, with the sounds of jerk chicken sizzling on barbecues never too far away. However, Jamaica is about the bigger picture, savouring all the elements of its captivating culture. Here, you really experience the Caribbean.

Of course, Jamaica has its fair share of spectacular sandy fringes, along with luxury beach resorts that you could easily imagine hosting James Bond sipping martini by the pool. But it has more strings to its bow in terms of places to stay, from lofty hideaways hidden amid lush mountains to coastal retreats perched atop limestone cliffs.

Jamaica has a tropical climate year-round that’s blessed with plenty of sunshine, with temperatures averaging around 27-30°C throughout the year.

December to April are the driest months, with only brief afternoon showers interrupting glorious sunshine, making it an ideal time to go on holiday. Trade winds – affectionately known locally as ‘Doctor Breeze’ – make for cool, pleasant evenings as well.

The rest of the year, from May to November, sees temperatures and humidity rise, with August and September often the hottest months. Rainfall is also more frequent but still only comes in sporadic showers, which can be a nice antidote to the heat! They’re also an excuse to head to the bar for another rum punch – you are on holiday after all! The traditional hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June to November but peaks in Jamaica during September and October, where it’s very humid and storms can be heavy.