Jamaica has a lush topography of mountains, rainforests and reef-lined beaches. So this tropical paradise offers much more than a relaxing beach vacation. There is both vibrant energy and laidback charm in this Caribbean island. There are cultural explorations and adventure activities to indulge in. Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae music, and its capital Kingston is home to the Bob Marley Museum. There are miles of hiking trails, water adventures and more activities to fit in one trip.
We went to Jamaica, our first visit to the Caribbean in August, to attend a family beach wedding. And explored this beautiful island before and after the event. You can check out my 7 day Jamaica itinerary. And if you are looking for weather, travel tips, best places to visit, things to do in Jamaica in August, you have come to the right place.
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Weather in Jamaica in August
Jamaica has a tropical climate throughout the year, so you expect hot temperature and sunny weather all year round. August is the height of the summer in Jamaica so be prepared for heat and humidity. But we found enough breeze to enjoy the good beach weather.
The average daytime temperature is around 84.2°F (29°C) at this time of year and with highs of 91.4°F (33°C). There were some rain showers during our trip, but they didn’t take anything away from the experience. The sea is warm, perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
What to wear in Jamaica in August
You need to pack typical stuff for a beach vacation: cotton or linen dresses, shorts and T-shirts, flip-flops, swimsuits and everything else for sun protection, from sunglasses to sunscreen and hat / cap.
In addition, I packed a few dresses as dinner outfits. The vibe in Jamaica, whether in an all-inclusive resort or at a local restaurant, is quite casual. But it was nice to change into a dress for dinner time.
If you are hiking in and around the Blue Mountains, you would need to pack hiking gear: trekking pants, full-sleeve T-shirt, good quality hiking shoes.
What to expect regarding crowds and cost
Peak season in Jamaica starts in mid-December and goes onn until mid-April. This is the best time to go to Jamaica weather-wise. It is the dry season on the island. But you will get very high rates for hotels, excursions and all activities.
The low season is from May until November. Summers (June to August) are warmer, bringing a slight increase in rainfall. July and August are the warmest months in Jamaica. The island’s northern coast experiences an increase in rain between September to November. So if you visit Jamaica in August, you will get hot beach weather with some spells of rain showers, great to laze around on the beach and swim the warm sea.
During the low season (May until November), you will get fewer crowds on the beaches, resorts and restaurants. On top of that, you will often find top-class accommodation at a lower rate. Although August does coincide with school holidays in the USA, so don’t expect the island to be empty of tourists.
Best places to visit in Jamaica in August
The north tourist corridor is where most travellers stay in Jamaica. The cities of Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios all have individual qualities and you should spend most of your time here on your Jamaican trip. They offer some of the best Caribbean resorts for families.
Negril lies on the west side of the island and unadulterated sandy bliss is what makes Negril a destination of choice. The calm sea here is great for snorkelling and shallow diving. Montego Bay is the second largest city in Jamaica after Kingston, and home to some of the best luxury resorts in Jamaica. You will find golf courses, art galleries, fine dining restaurants and some nice beaches here.
Ocho Rios, once a small fishing village, is now a bustling city with plenty of outdoor adventures. Port Antonio lies on Jamaica’s northeast coast, and is the island’s third largest port. It has the famous Blue Lagoon and some cozy beaches like Frenchmen’s Cove.
Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, is located on the south eastern coast of this island nation. Most tourists come here for a day trip experience the Jamaican culture. Kingston is known for its music and art.
Things to do in Jamaica in summer
Sun, Ocean and the Beach
White sandy beaches: Yes, Jamaica has some renowned public beaches apart from the strip of land in front of your beach resort. There is Seven Miles Beach in Negril with turquoise waters all around. Montego Bay has several popular beach spots including Doctor’s Cave beach and Dead End beach. Ocho Rios has a lovely coastline and miles of beautiful beaches. Port Antonio is famous for Frenchman’s Cove, San San beach, Boston beach and Long Bay beach. So grab a beach towel and a cocktail and watch the sun go down.
Water activities: You can rent a range of water sports equipment, from jet ski to kayaks to banana boats on the popular public beaches in Jamaica. You can snorkel or set up a dive from Negril or Montego Bay. Or get on a catamaran tour from one of these cities on the northern side. Browse through some of these tour options:
Catamaran Cruise Full Day Tour to Rick’s Cafe and Negril Beach
Reggae Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling from Montego Bay
Nature with a healthy dose of adventure
Adventure activities: Horse riding on the beach is a real thing on this island nation. And there are loads of other adventure activities for you to indulge in: ATV, zipline, tubing and what not. Here are some tours that will set your adrenaline high:
ATV, Horse Ride, Zipline, Catamaran at Ocean Outpost Park
Rasta Cultural ATV Safari from Montego Bay
River Rapids Waterfalls Tubing and Beach Adventure
River Rafting: One popular activity to do in Jamaica is river rafting and learning a bit about the history of the area. You can do this on Martha Brae river as well, a popular excursion from Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. We got a similar experience rafting down the Rio Grande. See these tours:
Martha Brae River Bamboo Rafting Private Tour with Transport
Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage
Waterfalls in Jamaica: The most famous one is near Ocho rios at Dunn’s nature reserve. And the great part is that you get to climb Dunn’s falls with a guide. You first go down to the beach. And then directly get in the falls and climb from there to the summit.
You can book a tour from Montego Bay: Private Tour to Dunns River and Blue Hole. Or from Ocho Rios: Blue Hole and Dunn’s River Falls Tour
Culture + Local scenery
Visit a rum distillery: Tropical island meets sugarcane plantations meets rum processing! Appleton Estate is the oldest and the most famous sugar estates and distilleries in Jamaica. You can book a rum experience at the Appleton Estate. There are several tours that combine a visit to Appleton Estate with nearby YS falls and a safari on Black River. Check out –
Appleton Estate Admission & Rum Tasting plus YS Falls Visit
Appleton Estate, Black River Safari & YS Falls by Chukka
Cultural exploration at Kingston: You can explore the Bob Marley Museum and see other historical landmarks such as the Devon House in the capital city. Book a day tour from Montego bay: Bob Marley Museum Full Day Tour. Or if you are already in Kingston, take this tour: Devon House, Bob Marley and History Museums
Blue Mountains: Blue Mountains are Jamaica’s longest mountain range. The summer season is not perfect for hiking here. But if you want a easy tour to view this lush scenery and visit a local coffee farm, consider Blue Mountain Tour with Hotel Transportation.
Local cuisine: Make sure you don’t leave the country without trying some of its local cuisine: jerk chicken, saltfish and ackee for breakfast, and Blue Mountain coffee!
Events and Festivals in Jamaica
The best of the events happen in the winter season. But Jamaica does celebrate its Independence Day on 6th August. it is one of the most senior public holidays celebrated in Jamaica. To celebrate this holiday, all towns and resorts put on parties with lots of dancing and eating. Jamaicans take part in huge street parades, don clothing coloured like the Jamaican flag, and put on all manner of cultural displays.
Summary: Pros and Cons of visiting Jamaica in August
Pros
Perfect beach weather, so go if you are a beach lover and water-sports enthusiast.
It is off-season so you will get good deals on hotel prices.
You get less crowds at hotels, restaurants and all tourist attractions.
Cons
There will be some rain showers and cloudy days.
It won’t be a party vibe on the island.
A lot of events like the Bob Marley week, Jamaica Carnival, all take place in winter months.
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