An affordable guide to visiting Jamaica

The musical heartbeat of the Caribbean, Jamaica conjures up images of colourful clothes, Bob Marley hits and white sandy beaches. But it’s also home to an array of natural wonders, including the 960-foot tall Dunn’s River waterfall and the Green Grotto Caves, which date back to 1655 and were used to film the 1973 James Bond hit Live and Let Die.

Shoppers and foodies alike can delight in the famous rum, creamy Blue Mountain coffee, fiery jerk chicken patties and intricate artisan handicrafts. All-year sun, glassy waters which lead to hidden mangroves and clear night skies alive with stars mean it’s an island not to be missed. Here’s how to get the most out of your visit.

Consider the season

Jamaica has a tropical climate year-round and rarely dips below 26 degrees during the daytime – even in December. March tends to be a more expensive month, with hoards of American spring break students descending on the island.

Low season is considered to be July to October, with humidity high and the average temperature sitting around 29 degrees. But if you're still keen to visit during peak season, flights with budget airlines such as Norse offer affordable flights from December until April. And whilst these months can be a cheaper and less busy time to visit, flights with budget airlines such as Norse are affordable year-around. Founded in 2021, the low-cost, long-haul company has recently introduced direct flights from London Gatwick to Montego Bay, starting at £639 for return flights in January. Their premium economy class is an impressive – and still affordable – option, with some of the most generous legroom (43 inches) and recline measurements (13 inches) in the industry.

Go all-inclusive

Resorts and tourist traps on the island are aplenty, meaning cheap street food isn’t necessarily easy to come by. Look to all-inclusive resorts to cover everything from daily meals and a bottomless mini bar to an action-packed itinerary. Picturesque beach-front hotels such as Couples Resorts include 24 hour dining across multiple restaurants, as well as a coffee shop boasting the island's famous Blue Mountain beans, a juice and cocktail bar, and a snack and ice cream corner. Free activities include dance and yoga classes, non-motorised water sports such as paddle boarding and day excursions are also available.

Save on shopping

Colourful craft markets boasting artisan handicrafts for as little as £5 can be found across the main regions of the island, including at the Ocho Rios Craft Park which offers a glittering selection of handmade jewellery, clothes, pottery and home decor made from an array of natural locally sourced materials including bamboo, mahogany and the dried fruit shells of calabash trees. If you’re looking for a more contemporary shopping experience, head to Negril’s Time Square Shopping Mall for coffee, spices and rum.

Plan your excursions

It may be among the more westernised of the Caribbean islands – accepting US dollars and offering fast food outlets such as KFC and Pizza Hut – but there are still plenty of iconic, affordable attractions to behold. Be sure to pick and plan your experiences ahead of time through Visit Jamaica to get the best prices.

If you’re visiting Kingston, take a free walk through the recently developed colourful art district in Water Lane, Downtown Kingston. Founded by non-profit organisation Kingston Creative in 2019, it celebrates an array of artists and already boasts 88 murals. And no trip to Jamaica's capital is complete without a visit to the Bob Marley museum, with a tour of the legend’s home costing £20.

For the sun worshippers, Seven Mile Beach, the crown jewel of Negril on the western point of the island, is known for its powdery sands and calm, shallow waters - perfect for families. As well as plenty of free public access points, vendors and concessions offer local snacks such as patties and fruit for a more authentic culinary experience. If you’re looking for an upbeat vibe that side of town, pop into the legendary Rick’s Cafe to cliff jump, watch the sunset or sip a cocktail to the beat of reggae.

And the island offers more than just beaches. Ocho Rios – on the northern side of the island – boasts Dunn’s River Falls, which appeared in the first 1962 James Bond film Dr. No. The 960-foot waterfall cascades into a terrace of rock pools framed by lush surroundings, with tours for adventurous climbers starting at £47. If you still haven’t had enough of the water experiences and are flying back from Montego Bay, make a stop at the Martha Brae River and float past the picturesque banks on a bamboo raft – handmade and manned by the talented local guides.

More information and inspiration is available at visitjamaica.com.