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Low season or high, timing is everything when taking a vacation to Jamaica

Photo credit: © Marius Jasaitis | Dreamstime.com
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For most of Jamaica's visitors, the decision of when to visit the island is based on pre-set vacations from work and school, but if you have the luxury of choosing any time of year to visit, knowing the ebb and flow of seasonal demands will help.

Despite a stable year-round climate, Jamaica has high and low tourist seasons. High season is when tourism is at its peak, and nearly all hotels will be booked. Meanwhile, during the low season, big-ticket items such as accommodations and even airfare can be deeply discounted. This, however, is just the tip of the iceberg.

High Season

The Caribbean provides many vacationers with an escape from the snowy winter climates between mid-December and mid-April.  Jamaica is no exception with temperatures averaging between 71 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit year round. Of course, while this may be the perfect time of year for many travelers to see a little sun with easy travel plans around Christmas, New Year's and Easter especially, the popularity also comes with drawbacks.

Booking a room in Jamaica during the high season can be extremely difficult. During holidays and at more popular hotels, rooms may be booked as much as one year in advance. This doesn't mean that you won't be able to get a room, but it may not be your first choice without a little bit of forward thinking. Not only can rooms be hard to come by, rental cars can be almost impossible to procure as well.

Of course, another possible drawback to visiting during the high season is that everyone else will be visiting then, too. Wait lists for popular activities such as golf may be much longer, and beaches and pools more crowded than in the summer months.

Still, there's a reason why people choose to visit during the high season. Not only is Jamaica a nice change of pace from winter weather, but many festivals also take place. Carnival is one of the Caribbean's best known festivals; it takes place the week following Easter in either March or April. Junkanoo is Jamaica's traditional Christmas celebration, and several yacht races take place in the early months of the year.

Low Season

Summer travel for most is not typically to a sunny, tropical location. This makes summer the low season in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Though Jamaica is always a popular destination, the slower summer season from mid-April to mid-December means fewer crowds.

Of course, the low season isn't all good, or everyone would travel then. Services in many hotels on Jamaica can be reduced. Whether you're facing shortened hours or simply one restaurant or bar being closed, you may not feel you're getting the same number of features and services as you might during high season. Further, the best time to renovate is when there are the fewest clients staying in a hotel. To avoid this inconvenience, ask the resort if they have plans to renovate during your stay.

If you don't mind these possible disadvantages, you can also consider the problems associated with hurricanes and the summer rainy seasons. May and June and October and November are Jamaica's rainy seasons, where each day it is likely to rain for a short while in the afternoon. Though it's not likely to spoil your day, it can put a damper on things. Hurricanes are predictable, and visitors often know well ahead of time if there is a threat of danger on Jamaica.

Of course, for many travelers, especially families, the benefits of off-season travel can far outweigh these drawbacks. Discounts of up to 50 percent on some hotels are available and so are more options for where to stay. There may be sales on merchandise as well for the souvenir-seeker on each trip. Even top restaurants may not need reservations if you're there during a particularly slow time.

As always, the choice is yours. Visitors travel during both the low and high seasons regularly, and Jamaica is always popular. For some, the difference between the two seasons may not be as noticeable as it may be for others.

 

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