Is January a good time to visit Jamaica?

Yes. It's the middle of the dry season, with warm days, cool evenings and no hurricane risk. It's high season, so book early, especially for the New Year week; from the second week of January it's calmer.

Does it rain in Jamaica in January?

Very little in the west and south: Negril averages about 48 mm and Montego Bay about 77 mm in January, according to Met Service 30-year averages. Portland in the northeast is the exception, at about 413 mm.

How warm is Jamaica in January?

Warm by day, around 86°F (30°C) in Montego Bay and 88°F (31°C) in Kingston in the Met Service's airport records, with cooler nights, especially in the hills.

When is Rebel Salute?

It has traditionally been held in mid-January. As of October 30, 2026, no date or venue had been announced for January 2027.

What happens in Accompong on January 6?

The Accompong Maroons mark the peace treaty with the British and the birthday of their leader Cudjoe with a ceremonial march to the Kindah tree, music, food and ritual. It's held every January 6.

Jamaica in January: Weather, Events and Tips

January is one of the best months to be in Jamaica. The dry season is settled in across most of the island, hurricane season is long over, the evenings are cool enough for a light top, and the Christmas crowds thin out once the New Year week is done. It’s still high season, so it isn’t the cheapest month, but for weather it’s hard to beat. Here’s what the weather does by area, what’s on, and what to know before you book.

January weather in Jamaica

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica counts December to March as the dry season, and January sits in the middle of it. Islandwide, January averages about 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, and most of that falls in the northeast. Days are warm rather than hot: the Met Service’s airport records put the January average at about 86°F (30°C) at Sangster in Montego Bay and 88°F (31°C) at Norman Manley in Kingston. Nights are cooler, especially up in the hills, where you’ll want a sweater after dark.

Area	Average January rainfall	What to expect
Negril (Negril Point lighthouse)	48 mm (1.9 in)	Dry and sunny
Montego Bay (Sangster airport)	77 mm (3.0 in)	Mostly dry, the odd passing shower
Kingston (parish)	41 mm (1.6 in)	Dry and warm
St. Elizabeth and the south coast (parish)	54 mm (2.1 in)	Dry
St. Ann and Ocho Rios (parish)	132 mm (5.2 in)	Some showers, usually brief
St. Mary (parish)	184 mm (7.2 in)	Showery
Portland (parish)	413 mm (16.3 in)	Wet: rain most days

Rainfall figures are the Met Service’s 30-year averages (1991–2020); parish figures include the hills, which get more rain than the coast. The pattern is simple: the west and south are dry, the north coast gets the odd shower, and Portland in the northeast is in its wet season, when the winter trade winds bring rain to Port Antonio and the Blue Mountains’ north side. If you’re set on Portland, plan for showers and go anyway; the rivers and waterfalls are at their fullest. My Portland guide covers what to do there.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to the US National Hurricane Center, so January has no hurricane risk. For the whole year month by month, see my Jamaica weather guide.

Free Jamaica trip checklist

Get my free Jamaica trip checklist, then guides for the part of the island you're visiting.

What’s on in January

New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day is a public holiday, and it’s the only one in January. Expect banks, government offices and many shops to be closed, and a slow start everywhere after a long night. Resorts run as normal and most hold a New Year’s Eve party the night before.

Accompong Maroon Festival, January 6

Every January 6, the Maroons of Accompong Town in the hills of St. Elizabeth mark the signing of their peace treaty with the British and the birthday of their leader Cudjoe. The Jamaica Information Service describes the ceremonial march to the Kindah tree at the heart of the day, and Visit Jamaica lists traditional food, music and ritual. It’s held every year: the Accompong community was badly hit by the hurricane in 2025, and the celebration still went ahead on January 6, 2026. It draws big crowds, the road up is narrow, and it’s a living cultural event rather than a show, so go with respect and patience. My Accompong guide has the history and how to get there.

Rebel Salute

Rebel Salute, the roots-and-culture reggae festival, has traditionally been held in mid-January. As of October 30, 2026, the organizers hadn’t announced a date or venue for January 2027, so don’t book a trip around it yet. My guide to reggae festivals in Jamaica tracks the dates once they’re out.

The run-up to Reggae Month

February is Reggae Month, with Bob Marley’s birthday on February 6. Late January is when the events start being announced, so if you’re staying into early February, keep an eye on the listings.

Crowds, prices and booking

January is high season. The week from Christmas to just after New Year’s Day is the busiest and dearest of the winter, and from the second week of January it calms down, though resorts stay busy right through to Easter. A few things I’d tell a friend:

Book flights and the resort together and early if you’re traveling in the New Year week.
Mid- to late January gives you the same weather with fewer people.
Pick the west or south coast (Negril, Montego Bay, Treasure Beach) if dry weather matters most.
Pack a light sweater for evenings, and something warmer if you’re heading into the Blue Mountains.

What’s open in January

Several resorts that closed after the hurricane are due to reopen in November and December, ahead of the winter season. Dates can still move, so before you book a January stay, check my list of Jamaica resorts open now, which I update as each one reopens. For where to stay, start with the best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, and if you’re still choosing a month, my guide to the best time to visit Jamaica compares the whole year.

Jamaica in January: Weather, Events and What’s Open

January weather in Jamaica