Jamaica Holidays 2025 & 2026

As a UK citizen, you won’t need a visa for Jamaica holidays, as citizens from select countries including the UK are automatically granted entry for up to 90 days visa-free.

However, if you are travelling to Jamaica via the USA, regardless of whether you are leaving the airport and exploring or simply transiting through, you will need to apply for and be granted an ESTA.

The ESTA application process on the Homeland Security website is simple and costs $21.00 USD.

You will only need to provide information such as your passport and contact details. And of course, don’t forget that your passport must also be valid for the duration of your stay.

Hotel tap water in Jamaica is completely clean to drink, bathe in or clean your teeth with. However, if you plan on staying at a remote Jamaica resort or somewhere more local, it’s always useful to take care. For peace of mind, high quality bottled water is widely available.

Mosquitoes can be found year-round in Jamaica, but during the wet season from June to November, which is also hurricane season, mosquitoes are more widely noticeable. Visitors should bring insect repellent and try to wear long-sleeved tops or long trousers if going out at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Thankfully, most hotels, resorts and airbnbs will implement their own repellent measures such as nets.

Many people think that as Jamaica is an island, everything can be seen quickly. However, to truly experience everything the country offers, from great food and culture to tropical beaches and nature, 7-10 days is a good amount of time to spend there. This will allow plenty of time for immersive experiences and outdoor adventures, while leaving time to relax on the beach and enjoy the laid-back way of life the island is known for.

The United Kingdom is 5 hours ahead of Jamaica.

Technically, there is no such thing as a ‘tourist tax’ for Jamaica holidays, as you will likely not notice this fee. For Jamaica, the tax is $35 USD and this is known as a departure tax, however it is usually built into your airline fee and automatically calculated when you book a ticket. Alternatively, it is possible to pay it at the airport upon departure.

Jamaica is a popular tourist destination and international tourism is increasing year on year. By 2025, Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism projects five million visitors will be welcomed. This reflects a trend where Jamaica is increasingly regraded as safe for tourists.

However, the island is classified as medium-risk, since it has occasional natural disasters and violent or petty crime in select areas. Kingston and Montego Bay are classified as areas that tend to be high in crime.

Yes, tipping is customary in Jamaica. There is no set amount you must tip, however 10% is generally a good starting point for a meal or similar service, and higher if the service was particularly good.

The high season for Jamaica holidays is from December to April, where bundles of sunshine and only a few drops of rain await. Hurricane season is generally one to avoid and runs from June to November, however, strong storms in Jamaica are relatively rare. We love Jamaica holidays during Reggae Month in February, a sweet spot in the high season that has all the ingredients of a trip to remember.