Jamaica
Jamaica in May
🌧️ Rainy seasonWarm, humid and often rainy.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · compact umbrella or rain jacket · quick-dry fabrics
Why May scores 8.2What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort6.9
- ✓Warm (30.7°C highs / 26.9°C lows)
- !Very humid/sticky (dew point 23.1°C)
- !Wet: ~156 mm rain, ~3 heavy-rain days
- Air quality9.8
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~6 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline7.5
- ·Increased caution
| May | Feb | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.2 Very good | 9.1 Excellent |
| Season | 🌧️ Rainy season | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 31° / 27° | 29° / 25° |
| Rain | 156 mm | 40 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 23° | dew pt 21° |
| PM2.5 | 6 µg/m³ | 6 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- National Labour Day 22–24 May · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore JamaicaEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyA Caribbean island known for reggae music, beaches, waterfalls, Blue Mountain coffee and jerk cooking.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Hurricane seasonDate variesUsually June to November
Tropical storms and hurricanes are most likely from August to October.
Why go: Have flexible plans and travel insurance.
Where: Island-wide
Reggae SumfestDate variesUsually July
The island's major reggae and dancehall festival.
Why go: Montego Bay accommodation fills up during the festival.
Where: Montego Bay
Emancipation and Independence DaysEvery year1 August (Emancipation Day) and 6 August (Independence Day) every year
Public holidays marking the end of slavery in 1838 and independence in 1962, with cultural events.
Why go: Many businesses close and there are celebrations across the island.
Where: Nationwide
Dunn's River Falls
A terraced waterfall near Ocho Rios that visitors climb in guided human chains.
💡 Water shoes help on the slippery rocks; cruise ship days are busiest.
Bob Marley Museum
Bob Marley's former home and studio in Kingston.
Blue Mountains
Cool, forested mountains with coffee farms and hiking trails, including Blue Mountain Peak.
💡 Hikers often start at night to reach the peak for sunrise.
Seven Mile Beach, Negril
A long white-sand beach on the west coast known for sunsets.
Blue Lagoon, Port Antonio
A deep, spring-fed lagoon on the lush north-east coast.
Luminous Lagoon
A bioluminescent lagoon near Falmouth that glows when the water is disturbed at night.
Ackee and saltfish
The national dish of ackee fruit cooked with salted cod, onions and peppers.
Jerk chicken and pork
Meat marinated in Scotch bonnet and allspice and smoked over pimento wood.
💡 Jerk centres such as those in Boston Bay
Jamaican patty
Flaky pastry filled with spiced beef, chicken or vegetables.
Curry goat
Goat stewed in a spicy curry, served with rice and peas.
Bammy and festival
Cassava flatbread and sweet fried dumplings, served with fried fish.
Blue Mountain coffee
Highly regarded coffee from the Blue Mountains; check for official certification.
Jamaican rum
Aged and overproof rums from long-established local distilleries.
Jerk seasoning
Bottled jerk marinades and spice rubs.
Local crafts
Wood carvings and woven items.
💡 Craft markets in Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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