Last Updated
As one of the most diverse and culturally fascinating places in the world, Jamaica is home to majestic waterfalls, incredible beaches, lush landscapes, and vibrant bustling cities.
It's an incredibly appealing destination for U.S. travelers.
For the first time in history Jamaica will welcome more than 1 million stopover travelers this winter season according to Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett.
Here’s why this cultural Caribbean Island is expecting record-breaking visitors:
Record Visitor Numbers
Jamaica is a wildly popular destination for U.S. travelers looking for a winter getaway.
Alongside Mexico and the Dominican Republic, it historically attracts huge numbers of American travelers during the winter months.
According to the Jamaican tourism minister it’s going to be the biggest winter tourism seasons in the history of the island.
“We have already secured 1.5 million seats across the markets of the world, and assuming a very low 75% load factor from the airlines coming in, we will be in excess of 1 million stopover arrivals for the season.”
That’s not the only record that Jamaica is breaking right now. By the end of the year, the island will also have seen 5 million passengers pass through its airports for the first time.
Easy To Access
Don’t let the record numbers of tourists flocking to Jamaica this winter put you off from joining the throngs yourself.
To keep visitors flowing and manage this substantial number of people, 6 eGates are now being installed at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
Testing of these gates began last week, and it is hoped the eGates will be fully operational in time for the start of the upcoming winter tourist season.
An additional 3 eGates are also being installed at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
This is part of Jamaica’s border security officials' drive to improve efficiency and service for travelers entering and leaving the country.
EGates allow passengers to avoid queues and get through passport control much faster than they might normally.
This makes Jamaica an appealing destination even for short breaks when you don’t want to waste half of your vacation time sitting in an airport.
Beautiful Beaches
Jamaica is an idyllic destination to soak up some winter sun.
Winter temperatures range from around 68°F to 86°F (20-30°C) over winter on the coast of the island, with the peak winter season being from December to April.
Winters in Jamaica are warm and dry, making it the best time of the year to visit the island and spend time on its breathtaking beaches.
Jamaica is home to every watersport imaginable. Take a catamaran trip along the beautiful North Coast, or experience world-class scuba diving and snorkeling.
Away from the beach, Jamaica has a beautiful jungle landscape and plenty of water activities for adventurous travelers.
White water rafting, swimming in the Dunn’s River waterfalls, or even visiting thrilling water parks can all add to the adventure of your trip.
A Rich Cultural Heritage
Jamaica is a culturally fascinating island.
You can immerse yourself in Jamaican culture by visiting historical sites, enjoying live traditional music performances, or simply taking in the local vibe.
The welcoming attitude of the friendly locals is part of the Jamaican culture too.
The Bob Marley Museum in Kingston is a must-visit if you want to learn more about the great reggae icon, while the National Gallery of Jamaica is the ideal spot for art lovers.
The National Gallery of Jamaica is the oldest and largest public art museum in the English-speaking Caribbean, and you’ll find both local and international artists on display here.
Visit Port Royal and imagine yourself walking in the footsteps of the swashbuckling pirates and buccaneers, and this is also a great place to embrace the island's stories and folklore.
The food culture in Jamaica is also worth traveling for.
There are plenty of restaurants around the island and resorts that give you the ideal opportunity to experiment and Jamaican food is rich, spicy, and flavorsome.
The seafood is particularly good, as it is super fresh. Some of the dishes worth trying during your time in Jamaica include curry chicken, ackee and saltfish with dumplings, callaloo soup and the famous jerk chicken.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.