The Caribbean is one of America’s go-to vacation spots.
With its teal-colored ocean, bustling resort zones, and tall palm trees lining modern boardwalks, it provides U.S. nationals with the once-a-year tropical getaway they so desperately crave.
As a whole, the region is exploding in popularity, with every major country and national polity reporting a sharp increase in visitor numbers compared to 2019 and high occupancy throughout both low and high seasons.
With that being said, some are definitely standing out among the rest, either through investing more in infrastructure or purely their fast-paced recovery. That is the case with Jamaica, one of the top destinations this fall:
Why Is Jamaica Exploding In Popularity?
An island country in the Caribbean and the geopolitical group’s third largest island, behind only Cuba and Hispaniola, Jamaica has no shortage of natural wonders.
Its extensive coastline circles around for approximately 1,022 kilometers, with as many as 30%, or up to 306.6 kilometers, being sandy and considered ‘suitable’ for recreational use – such as sunbathing and swimming – as reported here.
Out of the Caribbean nations, Jamaica has one of the highest proportions of white-sand beaches, resulting from its many offshore coral reefs, which also give the water its crystalline tone. The country’s greatest strength as a tourist destination lies, therefore, in its coastal environment.
That’s not to say inland Jamaica should be missed, nor that it lacks any cultural value.
An Underrated Cultural Spot
Away from the coast, tourists will find verdant natural parks and vast, unspoiled jungles and mountain ranges, where wildlife spotting and hiking can be practiced, as well as small colonial-era settlements and plantations.
Jamaica’s History is marked by the slave trade, and some of the largest colonial plantations in the Americas can be found here, as well as British-era civic buildings and historical forts.
If it’s some relaxation you’re after and having your every need catered to as you kick back and simply bask in the Jamaican sun sounds appealing, you’ll certainly be spoiled for choice when picking from one of Montego Bay’s numerous all-inclusive offers.
A Diverse Offer
With its beachfront hotels and trendy ‘Hip Strip’, lined with shops and seafood restaurants, it is Jamaica’s busiest coastal resort.
Negril, on the other hand, is best known for its nightlife and water activities, making it the perfect destination for young travelers looking to socialize, while Ocho Rios is a busy cruise port.
Kingston, the country’s capital, is best known for its colonial mansions, the landmark Bob Marley Museum, and strong coffee culture: ideal for a cultural immersion once you tire yourself of ‘beaching’. Regardless of which traveler profile you identify with the most, one thing is for certain:
You will love Jamaica’s weather in the fall.
Great Fall Weather
While it may rain in ‘short, heavy downpours’, these clear quickly, and temperatures remain at a pleasant high of 87.8°F throughout the day the entire season, dropping to lows of 73°F in the evenings.
If you’re not crazy about the fall foliage and you wouldn’t mind a little escape to a tropical paradise to ward off the autumn chills, then Jamaica certainly will not disappoint.
Luckily, nonstop flights are plentiful, and they can be as cheap as $99 one-way when booked with Frontier.
Jamaica Is Breaking Tourism Records This Year
According to Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the country is on track to reach its goal of hosting 3.8 million visitors by the end of the year, having already hit the 2.47 million mark between January and July.
Out of those, 1.72 million were cruisegoers making landfall for a stopover, more than twice 2022’s numbers.
As Bartlett noted, this represents an increase of more than 24 percent in ‘gross tourism dollars earned’ in only seven months: ‘Coming out of the pandemic, tourism has consistently demonstrated its resilience and, as a result, the sector’s contribution to the Jamaican economy cannot be overlooked‘.
Since Jamaica reopened its borders last year, tourists have been flocking to the island in record numbers, and Americans make up a sizable percentage of those, as the United States is the most popular country of origin for arrivals.
Jamaican nature is beautiful, the resorts are world-class, and it is easy to travel to from mainland America. It’s truly no surprise it is surging in popularity in 2023. Flying to Jamaica, Americans must now fill out a new entry form, which can be accessed here.
