Start with the coast that suits your trip: Montego Bay for airport convenience, Negril for beach days, or Ocho Rios for a stay with waterfall and river excursions. Compare the areas and resort shortlist below, then use the travel details to plan your stay.
- Language
- English
- plus Patois
- Currency
- Jamaican dollar
- USD widely accepted
- Power
- 110V, Type A/B plugs
- same as the US
- Driving
- On the left
- Main airport
- Montego Bay
- MBJ
Quick facts
The top 10 Jamaica resorts by Palmprint score.
- Qualifying resorts
- 44
- In this table
- Top 10 of 44
- From price
- $138 to $578/pp/night
- Guest mix
- 27 adults-only, 17 family
| Rank | Resort | Area | Audience | Score | From | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandals Royal Plantation | Ocho Rios, Jamaica | Adults-only | 9.1 | From $486/pp/night | 2 pools, 2 bars |
| 2 | Round Hill Hotel and Villas | Montego Bay, Jamaica | Family-friendly | 9.1 | From $578/pp/night | Not listed |
| 3 | Couples Sans Souci | Ocho Rios, Jamaica | Adults-only | 9.0 | From $259/pp/night | Swim-up bar, 3 pools, 6 bars |
| 4 | Excellence Oyster Bay | Falmouth, Jamaica | Adults-only | 8.9 | From $286/pp/night | Swim-up bar, 3 pools, 11 bars |
| 5 | Sandals Dunn's River | Ocho Rios, Jamaica | Adults-only | 8.9 | From $513/pp/night | Swim-up suite, Swim-up bar, 2 pools |
| 6 | Couples Negril | Negril, Jamaica | Adults-only | 8.8 | From $302/pp/night | Swim-up bar, 2 pools, 5 bars |
| 7 | S Hotel Montego Bay | Montego Bay, Jamaica | Family-friendly | 8.8 | From $300/pp/night | 2 pools, 3 bars |
| 8 | Couples Tower Isle | Tower Isle, Jamaica | Adults-only | 8.7 | From $193/pp/night | 4 pools, 6 bars |
| 9 | Couples Swept Away | Negril, Jamaica | Adults-only | 8.7 | From $218/pp/night | Swim-up bar, 3 pools, 8 bars |
| 10 | Grand Lido Negril Au-Naturel, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort | Negril, Jamaica | Adults-only | 8.7 | From $335/pp/night | Swim-up suite, 1 pool, 9 bars |
Where should you stay in Jamaica?
Choose your stretch of coast first, then the resort. Airport access, beach setting and the day trips you want can point you toward different areas.
Three starting points for an all-inclusive trip. These are different holiday styles, not a ranking of the island.
| Area | Choose it for | Biggest advantage | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
 Montego Bay & Rose HallPictured: Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites | A shorter airport transfer and a resort-focused stay. | Start your search here when time at the resort matters more than a long coastal drive. | Beach size and atmosphere vary by property. Falmouth and Oyster Bay are farther east; do not assume the same transfer. Compare flights into Montego Bay (MBJ). |
 NegrilPictured: Couples Swept Away | Beach days, sunsets and time by the water. | Choose between the long sands of Seven Mile Beach and the sheltered setting of Bloody Bay. | Allow more road time from MBJ. West End cliff hotels offer a different experience from the beach resorts. Montego Bay (MBJ), then an arranged road transfer. |
 Ocho RiosPictured: Sandals Royal Plantation | A resort stay with waterfall and river excursions. | A useful base for Dunn's River Falls and the surrounding north-coast attractions. | A longer drive from MBJ. Compare the whole flight-and-transfer journey before choosing an airport. Check Ian Fleming (OCJ) as well as MBJ and Kingston (KIN). |
Compare available flights and ask your transfer provider about the exact resort journey. See the Jamaica Tourism Board's airport guide and hotel reopening updates before booking.
A starting shortlist for your Jamaica trip
Use these starting points to compare trip fit, then open the resort details for rooms, inclusions and the full review. The selection may change as resort availability changes.
Grouped by area. Strengths and trade-offs come from our resort research. See every Jamaica resort in our guide.
| Resort | Who it suits | Why choose it | Keep in mind | Your quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iberostar Selection Rose Hall SuitesPalmPrint Score8.2/10Montego Bay & Rose HallAll ages | Families wanting suites and pool time | Suite size | Sales pitch | View on Expedia (opens in a new tab) |
| Couples Swept AwayPalmPrint Score8.7/10NegrilAdults only | Couples who put beach time and activities first | Excellent Seven Mile Beach location with strong swimmability. | Room style is not consistently described as ultra-modern. | View on Expedia (opens in a new tab) |
| Hotel Riu Palace Tropical BayPalmPrint Score8.2/10NegrilAll ages | Families wanting a Bloody Bay beach stay | Bloody Bay beach | Buildings dating from early 2000s need refresh in places | View on Expedia (opens in a new tab) |
| Sandals Royal PlantationPalmPrint Score9.1/10Ocho RiosAdults only | Couples seeking a smaller, quieter resort | Exceptionally strong service reputation. | Small resort footprint means fewer restaurants and pools on-site. | View on Expedia (opens in a new tab) |
| Moon Palace Jamaica All Inclusive ResortPalmPrint Score8.0/10Ocho RiosAll ages | Families who value pools and activities | Very deep family inclusion set. | Food feedback is inconsistent. | View on Expedia (opens in a new tab) |
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Where the Jamaica resorts are
44 resorts mapped stars are five-star properties
When to visit Jamaica
Climate normals for Montego Bay, and our verdict on each month.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 82°F28°C | 82°F28°C | 83°F28°C | 84°F29°C | 86°F30°C | 88°F31°C | 88°F31°C | 88°F31°C | 88°F31°C | 87°F31°C | 85°F29°C | 83°F28°C |
| Rainfall | 0.9″ | 0.6″ | 0.6″ | 1.1″ | 4″ | 3.5″ | 2.4″ | 3.5″ | 5.1″ | 7.1″ | 3″ | 1.5″ |
| Verdict | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Off-peak | Shoulder | Good | Shoulder | Off-peak | Off-peak | Shoulder | Prime |
Jamaica is warm year-round. Rainfall varies by coast, with wetter periods generally in May and June, and September through November. Use the monthly weather figures here as a planning guide, not a forecast.
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November. Storms can disrupt flights, roads and resort operations, so monitor forecasts and your airline and resort updates. Check cancellation terms and any insurance coverage before booking.
Sargassum. The north-coast resort areas (Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios) are usually lightly affected; south- and east-facing beaches see more in spring–summer influx years.
Figures are long-term climate normals for Montego Bay, good for planning. They are not a forecast.
Do you need a passport or visa for Jamaica?
U.S. and Canadian citizens flying to Jamaica should travel with a passport valid through their stay and a return or onward ticket. A visa is generally not required for a short tourist visit. Confirm the permitted stay with Jamaica's Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA), and follow the admission date given by immigration.
Complete the free online C5 immigration and customs declaration before traveling, using the official government link below. Check requirements for every traveler's nationality, passport type and route with PICA and your airline before departure.
Is Jamaica safe? And is it safe to leave the resort?
Check the current U.S. travel advisory before booking and departure, including its specific higher-risk areas. Tourist areas generally have lower violent-crime rates, but incidents can occur at resorts too.
For excursions, arrange transport through your hotel or an established operator. Avoid public buses, walking at night and driving between towns after dark. Keep valuables secure and avoid secluded places.
Emergency medical care can be limited. Check whether your insurance covers treatment abroad and medical evacuation.
Currency, U.S. dollars, and tipping
Jamaica's currency is the Jamaican dollar (JMD). U.S. dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, but confirm which currency a price uses and the exchange rate before paying. Carry small bills and some local currency for smaller purchases.
Sandals and Beaches include gratuities for most resort staff, with exceptions for butlers and spa therapists. Couples has a no-tipping policy for resort staff; its guidance separately recommends tips for outside airport-transfer drivers.
At other resorts, check the property's policy and whether a service charge is already included. Ask separately about drivers, excursions and spa services. There is no single tipping percentage that applies to every all-inclusive booking.
Getting there & around
Montego Bay (MBJ) is a useful arrival airport for Montego Bay, Negril and the north coast. For Ocho Rios, also compare flights into nearby Ian Fleming International (OCJ) and Kingston (KIN). Compare the full flight-and-transfer journey and confirm road time with your transfer provider for your exact resort.
Before buying a transfer, check your booking confirmation: is transport included from your arrival airport, and is it shared or private? Confirm the meeting point, return pickup, child-seat arrangements if needed, and how to report a delayed flight. Shared transfers may make other hotel stops.
Jamaica drives on the left. Arrange your ride in advance with your resort or an established operator, and consider arrival time as well as flight price.
What to do beyond the resort
The all-inclusive is the point, but Jamaica rewards getting out at least once. Near Ocho Rios, climb the tiered cascades of Dunn's River Falls, float the Blue Hole, or raft the White River. Around Negril, sunset at Rick's Café (cliff divers, reggae, and a frozen drink) is a rite of passage, and Seven-Mile Beach speaks for itself.
Elsewhere: bamboo rafting on the Martha Brae near Montego Bay, YS Falls and the floating Pelican Bar on the quieter South Coast, the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston for music pilgrims, and an Appleton Estate rum tour for everyone else. Book through your resort or a vetted operator.
Good to know
Power & plugs: 110V with the same flat Type A/B plugs as the U.S., so no adapter needed. Language: English is official; you'll also hear Patois. Sunscreen: pack reef-safe to protect the coral you came to snorkel. Water: stick to bottled or filtered off-resort to be safe. Dress: beach-casual all day, with a few à la carte restaurants asking for smart-casual at dinner.
Getting to Jamaica
Indicative round-trip fares into Montego Bay (MBJ) from the major US gateways, cheapest first. Tap through for live prices and dates.
| From | Airport | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| New York | JFK | $451Cheapest |
| Atlanta | ATL | $474 |
| Miami | MIA | $488 |
| Chicago | ORD | $492 |
| Newark | EWR | $501 |
| Dallas | DFW | $505 |
| Boston | BOS | $594 |
| Los Angeles | LAX | $603 |
The best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica
The Jamaica properties we would actually book. For the full numbered ranking, see the best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica.
Where to stay in Jamaica
The resort areas we cover, and which properties sit in each.
From our sister site, It’s All Cruises
Would you rather be at sea?
Cruise ships call at three ports in Jamaica. If you are torn between a week at a resort and a cruise, our port guides show what a day ashore here really looks like.
Resort chains in Jamaica
The brands operating here. The ones we rank in full link through to the chain, what its plan really covers, and every resort of theirs we track.
Where these companies came from
Almost nobody in this category publishes it. Read oldest first and the list is a short history of how Jamaica came to look the way it does.
Jamaica, head to head
Price, flights, sand, food and safety, compared honestly.
Jamaica vs Dominican Republic
price, beaches, flights, safety, food, and vibe compared honestly with real resort data.
CompareJamaica vs Aruba
hurricane risk, beaches, price, culture, and vibe compared honestly. One has the soul, the other has the sure thing.
CompareJamaica vs MexicoDominican RepublicMaldivesGreeceSpainTurks & CaicosArubaBarbadosSt. LuciaItalyPortugalTurkeyAntiguaCuraçaoBrazilCosta RicaPhilippinesFrench PolynesiaMoroccoEgyptSouth AfricaMauritiusKenyaTanzaniaMozambiqueThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaPunta CanaCancúnRiviera MayaLos CabosPuerto VallartaGuanacasteCreteBahiaBora BoraMalé AtollsRodney BayBarbados South CoastBarbados West CoastViti LevuVanua LevuCanary IslandsBalearic IslandsCosta del SolSharm el-SheikhHurghada & the Red Sea CoastBelekRhodesLara & AntalyaMaldives Outer AtollsCorfuHalkidikiKosSoufrière & South St. LuciaZanzibarGrenadaFijiCroatiaU.S. Virgin IslandsSri LankaSeychellesBahamasChileArgentinaUnited States
Best-of lists for Jamaica
Reading on Jamaica
- GuideSandals vs. Secrets: Which Adults-Only All-Inclusive Should You Choose?Sandals and Secrets compared across 30 open adults-only resorts: couples-only Caribbean islands with diving, transfers, and tips included versus Mexico and Punta Cana suites that earn World of Hyatt points.Oct 27, 2026 · 2 min read
- FeatureWhen Does Sandals South Coast Reopen? November 2026 Date & Jamaica AlternativesSandals South Coast in Whitehouse, Jamaica is currently closed following Hurricane Melissa and is scheduled to reopen on November 18, 2026. Open Sandals and adults-only resorts in Jamaica are compared here so you can book a stay right now.Oct 25, 2026 · 2 min read
- FeatureIs Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall Open? Montego Bay Status & Open Family AlternativesNo. Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, and its adults-only companion Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, in Montego Bay, Jamaica suspended operations after Hurricane Melissa and has not confirmed an exact reopening date. Open family all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica are compared here.Oct 25, 2026 · 2 min read
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport to go to Jamaica?
For a flight, U.S. and Canadian visitors should bring a passport valid through their stay and a return or onward ticket. Short tourist visits generally do not require a visa. Complete the free official C5 form before traveling and confirm your permitted stay with PICA.
Is it safe to leave the resort in Jamaica?
Check the current advisory and the areas on your itinerary. Use arranged transport and established excursion operators; avoid public buses, secluded places and travel after dark. Staying in a tourist area does not remove all risk.
Can I use U.S. dollars in Jamaica?
U.S. dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. Confirm whether prices are in USD or Jamaican dollars and check the exchange rate. Local currency is useful for smaller purchases.
Do you tip at all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica?
Check the resort's policy. Sandals and Beaches include most gratuities, with butler and spa-therapist exceptions. Couples prohibits tipping resort staff but recommends tips for outside airport-transfer drivers. Other resorts and service providers have their own policies.
When is the best time to visit Jamaica?
Jamaica is warm year-round, with wetter periods generally in May and June and September through November. June through November is also hurricane season. Compare weather patterns, current forecasts and booking terms for your dates.
Which airport should I fly into for an all-inclusive in Jamaica?
Compare Montego Bay (MBJ) for Montego Bay and Negril. For Ocho Rios, check nearby Ian Fleming International (OCJ) as well as MBJ and Kingston (KIN). Confirm the transfer time and whether your booking includes transport from that airport.