The Grand Escape
Destinations · Head-to-head

Negril vs Ocho Rios

Negril and Ocho Rios, side by side: live travel advisories, our resort catalog's real guest data, and each destination's honest weather picture — everything you need to break the tie.

Negril guide · Ocho Rios guide · How we score

By the numbers

NegrilOcho Rios
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 2: Exercise Increased CautionLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog32
Average guest rating★ 4.5★ 4.5
Nightly rates$300–$800/night—
Adults-only resorts2 of 31 of 2
Hurricane exposureIn the hurricane beltIn the hurricane belt
Rainy seasonMay–June and September–NovemberMay–June and September–November — the rain is why it's this green
Sweet spotDecember–April — with a sunset every night of the yearDecember–April
AirportSangster (MBJ) — ~75–90 min transferSangster (MBJ) ~90 min, or Ian Fleming (OCJ) for small aircraft
Best forBeach purists, couples, long unhurried staysWaterfalls + gardens + excursions; couples classics
SignatureSunsets at Rick's Café; calm swimmable waterDunn's River Falls; Blue Hole; Fern Gully
VibeBarefoot, low-rise, reggae-pacedLush, active, excursion-rich

Advisory levels sync from travel.state.gov; catalog figures reflect the resorts we've researched, not every hotel in the country.

Weather, month by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Negril — high °F838384858789898988878684
Ocho Rios — high °F828283848688888888878583
Negril — rain (in)0.80.60.71.34.23.82.63.85.57.03.21.4
Ocho Rios — rain (in)1.51.21.21.84.54.03.04.25.57.54.02.2

Approximate climate normals for Seven Mile Beach and Ocho Rios / St. Ann — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

Best of Negril

  1. 1.Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa — · ★ 4.6
  2. 2.Couples Swept Away — Negril, Jamaica · ★ 4.5
  3. 3.Sandals Negril — Negril, Jamaica · ★ 4.5

Chains here: Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts · Couples Resorts · Sandals Resorts

Full Negril guide

Best of Ocho Rios

  1. 1.Sandals Dunn's River — · ★ 4.8
  2. 2.Moon Palace Jamaica — · ★ 4.2

Chains here: Sandals Resorts · Palace Resorts

Full Ocho Rios guide

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