When do you think the best time of year to visit Negril?
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When do you think the best time of year to visit Negril?
It all depends on what you are into, my wife and I like the quieter times, May-July and September. Many places are closed for a period of time in those months for the rehabing of their establishments or taking vacation but in the hectic life we lead here on the US mainland, we really don't want to deal with big crowds and hassles. The downside is there are less live shows and some good restaurants may be closed.
Yo Jeff! Are you Steve's friend? We were there the first week of December, pretty quiet. But, then again we're not looking for the BIG parties. And then we there the end of Feb. and first week of March. It seemed really quiet during those times as well. Was there a crazy busy time this year? There is no spring break, like the Cancuns etc. But, as long as we can at least go to Negril, it don't matter when I guess. You know what I mean? Respect One Love
The weather is pretty much constant. It's a bit cooler in the winter months and the water can be cold (cold to those of us who live in South Florida.) The spring, summer, and fall months will have more rain, usually in the afternoon. I've been to Jamaica in just about every month of the year and rarely found it to be more or less crowded with the exception of the holidays - Christmas and New Years in particular.
I have always preferred Feb. But we also enjoyed August also.
April is my favorite month to go. Nice and WARM, water smooth .............~~ Feb seemed to be windy and cool.......Oct was too stormy and rainy. December was a bit crowded for us, plus the extra cost at high season~~ Just my two cents worth.
Anytime
Love April but we just can't get off work at that time anymore so it's almost always Thanksgiving time.It's busy enough and most places are open and always a couple of good shows and lots of great people!
I have to agree with Jim-Donna. Late April is a great time to go. Negril is still in the peak season vibe, while many hotels have off-peak rates. The only down side is that it is closed season for lobster.
We have also been enjoying early November trips, just before the Thanksgiving rush. Hurricane/rainy season is mostly over at this point, but crowds are still small. Plus it starts to get cold in the northeast, so its a good time to get away. The only downside is that it is closed season for conch. :rolleyes:
I have found early March to be the best time to go (I have only been once). :) We are planning on another trip this year. Not sure of the time yet. Availability of music is a must.
Up until this year, we've always gone in April (typically after the 15th when the rates go down). This year because of work conflicts, we are going end of May. We really like April and enjoy it not being too busy; I anticipate May to be similar, if not a bit slower. We were in Negril this past October for the Cocolapalm Halloween party and it rained every day except for the day we left (figures!). I can deal with afternoon showers that come and go, but these were fully overcast days and pounding rain at times. Didn't see much sunshine at all.
Early December just before the high season and some people but not too many and prices for hotels lower too.
We love February - when the snow flies like crazy and instead of shovelling it we can just read about it...
Any time will do
Cap
There was a Blues Fest the end of January this year. Saw pics and videos on FB. I would have loved to be there then. This will likely be an annual event as it appeared very successful. No def dates yet tho... I usually go shoulder season to take advantage of substantially lower hotel prices. Went 2x the last week of November and weather was great. I personally wouldn't go June - October.Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff brown
Having been there in all seasons. My favorite is late April early May. Summer rates and perfect weather. Second favorite is December for the marathon, my birthday and our wedding anniversary!
New Years Eve.
We really like late April. Still enough of a crowd to cause a little ruckus with but low hotel rates and airfare are plentiful. I will be honest tho I have found we get a lot more attention from the beach vendors than we did during our peak season stay as the crowd is thinner and therefore easier to be spotted. Not always a good thing but also not always a bad thing either. ;-) Like Cap. Said. Anytime is the right time.
My favorite time is anytime I am there!!! We tend to favor the fall for the quiet.
I really like Dream week in August. Sure August is hot like a sauna but the town is buzzing with excitement. Thousands of Jamaican tourists celebrating Emancipation and Independence days. The place is hopping.
My biggest concern would be to come when there is a lack of live reggae music readily available...we purchased a living social goign to back to the tree house just not sure when.
mi concur......awesome time to be in NegrilQuote:
Originally Posted by Limo Mon
the holiday time of Christmas and New Years is pretty special.......not to be missed
mi second choice is Independence Week in August........with Dream Weekend and everything.......off da hook.......even for an old guiy....lol
Cool Runnings, Marko
We have been 11 trips and have always went in late June/ early July. I really like that time of year because it's not crowded at all. There were some trips that we had the whole place to ourselves for a day or two!
This year we are going in May. Not sure if it will be much different?
Jeff raises an issue I'm wondering about ... are there months when the bars don't hire bands, when the bigger stars won't be doing shows, etc.?
I've only been to JA twice, both times being early October, as we honeymooned and celebrated an anniversary there. Oddly enough, I'm going back for a third visit, again, in October, as my best friend is getting married in Negril, on Halloween. Is this holiday celebrated much in Jamaica?
we are planing on going back the next time middle to late march.we found that it was nice and quite we were there the last weeek in april but would go a bit earlier the next time
The majority of the bigger reggae artists play in the high season in the months of January, February, and March.
Yeah, you will usually see the bigger acts during the high season, but there will occasionally be a show by a popular artist during the slow season. The major venues (Bourbon Beach, Alfred's, Roots Bamboo, SeaStar) will still have their regular shows during the off season - however you mostly see local bands there.Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkY
We have been in May but the last 9 years have been in June. Not too busy and nice weather.