Jamaica in November: Weather, Crowds and What to Book, From Our Drivers

Jamaica in November is warm, quieter than the winter months and cheaper than December. Hurricane season is winding down, the days are still about 85F (29C), and the sea is warm enough to stay in all afternoon. Our drivers like this month because the roads are calm, the rivers are full and the big crowds have not landed yet.

What is the weather really like in Jamaica in November?

Expect highs around 85F (29C) on the coast and nights around 72F (22C). The sea sits near 82F (28C), so there is no cold shock when you walk in at Doctor's Cave or off the catamaran.

Rain is the question we get most. November is one of the wetter months on paper, but the rain in Montego Bay and Negril usually comes as a heavy shower in the late afternoon or overnight, then the sky clears. All-day grey rain is rare on the north coast. The north east, around Port Antonio and the hills behind Ocho Rios, gets more of it, which is why the rivers run full and green this time of year. If your excursion day looks wet, we have a whole post on what to do in Jamaica when it rains.

Hurricane season officially runs to November 30. By this point in the year the risk is low, and in most Novembers nothing comes near the island. We still tell guests arriving in the first week to buy travel insurance that covers weather delays, because a flight cancellation is more likely than a storm on the ground.

Is November a good time to visit Jamaica for prices and crowds?

Yes, and it is the main reason to come now. High season starts around the middle of December, so November hotel rates run well below what the same room costs over Christmas. Flights from the US and Canada are usually cheaper too, outside of the Thanksgiving weekend.

On the ground this means shorter lines at Dunn's River Falls, more space on the beach at Seven Mile, and a raft captain on the Martha Brae who has time to talk. Our airport pickups are quicker as well. In high season the arrivals hall at Sangster can take a while to clear. In November you are usually out and in the van within half an hour of landing.

The one busy stretch is the week of American Thanksgiving, this year November 26. The Saturday before and the Wednesday of that week bring full flights into Montego Bay, so book your private airport transfer early and give yourself a little patience at immigration.

Does the time change affect my trip?

Jamaica does not change its clocks. When the US and Canada fall back in early November, the island lines up with Eastern Standard Time, so guests from Toronto, New York or Miami have no time difference at all. Your phone will not need adjusting and your pickup time means the same thing to you as it does to us.

The other thing to plan around is the early sunset. In November the sun goes down around 5:30 pm. That is good news for Rick's Cafe, because the sunset show happens before dinner and you are back at your hotel by 8. It is also why we start Luminous Lagoon pickups earlier than in summer. The boats go out as soon as it is dark, and the glow is brightest on a moonless night. If you want the best show, check the moon phase when you pick your date.

What should we book in Jamaica in November?

This is a good river month. The water is high and clear after the autumn rain, so Martha Brae rafting, White River tubing and Blue Hole are all at their best. Dunn's River Falls has plenty of flow and far fewer people on the climb than in January.

It is also a good month for the longer drives. The Blue Mountain coffee tour out of Kingston and the YS Falls and Appleton Estate day on the south coast are easier when the roads are quiet and the midday heat has eased a little. A full south coast day still runs about ten hours door to door from Montego Bay, so pick a day early in your trip and rest the next one.

For a sea day, the catamaran cruise to Dunn's River or the sunset sail to Rick's Cafe in Negril both run through November. The water is calm most days. If a weather system is passing, the boat operators will cancel or move the sail, and we move your booking with it.

What should I pack for Jamaica in November?

Pack the way you would for summer, plus two things. Bring a light rain jacket or a cheap poncho for the afternoon shower, and bring water shoes, because the river trips are the best of the month and the stones are slippery. A sweater is only for the plane and the Blue Mountains, where it can feel cool in the evening.

Mosquito repellent matters more in November than in the dry season, especially near the rivers at dusk. Reef-safe sunscreen is still essential. The sun is lower but it is still strong enough to burn a Canadian in twenty minutes.

Our take on November

If you want Jamaica without the January prices and without the spring break crowd, November is the month we would pick. Build your days around the rivers and the early sunsets, book your airport pickup before Thanksgiving week fills up, and leave one afternoon open for the rain to pass. Ready to plan it? You can book a tour or set up your private airport transfers and we will handle the rest.