What’s it like in Jamaica in November – Updated for 2024

What's it like in Jamaica in November (Updated for 2024)

Thinking of going to Jamaica in November? 

Jamaica in November - flowers

 

Everyone wants to know … What’s there to do in Jamaica in November? What’s the weather in Jamaica in November like? Is November a good time of year to visit Jamaica? Which fruits are in season in November in Jamaica?

We answer those questions plus give a few insider tips to help you enjoy your vacation.

Table of Contents

Is November a good month to go to  Jamaica?

 

Well, it depends on what you are looking for in a vacation. Here is a brief summary of November in Jamaica.

November is the off-season. It is the end of hurricane season and can be a little rainy with a very low risk of a tropical storm at the beginning of the month. The last two weeks in November has some of the best weather in Jamaica.

The attractions are all open. Usually, there is Restaurant Week as well as the Nyam Jam Food Festival. 

Tourist crowds and lodging prices are generally low in November, except during Thanksgiving Week, when you can expect to see higher prices, but still lower than during high season.

Going to Jamaica in November can actually save you quite a bit of money and you will have a relaxing time. Read why the offseason is a great time to go to Jamaica.

Read on for a more detailed view of November in Jamaica.

 

Public Holidays in Jamaica in November

 

There are no national holidays in Jamaica in November.

Certain television and radio ads in Jamaica advertising Black Friday sales could lead you to believe that Jamaicans celebrate Thanksgiving. They don’t.

 

Can you get a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner in Jamaica?

Yes, you can! Since a fairly large number of Americans rent villas (vacation rentals) over the Thanksgiving holiday break as a way of bringing their families together, the larger grocery stores sell turkeys.

Jamaicans are more into chicken than turkey but if you wanted a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner, it could easily be arranged.

 

Fruits and Foods in Season in Jamaica in November

 

There is always some fruit in season in Jamaica.

 

Citrus

The main citrus crop bears between November and April.

In addition to the usual fare such as oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits, Jamaica has some unique citrus fruits.

The ortanique is a cross between an orange and a tangerine.

The ugli, is like a tangelo. It is a cross between a tangerine, grapefruit and an orange. As the name suggests, it is an ugly fruit. With its thickened skin, prominent pores, and sometimes a shriveled appearance, it looks like a deformed grapefruit or orange. It is surprisingly sweet and juicy reminding us to never judge a book by its cover!

 

Ugli-Fruit

 

 

June Plum

This fruit surrounds a spiky fibrous core. The sweet, tart juicy fruit is worth maneuvering around the spikes.

Most people eat it ripe; but, it is also eaten green, usually sprinkled with salt.

These delicious fruits are usually in season from October to December.

June plum

 

Ackee

Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica. Many people think ackee and saltfish is the national dish. It is actually the unofficial national dish. There isn’t actually a national dish.

Ackee can be found year round but the season is from September to December.

Ackee

 

 

Avocado

Jamaicans refer to “avocado” as “pear” and they eat pear with almost everything, even bread!

No, guacamole is not common in Jamaica. That’s Mexico.

Avocados are in season between September and December.

 

Jamaicans love avocado

 

Soursop

Jamaican use this to make a very refreshing drink. Many believe that it helps to soothe the nerves and also with high blood pressure. It is very rich in Vitamin C. Some believe that it has cancer-fighting capabilities; however, that has not been proven.

Soursop is most abundant in July to November.

 

Soursop - a strange looking fruit

 

Lobster Season in Jamaica

 

Lobster in Jamaica

Lobster season is open from July 1st to March 30th.

The Jamaican Government can change the end date to close the season, but so far we haven’t heard anything about that.

 

Conch Season in Jamaica

Conch season is closed in November! The season is closed from August 1st to February 28th the following year.

 

 

 

Weather in Jamaica in November

We all want perfect weather conditions on our vacations. The reality is that nature has its own agenda. Here is a guide as to historical weather conditions in the Discovery Bay – Braco area during November in Jamaica.

 

Sunshine

On average, there are 3002 hours of sunshine per year in Jamaica out of a possible 4383 hours. The sunniest months are January through April, as well as July and August.

Average amount of bright sunshine per day in November: 6 hrs

Average amount of daylight per day in November: 11 hrs

 

Sunrise & Sunset

Sunrise: between 6:10 and 6:25 am

Sunset: between 5:32 and 5:37 pm

 

Temperature

Northeasterly trade winds keep the coastal areas cool with island temperatures averaging around 71-88°F year round. Nevertheless, there aren’t wide variations in temperature across the island.

Temperatures do tend to be lower in the mountainous areas such as in the Blue Mountains. Temperatures decrease by about 1°F for every 300ft increase in elevation. The plains such as in Kingston and the more flat and arid southern areas of the island, such as Clarendon, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth, are hotter.

The warmest months in Jamaica are July and August with average maximum daytime temperature of about 89-90°F. The coolest months are December through February with maximum temperatures of about 84.

Average maximum daytime temperature in Discovery Bay – Braco area in Jamaica in November is about 82°F/28°C. 

Average minimum temperature is around 68°F/20°C.

Average-Temperature-in-Discovery-Bay-Jamaica

Average Temperature in Discovery Bay Jamaica

 

Rain

How much rain can you expect? It varies.

Traditionally, the rainy periods are April and May/June and again October to November/December.

June and July are generally the driest months.

February and March are also traditionally dry months too.

This pattern does vary from year to year with much more variability noted in recent years.

The amount of rainfall and the frequency of showers or days of rain can vary quite a bit in Jamaica, even in nearby towns.

For example, there could be significant rainfall in the town of Discovery Bay with hardly a raindrop in our area, five minutes’ drive away.

In general, the more north-easterly sections of Jamaica get the most rain. These areas would represent areas east of Ocho Rios and on into Portland, where rainfall averages can be significant.

Rain in Jamaica often is at night or early mornings. Sometimes, rain comes on during the daytime in short quick spurts only to disappear just as quickly as it came. In the rainy period, there can be several consecutive days of rain.

On average, there are about 11 days with some rainfall, defined as any rain at all, during the month of November. 

Average monthly rainfall for the month of November is 8.3 inches. Discovery Bay area gets less rain than Ocho Rios.

 

 

If there are heavy rains, on-river activities, such as river rafting, might be canceled due to high water levels or rapid rivers. Water clarity could also be affected depending on how much rain occurred in the mountains.

 

Seawater temperature

The sea is warmest during July through October. Average sea water temperature in Discovery Bay in November is about 82°F/28°C.

 

Average sea water temperature in Discovery Bay Jamaica

 

 

Risk of hurricane – Is hurricane season in November?

November is the end of hurricane season. Tropical storm risk for the month of November is low, historically 1%.

Be sure to get trip insurance when you travel, especially internationally. This is particularly true during hurricane season.

Read our blog post: What You Should Know About Hurricane Season in Jamaica.

 

 

Is November high or low season?

November is low season, which runs from April 15 – December 15th. Hotel rates may be lower than during high season. See our blog post – 8 Reasons You Should Visit Jamaica in the Off Season.

 

What are tourist crowds like in November?

November is traditionally a slow month for arrivals at Montego Bay Airport.  September, October, and November see the fewest number of arrivals every year. Hint, those are great months to snag deals!

 

 

Busiest Months for Arrivals at Montego Bay’s airport in Jamaica

 

 

What to wear in Jamaica in November?

Remember, Jamaica is Summer year-round. You have more to worry about with tour buses that crank up the air-conditioning than cold weather in Jamaica.

I usually wear a light jacket of some sort on the flight down so that I will have it with me just in case I need it one evening – or on a tour bus!

Read our article about how to pack for your Jamaica vacation to get more tips.

 

Where in Jamaica should you stay for your vacation

There are six (6) established tourist regions – Ocho Rios (which includes Discovery Bay, Montego Bay, Negril, South Coast, Kingston, and Portland. Each area has its own flavor. 

Read our blog post on how to decide where to stay in Jamaica for a description of the various tourist regions on the island.

If you are looking for a family-friendly location, read our post about why a stay in Discovery Bay might be right for you. 

 

Which property to choose for your stay in Jamaica?

Always stay at a property that is licensed by the Tourist Board. This ensures that the property meets the standards for health and safety. 

Pick a villa or resort that is loaded with amenities so that you won’t be bored and you can spend more of your vacation relaxing, unwinding, and getting to know your travel partners.

If you are traveling as a group, consider a stay at a villa, such as Mais Oui Villa in Discovery Bay, a much better option than a resort to socially-distance from strangers.

With 8 bedrooms, Mais Oui is perfect for families and groups. Amenities galore. Great central location to allow you to explore all that Jamaica has to offer.

 

If you love our house (Mais Oui Villa) and want to stay with us, here is the link to our own website to book directly with us: https://MakeItJamaica.com

 

If for whatever reason you wish to book through an online agency, here are the links to our listings. They will charge you a fee, but if you don’t mind, and it makes you feel better, even safer, then, by all means, go ahead and book through them. We prefer for you to book through them than to not book at all.

VRBO   

AirBnB   

TripAdvisor

 

 

Which attractions should you visit in Jamaica?

 

There are tons of things to do in Jamaica. The options depend on what your interests are. 

 

Here are two popular ones to get you started.

 

1.Puerto Seco Beach in Discovery Bay

 

Puerto Seco Beach Park , Discovery Bay, Jamaica

 

2. Martha Brae Rafting

Martha Brae River Rafting Jamaica

 

 

Visit our Things to Do in Jamaica page for more ideas.

 

 

What’s happening in Jamaica in November?

 

Take note:  Most Jamaican events’ calendars are woefully inaccurate. This is even more true as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many popular websites still list events that have long been abandoned or happened in the distant past. Outdated websites and inactive Facebook pages are not uncommon.

 

Typical Annual Events in Jamaica in November

 

Reggae SunSplash

Now that’s a name that wasn’t heard for years. This was Jamaica’s flagship music festival for years. It started in 1978 and continued annually until 1996. There was one staging in 1998 and another in 2006. And that was it. 

After a 14 year hiatus, the event was held virtually in November 2020. There is talk of it coming back but no details as yet. Stay tuned!

 

The Collection Moda

Debuted in 2012, this annual event features designers and artisans from Jamaica, the rest of the Caribbean and the United States with the goal of promoting the business of fashion.

The Moda series of events includes the MoDa Business Seminar, the MoDa runway show and MoDa market, a curated buyers market featuring fashion designers and artisans.

Date: Generally either the second or third weekend of November

Location: Kingston

Website: http://www.thecollectionmoda.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCollectionMoDA/

Telephone: 876-383-7605 or 876-929-2096

 

Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week Jamaica, sponsored by the Jamaica Gleaner (newspaper) is an annual event offering special discounts and packages at over 75 participating restaurants around the country allowing patrons to experience the full range our cuisine.

Date: Generally held around the second or third week of November.

Location: The final list of restaurants and caterers will be available closer to the event date

Website: There seems to be no permanent website available

Email: restaurantweekjamaica@gmail.com

 

NyamJam Food and Music Festival

Nyam is Jamaican for eat and Jam means music. This food and music event will feature local and international celebrity chefs.

Date: Generally mid-November

Location: Golden Eye Hotel & Resort and James Bond Beach, Oracabessa, St. Mary

Website: http://www.nyamjamfestival.com/

 

Eat Jamaican Day

The late Governor General of Jamaica, Sir Howard Cooke, proclaimed November 25th as “Eat Jamaican Day” on November 25, 2003.

The intent was to remind Jamaicans of the vision for the nation to “eat what we grow and to grow what we eat”. The campaign is usually commemorated through a series of activities around that date.

Website: http://www.jas.gov.jm/Eatjamaicanday.html

 

One World Ska & Rocksteady Music Festival

The One World Ska & Rocksteady Music Festival celebrates ska and rocksteady, two musical genres that helped set the foundation for reggae.

Date: Generally over a weekend in late November

Location: Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, Kingston

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oneworldska/

Phone: 876-385-6576 or 914-412-2726

 

 

Have you been to Jamaica in November? Did we miss something? Do you know of an event in Jamaica in November that we should include? Let us know so that we may update the post.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

 

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‘Til next time.

Think and dream Jamaica!

Sherry, Darrell, and Darrian

Visit our website: https://MakeItJamaica.com

Give us a call: 833.624.7684 (toll free) or 914.709.0457

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About the Author Sherry

Sherry & Darrell, owners of Mais Oui Tennis & Spa Villa in Discovery Bay, Jamaica, consider themselves unofficial ambassadors for Jamaica. They look forward to using their insider knowledge to help guests create priceless vacation memories. Feel free to say hi!

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About the Author Sherry

Sherry & Darrell, owners of Mais Oui Tennis & Spa Villa in Discovery Bay, Jamaica, consider themselves unofficial ambassadors for Jamaica. They look forward to using their insider knowledge to help guests create priceless vacation memories. Feel free to say hi!