Jamaica (Montego Bay) Weather in December
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Pick your travel dates to see the odds.
December closes the year back in Jamaica's dry-season pattern: highs of 82.7°F, rain down to 10.9 days, humidity at 82%, and no recorded hurricane activity historically, a clean return to the island's most reliable weather stretch.
Lows cool to 73.6°F, comfortable evenings after the muggier summer and fall months.
The sea holds at 83.6°F, still very swimmable even as it cools from its autumn peak.
December is peak season and priced accordingly, especially around Christmas and New Year's, the two weeks bracketing the holidays are the most expensive and crowded stretch of the year on Jamaica's north coast.
Booking Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril resort rooms, restaurant reservations and day trips (Dunn's River Falls, Martha Brae, Nine Mile) well in advance is essential for the holiday weeks specifically; the first half of December, before the rush, is noticeably calmer for similar weather.
Dry-season conditions return in earnest by December, making this a strong month for exploring beyond the resort strip, historic sites, local markets, and evening excursions into Montego Bay's Hip Strip.
Early December, before roughly the 20th, is genuinely the sweet spot of the month: dry-season weather without the holiday-week surcharge or the crowds that arrive with Christmas week.
Pack for warm days and mild evenings, plan for holiday-week crowds if traveling Dec 20–Jan 2, and book everything early if that's your window.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Jamaica?
Yes, weather-wise it's excellent, dry, warm, no hurricane risk. It's also peak season, so book early and expect high prices around the holidays.
Is Jamaica expensive in December?
Very, especially Christmas through New Year's, the most expensive stretch of the year. Early December is calmer and more affordable.
Does it rain much in Jamaica in December?
Not much, about 11 rain days, back in line with the dry-season pattern.
Is the sea warm enough to swim in Jamaica in December?
Yes, averaging 83.6°F, comfortable for swimming.
Is there hurricane risk in Jamaica in December?
No, hurricane season ended November 30, and December has no recorded storm activity historically.
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0) and the NOAA National Hurricane Center. Data updated September 2026. How we calculate.