Where to Stay in Jamaica 2024
Jamaica is open for travel. So where are the best places to stay in Jamaica in 2024?
After living in Jamaica for over two years, we’ve gathered our best recommendations for where to stay in Jamaica.
We highlight hotels and resorts that are officially approved by the Jamaica Tourism Authority for following health protocols throughout the pandemic.
Updated: December 2023. Originally published: October 2020.
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Where to Stay in Jamaica: 2024 Quick Guide
These are our top picks:
For couples: Catch A Falling Star or Tensing Pen (Negril)
For families: Franklyn D. Resort & Spa (Runaway Bay)
For budget travelers: Traveller’s Beach Resort (Negril)
For quiet luxury: Hermosa Cove Villas (Ocho Rios)
For off-the-beaten-path: Jake’s Resort (Treasure Beach)
Read on for our recommendations of the best places to stay in Jamaica!
What area to visit in Jamaica
Where you should stay in Jamaica really depends on the goals of your trip. The primary tourist areas are found between Negril, to the West, and along the North Coast from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and as far as Portland on the East.
Negril is known for its long stretch of sandy beach. There are several large chain resorts, various hotels, vacation rentals, and tourist restaurants lined up on this coast.
Montego Bay is the second-largest city in Jamaica and has the main tourist airport. Unlike Negril, there’s much more going on in Montego Bay than just tourism.
Mo Bay has resorts, hotels, and restaurants like Margaritaville, as well as high-end gated communities. However, you do need to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings when walking around the city and avoid certain areas at night.
The next popular city along the North Coast is Ocho Rios, which has a mix of amenities for locals and tourists. Quite a few excursions and tourist attractions are located between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, so this is a good area if you’re looking for an active vacation.
Visitors also enjoy Portland to the far East, which is often more lush in climate and known for things like surfing and jerk chicken.
On the South Coast, the capital city of Kingston offers a lot of history. However, because of high crime areas, we don’t usually recommend Kingston to independent travelers unless you know someone who can show you around.
Off the beaten path and a ways from any airports, an arid but friendly haven can be found at Treasure Beach.
Where to Stay in Negril, Jamaica
Negril is a popular tourist destination located on the Western tip of Jamaica, a short drive from MBJ Sangster International Airport.
A majority of the tourist area is along a strip of flat, sandy seven mile beach, while a smaller section to the South is perched on rocky cliffs. It’s essentially one long line of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and bars.
Catch a Falling Star, Negril
With views from beautiful cliffs, this small resort features a swimming pool, on-site restaurant, and bar. Guests can follow a path downward for swimming and snorkeling in the ocean. It’s the perfect place if you’re looking for great views and friendly staff.
Many of the individual cottages and suites of Catch A Falling Star feature a kitchenette. While getting to Negril’s sandy beach and commercial area will require transportation, there are a few food options within walking distance of this property.
April 2021 TripAdvisor review: “I am a repeat at Catcha Falling Star and I will be back. Everyone at Catcha goes above and beyond to make your stay as comfortable as possible. The rooms are clean and airy and most of them have fantastic views of the sea. It’s paradise.
The cleaning staff come in every morning and they CLEAN… The hotel will arrange a return Covid test for you. The cost is $60 US and the nurse comes directly to your room. You get the results instantaneously.”
Cost: $$/$$$
Check rates and availability for Catch A Falling Star >
Similar resort in this area: Tensing Pen
Jamaica Budget Hotel Option: Traveller’s Beach Resort
Traveller’s Beach Resort is a budget hotel with pool, conveniently located on the Negril coast. While much of the beach has eroded in front of the property, it’s easy to walk to larger stretches of sandy beach from here.
Accommodations include basic hotel rooms and a couple private bungalows with kitchenettes. There is an on-site restaurant and cocktails served on the outdoor terrace.
June 2022 TripAdvisor review: “We’ve been coming to Traveller’s for 5 years now. Having initially selected Traveller’s through its Jamaican ownership, we found we loved the place!
It’s not too far from town and the West End, which we love and has a perfect location on the beach. The staff are like family and have been there for years- the mark of a great employer and of loyal staff. Some of the profits have been invested in the local children and schools. A shining example to all of us.
We will be back and will continue to recommend Traveller’s to our friends and guests who want to see Jamaican hospitality at its best.“
Cost: $/$$
Read TBR’s safety protocols
Check rates and availability for Traveller’s Beach Resort >
Where to Stay on Jamaica’s North Coast
Family-friendly All-Inclusive Resort: Franklyn D. Resort & Spa – Runaway Bay, Jamaica
Video by Meg For It
The Franklyn D. Resort is a family-friendly, beach-front resort with multiple open-air restaurants, pools, and – get this – a Vacation Nanny for your kids.
While not in walking distance to much besides a golf course, there are plenty of on-site activities and entertainment, making this a great place for family vacations.
June 2021 TripAdvisor review (excerpt): “FDR was our first travel since the pandemic began. Because of Covid restrictions, there were some things that weren’t available, but it didn’t matter. We had an incredible time. The suites were spacious, with plenty of room for us, the kids, and all their stuff. The kitchenette was perfect.
The food was incredible. It wasn’t super-fancy, like a cruise-ship, but it was incredibly varied and delicious, every day. The beach area was beautiful, and the boat rides we took were fun. The vibe was chilled out and relaxed. I’m not sure if it was the vacation we were expecting, but after this unprecedented and unpredictable 18 months, it was definitely the vacation we needed.
But the best part of the trip was our nanny, Charlene. We have a disabled child. Charlene clearly had experience with disabled children, and took perfect care of our child every day. We will definitely be back.”
Cost: $$/$$$
Check rates and availability for Franklyn D. Resort & Spa >
Luxury villas: Hermosa Cove Resort & Suites – Ocho Rios, Jamaica
This peaceful, luxury boutique property at Hermosa Cove features private villas nestled in twelve acres of tropical gardens. Artfully crafted villas have private dip pools and full kitchens.
Guests also enjoy continental breakfast and access to on-site restaurant and bar, beach, and pool.
July 2021 TripAdvisor review (excerpt): “The staff was humble and appreciative of us choosing Jamaica and Hermosa Cove. They took great care of us and it’s obvious that they love and respect their work and the owners of the resort. All of the food was delicious and ordering room service or drinks was easy. The reef is less than 100ft from the shore and in shallow water with tons of colorful fish and coral! I’m not sure we could ever find another place as special as Hermosa Cove. We’ll definitely be back, hopefully soon with a group of friends or family. The place is laid back and awesome.”
Cost: $$$/$$$$
Check rates and availability for Hermosa Cove Villas Resort >
Off-the-beaten-path boutique hotel: Galina Breeze – St. Mary, Jamaica
Galina Breeze Hotel is located on the cliffs of the North Coast, nearest to Port Maria town, with spectacular views of the coastline.
This is the hospitality arm of a non-profit organization called ACE, which often hosts short-term mission teams, but it’s also open to the public for hotel stays and events.
Featuring a salt water pool, ocean-side deck, on-site restaurant and jerk centre, this colorful property is a comfortable place to be off-the-beaten-path.
Cost: $$
Learn more and submit a booking request for Galina Breeze Hotel >
Where to stay on Jamaica’s South Coast
Jake’s Resort, Treasure Beach
Tucked away on Jamaica’s dry South Coast, Jake’s bohemian-inspired rooms, bungalows, cottages and villas are the place to get away from it all. Some cottages have decks right on the ocean.
Nearby amenities are limited, but you can dine in at the on site restaurant and bar, which support local producers in the community.
From personal experience, this is one of the island’s most beautiful and authentic properties – just add bug spray to your Jamaica packing list!
January 2022 TripAdvisor review: “Jakes Resort is beautiful and breathtaking. Every staff member we met was amazing. The food was exceptional. Our kids still talk about the french toast! My family stayed at Jakes for 6 nights. The cottages were immaculate and beautiful and we could not get enough of the view. It was downright spectacular! We will be back.”
Cost: $$$
Check rates and availability for Jake’s Resort >
Jamaica Travel Resources
For our complete toolkit of curated Jamaica trip resources, check out our Jamaica Map + Trip Planner Bundle.
🚗 Check for car rental deals on Priceline >
🚐 Book Montego Bay hotel transfers on GetYourGuide >
🇯🇲 Book transfers from city-to-city in Jamaica >
✈️ Get VIP lounge service and fast-track entry at Montego Bay airport >
⛑ Protect your trip with Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing >
Jamaica’s Resilient Corridor for Tourism in 2024
When Jamaica tourism re-opened in Summer 2020, the country put measures in place to protect spread of the virus around the island. This included a controlled entry program and movement restrictions for tourists.
Originally, Jamaica’s “resilient corridor” was limited to the area along the North coastline from Negril through Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Port Antonio.
Additional resilient zones were added from Milk River to Negril on the South Coast, as well as Kingston for business travelers.
Any business on the COVID-19 Protocol Compliant Approved Listings is now allowed.
Resilient Corridor and other approved hotels have been trained, adhere to specific health protocols, and must become certified in order to accept guests.
While amenities and travel from place to place may sometimes be limited during the pandemic, many visitors continue to safely enjoy vacation in Jamaica.
FAQ About Where to Stay in Jamaica During the Pandemic
Where is the safest place to stay in Jamaica right now?
First, we highly recommend staying in an approved accommodation. This ensures the hotel, resort, or guesthouse is trained and compliant with current COVID-19 protocols.
While we typically recommend experiencing the real Jamaica outside the bubble of a resort, during these unique times, staying in an all-inclusive resort may be the safest place to protect both you and the local community. By staying in an all-inclusive property, you also don’t have to worry about observing curfews if they’re enacted.
While safety precautions are always wise no matter the destination, quieter areas like Port Antonio, Portland; Runaway Bay; and Treasure Beach are among the safest areas in Jamaica.
Where should you not stay in Jamaica?
Unless you have specific business there, this is not a great time to visit Kingston or to travel independently through cities in Jamaica.
What are the best all inclusive resorts in Jamaica?
All of the accommodations we’ve shared in this post can be all-inclusive hotels with their on-site dining options. Just arrange in advance to provide full meal service during your stay.
We don’t have personal experience with many other all inclusive resorts from our time in Jamaica, but most of the big names are highly rated and will take excellent care of you. Many have their own private sandy beaches, fitness centers, and water sports.
One thing to be aware of when staying in the big brand name resorts is that their profits are less likely to benefit the local Jamaican community, compared to smaller resorts that source more of their management personnel and supplies from Jamaica.
Where is the best location for staying near popular tourist attractions?
A great location close to popular tourist attractions like Dunn’s River Falls would be Ocho Rios. For a smaller town, Runaway Bay is also close by.
Many attractions and tourist markets can be found around the cruise ports in Jamaica. Ports are located at Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Falmouth, and Port Antonio as well as Kingston.
What travel restrictions and rules are in place in Jamaica?
Find pandemic travel updates for Jamaica, including resort curfew info,
Jamaica travel authorization, and pre-travel testing requirements, here:
What you need to know about Jamaica travel right now
If you’re traveling to Jamaica, don’t miss these posts:
Current Jamaica Travel Restrictions (updated regularly)
Our Jamaican Culture Series + Jamaica 101 Video
Packing Essentials for Jamaica
Monthly Guide: When Is the Best Time to Visit Jamaica?
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My husband and I plan to visit Sandals South S Coast Dec 4-13- rescheduled twice already due to Covid- what are your recommendations on making this trip? We are fully vaccinated and also will have Booster by then. Final question, will excursions off the resort be available then?
Hi Kathy. Thanks for visiting our blog. We’re tracking restrictions in Jamaica here, which includes curfews that may affect resorts and excursions.
I know uncertainty about rescheduling has been challenging for many of us travelers. I’ve shared my thoughts on canceling and rescheduling 2021 trips here. It’s hard to say what things will look like by December, but with Jamaica’s safety protocols, plus being fully vaccinated, it seems likely to me that you’d be able to do your trip. It’s really up to you what you’re comfortable with.