Month guide · Montego Bay · Jamaica
Montego Bay in January
What January is really like in Montego Bay: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Van Atrecht, CC0
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Montego Bay. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 22°C (72°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 11.1 hours of daylight. Peak season: warm, sunny days, cooler nights and busy resorts.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 11.1 hours
- Sea temperature
- 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in January
January is the 9th-warmest month in Montego Bay: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 22°C (72°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with December (30°C (86°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:46
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:55
- Daylight
- About 11.1 hours
- Sea
- 27°C (81°F)
Late autumn (November). Rains ease and crowds stay light before the December peak.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Montego Bay, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Beach · Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue)
Doctor's Cave Beach
Arrive early on cruise-ship days; the beach fills by late morning.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
Historic site · Rose Hall
Greenwood Great House
Built in the early 1800s by the Barrett family, relatives of the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, this great house keeps original furniture and a rare collection of antique musical instruments, some of which are still played on tours.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
- Views
Nature · Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue)
Montego Bay Marine Park
Book snorkel trips with operators who brief you on not touching coral and use reef-safe sunscreen.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Active
Beach · Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue)
Dead End Beach (Buccaneer Beach)
A free public strip of sand at the end of Kent Avenue near the airport runway, popular with locals and for watching planes come in low over the water at sunset.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Views
- Off the beaten path
The sea averages 27°C (81°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Montego Bay.
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 22°C and 6 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Montego Bay?
One of the best months to visit Montego Bay. The other best months are February–April and December. Compare every month.
Montego Bay in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Montego Bay?
It is one of the best months to visit Montego Bay. Peak season: warm, sunny days, cooler nights and busy resorts.
+How warm is Montego Bay in January?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Montego Bay in January?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.