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There is a lot of debate about what the most popular island is in the Caribbean, but Jamaica crushes that argument with its delicious food, rich culture, and stunning landscapes. Our family fell in love with lazy mornings by the turquoise sea and days spent exploring lush rainforests and searching for hidden waterfalls. Beach days were spent with drinks in hand, enjoying the smells of sizzling jerk chicken and the sounds of my boys laughing.
If this picturesque scene sounds like paradise, keep reading for our pick of the best hotels in Jamaica for families. From all-inclusives with gourmet cuisine and tons of activities for families to beautiful beachside resorts, there’s something to fit every family’s vacation vibe.
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When is the Best Time to Visit Jamaica?
Jamaica’s weather is best from mid-December to April with dry, warm days and cooler nights. While it’s peak tourism season, it’s also the best time for cultural events! Stay in May or November for lower prices but know that June to November is the island’s hurricane season. Hurricanes are most common in August and September. Though often that could just mean a few sprinkles.
Best Hotels for Families Visiting Jamaica
Beaches Negril
Two incredible luxury all-inclusive resorts perfect for families visiting Jamaica are Beaches Negril and Beaches Ocho Rios. Our family chose Beaches Negril because of its location. Situated on the western side of the island, along a wide stretch of the famous Seven Mile Beach, this is where to go for incredible sunsets!
Jamaican sunsets look like something out of a dream! Photo by Meg von Haartman on Unsplash
Some of the inclusions at Beaches resorts include dining at the gourmet restaurants, premium wine and liquor, land and water sports, concierge services, and kids clubs. Our boys enjoyed Pirates Island Water Park with a play area for younger kids, a lazy river, and water slides. There was also plenty of entertainment, including live bands, shows, beach parties, theme nights, and Sesame Street for younger kids.
The kids’ camp at Negril has certified nannies and is Autism-friendly. We also loved that the kids are broken up into age groups, from toddlers to teens, so there’s always fun activities for kids of all ages.
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Things to Do in Negril
Beaches Negril offers access to motorized and non-motorized water sports equipment, so there’s plenty to do on Seven Mile Beach including swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving, waterskiing, glass bottom boating, and even sailing lessons.
Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you – Jamaica’s waters are really that blue!
Photo by Julia Joppien on Unsplash
Families can also appreciate the beauty of the west and south coast of Jamaica at Barney’s Botanical and Hummingbird Garden, Blue Hole Mineral Spring, the Royal Palm Reserve, YS Falls, or Negril Cliffs (which were the backdrop of the James Bond movie, “Thunderball”).
There are several nearby beaches – Margaritaville is very lively but we appreciated the gentler tides at Bloody Bay Beach for safer swimming. Or, explore the wetland area and try to spot alligators on a boat ride with Black River Safari.
Moon Palace, Ocho Rios
Moon Palace in Ocho Rios is another top choice in all-inclusive family resorts. The best part? Kids under 17 stay free here (one child can stay free per adult).
Moon Palace is loaded with activities to make family vacation more fun for kids, all offered with your stay. These include an outdoor pool, an arcade with machines and consoles for video games, and a supervised playroom for kids ages 4-12. We also love that there are dedicated kids’ menus at the onsite restaurants, something you won’t always find at all-inclusive hotels.
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Live music, shows, and entertainment, premium cocktails, 24-hour room service, gourmet dining, and free Wi-Fi are all included, too!
Things to Do in Ocho Rios
Moon Palace has a luxurious spa and planned excursions with Palace Discoveries, though these are extras not included in the all-inclusive rate.
Nearby nature attractions include Dunn’s River Falls, Konoko Falls, Cool Blue Hole, and Green Grotto Caves. Kids will also enjoy seeing the turtle- and fish-stocked pond at Turtle River Falls & Garden or seeing the rainforest from a fresh perspective on the Sky Explorer Lift at Mystic Mountain.
Xtabi Resort on the Cliffs, West End
For families looking for a Jamaican vacation without the all-inclusive resort price tag, we love the quaint cottages, private villas, and octagon-shaped bungalows with large rooms at Xtabi Resort on the Cliffs. They sit atop fossilized limestone caves with incredible views of the turquoise sea and are said to have some of the most beautiful reefs in the area.
All-inclusives with waterparks and resort activities are great, but sometimes our family likes to spend more time outside the resort. Xtabi does have an outdoor pool and beach access.
Dine at the seaside open-air bar and restaurant (which has really reasonable prices!) or take the opportunity to experience local cuisine. Nearby restaurants include 3 Dives Jerk Center, Rick’s Cafe, Ivan’s, Kool Vybes, Patsy’s, and Catch a Falling Star, all less than a five minute car ride from Xtabi resort.
I loved trying Jamaican foods like Jerk chicken – it tastes much different than it does in the States!
Photo by Jopopz Tallorin on Unsplash
Things to Do in West End, Jamaica
Enjoy the warm, blue waters at Seven Mile Beach by swimming, parasailing, snorkeling, or renting glass-bottom kayaks. Jump into lagoons, explore the caves, or have a mineral mud massage at Benta River Falls.
Seaside restaurants like this offer great views of turquoise waters and nearby cliff jumping!
Photo by Jainam Sheth on Unsplash
Enjoy live music and local cuisine along the beach or visit Jam West Adventure Park for safari tours, ATV riding, horseback riding, or ziplining. The cliffside Rick’s Cafe is known for its incredible sunsets and great views of the cliff jumping off the Negril Cliffs.
Half Moon, Montego Bay
Half Moon in Montego Bay is a luxury resort with two miles of private beach access, a championship golf course, extensive recreational activities, and the largest spa in the Caribbean.
While mom and dad are enjoying the amenities, kids 3-12 can have a great time in Children’s Village, an area just for them! While not all-inclusive, the rates are affordable and there are discounts for multiple days. And, the nannies and service providers are affiliated with the “Better Kid Care” program at Penn State.
You’ll love Montego Bay after visiting, too!
Photo by Alexander John on Unsplash
Guests at Half Moon stay in private villas with access to a private infinity pool. Other amenities include a housekeeper, butler, and personal cook, access to golf carts, and a grab-and-go bike program. Dine at one of 7 onsite restaurants, enjoy beachside BBQ, or have a meal ensuite.
Things to Do in Montego Bay
Appreciate Jamaica’s turquoise waters while bamboo rafting in the Martha Brae River, taking an evening boat cruise across Luminous Lagoon, or snorkeling in the protected Montego Bay Marine Park Trust. For more thrills, enjoy the 1,200 foot high Flight of the White Witch Zipline or a guided dune buggy safari. Other notable attractions include Appleton Rum Estate, Rockland’s Bird Sanctuary, Mayfield Falls and Mineral Springs, and the historic Lethe Village and Greenwood Great House.
Be sure to check out this guide on more things to do in Montego Bay. As the second-largest cruise port in Jamaica, there are tons of activities!
Follow a tour guide through the forest in search of hidden waterfalls – or go by dune buggy for more adventure!
Photo by Rock Staar on Unsplash
When You Go
Traveling to Jamaica from Los Angeles
When flying to Jamaica from Los Angeles, choose the airport closest to your family’s vacation destination. Sangster International Airport is closest to Half Moon in Montego Bay, Negril Aerodrome is best for visiting Xtabi Resort or Beaches Negril, and Ian Fleming International Airport is closest to Ocho Rios. Most flights have at least one stop and take around 8-10 hours depending on the layover.
An excellent discount site for rental cars and flights is Booking! We’ve literally saved hundreds using it.
WayAway is a flight search engine that looks for the best deals for destinations you’re visiting with the possibility of earning cash back on your purchases. Have you tried them yet? If not, give them a spin and see how much money you’ll save on flights.
To get discounts on tours in the area, we recommend Get Your Guide or Viator (which offers 51% off last-minute tours!).
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