| Holidays in Jamaica include Christian holidays as well as | | | | mid-December) amounts to a summer sale. On the |
| Labor Day (May 23), Independence Day (6 August), | | | | whole, hotel rates are cut at a startling twenty to |
| Emancipation Day (1 August), and National Heroes | | | | sixty percent. Some package-tour charges are |
| Day (18 October). These holidays provide an | | | | lowered by as much as twenty percent of the |
| opportunity for tourists to experience the true | | | | original, and individual tour airfares are reduced from |
| essence of Jamaica through its varied culture and | | | | five to ten percent. Additionally, airline seats and hotel |
| active nightlife. Jamaica also observes public holidays, | | | | room rates are favorable when bookings are done in |
| including Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter | | | | bulk for family tours or for large travel groups. |
| Sunday and Monday, Christmas Day (Dec 25), and | | | | The curse of Jamaican weather, also called the |
| Boxing Day (Dec 26). | | | | hurricane season, officially lasts from early June to |
| Although, it feels like holiday time all year round in | | | | late November. Satellite weather forecasts usually |
| Jamaica, public holidays are great for embarking on a | | | | give ample warning so that safety measures can be |
| tour to the Caribbean. Many Internet sites and | | | | taken. Although, the advantages of off-season travel |
| directories list the holidays and anniversaries that are | | | | outweigh the disadvantages, there are drawbacks to |
| celebrated in Jamaica. Some may also be found listed | | | | summer travel. |
| in the various travel guides and local newspapers and | | | | Jamaican hoteliers save their serious repairs and their |
| journals. | | | | major renovations until the off-season and hence, |
| With its balmy weather, Jamaica is more of a | | | | the services are often reduced during this time. Not |
| year-round destination. Nevertheless, it has a distinct | | | | all restaurants and bars in the resorts are fully |
| High Holiday season running roughly from | | | | operational. The number of staff personnel is also |
| mid-December through mid-April. Hotels charge their | | | | considerably sized down. Thus, although holiday time |
| highest prices during this peak winter period, when | | | | is a good occasion for starting a Jamaican vacation, all |
| visitors fleeing cold north winds crowd the island to | | | | the other aspects should also be considered before |
| enjoy the sun-basked beaches. | | | | taking up any tour package. |
| The off-season in Jamaica (approximately mid-April to | | | | |