Jamaican business hours are normally 8.30am to 4.30/5pm Monday to Saturday, although some shops and offices close at noon on Saturdays. Sunday trading is rare. Museums normally close for one day a week, either Sunday or Monday, while most other places you'll want to visit are generally open daily.

Most of Jamaica's special events are timed to coincide with the winter tourist season. The main exceptions are Montego Bay's Reggae Sumfest in August and Spring Break, when young Americans take over the big resorts for a fortnight of raucous, beer-fuelled cavorting.

April is Carnival time - though not on the same scale as Trinidad's, Jamaica's Carnival is a growing event. Emancipation Day and Independence Day celebrations - concerts, dance and theatre performances, and parades - are held in late July to early August; contact the Jamaica Tourist Board for details. The JTB's annual calendar of events is available from offices on the island and abroad, and is posted on the JTB website.  

Public Holidays

January 1 New Year's Day

February Ash Wednesday

March/April Good Friday, Easter Monday

May 23 Labor Day

August 1 Emancipation Day

First Monday in August Independence Day

Third Monday in October National Heroes Day

December 25 Christmas Day

December 26 Boxing Day

Jamaica Travel Guide
Montego Bay, Kingston, Ocho Rios, Negril, Blue Mountains, Portland

Caribbean Travel Guide