An annual average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius makes Jamaica a year-round holiday island. Winters are warm with cool trade winds, cool evenings, and the least amount of rain. Summer is considerably hotter and September and October can be very humid. September is the peak month for hurricanes, although they rarely hit Jamaica. Kingston has moderate rain throughout the year with a bit more in summer than in winter.
As long as you don’t walk around at night, it’s great to explore the city centre by foot. Taxis are great for short distances, but it’s better to hire a car and driver for the day. Make sure you take only Public Passenger Vehicle (PPV) taxis, which can be identified by their red PPV plates. Either hail or call ahead for a cab. Drivers are required to have their fares posted. Make sure you agree on a fare before you get in the cab, and be aware that fares will be more expensive between midnight and 5am. Your hotel can help you arrange a moped and motorcycle rental if you prefer to get around on your own or you can also rent a car to get around, but the cost can be high. You’ll usually get the best rate when booking your flight. It might be less expensive to hire a car and driver, instead of renting your own car, and you’ll be able to avoid dealing with local drivers.
Getting downtown from the airport
The main airport for travellers taking flights to Kingston is Norman Manley International Airport (KIN). An airport bus service and local bus service connect to the centre of Kingston with a journey time of between 30 minutes to an hour. Taxis are also available.
Kingston airport overview
Norman Manley International Airport, formally Palisadoes Airport, serves Kingston and acts as a major gateway to Jamaica. The airport serves as a hub for Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines. There are more than 130 flights into Norman Manley International Airport each week and just fewer than two million passengers per year.
This is one of those airports that feels like it is forever under construction. The new departures area is spacious and attractive, with a good selection of stores and eateries after security. The arrivals area is still being upgraded. Be prepared for long queues at the immigration counters, where officials have a reputation for being fairly strict.