On October 28, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, the strongest storm ever recorded on the island. The slow-moving hurricane hit the island with 185 mph winds and dumped two feet of rain on central Jamaica.
Understandably, tourists are wary of visiting the island while it recovers. Now, however, less than two months after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the island is welcoming visitors with a “come visit” message.
“We need tourists. More importantly, we are well-equipped to welcome tourists and provide them with everything they are used to in Jamaica,” Philip Rose, deputy director of the Jamaica Tourism Board, told me during a recent video call.
He added: “While Hurricane Melissa was one of the most unwelcome visitors we have ever had, she came and caused some damage to the island, but more than two-thirds of the island is operating normally.”
If you’re thinking of traveling to Jamaica now, here’s what you need to know.
What to know now about tourism in Jamaica
“All three airports on the island are open, and by December 15, 70% of hotels will be open; by January, that number will be 80%. By May, 100% of hotels on the island are expected to be open,” Ross said.
One of the reasons tourism has recovered so quickly is that the storm’s track deviated from its originally predicted path, which would have passed directly through Kingston, the island’s capital and most densely populated area. Instead, the eye of the storm swept over the less developed western and southern coasts. While Montego Bay and many farm and residential areas were severely affected and are still recovering, most other hotel areas on the island have reopened and are happily welcoming guests.
In fact, when I spoke to Ross, he was at a resort in Ochos Rios, where the beach was business as usual. I could see the traveler eating breakfast at a table under an umbrella before heading to the beach and surf behind him.
“Jamaica’s best spirit has not been affected,” Ross said. “You’re still treated to the kind of hospitality that only a Jamaican can be.”
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Ross said tourism accounts for nearly a third of the country’s gross domestic product and includes everything from hotels and restaurants to taxi drivers, farmers and fishermen. “So if you want to help Jamaica, come on,” Ross stressed.
When planning a trip to Jamaica, keep the following in mind:
- All three domestic and international airports on the island are open and operational
- Kingston – home to more than 90% of Jamaica’s population – is fully operational, with hotels, restaurants, attractions, businesses, hospitals and cultural attractions open as usual
- Major roads, attractions and hotels in popular resort areas of Ocho Rios, Portland and Blue Mountains are open and accessible
- Cruise terminals are open and operational, and most cruise lines have resumed port calls
- Many major attractions are open and operational, including Dunn’s River Falls, Mystic Mountain and Yaaman Adventure Park
- However, many hotels in Montego Bay and surrounding West Coast areas are still assessing damage and making repairs and may not be able to reopen until May 2026
You can also get the latest reports from the official Jamaica Tourism Board website for the latest information.
jamaica hotels
Marika Kessler, CEO of Island Outpost Hotels, said the atmosphere on the first day of the storm was tense. “Melissa was supposed to come in from Kingston and leave from Ochos Rios, and we evacuated our house with a very heavy heart, not knowing when we would see them or our staff again,” she said. But when the storm’s path changed, Kessler said she and the iconic hotel group’s founder, Chris Blackwell, were able to spring into action and open all three properties within six days.
“The vegetation may be a little sparse, but workers can go to work and generate revenue… Every dollar helps the entire economy and ultimately helps the most affected side of the island,” she explained.
According to Rose, as of the time of writing, 85 of the 114 registered hotels on the island are open and operational, and more hotels are expected to open before Christmas.
Here are some current updates:
- Round Hill Villa Hotel Reopened on December 8th. According to the hotel, “Our team is working with great care in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa and looks forward to welcoming guests back for a meaningful holiday season.” The resort is offering a full 2025 holiday program, including Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
- sandals and beach resort Currently, eight resorts are open in Jamaica: Ocho Rios and Negril, Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Ocho Rios, Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril, offering guests all the amenities and conveniences. The three remaining Sandals resorts in Jamaica – Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals South Coast – have longer timelines for improvements and are scheduled to open on May 30, 2026, the company said.
- island outpost Kessler said the three boutique hotels – GoldenEye, Strawberry Hill and The Caves – are fully operational, welcoming guests and “continuing to deliver the immersive, soulful Jamaican experience the brand is known for”.
- jacks hotel, The hotel, located on Treasure Beach in the southwest corner of the island, suffered some severe damage but will reopen on December 18. [Treasure Beach] When community-supported work thrives, and when optimism, music and South Coast sunshine feel especially meaningful, the Village is ready to welcome guests back. “
RELATED: What to know about hotel closures in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa
How to help
“We live as a family in a community, and your support, whether through your visits or your generosity, helps make Jamaica stronger than before,” Kessler said.
For volunteer opportunities and donations, the official Support Jamaica page is a great source of information.
Many estates on the island are also offering ways to support recovery through their charities. Island Outpost is working with local partners through its GoldenEye Foundation to provide direct support to families most affected by the storm. Travelers who wish to donate can do so at goldeneyefoundation.org. Sandals Foundation, the charitable arm of Sandals Resorts International, is also raising donations through sandalsfoundation.org to directly fund relief and reconstruction activities on the island.
bottom line
If you have been thinking about visiting Jamaica but are concerned about whether the tourism industry is functioning properly and hotels are operating properly, be aware that much of the island is open and awaiting the return of tourists. “People want you to come,” said Kessler of the island outpost. “They want to show that we’re still here.”
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