Kingston Travel Guide: 11 Hotels and 120+ Tours, Jamaica

About Kingston

Reggae rhythms spill from sound systems and street corners; Kingston, Jamaica, is a cultural center shaped by the Blue Mountains.

The Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and National Gallery of Jamaica anchor cultural outings, while Port Royal and Blue Mountains coffee tours extend beyond the city.

December through April suits a stay, and three to seven days is a common length for combining Kingston with its surrounding sights. New Kingston offers a convenient place to stay, while Trench Town Culture Yard, Dub Club and plates of jerk chicken keep the city’s musical pulse close.

Where to stay

Hotels in Kingston

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Terra Nova BW Premier Collection

8.3V. good · 481 Reviews

17 Waterloo Rd | Kingston, JMAKN03, JM

Swimming pool

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Grand Hotel Excelsior Port Royal

7.0Good · 213 Reviews

Port Royal | Kingston, KINGSTON, JM

Swimming pool

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R Hotel Kingston

2 Renfrew Rd Kingston R Hotel Kingston | Kingston, JM

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roots rock reggae hostel

10 Hillview Ave Kingston | Kingston, 10, JM

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Stay like a local in Kingston

Kingston at a glance

Check-in / check-out

3:00 PM / 11:00 AM

Pool

2 of 11 hotels

Climate

Tropical

Languages

English and Jamaican Patois

Local currency

JMD (JMD)

Local time

01:21 (GMT-5)

Ideal trip length

3–7 days

Cost level

3 of 5 · our research

Suggested area to stay

New Kingston

Tap water

Bottled water recommended

Tipping

Expected for good service, 10-15%.

History, culture and food in Kingston

History

95 · Outstanding

Culture

90 · Outstanding

Food

90 · Outstanding

Family 50 · Moderate

Our own 0–100 ratings for this one destination. They describe a city; they are not a league table of cities.

Food to try

Jerk Chicken Ackee and Saltfish Jamaican Patties Festival

Hotel facts in Kingston

Based on 11 of 13 hotels with verified data.

Hotels that list	Hotels	Share
Free parkingof hotels with verified parking	6 of 7	86%
Swimming pool	2 of 11	18%
24-hour front desk	4 of 11	36%
Facilities for disabled guests	3 of 11	27%
Family rooms	2 of 11	18%
Breakfast availablefree or paid depends on the rate	2 of 11	18%
Kitchen or kitchenette	1 of 11	9%
Airport shuttle0 free	4 of 11	36%

When to visit Kingston

How good each month is here, on this destination's own scale. It compares months within this city, never one city against another.

Best months: January, February, April and December Busiest: Dec-Apr

Jan

56

Pleasant weather (avg high 30°C)
Feb

54

Reggae Month
Mar

53

Pleasant weather (avg high 30°C)
Apr

56

Kingston Carnival
May

30

Start of rainy season
Jun

27

Hurricane season (Jun-Nov)
Jul

21

Hurricane season (Jun-Nov)
Aug

25

Hurricane season (Jun-Nov), risk peaks now
Sep

0

Often avoided: heavy rain and hurricane-season disruption risk
Oct

0

Often avoided: heavy rain and hurricane-season disruption risk
Nov

34

Hurricane season (Jun-Nov)
Dec

59

Pleasant weather (avg high 31°C)

Jan Pleasant weather (avg high 30°C)

Feb Reggae Month

Mar Pleasant weather (avg high 30°C)

Apr Kingston Carnival

May Start of rainy season

Jun Hurricane season (Jun-Nov)

Jul Hurricane season (Jun-Nov)

Aug Hurricane season (Jun-Nov), risk peaks now

Sep Often avoided: heavy rain and hurricane-season disruption risk

Oct Often avoided: heavy rain and hurricane-season disruption risk

Nov Hurricane season (Jun-Nov)

Dec Pleasant weather (avg high 31°C)

Things to do in Kingston

7 places worth your time, grouped by when they are at their best.

Best in the morning

3 places

National Gallery of Jamaica

Downtown Kingston 1.5 hours

Discover a rich collection of Jamaican art from pre-Columbian to contemporary.

Indoors Good for children

Blue Mountains Coffee Tour

Blue Mountains 6 hours

Hike through lush mountains and sample world-renowned Blue Mountain coffee.

Outdoors

Book tours

Blue Mountain Coffee and Sightseeing Tour

4.5 (10 reviews)4–6 hours

Exotic Blue Mountain Coffee Tour

5.0 (1 review)6–8 hours

Trench Town Culture Yard

Trench Town 2 hours

See where Bob Marley and other reggae stars began their musical journeys.

Indoors Good for children

Best in the afternoon

1 place

Devon House

Half Way Tree 2 hours

Tour a beautifully preserved 19th-century mansion and enjoy famous ice cream.

Indoors Good for children

Book tours

Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston

4.3 (3 reviews)2 hours

Best in the evening

1 place

Dub Club

Jack's Hill 4 hours

Experience authentic Sunday night reggae vibes with panoramic city views.

Outdoors

Any time of day

2 places

Bob Marley Museum

Trench Town 2.5 hours

Explore the former home and studio of the reggae legend.

Indoors Good for children

Book tours

Bob Marley Museum Tour Skip the Line Tickets

5.0 (1 review)105 min

Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston

2 hours

Port Royal Exploration

Port Royal 4 hours

Visit the historic 'wickedest city on Earth,' once a pirate stronghold.

Outdoors Good for children

Kingston itineraries, day by day

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First-timer highlights

3 Days in Kingston — First-Timer Highlights

3 days12 stops

Immerse yourself in the vibrant heart of Jamaica, from reggae legends to historic sites.

This 3-day itinerary is designed for first-time visitors eager to experience Kingston's essential cultural, historical, and culinary highlights. Explore iconic museums, historic estates, and enjoy authentic Jamaican flavors, offering a comprehensive introduction to the island's capital.

See the full plan