Things to Do in Kingston in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Kingston
Long-run averages for December
Making the most of December in Kingston? Browse tours and activities in Kingston on GetYourGuide.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + The city's driest month of the year. That 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rainfall feels more like brief, cooling afternoon showers that leave the Blue Mountain air smelling of wet earth and petrichor, rather than the tropical downpours of October.
- + Perfect warmth without the oppressive summer humidity. 84°F (29°C) is warm enough for the pool at the Pegasus but cool enough for a serious hike up to the 2,256 m (7,402 ft) Blue Mountain Peak without feeling like a sauna session.
- + It is the unofficial start of the festival season in Kingston, with the city's creative energy shifting from the summer lull into rehearsals for Boxing Day concerts and the National Pantomime, meaning you get the buzz without the peak-season ticket chaos.
- + The Hope River and nearby waterfalls like Blue Hole in Ocho Rios are at a sweet spot. Still flowing strong from the autumn rains but not the raging, coffee-brown torrents you get in the wetter months, making river adventures spectacular.
- − This is the beginning of high season, so hotel rates have already started their climb from the shoulder season, and you will be competing with the early wave of diaspora families returning for the holidays.
- − While Kingston itself is less crowded than the north coast resorts, popular day-trip destinations like Blue Hole and Dunn's River Falls start to get busier, on cruise ship days. You will want to time your visits for early mornings.
- − The Harmattan winds from the Sahara can occasionally drift across the Atlantic in December, bringing a faint haze to the sky that softens the usual razor-sharp views of the mountains, which photographers might find disappointing.
Settled on December? Compare hotel prices in Kingston for your dates on Trip.com.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Kingston in December feels different. The air dries out, traffic still hums, diesel drifts, jerk drums smolder. Light turns razor-sharp, good for mountain runs where the mercury dives. Locals string up lights, slip reggae carols into shop playlists, and the whole city leans forward. Rain backs off; warm, sure days open the island. Head east for Portland's waterfalls or climb north into the cool Blue Mountains. The city keeps its usual punch, yet December's window makes side trips sane. Feel the swing from scorching downtown asphalt to misty ridges only sixty minutes away. No mega-festivals this month. The draw is raw interior nature, rivers that roar, hidden pools, trails that scrape the sky.
Private Transport to River Tubing or Rafting and Blue Hole combo
adventureThis private ride flips you from Kingston concrete into green interior in one morning. Banana rows replace blocks, then you're floating down turquoise rivers and plunging into Blue Hole pools fed by falls. Your wheels, your clock, less transit, more gasps when the mountain water hits.
Jamaica Best Water Falls Tour,Mobay Bay to Dunn's River/Blue Hole
guided_experienceThis tour starts north-coast but works for Kingston base-campers with extra days. You'll barrel across the island, past yam vendors and jerk pits puffing sweet smoke. Climb Dunn's River Falls, water pounding your palms, then chill in Blue Hole's deep cobalt pools.
Blue Mountain Path Finder
otherhauls you into cloud-capped peaks above Kingston. City humidity drops; earth, coffee blossom, and cold air fill your lungs. Walk under fern cathedrals, hear streamertail hummingbirds, and on crisp December mornings spy the distant coast.
Private Guided Group Full-Day Water Tour fr Kingston to Portland
day_tripThis private full-day run heads east from Kingston to Portland, the island's wettest, greenest parish. Roll windows down, taste moist air, watch rainforest drip beside the road. Stop at glass-clear rivers and falls where you can drink the water and hear only cascades and birds.
Private Transfer from Ian Fleming Airport to Ocho Rios
transportThis private transfer links Ian Fleming International Airport to Ocho Rios without touching Kingston. Hug the coast, catch cobalt sea flashes, taste salt breeze through the glass.
Blue Hole Tour From Ocho Rios
guided_experienceNorth-coast focused, this outing zeroes in on the Blue Hole near Ocho Rios. Leap off limestone cliffs into mineral-blue pools, hear shouts echo under jungle canopy, see white rock against impossible water.
Where to Stay in Kingston in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Known in English as St. Stephen's Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Known in English as St. Stephen's Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Known in English as St. Stephen's Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Kingston Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
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