Has LL Cool J really been here for years? I haven’t seen him in a hot minute…
The real comeback story right now is Jamaica, one of the Caribbean’s most iconic island escapes that was put through the wringer by Hurricane Melissa last year.
As a result, many of the island’s top resorts closed for major repairs and glow-ups, leaving travelers wondering whether the timing was right for an island getaway.
But nuh lie, Jamaica’s rebound is looking irie.
Resorts have been steadily reopening, and Jamaica’s allure is clearly gaining steam, welcoming over 1,000,000 visitors in the first 3 months of 2026 alone.
If that isn’t a green light for finally booking that beach escape, then ya mon, The Bahamas will gladly take your money.
But where are travelers really going in Jamaica right now?
Let’s find out!
Before your trip, be sure to check the real-time Traveler Safety Index for your destination to find out what travelers are experiencing on the ground.
The Obvious: Montego Bay & Negril Are Reclaiming The Spotlight
Surprise, surprise — or not.
But can we blame travelers for venturing off to the most renowned destinations in the country?
Definitely not.
Montego Bay and Negril share a paragraph because they often share an itinerary too.
Not as many vacationers fly into Kingston to wind up in Negril, unless they’re in for a doozy of a trip.
But hey, no judgment either way.
Montego Bay is now, and always will be, the most popular gateway into the country, dating back before Jimmy Buffet waxed poetic in many of his coco-nutty songs.
This is where you’ll find some of the top resorts in Jamaica, such as Riu Reggae and JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar (Adults Only) — both all-inclusive.
Whether you’re flying in or hopping aboard a cruise, this is the place for the most inviting welcome, but do know that not every resort has reopened in Montego Bay, as some have pushed back as far as 2027.
Negril on the other hand, is commonly an add-on — if not the main event — for your epic beach vacay.
Home to Rick’s Cafe, famous for its cliff jumps you’ve likely seen before, and some of the island’s most picture-perfect shorelines, it’s no surprise Negril hotels are filling up again, especially since it was declared “fully reopened” for 4 months ago.
Plus, it’s a pair of the safest destinations here. See what fellow travelers are saying in real-time for both Montego Bay and Negril as Jamaica currently holds Level 2 status by the U.S State Department.
Rocksteady: Kingston Still Opens The Way To Jamaica’s Top Escapes
Ever been to Kingston?
It’s an interesting place — one that I’ll certainly never forget, but not in the most positive ways.
Was it cool to see Bob Marley’s house? Absolutely.
Was it cool practically every driver I had told me I had a death wish if I continued to explore on my own? Not at all.
But what Kingston is best at is not its crusty shoreline, but to be your liaison to get you to Jamaica’s postcard getaways elsewhere.
As such, Norman Manley International Airport’s 1% increase in passenger traffic may not seem like much, but actually says a lot since Jamaica was essentially dubbed a no-go zone after Hurricane Melissa’s wrath.
If you ask me, Kingston isn’t a place to hang around for more than a weekend, but it gets you to some amazing destinations, such as Blue Mountain coffee farms, Port Antonio, or the hidden beach village of Hellshire that I loved visiting, much closer to the city.
The Biggest Surprise: Runaway Bay
I’d say cue up a Kanye song, but ya know…
Runaway Bay is set for a surge! Lacking the household recognition of Montego Bay, this north coast hideaway has long been a well-kept secret, but a wave of resort re-openings is finally breaking down its Fort Knox-like walls.
The comeback is already in motion as Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay reopened on April 1, bringing 664 rooms back online and returning roughly 800 workers to the job.
Additionally, you can scope out Runaway for a winter getaway too, since sister property Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica is set to reopen December 1 as Jamaica’s tourism resurgence continues to pick up steam.
If you want to feel real Jamaica, this is the place. For a growing resort town, it still feels largely unspoiled and you can still leave the resort grounds and dig into hole-in-the-wall jerk chicken or all-but-obligatory rum punch.
Before you go anywhere in Jamaica, though, remember to double-check entry requirements.
No visa is needed for U.S. tourists for stays under 90 days.
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
