The low-lying areas of Jamaica experience around 13 hours of intense sunshine every day during June. In December, this only drops by two hours. For this reason, anyone staying on the coast is advised to wear sunscreen at all times. Tourist areas charge a premium for sunscreen, so it is advisable to bring sunscreen of at least SPF 30 from home.
Jamaica is a mountainous country with some peaks rising 2,000 meters above sea level. Above 600 meters, temperatures can drop to 10 degrees Celsius at night, so if your are traveling to Jamaica's interior, pack some warm clothes.
Water plays a big part of any holiday to Jamaica and with an average temperature of around 26 degrees Celsius, it is almost inevitable that vacationers will want to take a dip. Pack swimwear to enjoy the rock pools of Somerset falls in Port Antonio or a therapeutic bath in a mineral spring. A mask, snorkel and a pair of fins allows visitors to explore some of the reefs off the country's coast.
The Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reports that although malaria is not endemic in Jamaica, a high number of cases were reported in 2006 and 2007. Outbreaks of dengue fever are also common in the country. Pack some mosquito and insect repellent and use it liberally.
