AlexandriaAlexandria, Jamaica at a Glance
Costs: USD 40-80 per day - low-cost local food and guesthouses make travel affordable.
Safety: Mostly safe with usual precautions - typical rural Jamaican safety; stick to main roads and daylight hours.
Best Time: December-April - drier months bring more reliable sunshine for outdoor activities.
Why Visit Alexandria, Jamaica?
Alexandria in Saint Ann Parish sits within reach of Ocho Rios and Jamaica’s northern coastal draws, making it a good base for travelers wanting quieter local life plus easy day trips. Nearby waterfalls and beaches attract outdoor-minded visitors, while roadside cooks serve jerk chicken and seafood that reflect island flavors. Local celebrations and market stalls preserve music and craft traditions, offering a glimpse into parish history and a more relaxed Jamaican pace than the busier resort towns.
Best Things to Do in Alexandria, Jamaica
Alexandria, Jamaica Bucket List
Don't Miss
Fern Gully drive - Drive through Fern Gully’s verdant canyon lined with towering ferns and rock formations.
Dunn’s River Falls - Climb Dunn’s River Falls terraces near Ocho Rios and enjoy seaside picnic spots.
Shaw Park Botanical Gardens - Visit Shaw Park Botanical Gardens for manicured grounds, orchids, and rainforest trails.
Hidden Gems
Green Grotto Caves - Explore Green Grotto Caves’ limestone chambers, underground lakes, and guided tours.
Roadside fruit stalls - Sample fresh ackee, mangoes, and Jamaican oranges at roadside fruit stalls.
Konoko Falls & Park - Explore Konoko Falls & Park’s gardens, small waterfalls, and cultural exhibits near Ocho Rios.
Day Trips
Port Antonio day trip - Day trip to Port Antonio to visit Blue Lagoon and Frenchman’s Cove.
Ocho Rios town day - Spend a day in Ocho Rios visiting craft markets, beaches, and river tours.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Alexandria, Jamaica
Alexandria’s highland climate feels cooler than Jamaica’s coast - visit November-May for comfortable weather and clearer days. The June-October rainy months bring more clouds, mud and occasional heavy downpours.
Cool Season
Crisper, cooler weather in the highlands - excellent for walking, waterfalls and avoiding coastal humidity.
Warm Season
Pleasant, warmer days great for exploring gardens and nearby attractions before the heavy rains arrive.
Rainy Season
Frequent showers make trails muddy and limit some activities, though the countryside is vividly green.
Alexandria's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 15°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1912 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 16° - 25° | 20° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.7 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.0h |
| February | Excellent | 15° - 25° | 20° | 70 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 2.8 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.4h |
| March | Very Good | 16° - 26° | 21° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 2.8 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 16° - 27° | 21° | 129 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 2.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Good | 18° - 26° | 22° | 239 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 2.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.9h |
| June | Very Good | 19° - 26° | 22° | 202 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.1 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.1h |
| July | Very Good | 18° - 27° | 23° | 116 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.1 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.0h |
| August | Very Good | 18° - 27° | 23° | 154 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.6h |
| September | Good | 19° - 27° | 23° | 217 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.3 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 18° - 26° | 22° | 305 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.6h |
| November | Very Good | 18° - 26° | 22° | 174 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.3 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.2h |
| December | Very Good | 16° - 25° | 21° | 118 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 10.9h |
How to Get to Alexandria, Jamaica
Alexandria (St Ann) is most conveniently reached via Montego Bay’s Sangster (MBJ) and onward by coach, taxi or minibus. There is no passenger rail-road travel is the standard.
Sangster International Airport (MBJ): Sangster in Montego Bay is the closest major international airport for Alexandria in Saint Ann Parish; road travel to central St Ann locations is typically 45-75 minutes depending on destination and traffic. Taxis and private transfers are common.
Norman Manley International (KIN): Kingston’s airport is farther away (roughly 2-3 hours’ drive to Saint Ann) and is less convenient unless your flight arrives there.
Train: Jamaica has no passenger rail service serving Alexandria or Saint Ann.
Bus / Minibus / Taxi: Local minibuses and route taxis connect Ocho Rios, St Ann and nearby towns; larger coach operators serve the Montego Bay-Ocho Rios-Kingston corridor. From MBJ take a coach or taxi to Ocho Rios then a local taxi/minibus for the final short leg to Alexandria if required; journey time from MBJ around 45-75 minutes depending on stops and route.
How to Get Around Alexandria, Jamaica
Road travel is the only practical option-use private transfers for speed or coaches and minibuses for lower-cost travel. There is no passenger rail in the area.
- Taxi / private transfer (US$40-90) - Private transfers from MBJ to Saint Ann are straightforward and quicker than multiple bus changes; useful if you have luggage or want a direct trip to Alexandria or nearby resorts.
- Intercity coach (Knutsford Express and others) (JMD 800-2,000) - Scheduled coach services connect major centres; use them to reach Ocho Rios and then switch to a local taxi or minibus for Alexandria. Coaches are comfortable and reliable on main corridors.
- Local minibus / route taxi (JMD 100-600) - Minibuses and route taxis serve local routes within St Ann and are the cheapest way to travel short distances. They can be crowded and are informal - ask locally for the right vehicle to Alexandria.
- Car hire (US$40-80/day) - A rental car lets you explore St Ann’s beaches and inland attractions at your own pace. Roads can be narrow in places; drive carefully and observe local driving customs.
- Walking - Local sights and beaches near Alexandria are walkable, but moving between multiple attractions usually requires a vehicle.