Southfield, Jamaica City
Rural community in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica
Southfield sits within Saint Elizabeth’s agricultural grid, known for fishing launches, riverine excursions, and plate lunches based on fresh catch and farm produce.
Southfield, Jamaica at a Glance#
Costs: Budget-friendly coastal town ($40-75) - plan $40-75 daily for guesthouses and local meals.
Safety: Generally safe with normal precautions - small-town atmosphere with usual petty-crime risks; stay prudent at night.
Best Time: Dry season best (Dec-Apr) - december-April gives calm seas and best fishing conditions.
Why Visit Southfield, Jamaica?#
Set in Saint Elizabeth Parish, this settlement appeals to travelers seeking river excursions and wildlife around the Black River and Great Morass. Nearby boat tours reveal crocodiles and wetland birds, and local tastes-Appleton rum, jerk pork and fresh seafood-highlight regional cuisine. It’s a good base for combining nature-watching with visits to agricultural communities and riverside life.
Best Things to Do in Southfield, Jamaica#
Southfield, Jamaica Bucket List#
YS Falls - Swim beneath cascading tiers at YS Falls and enjoy shaded picnic areas nearby.
Appleton Estate - Tour Appleton Estate to learn about rum production and sample aged Jamaican rums.
Black River safari - Take a Black River boat tour to spot crocodiles, turtles, and mangrove birdlife.
Treasure Beach coves - Explore small coves and local cafés in Treasure Beach’s laid-back coastal communities.
Local fishing cooperatives - Visit cooperatives to see traditional fish processing and buy freshly caught seafood.
Community rum shops - Drop into rum shops for lively conversation, music, and local sandwich specialties.
YS Falls and Treasure Beach - Day trip south to YS Falls and Treasure Beach for waterfalls and coastal relaxation.
Appleton Estate - Visit Appleton Estate on a day outing to learn about rum-making and tasting.
Best Time to Visit Southfield, Jamaica#
Southfield is nicest during the December-April dry stretch when outdoor exploring, beaches and farms are easier to enjoy. The wet season brings storms and increased humidity.
December - February
23°C to 28°C (73°F to 82°F)
Dry, pleasant mornings and sunny afternoons make touring local farms and coastlines comfortable; evenings cool enough to walk around town.
March - May
25°C to 31°C (77°F to 88°F)
Hot, bright days with minimal rain; great for sunbathing and isolated beaches but bring shade and plan early activities too.
June - November
24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F)
Frequent heavy rains, high humidity, and hurricane exposure; trails muddy and travel less predictable, but abundant green and quieter tourism.
Southfield, Jamaica's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 17°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1919 mm/year), wettest in October.
January
January is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (147 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Heavy rain (257 mm).
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June
June is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (227 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (137 mm).
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August
August is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (188 mm).
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September
September is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (255 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (331 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (123 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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How to Get to Southfield, Jamaica#
Southfield (St Elizabeth Parish) is best accessed by road from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport or via private car from nearby towns. There is no passenger rail-expect to use taxis, minibuses or hire a car.
Sangster International Airport (MBJ): Southfield in St Elizabeth is easiest reached from MBJ (Montego Bay) by road; drive times are typically around 1.5-2.5 hours depending on traffic and route. Private transfers and taxis are common options from the airport.
Norman Manley (KIN): Kingston’s airport is farther away; using KIN will make the road journey longer (several hours) and is less convenient for western Jamaica locations like Southfield.
Train: Jamaica has no intercity passenger rail services available for travelers.
Bus / Route taxis: Local route taxis (coasters) and minibuses operate around St Elizabeth and connect with larger towns and transport hubs. These are cheap and frequent on key corridors but can be crowded and operate on informal schedules; plan extra time for connections.
How to Get Around Southfield, Jamaica#
Road transport dominates in Southfield-use a private transfer or car hire for convenience, or local route taxis and buses for the budget option. Driving yourself offers the most flexibility for exploring the parish.
- Private taxi / transfer (JMD 6,000-15,000) - Private transfers from MBJ are the easiest way to reach Southfield and are recommended for first-time visitors or those with luggage. Travel time is typically 1.5-2.5 hours depending on route and traffic.
- Route taxi / minibus (JMD 100-600) - Local route taxis serve inter-town connections and are the cheapest way to travel regionally. They are flexible but can be crowded and may not have fixed timetables-ask locals for boarding locations.
- Car hire (JMD 6,000-12,000/day) - Hiring a car is recommended if you plan to explore St Elizabeth widely; roads on main routes are generally in good condition but rural roads can be uneven. Ensure insurance covers the areas you’ll visit.
- Local buses (JMD 100-400) - Local buses connect larger towns in St Elizabeth but may be slower and less frequent than route taxis. They are a low-cost option for travel between main population centres.
- Walking - Southfield is small and walkable for local errands and exploring the immediate area. Longer journeys require road transport due to distances between settlements.
Where to Stay in Southfield, Jamaica#
Negril / St. Elizabeth towns - $25-90/night
Southfield has very few formal tourist hotels. Budget travellers often stay in nearby parish towns or Negril and travel for countryside visits.
Bess Green Acres (St. Elizabeth guesthouse) - Local guesthouse near parish towns.
Negril budget hostels (Negril area) - Hostels and cheap guesthouses near coast.
Negril / Montego Bay - $100-220/night
Mid-range stays are best booked in Negril or Montego Bay; expect comfortable hotels and guesthouses with easy access to coastal attractions and transport.
Half Moon (Montego Bay) - Comfortable resort with good facilities.
Round Hill Hotel & Villas - Boutique villas and hotel rooms.
Montego Bay / Negril - $250+/night
Luxury options are not in Southfield; upscale resorts and private villas are in Montego Bay or Negril for a high-comfort stay.
Iberostar Grand Rose Hall (Montego Bay) - Upscale, full-service resort.
Round Hill Hotel & Villas (Montego Bay) - Luxury villas and private service.
Where to Eat in Southfield, Jamaica#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Southfield, Jamaica’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Southfield, Jamaica#
Expect basic local shops and market stalls for everyday needs in Southfield. For supermarkets, fresh produce markets and a wider retail selection, travel to larger towns in the parish.
Nightlife in Southfield, Jamaica#
Nightlife in Southfield is very limited and typically revolves around local bars and social gatherings. For a broader nightlife scene, you’ll need to visit larger towns.
