Honestly, if you saw the footage of the western parishes back in late October 2025, you probably thought Jamaica would be off the map for years. Category 5 storms don't just "pass through." Hurricane Melissa was a monster. It stayed late, it moved slow, and it basically tried to remodel the coastline of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth without anyone’s permission.
But it’s January 2026 now. I’ve been looking at the ground reports and talking to folks in Montego Bay. The vibe is... surprisingly busy? It’s that classic Jamaican resilience where people start sweeping the porch while the wind is still whistling.
If you're asking how is Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa, the answer depends entirely on where you’re standing. If you’re at a high-end resort in Ocho Rios, you might not even know a storm happened. If you’re in Black River, you’re looking at a very different reality.
The Tourism Comeback: Is the "All Clear" For Real?
Most people want to know if they should cancel their flight. Short answer: No.
Longer answer: Just check where you're staying.
As of mid-January 2026, the U.S. State Department finally bumped the travel advisory back down to Level 2. That’s a big deal. Right after the storm, it shot up to Level 3 because the infrastructure in the west was essentially a pile of matchsticks. But the recovery has been fast—like, suspiciously fast. Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett recently noted that the island welcomed 300,000 visitors in the first seven weeks post-Melissa. That’s not a country in total shutdown.
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Here is the breakdown of the major spots:
- Montego Bay: It took a heavy hit. Sangster International is fully operational, but you might still see some "under construction" signs at the smaller boutiques.
- Negril: Surprisingly okay. The cliffs held up, and most of the Seven Mile Beach hotels were back in business by mid-December.
- Ocho Rios and Port Antonio: These spots were the lucky ones. The east and north-central coasts basically dodged the bullet.
- The South Coast: This is the tough part. This area is still struggling.
The hotel inventory is at about 70% to 80% capacity right now. If you’ve got a booking at a major chain like Sandals or Riu, you’re likely fine. The "Big Guys" have their own generators and private water trucks, so the guest experience stays pretty polished even when the town down the road is still waiting for the grid to flicker back on.
What Life Looks Like for Locals Right Now
We can’t talk about how Jamaica is doing without mentioning the 120,000 buildings that lost their roofs. That’s a staggering number. In parishes like Hanover and Westmoreland, the scene is still pretty raw.
You’ll see blue tarps everywhere. It’s the unofficial flag of recovery.
While the "tourist bubbles" are shining, many families are still living with relatives or in the remaining active shelters. The UN reported that nearly a quarter of Jamaica’s GDP was wiped out in those few days in October. Think about that. That’s billions of dollars in bananas, coffee, and homes just... gone.
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The Health Situation
One thing nobody talks about in the glossy travel brochures is the leptospirosis risk. Flooding in Jamaica often leads to outbreaks because of contaminated water. The Ministry of Health has been on high alert, and if you’re traveling there, honestly, just stay out of standing water. Don't go wading in "cool" puddles after a rain shower.
Also, Black River Hospital was essentially leveled. If you're heading to the South Coast for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, make sure your travel insurance covers medevac. The local clinics are slammed.
Rebuilding or Just Patching Up?
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been leaning hard into this "build back better" slogan. It sounds like typical politician talk, but there’s some weight to it this time. They are actually looking at moving settlements away from flood-prone gullies.
The engineering troops from Ghana and Rwanda are actually on the ground helping the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) with the heavy lifting. It’s a weird, global effort. They aren't just fixing roofs; they’re trying to modernize the grid so a "Category 5-plus" doesn't turn the lights off for a month next time.
The Food Gap
If you’re a foodie, be prepared for higher prices. Melissa decimated the agricultural heartland. Most of the yams, peppers, and fruits you’re eating in Kingston or MoBay right now are likely imported or coming from the few northern farms that survived. The $180 million loss in agriculture means the local markets aren't as "bountiful" as they usually are.
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Practical Advice for Your Visit
If you are heading down there in the next few months, here is the "real talk" on how to handle it.
First, be a "low-maintenance" guest. If the AC goes out for an hour or the water pressure is a bit weak, remember that the person fixing it might have a tarp for a roof at home. A little patience goes a long way.
Second, cash is still king, but use it wisely. Some of the digital payment systems in rural areas are still spotty because the cell towers are being repaired. Keep some Jamaican dollars on you for the smaller vendors.
Third, don't skip the South Coast entirely. Places like Treasure Beach need your tourist dollars more than ever. Just call ahead. Make sure they have a working room for you. If they say they’re open, believe them—they need the business to fund their own repairs.
What’s Next?
The goal is 95% recovery by the end of 2026. It’s ambitious, sure. But if you walk through the streets of Kingston or lounge on a beach in St. Ann today, you’ll see a country that is stubbornly refusing to be a victim of the weather.
Next steps for you:
- Check the "Visit Jamaica" travel alerts specifically for your parish.
- Confirm your hotel’s status via a direct phone call, not just an automated booking site.
- Pack a small personal first-aid kit and plenty of mosquito repellent, as post-storm standing water increases the bug count.
- Consider a small donation to the "Building a Better Jamaica Fund" if you want to help with the roof-repair initiatives in the western parishes.