Major city · United States
Jamaica Beach
Skip unless you need a quiet beach base or free parking near Galveston Island State Park: one night is enough, or a half-day beach stop.
Jamaica Beach is a small residential community on Galveston Island, 13.6 miles southwest of the island's tip. It has a public beach with free parking, borders Galveston Island State Park, and is less than one square mile. Most visitors use it as a low-key alternative to Galveston's busy beaches or as a stop on the way to Surfside and the San Luis Pass. One night or a half-day beach visit covers it.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (crowded and hot), Dec–Feb (cooler, but still mild)
- Airports
- HOU · IAH
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Jamaica Beach911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Jamaica Beach, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe area; standard beach precautions: sun protection, watch for rip currents (no lifeguards).
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHOU William P.
- Getting aroundCar is essential: the community is walkable (less than 1 sq mile) but you need a vehicle for groceries, restaurants and state park access.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (diner or convenience store)$2–4
- Sit-down mealDinner (sit-down restaurant in Galveston)$18–30
- Street or quick mealLunch (burger or sandwich)$10–15
- BeerBeer (can at store / pint at bar)$2–3$5–7
- Budget bedVacation rental (whole house, sleeps 4–6), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedVacation rental (whole house, sleeps 4–6), a night, per roomUS$250
- High-end bedVacation rental (whole house, sleeps 4–6), a night, per roomUS$400
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HOU William P. Hobby Airport (About 55 miles north; drive via I-45 and the San Luis Pass Toll Bridge or through Galveston) · IAH George Bush Intercontinental Airport (About 75 miles north; drive via I-45)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Sep (10 rain days), driest Apr (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Jamaica Beach: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential: the community is walkable (less than 1 sq mile) but you need a vehicle for groceries, restaurants and state park access. Free parking at the public beach.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20–30 min
Drive northeast on FM 3005 / Seawall Blvd, about 15–20 min
Historic Strand, Moody Gardens, Pleasure Pier.
Door to door: 35–45 min
Drive southwest across San Luis Pass Toll Bridge, then south on TX-332, about 30 min
Another quiet beach town; good for a half-day.
Door to door: 1–1.5 h
Drive northeast to Galveston, then take the Bolivar Ferry (free, about 20 min crossing)
Ferry schedule varies; check for wait times.
Door to door: 50–60 min
Drive north via I-45, about 45 min
Boardwalk, restaurants, amusement rides.
Houston
cautionDoor to door: 1.5 h
Drive north via I-45, about 1 h 15 min
Full-day trip; traffic can add 30 min.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Jamaica Beach itself
Limited options; mostly vacation rentals and a few small hotels. Check for Silver Leaf Resort about 2 miles southwest in Galveston.
Galveston (nearby)
Hotels and resorts on Galveston Island, 10–15 minutes northeast by car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Vacation rental (whole house, sleeps 4–6)1 × 1 night × US$250 | US$250 |
| Food, local transport, entries4 × 1 day × US$150 | US$600 |
| Toll for San Luis Pass-Vacek Bridge (one way)1 × US$2 · check | US$2 |
| Gas from Houston (round trip, about 110 miles)1 × US$20 | US$20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$87 |
| Trip total≈ US$240 per person per day, bed included | US$959 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (diner or convenience store) | $2–4 |
| Lunch (burger or sandwich) | $10–15 |
| Dinner (sit-down restaurant in Galveston) | $18–30 |
| Beer (can at store / pint at bar) | $2–3 / $5–7 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No lifeguards on the public beach.
- No camping allowed in Jamaica Beach; camp at Galveston Island State Park with a fee.
- San Luis Pass-Vacek Toll Bridge costs a toll (check current rate) when coming from the southwest.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Jamaica BeachJamaica Beach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Hobby Airport → Jamaica Beach (taxi/rideshare): about $80–110, 55 min
- IAH → Jamaica Beach (taxi/rideshare): about $110–150, 1.5 h
- Galveston → Jamaica Beach (taxi/rideshare): about $20–30, 15 min
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach?
English is universal; no language barrier.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Jamaica Beach. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (crowded and hot), Dec–Feb (cooler, but still mild) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Jamaica Beach
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