As luck would have it, airports, including Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, quickly reopened after thorough damage assessments and extensive repairs were made. Concurrently, hotel capacity has steadily returned online, which saw major resorts reopened by late 2025 and continuing into 2026. This rapid restoration was backed by coordinated government efforts, a tourism recovery task force, and private-sector participation to bring properties and attractions back into service.

The leading story of Jamaica in 2026 is one of recovery, resilience and return. Miraculously, Jamaica has welcomed more than 445,000 visitors in the months following the storm, injecting $475 million in tourism revenue despite earlier disruptions. That’s quite the rebound! Industry leaders and officials report increasing hotel occupancy and forward bookings, especially in well-established tourism hubs such as Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril. Regions that bore the brunt of the storm are still addressing infrastructure and community rebuilding requirements alongside tourism restoration.

So why, might one ask, is Jamaica so important to the romance and wedding industry? Perhaps it is because Jamaica doesn’t chase trends in the wedding or romance world—it anchors them. There’s a reason the island remains a constant in an industry that’s forever reinventing itself. Jamaica understands romance not as a performance, but as a feeling—unforced and deeply human. Love here unfolds at its own pace — slow enough to savor yet vibrant enough to remember. It’s not curated for the camera first; it’s lived in real time, with salt in the air and music in sync with the breeze.

To speak of Jamaica’s most storied moments is to inevitably arrive at Rose Hall Great House. One of Jamaica’s most iconic historic landmarks, Rose Hall Great House is a striking 18th-century Georgian mansion perched on a hill overlooking the Caribbean Sea near Montego Bay. Built in the 1770s as the centerpiece of a sprawling sugar estate, it’s widely regarded as

the most famous great house in Jamaica, celebrated for its elegant architecture, panoramic coastal views, and richly furnished interiors restored to reflect its colonial past.

Today the Great House operates as a historic house museum where visitors can explore its lush gardens, grand rooms, and hear stories of life on the plantation — including the enduring legend of the “White Witch,” Annie Palmer, a figure of local folklore said to haunt the estate. Guided day tours focus on history and design, while evening tours play up the spooky myth and dramatic tales that have made Rose Hall a must-see attraction for culture and history lovers. Beyond the mansion itself, the surrounding Rose Hall Estate has grown into a vibrant area of golf courses, resorts and activities but the Great House remains its cultural and architectural heart.

For weddings, Jamaica offers something increasingly rare: ease without compromise. Couples arrive with a vision and discover an island fluent in celebration—planners who specialize in turning emotion into atmosphere, resorts and villas that function like ready-made love stories, and landscapes that require no embellishment. From barefoot vows on the sand to candlelit receptions in the hills, the island delivers ceremony and soul in equal measure.

One such resort that can handle every single detail of your big day is Half Moon. Half Moon, one of the Caribbean’s most storied destinations, will officially reopen its highly-acclaimed Eclipse at Half Moon resort on April 2. Half Moon is an iconic luxury resort set on 400 acres of manicured tropical gardens with two miles of pristine private beachfront along the coast near Montego Bay. It is widely regarded as one of Jamaica’s premier resort destinations, blending refined elegance with laid-back Caribbean charm. The property features a range of accommodations — from elegantly appointed rooms and suites to spacious private villas — many offering sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. Guests have access to world-class amenities including the Fern Tree Spa, one of the largest spa sanctuaries in the region, an 18-hole championship golf course, multiple restaurants and bars, and extensive water-sports programs along its sandy beaches. Activities abound for all types of travelers, from relaxing on quiet beaches and enjoying sunset horseback rides to sailing, snorkeling, and family-friendly fun. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family holiday, or a wellness escape, Half Moon offers a classic Jamaican luxury experience rooted in natural beauty and warm hospitality.

What makes Jamaica especially compelling as a destination for couples who want to celebrate their love is its balance of intimacy and vitality. One moment you’re secluded—floating in a private cove, soaking in mineral-rich springs, or sharing a quiet breakfast overlooking the sea. The next, you’re swept into the island’s pulse: live music, warm laughter, rum cocktails poured generously, and a culture that celebrates intimate connection as much as it celebrates shared joy.

The Caves Hotel offers this perfect balance. The property is a boutique, adult-focused resort perched dramatically atop the limestone cliffs of Negril’s West End, offering panoramic views over the Caribbean Sea. The Caves features a collection of approximately 12 uniquely designed cliffside cottages and a grand villa, each with its own character and coastal vistas, blending tropical charm with relaxed luxury. Guest accommodations include one- and two-bedroom cottages and suites, many with outdoor showers, verandas, complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning, mini-bars, and nightly turndown service. The resort is known for its distinctive dining options, including the bamboo-furnished main restaurant, alfresco Gazebo breakfast space, and romantic private cave dining experiences; it also boasts a signature Blackwell Rum Bar set in a sea cave right at the water’s edge. On-site leisure amenities include snorkeling, kayaking, cliff jumping, an outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and the Aveda-amenity Spa with treatments overlooking the sea. Additional activities and services include water sports, guided cliff and cave explorations, and easy access to Negril’s famous 7-mile beach just minutes away.

The Cliff Hotel in Negril, Jamaica, is a stylish boutique luxury retreat perched on a dramatic five-acre peninsula overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea and iconic Negril cliffs, celebrated for its warm Jamaican hospitality and serene atmosphere. With just 33 individually designed suites and private villas — from intimate one-bedroom hideaways to expansive four- and five-bedroom residences — the property offers an intimate, upscale escape blending modern Caribbean décor with breathtaking ocean views. Guests can unwind at the cliffside saltwater pool, indulge in holistic treatments at the tranquil KiYara Spa, or savor innovative island cuisine at the acclaimed Zest restaurant led by award-winning culinary talent, all while enjoying spectacular sunsets and personalized service that makes it a popular choice for romantic getaways, honeymoons, and those seeking a sophisticated but unpretentious Caribbean experience.

Guests of the Bridal Expo were treated to a stay at the newly opened Princess Hotels & Resorts Jamaica. The expansive, $400 million dollar property redefines the all-inclusive experience on the pristine shores of Green Island, where modern design meets the rhythm of the island. From adults-only indulgence at Princess Senses The Mangrove to the vibrant, family-forward energy of Princess Grand Jamaica, every stay unfolds with intention. The resort offers 590 spacious and well-appointed suites, 8 bars, and 9 restaurants serving local and international cuisine. Think overwater villas, plunge-pool suites, globally inspired dining, and days that move seamlessly from sunrise swims to candlelit dinners by the sea. Beyond dining and accommodations, Princess provides a complete entertainment and activities program for all ages, including tennis, pickleball, yoga, watersports, 3 pools and an aquatic park. Whether you’re chasing romance, adventure, or effortless escape, this is Jamaica — elevated.

In an industry increasingly driven by aesthetics and algorithms, Jamaica remains vital because it offers something timeless: romance with rhythm, weddings with heart, and love stories that don’t need reinvention—only presence. This is what makes Jamaica truly special as a wedding destination for all generations, cultures and nationalities. There’s also a deep emotional texture to Jamaica that elevates a romantic stay. The island invites you to slow down, to be present, to savor moments rather than schedule them. Conversations linger longer. Sunsets feel ceremonial. Even simple pleasures—fresh fruit, spice-laced cuisine, the warmth of a shared smile—take on a richer meaning. Perhaps most importantly, Jamaica carries cultural depth into every romantic moment. Love here is layered—rooted in history, music, resilience, and warmth. It’s felt in the way guests are welcomed, in the joy that spills into celebrations, in the sense that love is not just personal, but communal. This is Jamaica.