Jamaican Fruit Bats roost in a very wide range of structures, including caves, rock overhangs, rock fissures, hollow trees, foliage, and even man-made structures such as buildings. These bats have been observed to eat pollen, nectar, fruit, and insects though they are most commonly associated with large cultivated and wild fruits (Mango, Papaya, but never citrus fruits) (Gannon et al. 2005, Genoways et al. 2005). This species normally gives birth twice a year. Pregnant females have been found during February and July, while nursing mothers have been found April-July and as late as September (Genoways et al. 2005). Births are timed to coincide with the rains/times when most food (flowers or fruit) is available.

This species occurs from Michoacan, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas (Mexico) to nothwestern Colombia, Greater and Lesser Antilles (south to Granada), south Bahamas (Guerrero et al. 2004, Simmons 2005, Larsen et al. 2007). This definition is more restricted by exclusion of A. j. aequatorialis, which is now recognized as a valid species A. aequatorialis (Larsen et al. 2010).

It is found in protected areas.