Jamaica Travel Guide
What You Need To Know: The Bare Bones
Size 10,991 km2
Population 2.5 Million
Currency Jamaican Dollar
Getting Through Customs
Citizens of the UK, EU and Commonwealth countries must produce passports and an onward ticket for stays up to 6 months. US and Canadian citizens don't need passports but should produce evidence of citizenship with a photo ID (bizarrely a passport would probably suffice) again this is for a visit up to 6 months in length.
Health & how to maintain it
Drink only bottled, boiled or purified/filtered water. This is just to be on the safe side. Avoid ice cubes unless you know they come from a 'safe' source.
You won't need any specific inoculations but it is advisable to make sure Tetanus and other basic jabs are up to date.
Try and only eat food that is properly prepared and cooked if you are away from main resort areas.
Take normal precautions against the heat.
In the main areas of population on the island medical help is good but in the more rural districts becomes less reliable. Make sure you have enough insurance to cover any eventuality including medical evacuation back home.
Driving and Getting Around
Travel by car is the easiest and most flexible way of getting around. It is also quite expensive and many of the roads are not great.
Drive on the left.
The Bus system is reasonably comprehensive and well priced and the crammed buses are a great way to get close to the people.
Travelling by air is a good and fairly cheap way of travelling longer distances but you still have the problem of getting around once you are at your destination airport.
Keeping out of Trouble
Marijuana is widely grown and is part of the 'local reggae culture', it is also illegal as is possession of all kinds of drug (cocaine is very common). If you are caught expect to be dealt with harshly.
Jamaica has a very bad reputation regarding violent crime. Whilst not entirely unwarranted it is not as bad as the media would have us believe. Take normal, sensible precautions and you will be OK. Kingston at night can be dodgy as can certain parts even during the day. Listen to local advice on where to avoid. Pickpockets and bagsnatchers work the busy tourist areas so conduct yourself accordingly.
Insurance
Make sure that you have full and comprehensive insurance that covers any eventuality. You need cover for loss or theft of all money and documents, cover for theft or loss of luggage, full medical and accident insurance.
Cash and Plastic
Traveller's cheques are easily exchanged in the resorts and credit cards are readily accepted. Hole in the wall cash machines are available but check to make sure your card is supported, most of the big ones are.
Cash is the best way of doing business in the rural parts of the Island. Make sure your cash is in sensible 'small' denominations.
The Best Time to Go?
The weather is typically Caribbean all year round rarely dropping below 200 -except in the mountains- it can get into the low thirties in high summer.
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