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Before You Go
Jamaica Entry Requirements for UK Citizens:
British visitors do not require visas to enter Jamaica, although overstaying
without the proper authority is viewed as a serious matter and may result in
detention or a heavy fine. For further information on entry requirements, visitors
are advised to check with the Jamaican High Commission in London before travelling.
Also, due to the recent Foot and Mouth outbreak in the UK, it is essential that
all passengers walk through a disinfected pathway on arrival in Jamaica. The
importation of meat and dairy products from the UK is banned. Customs officials
are liable to search all baggage and concealed foodstuffs will be impounded
and destroyed.
Jamaica Entry Requirements for US Citizens:
Passport or certified copy of US birth certificate &
current photo ID plus return ticket & sufficient funds for visit. US citizens
travelling for work or extended stays require passport & visa. Contact:
Embassy of Jamaica, 1520 New Hampshire Av, NW. Washington, DC. 20036. (202)
452-0660, or consulate in Miami or NYC, LAX, Atlanta or Chicago.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth
Office updated travel advisory for visitors to Jamaica. Updated 8th
November 2002.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
In view of the high levels of crime and violence
and in the light of recent incidents involving UK citizens, visitors should
follow these common sense guidelines:
- Be particularly alert for thieves
- Do not offer resistance in the event of an attempted
robbery
- Visitors are advised against walking at night or
using public transport. Only taxis authorised by the Jamaica Union of Travellers
Association and ordered from hotels for the sole use of the visitor (i.e.
unshared) should be used
- Do not give lifts to strangers
- Care should be taken when travelling to and from
Kingston airport. The Mountain View route should generally be avoided. There
have also been incidents (including temporary road blocks) on the alternative
Humming Bird Route, specifically on lower South Camp Road. Travel by this
route during the day should be trouble-free but take local advice before setting
out on journeys after dark.
There have been incidents involving British
tourists on the north coast. The motive for most attacks seems to be robbery.
Although the Jamaican government have a system of mobile police patrols, visitors
should avoid walking alone in isolated areas even in daylight hours. Avoid walking
alone on beaches or at night and avoid travelling in unlicensed vehicles.
Some of those returning to permanently resettle
in Jamaica have recently been the target of particular criminal attention. Incidents
of violence including murder have resulted. It is therefore particularly important
to seek the advice and assurance of the Jamaican authorities, through the Jamaican
High Commission, 1-2 Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BZ; Tel: 020 7823 9911.
Visitors should still maintain vigilance even
when staying with family or friends.
LOCAL TRAVEL
Occasional public order incidents and demonstrations,
sometimes violent, can occur in various parts of Kingston. Gang violence and
shootings are usually concentrated in inner city and poor neighbourhoods, including
West Kingston, Tivoli Gardens, Grant's Pen, August Town, Harbour View and Montego
Bay (but not the resort areas), but can occur in other areas. These areas should
be avoided. Visitors should exercise caution when travelling to and from Kingston
airport, especially after dark, due to the crime threat in the neighbourhoods
they traverse.
ROAD TRAVEL
Driving conditions in Jamaica can be hazardous
and care should be taken, particularly at night.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Possession of even small quantities
can lead to imprisonment. All sentences are served in Jamaica. Prison conditions
are harsh. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs
for someone else.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The importation of meat and dairy products from the UK is banned. Customs officials
are liable to search all baggage and concealed foodstuffs will be impounded
and destroyed.
Visitors do not require visas to enter Jamaica.
However, overstaying without the proper authority is viewed as a serious matter.
Visitors can be held in detention and may be fined. For further information
on entry requirements, visitors are advised to check with the Jamaican High
Commission in London before travelling.
HEALTH
Medical treatment can be expensive. Private
medical facilities are of a reasonable standard but can vary throughout the
island.
Visitors should take standard precautions to
avoid exposure to the HIV/AIDS virus.
NATURAL DISASTERS
Hurricanes may occur during the rainy season,
which is between July and October. Jamaica also lies in the earthquake zone.
Visitors should make themselves aware of weather conditions through the local
media or by accessing http://www.weather.com/, Tropical Update.
GENERAL
It is essential that travellers take out full insurance cover for medical treatment
and accidents, and it is advisable to have cover for unexpected losses such
as cancelled flights, stolen cards, cash, passport or luggage.
If in doubt visitors should seek advice from
travel representatives, the Jamaican Tourist Board or the British High Commission.
Visitors should check the departure tax ($1,000
Jamaican Dollars) is included in the cost of their air ticket.
For current updates visit
The UK Foreign
and Commonwealth Office website
Health: Medical care limited in comparison
to care available in US and Western Europe. No vaccinations required unless,
in the last 6 weeks, you have visited: Asia, Africa, Central & South America,
Dominican Republic, Haiti, Trinidad or Tobago. Doctors & hospitals often
expect immediate cash payment. US medical insurance not always valid outside
USA. Supplementary medical insurance
with specific overseas coverage, including evacuation insurance, often helpful. No vaccinations required unless, in last 6 weeks, you
have visited: Asia, Africa, Central & South America, Dominican Republic,
Haiti, Trinidad or Tobago.
Crime& Security: Crime serious problem, particularly
in Kingston. Criminal acts rapidly turn violent. Sporadic gang violence spreads
from neighbourhoods west of downtown Kingston to fringes of downtown. Areas
of Kingston occasionally subject to curfew. Areas affected by curfew not tourist
areas. There have been incidents involving visiting tourists and UK and Jamaican
nationals re-settling on the island. Exercise caution when travelling to and
from Kingston Airport via Mountain View Av & Windward Road, especially after
dark. Don't use buses, - often overcrowded & venue for crime. Don't walk
outside after dark or at any time in neighbourhoods known for high crime rates.
Jamaica has taken a number of steps, including assignment of special tourist
security personnel, to enhance security in major resort areas on north &
west coasts. Resorts with self- contained facilities offer higher degree of
security. Take care at isolated villas, smaller establishments & those with
fewer security arrangements because of eco-tourism concerns. Be more cautious
in unfamiliar surroundings than at home. Don't leave valuables unattended on
beach or anywhere else. Relatives of tourists have received calls from people
alleging that they are police officers or other public officials. Callers state
that visitor has had trouble & needs financial help & that money should
be sent to caller who will assist visitor.
Money: Jamaican Dollar (J$) = 100 cents. US$1
= F$35 approx. Notes of J$ 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 & 1. Coins of J$1,
& 50, 25, 20, 10, 5 & 1 cents. Change money only at airport bureaux,
banks or hotels. MasterCard, Amex, Diners & Visa widely accepted.
US $ Travellers checks recommended. Commercial banks maintain branches throughout
island 9am-2pm Mon - Thurs; 9am-12pm & 2:30pm-5pm on Fridays. Exchange Bureaus
open in Montego Bay & Kingston airports for all international flight arrivals
& departures.
Weather: Tropical all year. Av. temp. high/low
summer 80/80-70F. Winter 80/70F. Annual average 82F. Rainy months May &
October, but showers occur at any time. In Montego Bay, humidity ranges from
71 to 77%. Sunrise/sunset 6 am/7 pm. Jamaica Weather Today
Advice & Tips for Jamaica:
Drugs: Criminal
penalties for possession, use & dealing in illegal drugs, including marijuana,
strict. Substantial fines plus mandatory sentences of 6 to 9 months common,
& longer prison sentences often levied. Departing visitors thoroughly screened
for drug possession.
Road Safety: Drive
on left. Almost all roads have 2 lanes & often have no shoulders. General
road conditions, including potholes& stray animals, make inter-city driving
at night inadvisable. Taxicabs users should take only licensed cabs having red-and-white
"PP" license plates. If you rent motorbike, beware serious accidents.
Extreme caution should be used in driving motorbikes on unfamiliar roads.
If so-called accident occurs along highway, go to nearest police station or
populated area before getting out of car.
Customs: Duty Free - 200 cigarettes or
50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1 litre spirits (excluding rum); 2 litres wine; 340ml
of eau de toilette; 150g perfume; gifts to value of J$40 during each 6-month
period. Prohibited items: explosives, firearms, dangerous drugs (including marijuana),
meat, flowers, fresh fruit, rum, vegetables (unless canned), coffee in any form
& honey. Cats & dogs prohibited unless arriving directly from UK, having
been born & bred there, carrying certificate & if permit for import
obtained from Min of Agriculture.
Electricity & Voltage:
110 volts AC, 50Hz, single phase. US 2-pin plugs standard,
but many hotels offer 220 volts AC, 50Hz, single phase, from 3-pin sockets.
Public Holidays: Jan 01; Mar 28 & 31; May 23; Aug
5; Oct 21; Dec 25-26
Tourist Offices
Jamaican Consulate General
2nd Floor, 767 Third Avenue, New York,
NY 10017 (212) 935 9000.
Fax: (212) 935 7507.
Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB)
2 St Lucia Avenue, Kingston 5,
Jamaica 929 9200.
Fax: 929 9375, 20th Floor, 801 2nd Ave, NYC, NY 10017
(212) 856 9727. Fax: (212) 856 9655.
Jamaica High Commission, 1-2 Prince Consort
Road, London SW7 2BZ, Tel: (020) 7823 9911. Fax: (020) 7589 5154. E-mail: jamhigh@jhcuk.com. Website: www.jhcuk.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (High Commission), Mon-Fri 1000-1530 (Consulate).
Airports
KGN: Norman Manley International, Kingston
13 miles from Kingston.
US Embassy advises staff to exercise
caution when travelling to & from Kingston Airport via Mountain View Av
& Windward Road, especially after dark.
Exchange Bureaus open for all international
flight arrivals & departures.
MBJ: Donald Sangster International, Montego
Bay
2 miles from downtown
Montego Bay.
Exchange Bureaus open
for all international flight arrivals & departures.
Taxis from Airport: Taxis have predetermined fares. All
cabs have red PPV plates (Public Passenger Vehicle) along with regular license
plates.
Also: GNI Green Island,
KTP Kingston, Tinson, MVJ Mandeville, NEG Negril, OCJ
Ocho Rios and POT Port Antonio.
Customs: Duty Free - 200 cigarettes or
50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1 litre spirits (excluding rum); 2 litres wine; 340ml
of eau de toilette; 150g perfume; gifts to J$40 during each 6-month period.
Prohibited items: explosives, firearms, dangerous drugs (including marijuana),
meat, flowers, fresh fruit, rum, vegetables (unless canned), coffee in any form
and honey. Cats & dogs prohibited unless arriving directly from UK, having
been born & bred there, carrying certificate & if permit for import
from Min of Agriculture.
Departure tax payable at airport. JA$1,000 (around
$25 US) - cash only.
Now You’re There
Regions and Cities
Jamaica is third largest country in Caribbean. Apart from famous
beaches on north coast, mountainous island crisscrossed by 120 rivers. Highest
point is Blue Mountain Peak at 7,402 ft.
Montego Bay
Grande Dame of resort areas, Mo'Bay famous for resorts, championship golf
courses & historic Great Houses.
Ocho Rios
where mountains roll down to meet sea, giant waterfalls, clubs & discos
light up night.
Runaway Bay, midway between Montego Bay & Ocho Rios, some
of finest scuba diving and golf in Caribbean, along with 2-mile, seaside stretch
of hotels.
Port Antonio Quiet, charming, flower-bedecked
harbour town, where great yachts tie up at twin piers & bananas and bamboo
grow by roadside. Long hideaway of movie stars, movie moguls & millionaires.
Negril 7 miles of beautiful beach - &
uninhibited lifestyle.
The South Coast is
newest resort. Area calm, quiet, green & serene with small country inns,
intimate hideaways & undiscovered beaches aplenty.
Entertainment
Jamaica’s larger resort hotels offer small bands and occasional guitar-
carrying calypso singers can be heard. Folkloric shows held & steel bands
often play.
Discotheques, nightclubs &
jazz music. Native to Jamaica is Reggae music & dancing.
Jamaica Tourist Board arranges
`Meet the People' evenings in various scenic locations through island. Contact
Tourist Office in Kingston, Montego Bay, Port Antonio or Ocho Rios.
Eating Out in Jamaica
Tipping: Most hotels
add service charge from 10-15%. Same amount, although not added to most bills,
generally accepted at restaurants.
Day-O Plantation
Restaurant, St. James
Evita's
Italian Restaurant,
Ocho Rios
Pier One on the
Waterfront, Montego
Bay
Royal
Stocks Pub, Montego Bay
Almond Tree - Over 30 dishes & grotto-style piano bar by Caribbean.
Bamboo Village Restaurant - Chinese cuisine in central mall.
Bloomfield Great House - New restaurant in 200-year-old building in Mandeville.
Blue Mountain Inn - Traditional elegance overlooking a river.
Chasers Cafe - Jamaican food.
Cosmo's Restaurant - Seafood with excellent view of beach.
Day O' Plantation - Seafood & continental dishes. Live entertainment
nightly.<
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The Fish Place - Al fresco seafood.
Gordon's Restaurant - Japanese & Korean food.
The Grog Shoppe - Lunch & dinner in a cool tropical atmosphere.
Jade Garden Restaurant - Chefs from Hong Kong in Oriental setting.
Julia's Italian Restaurant - Pasta & Italian with view of Montego Bay.
Marguerite's By The Sea - Fine dining under stars & next to sea.
Native Restaurant - Jamaican & international cuisine.
Pelican - Famous for fine cuisine for past 32 years.
Peppers - Drinks & tasty jerked pork.
Royal Stocks - Traditional pub fare & games with dart boards,
billiard tables, etc.
Ruins Restaurant - Fine dining by waterfall on bank of Turtle River.
Sugar Mill Restaurant - Winner of prestigious awards, Jamaican, Caribbean
& international cuisine.
Town House Restaurant - Menu designed to meet all tastes.
La Trattoria - Italian food with Jamaican touch.
Shopping in Jamaica
Jamaican 'Good
Buys' include: locally made items & duty-free bargains. Crafts, Custom-made
rugs and reproductions of pewter and china.
Montego Bay's crafts market,
where "higglers" (street merchants) hawk their wares and bargain with
customers, is an exciting place to observe and even participate in what many
people consider a game.
Jamaican rum, the Rumona liqueur
(the world's only rum-based liqueur, hard to find outside the island) and Ian
Sangsters Rum Cream are unique purchases. Other local specialities are Pepper
Jellies, jams and spices.
Have you been to Jamaica and know about some more great highlights worth a mention? Add details for other visitors to read about.
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