Jamaica is, hands down, one of the most popular destinations to vacation in and perhaps the dictionary definition of a tropical paradise. Favoured by families, couples, singles, and groups of friends alike, it is rightfully ranked among the best Caribbean places to visit for relaxed, yet fun and diverse island experiences ranging from hiking through majestic waterfalls and swimming in crystalline waters to sunbathing on exotic beaches, exploring lush mountainous and getting soul-pleasing beach massages. Before you travel there, though, it is nice to know a few basics to be even more prepared for a fantastic time.
Currency & Banks
The official currency in Jamaica is the Jamaican Dollar (designated as JA$ or J$) although the US Dollar is widely accepted throughout the island, especially in the more touristy areas.
Although you can easily access commercial banks and licensed cambio in nearly all resort areas, the official currency exchange rate may not be favourable for you, given how fast the rates change on a daily basis. For that reason, it is advisable to have some cash with you – even better, have the two monetary standards available.
That being said, most ATMs in Jamaica accept MasterCard, Visa, Plus, Cirrus, and other international bank cards, while the local banks also give a plethora of financial services (i.e., they change traveller’s checks and give credit card advances).
Language
The official language in Jamaica is English, However, Jamaican Creole (aka Jamaican Patois) is the language most widely spoken here. It is an interesting mix of several languages, including Irish, Portuguese, Chinese, French, Arawakan, English, African, Spanish, and Scottish!
Climate
Although the weather in Jamaica is analysed in great detail in another section of this guide, let’s remember that Jamaica has a humid and hot tropical climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 20oC (68oF) to 32oC (89oF) and lots of sunshine daily. That aside, though, Jamaica has two rainy seasons (from September to November and from May through June), while hurricanes may pass over it between June and November.
Clothing and Packing
You definitely need sun blockers and insect repellent, as well as clothes made from lightweight, breathable fabrics. Although there is no dress code in Jamaica, it is customary to wander around in the evening in semi-casual wear, especially if you are going out to dine. You may also need a light jacket for the chillier evening hours, always depending on the time of the year you visit Jamaica.
Communications
Jamaica has good internet quality and speed and some very cost-effective internet plans for just a few US dollars to get unlimited data if you can’t access or set up free/wireless Wi-Fi internet. As for telephone providers, the leading ones are LIME, Claro, and Digicel.
Idea: You can purchase a cheap cell phone while in Jamaica, load less than ten dollars on it, and purchase an international package to communicate with your friends and family members back home for around a penny per minute.
Important note: Cell phone coverage might not be available throughout the country.
Driving
Driving in Jamaica is on the left, as is the case with most Caribbean islands. So, if you come from the USA or another country where driving is on the right, kindly give yourself some time to get used to this important difference. Now, if you are considering renting a car in Jamaica, you can use your own licence if you are coming from North America (for up to 90 days per visit) or present a valid International Driver’s Licence. Plus, you will need to be at least 25 years old to be able to rent a car in Jamaica.
Once you have rented a car, be prepared for poor road infrastructure and rough roads, even in busy urban areas. Overcrowded lanes and potholes are also common in Jamaica and you might have to drive on sand, dirt, or gravel. Also, beware that any damages caused to your vehicle by you are your responsibility to cover (you will be asked to pay for them).
Electricity
Jamaica’s electric grid runs on 110V (at 50 Hz frequency), while the plugs are flat and two-pronged (aka Type A and Type B sockets and power plugs). This means that if you are travelling to Jamaica from either USA or Canada, you won’t need to bring a converter or adapter along to charge or plug in your devices or appliances. Please remember that most hotels and resorts provide things like clothes iron and hair dryers.
Visiting Jamaica With Pets
Jamaica is very strict when it comes to visiting the country with a pet. Besides having a healthy pet, you also need to get an import permit for it when you enter the country as per international standards. The import permit should be acquired from the Jamaica Ministry of Agriculture (the Veterinary Services Division) before you travel to Jamaica. It is also required that your pet is rabies-free. Here is a checklist for admissible cats and dogs: Dogs_and_cats_import_checklist_May2018.pdf (moa.gov.jm).
Important Note: Up until the moment of this writing, cats and dogs that have a permit can enter Jamaica only if coming from Northern Ireland, Great Britain, and the Republic of Eire. Also, some specific dog breeds are not allowed in Jamaica, such as Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro, and Dog Argentino. The same applies to hybrid dogs or cats.
For more information about importing your pet to Jamaica, please check the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries website: (moa.gov.jm).
Water
Once called Xaymaca (the Land of Wood and Water) by the Taino Indians, Jamaica has an impressive abundance of fresh water coming from its countless rivers, waterfalls, and streams. Overall, the water in Jamaica is safe to drink because (1) it is filtered and purified using all modern methods and(2) there are extensive water treatment and supply systems in place. Except for tap water, though, you can also purchase bottled water from any of the top-quality Jamaican spring water brands that are available throughout the island. The only case when you might have a small issue with getting safe-to-drink water is in remote urban areas that experience water shortages due to a lack of infrastructure, which forces them to use rain drums to collect and store water. In this case, bottled water is your safest bet.
Jamaica is, hands down, one of the most popular destinations to vacation in and perhaps the dictionary definition of a tropical paradise. Favoured by families, couples, singles, and groups of friends alike, it is rightfully ranked among the best Caribbean places to visit for relaxed, yet fun and diverse island experiences ranging from hiking through majestic waterfalls and swimming in crystalline waters to sunbathing on exotic beaches, exploring lush mountainous and getting soul-pleasing beach massages. Before you travel there, though, it is nice to know a few basics to be even more prepared for a fantastic time.
Currency & Banks
The official currency in Jamaica is the Jamaican Dollar (designated as JA$ or J$) although the US Dollar is widely accepted throughout the island, especially in the more touristy areas.
Although you can easily access commercial banks and licensed cambio in nearly all resort areas, the official currency exchange rate may not be favourable for you, given how fast the rates change on a daily basis. For that reason, it is advisable to have some cash with you – even better, have the two monetary standards available.
That being said, most ATMs in Jamaica accept MasterCard, Visa, Plus, Cirrus, and other international bank cards, while the local banks also give a plethora of financial services (i.e., they change traveller’s checks and give credit card advances).
Language
The official language in Jamaica is English, However, Jamaican Creole (aka Jamaican Patois) is the language most widely spoken here. It is an interesting mix of several languages, including Irish, Portuguese, Chinese, French, Arawakan, English, African, Spanish, and Scottish!
Climate
Although the weather in Jamaica is analysed in great detail in another section of this guide, let’s remember that Jamaica has a humid and hot tropical climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 20oC (68oF) to 32oC (89oF) and lots of sunshine daily. That aside, though, Jamaica has two rainy seasons (from September to November and from May through June), while hurricanes may pass over it between June and November.
Clothing and Packing
You definitely need sun blockers and insect repellent, as well as clothes made from lightweight, breathable fabrics. Although there is no dress code in Jamaica, it is customary to wander around in the evening in semi-casual wear, especially if you are going out to dine. You may also need a light jacket for the chillier evening hours, always depending on the time of the year you visit Jamaica.
Communications
Jamaica has good internet quality and speed and some very cost-effective internet plans for just a few US dollars to get unlimited data if you can’t access or set up free/wireless Wi-Fi internet. As for telephone providers, the leading ones are LIME, Claro, and Digicel.
Idea: You can purchase a cheap cell phone while in Jamaica, load less than ten dollars on it, and purchase an international package to communicate with your friends and family members back home for around a penny per minute.
Important note: Cell phone coverage might not be available throughout the country.
Driving
Driving in Jamaica is on the left, as is the case with most Caribbean islands. So, if you come from the USA or another country where driving is on the right, kindly give yourself some time to get used to this important difference. Now, if you are considering renting a car in Jamaica, you can use your own licence if you are coming from North America (for up to 90 days per visit) or present a valid International Driver’s Licence. Plus, you will need to be at least 25 years old to be able to rent a car in Jamaica.
Once you have rented a car, be prepared for poor road infrastructure and rough roads, even in busy urban areas. Overcrowded lanes and potholes are also common in Jamaica and you might have to drive on sand, dirt, or gravel. Also, beware that any damages caused to your vehicle by you are your responsibility to cover (you will be asked to pay for them).
Electricity
Jamaica’s electric grid runs on 110V (at 50 Hz frequency), while the plugs are flat and two-pronged (aka Type A and Type B sockets and power plugs). This means that if you are travelling to Jamaica from either USA or Canada, you won’t need to bring a converter or adapter along to charge or plug in your devices or appliances. Please remember that most hotels and resorts provide things like clothes iron and hair dryers.
Visiting Jamaica With Pets
Jamaica is very strict when it comes to visiting the country with a pet. Besides having a healthy pet, you also need to get an import permit for it when you enter the country as per international standards. The import permit should be acquired from the Jamaica Ministry of Agriculture (the Veterinary Services Division) before you travel to Jamaica. It is also required that your pet is rabies-free. Here is a checklist for admissible cats and dogs: Dogs_and_cats_import_checklist_May2018.pdf (moa.gov.jm).
Important Note: Up until the moment of this writing, cats and dogs that have a permit can enter Jamaica only if coming from Northern Ireland, Great Britain, and the Republic of Eire. Also, some specific dog breeds are not allowed in Jamaica, such as Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro, and Dog Argentino. The same applies to hybrid dogs or cats.
For more information about importing your pet to Jamaica, please check the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries website: (moa.gov.jm).
Water
Once called Xaymaca (the Land of Wood and Water) by the Taino Indians, Jamaica has an impressive abundance of fresh water coming from its countless rivers, waterfalls, and streams. Overall, the water in Jamaica is safe to drink because (1) it is filtered and purified using all modern methods and(2) there are extensive water treatment and supply systems in place. Except for tap water, though, you can also purchase bottled water from any of the top-quality Jamaican spring water brands that are available throughout the island. The only case when you might have a small issue with getting safe-to-drink water is in remote urban areas that experience water shortages due to a lack of infrastructure, which forces them to use rain drums to collect and store water. In this case, bottled water is your safest bet.