BPG_Jamaica

Accommodation

Jamaica has a full range of accommodation, from basic beach shacks to some of the finest resorts in the Caribbean and small family-run hotels can be found both close to the beach and inland in the mountains. In Kingston the best hotels are designed for business travellers, while guest houses are of variable quality and not particularly cheap.

All-inclusive resorts were invented in Jamaica and are found mostly along the north and west coasts. Some hotels accept couples only and others cater for families, but most offer a wide range of sporting activities, wedding and honeymoon packages and excursions.

There are also some boutique hotels where you can be pampered in luxury and enjoy some of the island’s most beautiful scenery on the coast and in the mountains. These do not come cheap. Many of the small luxury hotels have been around since the 1950s, attracting movie stars and the glitterati before mass tourism arrived. Recent additions to this sector include the Island Outpost group.

Jamaica also has a wide range of private villas for rent, with or without staff. Contact the Jamaica Association of Villas and Apartments (JAVA), Office #4, Ocean Village Shopping Centre, Ocho Rios, St Ann (tel: 974-2508, www.javavillas.org) for more details.

For general information on rental of cabins in the Blue Mountains, contact the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust, the local NGO responsible for the management of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park (tel: 920-8278/9, www.jcdt.org.jm).

Prices change dramatically between high and low season. Low season is from mid-April to mid-December, and you can make savings of up to 40 percent during this period. High season is extremely busy, so it is important to make reservations well in advance to guarantee the accommodation of your choice.

Airports (see also Getting There)

There are three international airports.

Norman Manley International Airport at Kingston (KIN; tel: 924-8452; www.nmia.aero), serves Kingston and the east of the island; it also caters to international business travellers. Transfer to Kingston takes 20 minutes and is 15km (9.5 miles). There is a bus service, but a taxi direct to your destination is a more sensible option. Transfer time to Port Antonio is around three hours.

Sangster International Airport at Montego Bay (MBJ; tel: 952-3124; www.mbjairport.com), serves the north coast, the west of the island and also handles the charter aircraft that fly to the island. Central Montego Bay is only 5 minutes away and there are taxis outside the terminal building even though many hotels and resorts provide transport for the short transfer. Transfers to other resorts by coach are as follows: Ocho Rios is around 2 hours, Runaway Bay 1.5 hours and Negril one hour.

Ian Fleming International Airport (OCJ; tel: 975-3101; www.ifia.aero), formerly Boscobel Aerodrome, near Ocho Rios, opened in 2011 and serves specialised small charters and private jets up to the size of a Dash 8.

There are also a number of domestic airports: Negril Aerodrome, Ken Jones Airport (Port Antonio) and Tinson Pen (Kingston), which operate transfer flights from the international airports. In Kingston, most domestic flights leave from Tinson Pen.

Bicycle Rental

Bicycle rental is a sensible way to see a little more of the area where you are based. It is particularly useful in Negril, where the land is flat. Contact Dependable Bike Rental (tel: 957-4764), in Negril, or Kool Bike Rental (http://koolbikerental.tripod.com) at the Negril Yacht Club for bicycles or motorbikes. Cycles can be rented by the day or by the week. It is also possible to undertake bicycle tours into the Blue Mountains and around Port Antonio, along the relatively quiet roads (for more information, click here).

Budgeting for Your Trip

To help you budget for your trip, here are some prices for the things you will need.

Flights to Jamaica. A charter flight from London in the UK to Montego Bay starts from about £400 including taxes, while a scheduled flight to either Kingston or Montego Bay starts from around £445. These are low season prices and fluctuations occur throughout the year. From the US, the best deals are from Florida, with return tickets on budget airlines, such as Jet Blue, starting from about US$160 excluding tax.

Accommodation. A room can range in price from US$40 in low season for a hideaway such as Ital Rest Cottages (for more information, click here) to US$1,800 per night for a suite in a top-class hotel such as Jamaica Inn (for more information, click here) in high season, depending on whether you opt for room only (EP) or for a fully inclusive luxury resort hotel (AI). For a room in a less expensive hotel, allow US$45–100 per person; for a medium-standard hotel, prices range from US$100–250 per night. All-inclusive resorts and luxury hotels start at over US$200 per day but can rise to more than US$1,000, depending on the facilities and comfort level provided.

Self catering. Rental rates of houses, cottages and studios in resorts start from US$500 per week, but for a villa with fully fitted kitchen and maid service expect to pay over US$1,500 per week, and for the very luxurious (such as those at Blue Lagoon), from US$7,500 per week. These prices can prove to be good value on a per-person basis.

Meals. For lunch in a moderately priced but good establishment allow US$20 per person plus drinks; for dinner, allow US$40 per person plus drinks.

Car rental. Allow around US$28–95 per day depending on the size of car and whether the hire company is local or international. The lower figure is the price for a compact car from a local company in low season, while the higher price is for a compact 4x4 from an international company. Weekly rates are better value. If you want to hire a car with a driver, expect to pay around US$100–180, depending on distance, for a 10-hour day, including fuel.

Local transport. Bus fares are cheap, both in town and for longer distances, if you have the stomach for a journey at speed, often on twisting mountain roads. In Kingston the urban bus fare is US$0.92 and express buses US$1–2.40. However, travelling by bus is not recommended for the fainthearted. Taxis charge about US$5 for a short journey and US$20 for 10 miles, but check the fare beforehand. For long journeys the taxi fare could be more than hiring a car, but you can negotiate a deal with a small taxi company.

Arriving and Departing. An air arrival tax of $20 in addition to an arrival tax of $20 and a departure tax of $20 are usually included in the price of your flight ticket.

Car hire

Jamaica is the third-largest of the Caribbean islands, and to see all its delights it is best to hire private transport. The condition of the roads and Jamaican driving habits do create concerns for car hirers (see Driving), but with common sense and care, renting a car should enhance your trip, not spoil it.

The major car rental companies have offices at the two international airports:

Hertz: Kingston (tel: 924-8028, at the airport), www.hertz.com.

Avis: Kingston (tel: 924-8293, at the airport), Montego Bay (tel: 952-0762, at the airport), www.avis.com.jm.

Island Car Rentals is the largest local fleet: Kingston (tel: 926-8861, and at the airport, tel: 924-8075), Montego Bay (tel: 952-7225, at the airport), www.islandcarrentals.com, minimum age 23.

Local companies are more competitively priced than the international companies and provide a similar quality of service. Always satisfy yourself as to the age and condition of the car before confirming the booking. You can specify whether you want a manual or automatic transmission. Many companies make an extra charge for delivering the car to your hotel; this can amount to another day’s rental charge.

All national driving licences will be recognised by rental companies. Drivers must have held a licence for at least one year before they can rent. All renters must give a deposit, which ranges from US$500 to US$1,000; if you are under 25 years of age, there will also be a bond to comply with insurance regulations. A credit card is the most sensible method of giving the deposit, although cash can also be used.

In the US, some insurance companies cover hire cars; check to see whether you are covered on your policy or through your credit card before purchasing insurance. Damage waiver is recommended, which will add around US$15 per day to your costs.

In high season it is important to book a car in advance, as demand will be high. In low season you should be able to negotiate a package that will give you a better price, and it can often be better to wait rather than book in advance.

Service stations are open daily and accept cash only (Jamaican dollars or US dollars) for fuel.

Climate

Jamaica is a tropical island. It has virtually no change in seasons, the temperature varying between 25°C and 28°C (77°F and 83°F), although it is cooler in the mountains. Rainfall averages around 198cm (78in) each year and is greatest between August and November, which is considered low season for visitors. However, rain can fall in short, heavy tropical showers at all times of the year, especially in the afternoon. Rainfall varies considerably between the wetter east and the drier west of the island. Hurricane season, which afflicts the whole Caribbean, runs from the beginning of June through to the end of November.

Clothing

Lightweight clothing is sensible throughout the year along the coasts. Many people manage happily with T-shirts and shorts during the day, and wear something a little more formal in the evening. Cotton or other breathable materials are ideal. In the mountains, sweaters are a good idea for evenings or in case of a change in the weather. If you plan to visit interior towns or Kingston, more conservative clothing might be appropriate. Beachwear is acceptable only in the immediate area of the beach and not in shops and banks.

A hat and sunglasses are important, as the sun is very strong, especially in the middle of the day. When you first arrive, always make sure that you have clothing to cover your skin to prevent burning; a lightweight long-sleeved shirt is fine.

Footwear should be light and comfortable: a pair of sandals or flip-flops for the beach, along with a smarter choice for evenings. If you plan to visit the Blue Mountains, a pair of stout shoes or walking boots is essential.

Crime and Safety

Jamaica, and Kingston in particular, have a reputation for crime and violence, but in fact there are few attacks on tourists and the Jamaican countryside has a comparatively low crime rate. Much of the violent crime is confined to about four police districts in Kingston, which are prone to drug gangs and political inter-neighbourhood rivalry. As with any city, visitors are advised to exercise caution.

The use of marijuana, or ‘ganja’ (as it is known on the island), is not uncommon among Jamaicans of all classes; many smoke it, while others use it as a medicinal herb. Rastafari use it as a sacrament in religious observances. The drug is easily available and most visitors will be offered a supply at some stage during their holiday. Until recently it was strictly illegal to possess or use marijuana, however in February 2015 the parliament passed a law allowing the possession of up to 2oz (57g) for personal use.

The Jamaican authorities have increased security patrols in the resort areas, and you will see the blue uniforms of the ‘Tourist Police’ on the beaches. Many hotels also employ private security personnel, who patrol beaches and hotel entrances to deter hawkers and others.

Many Jamaican men make a living as impromptu (and definitely unofficial) guides, and they might approach you in the street or on the beach. Use caution in your dealings and use accredited companies only. Do not accept offers to ride in unauthorised taxis (official taxis have red number plates); they will not be insured to carry fare-paying passengers.

Always take out a travel insurance policy and photocopy important documents in case you need to make a claim.

Driving

Driving in Jamaica can be an adventure or a worry. The roads are in very bad condition and there is a lot of traffic. You might find cars driving towards you on the wrong side of the road, only to realise that they are avoiding a large pothole on their own side of the street. Always drive with utmost care and be ready to stop at any moment for potholes, animals and people. Cross-country routes, particularly in the area of the Blue Mountains, are prone to flooding or landslides. After periods of rain, you should always check before setting out to be sure that the road is passable; ask bus or truck drivers or employees at your hotel.

The big road-building programme is almost complete. The North Coast Highway was built in stages: Negril–Montego Bay, Falmouth–Ocho Rios, and Ocho Rios–Port Antonio. Highway 2000 in the south connects Kingston with Montego Bay via St Catherine, Manchester, St Elizabeth, Westmoreland and Hanover, and Kingston with Ocho Rios via St Ann. Most sections are now open, while the final 67 km (42 miles) long leg should be ready in mid-2016.

Speed limits and safety. Vehicles drive on the left, and speed limits are 50km/h (30mph) in towns and 80km/h (50mph) in rural areas. Despite this, many Jamaican drivers ignore the speed limits and drive at a dangerous speed. Always drive at a safe pace and allow plenty of time to reach your destination. Roundabouts (or traffic circles) are common. Give way to any traffic from the right at roundabouts.

Road signs feature easily recognisable international symbols. However, you will find that distance signs can be in either miles or kilometres, which can create confusion. The unit of measurement used will always be indicated at the side of the number.

Fuel and service. There are fuel stations open seven days a week in all towns. Always carry out basic checks on a rental vehicle when you take delivery of it and before setting out. Public telephones are rare in the interior; if you do break down, it could be hours before you get help, so always carry a mobile phone. If you have mechanical difficulties, contact your rental company for assistance.

Parking. When parking in towns or near beaches, try to find a car park with some security, and always park with the car in full view. At night, always park in a well-lit location.

Electricity

Jamaica operates at 110 volts/50 cycles as standard; current at 220 volts is available in some hotels on the island. Appliances with US and Canadian plugs can be used without adapters, but appliances from the UK and Europe will require one.

Embassies and Consulates

All diplomatic representatives have offices in Kingston.

Canada: High Commission, 3 West Kings House Road, Waterloo Road Entrance, Kingston 10, tel: 926-1500, www.jamaica.gc.ca

France: 13 Hillcrest Avenue, Kingston 6, tel: 946-4000, www.ambafrance-jm-bm.org.

Germany: 10 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10, tel: 926-6728, www.kingston.diplo.de.

UK: High Commission, 28 Trafalgar Road, Kingston 10, tel: 936-0700, http://ukinjamaica.fco.gov.uk/en.

US: 142 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, tel: 702-6000, http://kingston.usembassy.gov.

Emergencies

In the event of an emergency, call 119 for police and 110 for fire or ambulance and medical services.

Gay and Lesbian Travellers

Male homosexuality is an offence, punishable by prison in Jamaica. Consequently, homophobia is rife and there is no open gay scene, though LGBT rights are now one of the major political issues in the country.

Getting There (see also Airports)

By air. Flying into Jamaica is an easy option from the US, Canada and Europe. Miami, New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Toronto are all major hubs in North America, with easy connections to other US and Canadian cities. London is the hub for Europe, with easy connections for the UK and Ireland.

The following major airlines fly into Jamaica: Air Jamaica (www.airjamaica.com), Air Canada (www.aircanada.com), American Airlines (www.aa.com), British Airways (www.britishairways.com), Delta (www.delta.com), Jet Blue (www.jetblue.com), Spirit Airlines (www.spiritair.com), and Virgin Atlantic (www.virgin-atlantic.com). Scheduled flights will normally land at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. If you will be spending most of your time around Montego Bay or Negril, get a flight to Sangster International Airport at Montego Bay, where the transfer time is much shorter. Many other scheduled airlines and charter companies offer services depending on the time of year, with more services during high season. Most charter flights land at Montego Bay in the north.

Visitors from Australia and New Zealand can travel through either the US or Britain to pick up a connection to Jamaica. Both directions involve long journeys and possibly a stopover en route, so consult an airline specialist for advice about schedules and costs.

By sea. Many tourists visit Jamaica as a port-of-call on a cruise. Montego Bay, Falmouth and Ocho Rios are major cruise destinations, with comprehensive facilities for cruise passengers. Ports are well placed to offer tours to a range of attractions that can be visited on a day ashore.

Guides and Tours

There is a comprehensive tour programme offering visits to sites across the island. These can be booked either through your own tour or cruise company or through the Tourist Board offices. For those who don’t want to hire a car, this is an ideal way to see more of Jamaica. Tour companies will pick you up at your hotel and bring you back at the end of the day. Full-day tours often include lunch.

JUTA (Jamaican Union of Travellers Association) provides licensed taxis and tour buses for excursions to all major attractions; there are JUTA branches around the island: 80 Claude Clarke Avenue, Montego Bay, tel: 952-0813, http://jutatoursltd.com; Norman Manley Boulevard, Negril, tel: 957-4620, www.jutatoursnegrilltd.com. JUTA can also arrange individual itineraries. Prices for the same tour do vary, and you can save money by booking directly with JUTA or with the Jamaica Tourist Board, rather than through your own tour operator.

Health and Medical Care

Hygiene standards are generally high in Jamaica, and the tap water is drinkable. Mosquitoes can be a problem, especially just after sunset, and cases of Chikungunya virus passed by mosquitos have been confirmed on the island, so cover up or apply insect repellent. Don’t step on the spiny sea urchins as you snorkel or dive; the spines will embed themselves in your flesh and the sores can become infected. Go easy on the alcohol, especially in the sunshine, as this can lead to dehydration. Take time to build a tan to avoid sunburn and sunstroke; use a sunscreen with a sufficiently high SPF.

Most hotels have an arrangement with a local doctor who will be on-call for any problem. Each major town on the island has a hospital; however, the nearest hospital to Ocho Rios is at St Ann’s Bay, and the closest to Negril is at Savanna-la-Mar.

Always take out comprehensive insurance when you travel to cover unforeseen health emergencies or accidents.

Language

English is the official language of Jamaica and is spoken by everyone on the island. However, the local population also uses a Caribbean-English creole language, Patois, when speaking with each other. It originally developed when the Elizabethan English of the British colonists mixed with the West African languages spoken by the African slaves transported to the island. With subsequent additions of English, African, and Spanish vocabulary, Jamaican English has evolved into an everyday medium that is difficult for outsiders to understand.

Media

Radio and television. Jamaica has three TV nationwide stations and lots of local and cable channels. It has over a dozen radio stations, some of which are owned by the government. There are also a number of independent local radio stations and some online stations. Most hotels and many bars also receive satellite services, so you’ll find BBC World, CNN and ESPN widely available.

Newspapers and magazines. The major national newspapers in Jamaica are the Daily Gleaner and Sunday Gleaner (http://jamaica-gleaner.com) and the Jamaica Observer (www.jamaicaobserver.com), alongside The Star (http://jamaica-star.com), an evening paper.

Money

Currency. The currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican dollar (J$; colloquially called the ‘jay’), and there are 100 cents in each dollar. Paper bills are issued in denominations of $50, $100, $500, $1,000 and $5,000; coins are issued in denominations of 1 cent, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, $1, $5, $10 and $20. The smaller coins, being practically worthless, are being phased out. The US dollar is also widely accepted in shops and restaurants.

Jamaican dollars may be converted to foreign currency at the airport before departure upon presentation of an official exchange receipt. For visitors there are no restrictions on the import or export of foreign currencies, as long as they are declared, but the import or export of local currency is prohibited.

Travellers’ cheques and credit cards. Travellers’ cheques are widely accepted in Jamaica for cash in banks, for goods in shops, and for hotel and restaurant charges. Credit cards are also widely accepted except for fuel purchases, which must be made with cash (Jamaican or US dollars). If you want to obtain a cash advance with a credit card, you must take your card into a bank and produce photo ID. There are lots of ATMs (cash machines) in Jamaica, accepting a variety of international credit and debit cards.

Currency exchange. Money is changed at hotels, though at a less advantageous rate than in banks. There are also a number of ‘Cambio’ shops which are official money changers. You must have one official exchange receipt if you want to change money back before you return home. Changing money on the black market is illegal, but it is one of the services offered by street merchants. Beware of being cheated if you decide to use these unofficial money changers.

Opening times

Banks: 9am–2pm Monday to Thursday; 9am–4pm Friday.

Government offices (including Tourist Board): 8.30am–5pm, Monday to Thursday, 8.30am–4pm Friday.

Shops: 8.30am–4.30 or 5pm Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm Saturday, but this can vary enormously in resort towns and from low to high season.

Police

Police officers wear navy uniforms with red stripes on their hats and trousers. The emergency phone number for the police is 119. The Jamaica Constabulary Force is based at 101–103 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6.

Post Offices

All major towns have a Post Office. These are open 8am–5pm Monday to Friday. The postal system is notoriously slow, and postcards often take three weeks to reach their destination. Post boxes are red, but unreliable. If you have anything important or urgent to send, it is best to use a commercial carrier.

Public Holidays

Government offices and services are generally closed on the following days:

New Year’s Day 1 January

Ash Wednesday

Good Friday

Easter Monday

Labour Day 23 May

Emancipation Day 1 August

Independence Day 6 August

National Heroes Day third Monday in October

Christmas Day 25 December

Boxing Day 26 December

Religion

Jamaica is a Christian island, with Protestant denominations in the majority. However, many other major religions are also represented and have places of worship. You will find that Jamaicans always dress very smartly to go to church. One of the significant minorities is the Rastafari movement, a way of life rather than a religion, whose true adherents are said to number fewer than 100,000. With their characteristic dreadlocked hair, they are seen as being almost synonymous with the image of Jamaica. Their influence on the popular culture of the island remains strong.

Telephones

When calling from abroad, the country code for Jamaica is 876. When making an international call from Jamaica, always dial 00 before the country code. When in Jamaica, you need dial only the seven-digit local number; there are no area codes within Jamaica.

You can rent or buy mobile/cell phones, or buy a local SIM card to put in your own phone, but check that it is unlocked. Check with your home service provider that your phone will work in Jamaica, most will. Also check on your smartphone’s connectivity, plus the use of apps, or Skype on a smartphone. Most of these options should work with the right phone. If you can access Wi-Fi, check out internet phone services. Jamaican service providers are LIME (www.lime.com) and Digicel (www.digiceljamaica.com).

Time Zones

Jamaica operates on Eastern Standard Time, which is 5 hours behind GMT; however, it does not switch to daylight saving time. The following chart shows the time in various cities in winter:

Los Angeles New York Jamaica London Sydney

9am noon noon 5pm 3am (next day)

Tipping

Tipping is standard practice throughout the island, except at a few all-inclusive resorts where the ‘no tipping’ policy is clearly stated. It is common for a service charge to be automatically added to restaurant bills; this should be clearly stated on the menu or on the bill. If not, then a 10 percent to 15 percent tip should be added.

For taxi drivers, tip 10 percent to 15 percent; for porters, J$100–175 per bag; for hotel maids, J$100–175 per day.

Tourist Information

For useful information to help you plan your trip, the Jamaica Tourist Board (www.visitjamaica.com) has offices in the following countries:

US: 5201 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 670, Miami, FL 33126 tel: (305) 665-0557; 1-800-526-2422 (toll-free); email: info@visitjamaica-usa.com.

UK: 1–2 Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BZ, England, tel: (020) 7225-9090; email: mail@visitjamaica.uk.com.

Canada: 303 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario M4P 1L3, tel: (416) 482-7850, 1-800-465-2624 (toll free); email: jtb@visitjamaica-ca.com.

Tourist Offices can be found in the following locations:

Kingston: 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, tel: 929-9200; email: info@visitjamaica.com.

Montego Bay: Tourism Centre, Montego Bay Convention Centre, Rose Hall, St James, Montego Bay, tel: 952-4425.

Transport

The metropolitan areas of Kingston and Montego Bay have an improved bus system. Taxis and bus franchises provide easy commuting to coastal and interior areas of the island.

The tour company JUTA (for more information, click here) operates commercial air-conditioned bus services between the airports and the major resort areas. As an example, a one-way trip from Sangster Airport at Montego Bay to Negril costs US$25 to Negril Beach and US$30 to West End. A private transfer costs US$70 for 2 passengers.

Once you are settled, many restaurants and bars will provide free transportation in the evenings if you eat with them; just give them a call from your hotel.

Taxis are plentiful, but remember to use cars with red number plates: these are registered and properly insured. Always agree on a price for the ride before you get into the taxi, as they do not carry meters. Find out from other travellers what the going rate is for the journey that you want to make.

Visas and Entry Requirements

Residents of the US and most Commonwealth and European countries do not need a visa to visit Jamaica, but must carry a passport valid for at least six months and a return ticket. Visitors from Canada can enter with a valid passport, naturalisation certificate, or photo ID with birth certificate, but a passport is essential to transit the US.

You should declare any unusual or expensive items (such as cameras or electrical goods) on arrival to assure the authorities that they are for personal use only.

Websites and Internet Access

A number of websites can provide you with information about Jamaica before you book your trip, including details about hotels and attractions, car rental companies, and general facts and history:

www.visitjamaica.com – official site of the Jamaica Tourist Board

www.go-jamaica.com

All these sites will link you with other useful sites for your trip. Jamaica has clusters of internet cafés, which are widely available in the tourist areas. Many of the larger hotels also offer the use of a computer in a public area or Wi-Fi internet access for visitors with their own mobile device.

Youth Hostels

There are no youth hostels in Jamaica which are members of the Hostelling International Organisation. Several places call themselves hostels, but are really budget hotels. See www.hosteljamaica.com