Must-Know Tips For Travel To Jamaica In 2024: Before packing your bags and setting foot on the island, there are some must-know tips for travel to Jamaica. Your vacation will be more fulfilling, and you will appreciate the time spent here.
Some people wish they knew these things before traveling. It would have made their stay so much better. At the writing of this post, the ongoing pandemic makes travel uncertain but expects to get better.
Things to know before booking your flight to Jamaica.
You might need to do a Covid test and prove you don’t have the virus. Vaccination is going on, so things might change soon. Here is what to expect when traveling to Jamaica during the pandemic.
A passport is required to fly to Jamaica and possibly a visa. If you are traveling from the USA or Canada on a cruise, the original copy of your birth certificate and an ID will do. However, you would be in a spot of bother if there is an emergency and you need to board a flight. Therefore it is best always to use a passport.
Most of Jamaica’s commercial flights go through Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and Donald Sangster in Montego Bay. Travelers to the North and South Coast usually use Montego Bay. Most people don’t realize that Kingston is less than three hours from Montego Bay, so if your preferred flight to the North Coast is not available, Kingston will do, it instead of traveling at an inconvenient time.
If you are going to Ochi Rio, Boscobel, or Portland, the Norman Manley Airport in Kingston is closer and will take a little over an hour to reach your destination via the toll road.
Get Travel Insurance. If there is a medical emergency, you can easily get treated at the best hospital without racking up a hefty bill. Jamaica is vulnerable to hurricanes and other natural disasters; civil unrest is not common, but your insurance will cover evacuation costs.
Travel Tips for getting around the island.
These are the option for travel in Jamaica.
- Public transport – route taxi, coaster bus, government bus, minivans
- Luxury Bus – Knostford Express
- Hired transport- Juta or other licensed company
- Rental
Hiring a taxi is best if you want to tour and visit some attractions, it can cost from US$100 to a few hundred bucks.
Renting a car is best if you stay for a few weeks and plan to explore the island. It is cheaper and more convenient. US$ 35 will get you a vehicle for the day. Use a licensed company. You can rent in advance or at the airport when you arrive on the island.
Jump on a route taxi or coaster if you want to travel like a local it’s cheap; however, vehicles are cramped. It is not the safest or most convenient way to get around.
Travel tips for driving in Jamaica
In Jamaica, we drive on the right; if you are coming from North America, it may seem weird.
Google Maps works in towns and cities, but things might get tricking in the mountains.
Look out for animals on the windy and bumpy country roads. It’s common to see cows and goats eating grass on the roadside. No, they are no strays, they will find their way back home before it gets dark, or the owners will collect them.
Flashing headlights.
An incoming vehicle flashing its headlights during the day means there is a speed trap ahead. During the night, it simply means you are to dim your light.
A slight tooth of a horn from behind means you are about to be overtaken. Loud honking means you are driving like a tourist and holding up traffic. Don’t be bothered; they will zip past when it’s possible to overtake.
Jamaican drivers are aggressive; they tailgate, blow horns, and overtake on narrow streets. Don’t get upset and lose your cool; focus on the road.
Be careful when getting directions, especially in rural areas; just around the corner could be ten miles away.
Tips for money & banking.
Before leaving home, inform your bank or credit card provider that you are going to Jamaica. If not, your transaction might be seen as suspicious and get blocked. Also, make sure your card limit is enough to cover spending for the entire trip. Contacting your financial provider from Jamaica to make adjustments can be frustrating.
Your international credit card or debit card should work. However, when traveling with cash, some merchants in Jamaica don’t accept certain foreign cards. You can withdraw cash from ATMs in Jamaica, but not all issue US currency. Scotia is the largest bank on the island that gives US and Jamaican notes.
US dollars are accepted everywhere. Use only in tourist areas where prices are in US dollar equivalent because the exchange rate at some places can be unfair. Don’t buy exchange money at the airport use the bank or Cambio you will get a better rate.
How to shop in Jamaica?
Some resorts offer duty-free shopping; also, the Airports you can buy jewelry, tobacco, rum, and souvenir. When buying things to take home a piece of Jamaica, check the tag; it might be a piece of China. There are a lot of cheap knock-offs on the island. If you want to get authentic Jamaica Items go to the craft village to buy high-quality things, it might cost a bit more but worth it.
Jamaican vendors might come off as being pushy; if you are not interested in what they are selling, politely say no and keep moving. No one will go out of their way to make you uncomfortable they are only trying to make a sale.
Get Jamaican dollars if you plan on shopping outside of the resorts or tourist areas. It is a lot easier; you don’t have to work out the conversation and get a meager exchange rate. Some merchants take advantage of tourists not knowing to exchange rate for the local currency.
When buying on the street, there is the local price, and tourists don’t be afraid to negotiate. Don’t feel too bad that they are trying to overcharge you. Even locals who they think are rich get the same treatment. Some sellers think tourists are rich, don’t know the real price, and will pay to accept any price they tell them.
The easiest way to negotiate is to show interest in the item asked for the price, then walk away if it’s too. Most times, they will drop the price if they are overcharging you.
Smoking cannabis and cigarettes in Jamaica.
Jamaica is one of the biggest promotors of cannabis use through reggae music. You would think that most people on the island smoke but surprisingly, that’s not the case. Most Jamaicans view smoking Ganja negatively. It was illegal, but the laws changed in 2015.
They decriminalized it, so citizens caught with up to two ounces will get arrested. However, you might pay a fine of JA $500. You cannot take it on fight out of the country; you will be arrested and charged for exporting drugs. Only members of the Rastafarian community are free to plant and pose as much as they like. It is a sacrament used as part of their religious practice.
All though illegal to sell on the street, locals will offer it to you. If you don’t want cannabis, say no and go about your business. Some Jamaicans think tourists come to the island to chill on the beach, relax, and smoke weed. Cigarettes are legal in Jamaica and available at the most convenient stores; Matheran and Craven A are the most popular brands.
If you smoke a different brand, it might be hard to find _take your own. It is illegal to smoke cigarettes in public spaces, some restaurants or bars that allow it have a smoking area. Some properties do not allow smoking, or they have designated space to do so. Check to make sure.
Travel tips for tipping in Jamaica
Jamaicans are helpful; they will help strangers without asking for anything. If you offer them a tip, some will accept while others might refuse depending on the person or situation.
At some restaurants, workers are not allowed to accept gratuity _ it’s added to your bill. All_inclusive resort policy varies; some allow others dont. Check out this post on tipping at all-inclusive resorts.
It’s ok to tip your tour guide, driver, or the workers who help you at the supermarket if you think their service is exceptional. You are not obligated to give anybody money, so it is at your discretion.
How much to tip depends on you and also how long the person has been helping you out. Anywhere from US$5, they will appreciate it—thats about JA$740. Workers at the lower end of the industry are now well paid, so they use tips to supplement their salary.
Tips for buying road food
In some countries, it would be unsafe to buy street food, but it is acceptable and safe in Jamaica.
Most small food shacks have to pass the minimum requirement to operate; a required food handler permit. The island has a tradition of maintaining a high standard of cleanliness. Jamaica’s life expectancy rate was on par with developed nations despite being a developing country in the early 20th century when diseases ravaged the world. We were not getting sick from germs_ proper hygiene was a part of the culture.
You will get some of the best-tasting foods on the street, even better than at the resorts. Jerk pork, Jerk chicken, Manish water(ram goat soup), Conch soup, roast yam, roast breadfruit, and fish (stew, fried roast) are among the most popular foods. Conch is seasonal, so it might not be in season at the time of your travel.
Travel tips for Jamaica_ what to take on your vacation.
Jamaica has a tropical climax, so it is warm all year round. Shorts, teeshirts, and light clothing will do. If you spend time in the mountains, take a jacket, it can get cold up there. Well, by Jamaican standards.
Water shoes are a must to explore the rivers and climb the waterfalls. If you are going snorkeling, take your gear. Although they are available at the resorts, you might have to pay a fee to use them if you are at a hotel or Airbnb.
You can get a sunburn, so sunscreen is necessary regardless of race. It is available here at the hotel or pharmacy.
If you are a female traveling solo, you dont have to be afraid of men attacking you on the streets. If there are unwelcome advances, let them know you are not interested.
Dont be too uptight with time. It’s a laid-back culture so expect most things to be late. Set extra time if going on a tour, at the airport, or waiting at a restaurant. An extra half hour or an hour to be safe. Soon come could mean five minutes, one hour, or the next, you never know.
How to stay safe in Jamaica?
I am sure you heard that Jamaica is not safe and have people looking at you crazing when you tell them you are going to Jamaica. Although the island has a crime problem, things are not as bad as they might have you believe. Tourists are safe. Most crime is among locals in some communities.
Use common sense and take safety precautions, and you will enjoy your vacation in Jamaica safely.
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