Banks & Currency

You don’t need to get Jamaican money before you get to the island. In all resort areas, licensed cambios and bureaux de change are easily and readily accessible, and just about all currencies can be exchanged in banks. The official rate of exchange varies daily, so it’s not a bad idea to shop around for a rate that suits you before changing large amounts of cash.

Many Jamaican ATMs accept international bank cards with Visa, Mastercard, Cirus and Plus logos, and banks give credit card advances, change traveller’s cheques and offer other financial services. At the end of your trip, you may take Jamaican currency with you (for your next time in Jamaica!) or you may exchange it at the airport.

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Climate

Jamaica has a tropical climate at sea level and a temperate climate towards the highlands of the interior. As a popular Jamaican poem says, “we have neither summer nor winter/neither autumn nor spring…” and it's true. Instead, each year the island sees two rainy seasons from May to June and September to November. Many Jamaicans characterize the seasons according to the fruits available at that time! Some of the most important ‘seasons’ are mango season (May to July), guinep season (July to late September) and cane crop season (late October to about January). Of note also is the hurricane season from June to September, during which time large storms may, but rarely do, pass over the island. (Don’t worry about hurricanes, the last hurricane to directly hit Jamaica happened in 1988 and before that in 1952!) Although there is little real variation in temperature year round, between December and April the weather is practically perfect for any activity every day.

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Communications

Jamaica is well connected to the rest of the world. Direct international telephone service operates in all areas 24 hours a day, and telephone operators will gladly facilitate collect, third party or credit card calls. International faxes, cables and telegrams can be sent from most hotels and post offices. Email and Internet access is available too, usually at hotels and parish libraries, but also at local Internet Cafes. There are three daily national newspapers and five weekend newspapers, all available at hotel front desks, newsstands and vendors islandwide. Some hotels and gift shops receive the international editions of major newspapers and magazines such as the New York Times, TIME, The Economist and the London Times. There are about five local television stations, all of which broadcast islandwide, showing a combination of local and international productions. Radio is immensely popular in Jamaica, and with close to 20 FM stations, one can get up-to-the-minute local and international news, sports and weather, as well as continuous music of all genres.

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Driving

The most important thing to remember when driving in Jamaica is that here, we drive on the LEFT, although some flexibility is required to avoid collisions with pedestrians, cows, goats, chickens and other domestic animals. We have over 17 000 kilometres of road networks connecting all major towns and cities, the speed limit is 50 kmph (30 mph) in built-up areas, and 80 kmph (50 mph) on highways. All drivers are required to carry a valid licence. Jamaica recognizes valid International Driver’s Licenses, but visitors from North America may use their country’s licence for up to three months per visit. Visitors from the United Kingdom may use theirs for up to twelve months, while visitors from Japan may use theirs licenses for up to one month. The driver and front passenger are required to wear safety belts, and children under 3 years old must be restrained in infant carriers. Mostly clients must be no less than 25 years old to rent.

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Drugs

In Jamaica, the use, sale, and possession of drugs such as ganja (marijuana), cocaine, crack, ecstasy, heroin and any other controlled substance is ILLEGAL. Violators are subject to severe punishments – specifically arrest, fine and imprisonment. DO NOT attempt to purchase, use, consume or transport ANY drug. If there is someone trying to sell you drugs, be firm and say NO! Incarceration is not a pleasant way to extend your holiday – you really don’t get much sightseeing done from behind the bars of a prison!

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Electricity

The electrical supply in Jamaica is 110 volts/50 cycles standard, and electrical appliances use plugs that are two-pronged and flat (such as those used in the United States and Canada). If your appliances do not use 110 volts or flat two-pronged plugs, bring the requisite adaptors and converters with you. Although adaptors and converters are available in Jamaica, they may not be easy to come by. Most laptop computers have built-in converters and can be used with an adaptor. If the idea of lugging all this equipment around seems daunting, leave it behind. Most hotels have hair dryers, alarm clocks, radios and clothes irons available, and in any case you probably won’t need many appliances. You are, after all, on holiday …

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Language

The official language of Jamaica is English, although most Jamaicans speak a local patois influenced by a combination of several different languages. It may take some time for you to become accustomed to it. When that happens, though, you’ll have fun trying the local expressions.

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Time Zone

Jamaica falls within the Eastern Time Zone (UTC/GMT -5 Hours) and does NOT observe Daylight Savings Time. At times in Jamaica, however, it seems as if we don’t observe any time at all, so for the least amount of stress on your vacation, you may want to think about leaving your watch behind! At approximately 18 degrees north of the equator, the island falls within the tropics, and as such does not experience drastic seasonal changes in sunrise and sunset times. Year round the island averages between 11.5 and 12.5 hours of sunlight per day – always enough time to do everything, or never enough for anything!

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Water

‘Xamayca’ is the name that the first Jamaicans, the Tainos, gave to this country. It means ‘Land of Wood and Water’, and for good reason, Jamaica has hundreds of spring and rivers, both above and under ground. Over the years, we have developed extensive water treatment and supply systems islandwide, so all drinking water in Jamaica is purified and filtered by modern methods. Our water is safe for you to drink, clean your teeth, bathe and wash clothing in. We understand though, that some people are still wary about drinking the water in a strange country. If you choose not to drink the water, rest assured, there are many brands of Jamaican Spring water that meet or exceed the highest international standards, available at most shops and restaurants.

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Links & Sources:

• WCities
• Wikipedia
• Frommers
• Rough Guides
• Lonely Planet
• Jamaica Touristboard